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Though the head guard was an entire head and a half taller than Dominic and far more broad, the man paled at Dominic’s gruff tone, and bowed.

“Apologies, Your Grace, I did not know what to do about Her Grace and Miss Briarwood,” he replied.

“About what?”

“Theo?!”

Dominic and Tristan spoke at the same time.

“Where is my wife?” Dominic demanded.

“She is here, Your Grace,” Jonathan answered quickly, “In London.”

For all he had missed her Dominic wanted to feel relieved at the news that she was so close…but something wasn't right. If she were here with good reason, Jonathan would not look so worried.

“I ask again,” he said slowly, his voice dipping several tones as he clenched his fists. “Where. Is. My. Wife?”

“She left Ellsworth earlier today and demanded I stay to watch over the children,” Jonathan answered. “I know I was wrong to disobey her orders, Your Grace, but something was not right. I followed her, and when she got out of her carriage to meet Miss Briarwood she looked…different. And she was wearing a mask.”

Anger, hot and white shot through Dominic’s so fiercely that for a moment he struggled to breathe. She wouldn’t- not after everything they’d been through, everything they’d said to one another- would she?

A sense of betrayal hit him square in the chest shortly after, and he shut his eyes to the pain. Too late. He was too late to make things right. She’d gone back to the one thing that had given her power: theDevil’s Masquerade.Would she find a paramour this time?

“Your Grace,” Jonathan said, his tone full of worry.

“Dominic, you open your damn eyes right now and look at me,” Tristan demanded, his tone seething with anger.

Dominic’s eyes flew open and he glared at his friend.

“Something tells me my sister is responsible for this,” Tristan huffed, working his jaw back and forth with obvious frustration. “But we can figure out whether that is true or notafterwe go in and get them out.”

Through his pain Dominic felt the truth of Tristan’s words, and nodded.

“Where are you going?” Tristan called as Dominic walked toward the stairs.

“To wash up,” Dominic called back, taking determined steps, “If I’m going to go get my wife, I have to look much better than this.”

In the bath he washed himself, rubbing his skin almost raw with soap and cloth, then pulled on his favorite black on black suit. From his closet he then retrieved a box he hadn’t opened in ages, and took out the black horned mask.

If his wife wanted to meet a devil, he would give her one.

CHAPTERTWENTY

“This was a mistake,” Amelia whispered, staring out into the red-light drenched ballroom.

Her stomach had been in terrible knots for the last two days, and now that she was standing at the threshold of theDevil’s Masquerade,she felt like she was going to vomit. No longer did she feel the rush of excitement or power that she used to by coming to the illusive party, but a strong sense of foreboding.

At her side Theo gripped her hand. She was practically dancing in place with excitement, and the constant movement at Amelia’s side only worsened her sickened feeling.

“You worry too much,” Theo whispered back, peering over the groups of entwined people through her mask. “I feel better already. Don’t you remember how fun this was? Come on, let us go find some gentlemen to mingle with.”

Though she’d made Theo promise that they would stick together, Amelia felt unable to move.

“You go on,” Amelia replied, shaking her head. “I will keep watch of you from afar.”

Theo looked toward her with a frown.

“Your husband broke your heart,” her friend replied. “Not once, buttwice.You owe him nothing. Now you look amazing. Your dress has never looked better on you and you are practically glowing from behind your mask. Come with me. Find someone tonight who can nurse your broken heart, or at least provide you a distraction.”