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Perhaps tonight will not be so interminable when no one can see me. And I will be able to dance with my wife if I so choose.

Pulling his coat against his frame one final time, he left the room, heading down the staircase to wait for Alicia. This time, he was confident she would not keep him waiting.

Since her confession about attempting to repel him, her tardiness had diminished considerably.

I almost miss the anticipation.

Seth had not been in the hallway long when there was a movement above him, and he looked up to be greeted by a vision beyond his wildest imaginings.

Alicia’s costume was that of a swan. Her long, beautiful gown was layered with an intricate sea of feathers at her back, her cinched waist accentuated by a brooch that sparkled in the light.

The sleeves were short, adorned with feathers cascading down to her elegant white gloves. Her white, sparkling mask made her eyes seem all the brighter, the blue shining through like sapphires.

Seth’s mouth was hanging open, and he closed it hurriedly, smoothing his hand down his waistcoat and watching her approach him.

“Is Dove hidden somewhere in the folds of your dress? I would hardly be able to see her.”

She did a spin, making him smile as she posed for him.

“I have left her in my chambers tonight. Do you approve?”

“Very much.”

She ran her eyes over him appreciatively. “A dark knight?”

“The black knight. Come to slay the swan should she stray away from him.”

Alicia giggled. “Well then, I shall have to stay by your side all night.”

“See that you do.”

The ballroom at Almack’s was bedecked in garlands.

Everything around them was ostentatious, down to the glistening silver goblets at the refreshments table.

Lady Sallinger, newly married, fluttered about the room, looking pompous and vain as she fanned herself, flirting with every man she passed. Her husband, already drunk, was talking loudly above the music, spilling his wine on the floor in the process.

Seth held back the urge to roll his eyes. Mask or no mask, he could not be seen openly mocking members of the ton.

“You are very tense,” Alicia whispered to him as they stood in the entryway. “Are you all right?”

“I despise most of these people,” Seth grumbled.

“I thought you said your friends were in attendance.”

“Hm. I can toleratethem, I suppose.”

She laughed. “You are manifesting the mood of the black knight perfectly. I spy Bridget by the refreshments table; shall I get you a glass of wine to ease your irritation?”

“If you must. Hurry back, and don’t speak to anyold suitorson the way, or I shall find a balcony to claim you before the night is over.”

He watched her eyes widen in shock before she slipped her hand from his and walked through the crowd toward a refreshments table bedecked with every drink he could have imagined.

Seth could smell the sharp spice of Negus in the air, and he hoped that Alicia would get a glass for herself so he might try it.

As he glanced around the room, bored already with the tedium of the thing, he saw Lucas and Isaac standing on the opposite side. Michael was talking animatedly between them, and they all laughed.

Moving stealthily through the crowd, he kept an eye out for his host, whom he had not yet greeted.