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She was out of breath by the time she had said her piece, bracing herself against their inevitable shock and disapproval.

Her friends exchanged another look, but this time both of them were smiling, and Katie gave a little titter.

“I knew it,” Bridget said to her. “Didn’t I tell you it would come out in the end?”

“What on earth do you mean?” Alicia asked, dumbfounded.

“Ever since the day we all met, I said to Katie that I did not believe you hated him. There was something in your voice that was all wrong, considering how you were supposed to feel,” Bridget said with smug satisfaction.

“But I did try to repel him,” Alicia insisted.

“I believe you, but I do not think you were surewhy. Not after you were married. You have found someone who suits you, against all the odds.”

Alicia held out her hands to them both. “I am still sorry.”

Katie smiled. “We started this because we did not believe you could ever be happy with him. This was something forced and unnatural. How you feel for him now changes everything.”

The tension in Alicia’s shoulders finally eased. It was good to have her friends’ approval.

Bridget furrowed her brow as she squeezed Alicia’s fingers. “What is it? What is troubling you? Does he not feel the same?”

Alicia shook her head, the sadness rising from within once more. “In truth, I am not sure. All I know is that until he has moved on from his past, we can never be happy together.”

She picked up her cup, sipping her tea to soothe her dry throat.

“We talked. He spoke a little about the trial, about what he was accused of. You should hear him speak about Lord Fernside; the emotion in his voice would be obvious to anyone. He misses him. I do not think he ever harmed him.”

She sighed. “But I also do not know how to help. He wishes to banish the darkness from his past, to move on and begin a new chapter. But how can I help him when I do not know the details of the case and what he went through?”

Katie leaned forward, her expression earnest. “Sometimes, simply being there is enough. He has spoken to you about his troubles; that is a wonderful thing.”

Alicia nodded. “I can only hope he finds his way through this.” She looked at her friends, vulnerable and raw in her confession. “I never thought I would want to share my life with him, but now I do—most desperately.”

CHAPTER 31

Seth adjusted his mask as his valet put the finishing touches on his coat, brushing down the soft velvet to ensure it had a high luster.

In general, Seth did not like masquerade balls. He disliked deception and not being able to see to whom he was speaking. But Alicia’s face had lit up at the invitation, so he had been unable to say no.

The damned woman is beginning to usurp my every thought!

“I believe you are ready, Your Grace,” Harper said with his usual stoicism. “Here is your mask.”

The valet handed over the shimmering mask Seth had chosen for the ball. He had opted for the costume of a black knight, and the symbolism of it felt right, what with everything he hoped to achieve.

I shall avenge you, Gordon, even if it takes me my whole life.

If only he knew who to avenge his friend on.

He tugged at his sleeve, nodding to Harper, who looked rather pleased with himself.

Seth had a black cravat around his neck, a black waistcoat and shirt, and a matching tailcoat. His gloves were of the finest leather, with crystal buttons along their length.

Alicia had kept her costume secret from him, but when he had mentioned his choice, she had given him a coy look, as if in quiet approval.

He could hardly wait to see her in her gown. Every time she walked into a room, no matter what she was wearing, he instantly began imagining peeling her out of it.

He donned the mask, the shimmering line of silver down the center making his eyes look an even darker brown as he examined his reflection in the mirror.