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“Well then, Lord Nikolai, I believe you’re ready to attend the Midwinter Masque. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself.”

Reece held out his coat, and Sebastian shrugged into it, then swiped his wolf mask from the dressing table and held it in front of his face.

It was wearying, always and ever being Prince Sebastian, which was, he supposed, why he’d agreed to Reece’s ridiculous scheme that he attend the Midwinter Masque as someone completely different. That, plus the fact that he wanted to prove to himself he was man enough to return to the scene of the crime, as it were. Even if he were in disguise.

The man looking back at him from the mirror bore little resemblance to the aloof and pale-haired Ice Prince. Instead, a mysterious stranger stood there, ready for a night where, for once, he could take off the mask of nobility and simply be himself.

CHAPTER THREE

“Did you hear?”Eliana leaned close to Lady Peony, trying to avoid inhaling the fluffy white feathers edging her friend’s mask. “Hewon’t be here tonight. Apparently the prince has been taken ill.”

With an attack of conscience, perhaps, though she doubted it. Preferably it was something painful and debilitating, like gout.

“Oh, that’s a relief.” Peony’s fan, which she had been waving back and forth in an agitated manner, slowed. “I almost couldn’t come tonight, after what happened last year.”

Her voice hitched, and Eliana patted her friend’s gloved hand. Peony was sweet and a bit meek, and the debacle last year had wounded her deeply.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Eliana said. “Prince Sebastian was an utter cad to you, breaking things off without a word, when everyone knew he was supposed to propose at the ball.”

Peony nodded mournfully and said nothing.

“But the Ice Prince isn’t here, so cheer up! Is your dance card full?”

“Not entirely.”

“Mine either.” Eliana glanced about the crowded ballroom, her gaze obscured by the eyeholes of her mask.

It was not quite as impractical as Peony’s, being made of paper and silk and sitting closely against her face, but it was still hot and a little scratchy.

At last she glimpsed the familiar dark hair and blue gossamer dress she’d been searching for.

“There’s my sister. I’ll make her relinquish her husband for the quadrille. Once you take a turn with the Duke of Ashford, the men will be lining up.”

Peony did not deserve to be a wallflower, and her reputation, though bruised, was recovering. If only she would stand up for herself a bit more…

But Peony’s kindness had shored Eliana up during her low points, and she would not abandon her friend simply because Peony lacked a backbone of steel.

“Wait here, and I’ll send Ashford over,” Eliana said. “It’s quite a crush.”

Indeed, it took her several minutes to maneuver past the clumps of people in conversation. She amused herself as she sidled past by trying to identify the lords and ladies. Some she knew by their laughs, others by their tone and mannerisms. Having often been at the center of such groups, she was well aware of the individual quirks of the members of theton.

It was rather amazing, though, how the masks made it difficult to recognize a person. Hair color and stature were excellent clues, of course, but Eliana found herself wondering how many of the people she passed were known to her. The sensation of moving alone through an unknown crowd was a bit odd, accustomed as she was to counting so many people as friends and acquaintances.

“Lady Ashford,” she said, fetching up with relief beside her sister. “How inspiring you look tonight.”

Selene turned, her gossamer blue skirt catching the light. Eliana could tell her dark eyebrows were raised behind her mask.

“You shouldn’t say my name,” Selene said. “Thisisa masked ball, after all.”

“Don’t be silly—you know as well as I that the gossips revealed the Duke and Duchess of Ashford were going as ‘a Poet and his Muse.’ Terribly romantic of you.”

Selene smiled. “Jared is regretting having to carry around a book and a pen all evening, though I did warn him it would be cumbersome.”

“Then he ought to set them down and dance. In fact, if you might prevail upon him to take a turn with Lady Peony, it would be much appreciated.”

“Of course. The poor girl. I suppose you’ve heard that Prince Sebastian will not be in attendance tonight?”

“Thank heavens. The Ice Prince would certainly bring a certain chilling effect to the occasion.”