Page 32 of The Duke's Vice

She shut the door behind her and walked to her desk, her hand cramping from how tightly she held the envelope.

With a glance over her shoulder to make sure the door was closed and locked she opened the envelope.

Dearest Mouse,

I hope this letter finds you well. Below you will find directions to a meeting place. Meet me there tonight exactly at midnight, not a minute after. You are to wear a nightgown and the mask you wore for your failed attempt at gaining access to a particular party.

I look forward to crossing an item off your list tonight.

G.

Beatrice could hear her heart beating between her ears. She read the note several times, running her fingertips over the words he wrote. Almost as if her finger could pick up more information about him and their rendezvous.

She glanced at her father’s time piece on her desk. She had several hours before midnight, and thought of sitting around just waiting was too much for her to bear.

She rang for Candace.

“I need to bathe.” The words rushed out.

Candace looked at her. “But it’s…”

“I spilled tea all over me, and I tripped in the garden earlier, I… can you draw me a bath? Is this the middle ages? I don’t need a reason to bathe, do I?”

Candace took a step inside the room and leaned forward. “Is everything all right, Lady Beatrice?”

Beatrice pushed out a breath. “Yes! Why is everyone asking me that today?”

Candace shrugged. “You seem a bit on edge is all.”

Beatrice’s face lit up. “You’re right! I’m on edge and a nice bath will help calm me.”

Candace raised an eyebrow before quickly glancing over her shoulder. “Does this have anything to do with your list?” She whispered.

Beatrice wrinkled her nose. “No. In fact, I think I’m going to take a break from that, give my mother what she wants until the end of the season.”

Candace breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s wonderful to hear, Lady Beatrice.” She brought her hands up. “Not that I think you were wrong in pursuing your own dreams, it’s just,” she laid a hand over her chest and let out another breath, “it was very stressful for me.” She laughed.

Beatrice rolled her lips. “I know, and I’m sorry. But, we don’t have to worry about for right now. Right now I could use a nice relaxing bath.”

Candace dipped her head. “I’ll see to it.”

After Candace closed the door Beatrice walked over to her dresser and pulled out a nightgown.

She raised an eyebrow. While holding the nightgown she walked back to her desk where the letter laid in the open. She cringed. She was lucky Candace didn’t come into the room, she could have seen this.

She picked up the note and reread it. It said nightgown.

Beatrice looked at the gown in her hands.

Where could we possibly be going that would require me to wear a nightgown?

She ruminated over that question for a moment before a more pressing one came to mind. What item would they be checking off?

Beatrice found herself once again scurrying down a side street in the same direction as her previous attempts to attend a midnight party. Only this time she turned down an alley several blocks before the main square. Luckily for her it wasn’t far from her house and she knew the area quite well.

When she turned into the alley she saw Graham standing next to his carriage. She knew it was him immediately. He wore the same mask he was wearing the night she met him and he looked just as formidable yet enticing.

Her heart fluttered as she neared him.