Page 37 of A Lady’s Rules for Seaside Romance (The Harp & Thistle #3)

S omething Anne had learned since the death of her husband was sometimes, the past didn’t stay in the past, even if it was where it belonged.

This had been a struggle of hers, particularly with Lord and Lady Bell’s masquerade. It was a fun event, one Anne looked forward to every summer, but there was always a sick, nervous feeling that lingered throughout the evening.

And it was because of her late husband’s past behavior.

It had a simple explanation. Bernard used to disappear for long stretches of time at the masquerade.

She wasn’t stupid, though. She’d known what he’d been doing.

And while she and the rest of the family had been enjoying themselves and socializing, she would spend most of her time looking around the crowd for her scoundrel husband, hopeful he had simply become caught up in conversation with someone.

He’d always returned to her side disheveled, and denied it whenever she’d pointed it out.

Those days were long over, though, and she would never put herself through that again.

Anne shook her hands at her side, straightened her back, and entered the parlor in full costume.

She wore a low-cut, white, silk dress with white feathers that almost looked like a boa draped around the neckline and the hem of the dress.

The back of her skirt was full of feathers as well.

Upon her head was a papier- maché swan, too, perched atop her blonde head as if swimming across water.

It had a tail, flush wings, and a long neck and head that stood proud above her face.

Luckily, it wasn’t heavy, but it felt precarious.

She also wore a white eye mask and long, white gloves.

Mary, Freddy, the Duke of Chalworth, and Victor were all seated together amongst sofas and chairs.

Lily and the twins were already asleep, of course.

Mulling around the room was Vivian, who was dressed as a honeybee with a striped yellow-and-black dress and fake wings.

Dantes, who, like Victor, wasn’t big on costumes, wore the same costume he used every year—a medieval highlander with a McNab tartan kilt.

Evelyn was a bat and Ollie was a pirate. Everyone had eye masks on as well.

“Mama, you look stunning!” Mary jumped up from her seat upon her mother’s appearance in the room. Apparently, Anne was the last to arrive. “Why, you will be the belle of the ball , as they say!”

Anne forced a smile at her daughter. It wasn’t that she wasn’t charmed by compliment. Anne had been bracing for another explosive argument since she’d woken up, just waiting for Mary’s final desperate attempt to receive permission to attend the masquerade.

Mary had been very upset these last several weeks about not being allowed to attend the masquerade ball. But today of all days, Mary hadn’t once asked to go.

In fact, she had spent most of the day sending letters.

Mary had sent one in the morning, two in the afternoon, and one only half an hour earlier.

Amused, Anne had questioned the young lady about the sudden increase in correspondence and Mary had explained she was simply keeping up with her friends in town.

Anne was quite relieved that, finally, the young woman had become distracted by something that didn’t involve eligible gentlemen.

Mary looked to be in good spirits right now as well.

Perhaps this was all a sign that Mary was maturing and learning how to better handle disappointment.

“Thank you, Mary,” Anne replied, feeling a bit of pride.

“You two will be in bed at midnight, correct?” She sent pointed looks through her mask at Mary and then Freddy. “That’s only two hours from now.”

“Yes, Mama,” Mary and Freddy said in unison.

“You appear to be in good company tonight, at least!” She turned a smile to the duke and to Victor, at whom she had been too nervous to look at since she’d walked into the room.

But now that she had an excuse to, she glanced at Victor and found him appraising her costume, studying it quite intently as he slouched slightly in his seat.

A lazy gaze trailed up until their eyes met, causing something within her to jolt.

He didn’t look away, embarrassed to have been caught. Instead, his eyes darkened.

Shivering, she looked away.

The duke, with his white hair and round cheeks, smiled at her.

“Mr. McNab and I have been in deep discussion about ducal duties. I thought tonight would be a good chance for us to get into the details of it all. He has several properties and did you know many of the tenants are sheep herders? They have wool up to their ears, and Americans apparently can’t get enough of real Scottish highlander wool.

You should see what those New York department stores are paying to have highlander wool garments in their stores.

” The duke leaned toward Victor. “Didn’t you say something about that fellow Andrew Carnegie, also? ”

Anne looked over to Victor and realized he hadn’t taken his eyes off of her.

Her cheeks flushed—she could feel it. “Carnegie is a Scotsman and wanted Scottish wool for his workers’ uniforms. The wool comes from our tenants.

” Victor paused, his stare at Anne lingered, but then he looked over to the duke.

Anne could practically feel his gaze ripping away from her.

“These tenants have become quite wealthy because of Americans. It’s almost funny, as I’ve been putting off digging into the finances of it all, afraid to find farms which no longer keep up with production, or farms with tenants who have left for better-paying factory jobs.

While there will be some of that, I had no idea how lucrative wool has been.

It’s been a boon for the dukedom. Fergus has kept this a well-hidden secret. ”

“Oh! Well, then, congratulations are in order!” Anne said, knowing Victor has been worrying about the dukedom all summer. Though it would still be a heavy responsibility, at least it wasn’t failing financially.

Victor looked back at her, causing another jolt in her heart.

Thankfully, Vivian clapped, interrupting the moment, and announced they would be departing.

Anne promised to see her children in the morning and gave Freddy and Mary a hug and kiss on the cheek.

Freddy rolled his eyes at her but allowed it.

Mary, however, stiffened under Anne’s affection.

Anne brushed it off and remained thankful they hadn’t come to the explosive argument she had been expecting all day.

Anne followed everyone else out of the room and as they exited the front door for the awaiting carriage, Victor called after her.

Anne turned and smiled up at him. “Yes?”

“What, exactly, happens at this masquerade?” he asked in a low voice. And was that a hint of panic?

The corners of Anne’s mouth turned down. “What do you mean? It’s a ball, but with costumes.”

Victor hesitated as he seemed to be deciding what to say next. “I confess, Freddy told me it is a debauched party and all kinds of…mischief occur.”

Panic coursed through her. Why would Freddy know anything about debauchery? “What did he say happens?”

Victor hesitated again. “Courtesans.” He lowered his voice. “Multiple partners.”

Anne’s eyes went wide. “He told you that? Oh, dear, where did he hear such a thing? I don’t know where he heard that.

I mean, it’s a masquerade, so people do get a bit silly and some get into mischief they wouldn’t normally.

It does have a reputation, but it’s not nearly as scandalous as rumors make it sound.

And most people do not partake in the worst of it. ”

Victor nodded and his shoulders seemed to ease.

“Why?” She nearly made a joke about him being jealous but thankfully snapped her mouth shut first.

“I was simply curious is all,” he replied in a low voice.

Anne didn’t believe his reasoning for a moment.

Was he trying to find out if she would partake in debauchery?

Did he not know her at all, or did he think he had any claim to her?

All this did was make her defiant. “I have every right to partake in whatever I like if I so wish,” she said in a too-stern voice.

But it was mostly said for her benefit, she realized.

In some way, she wanted Victor to know she went to the masquerade simply for the drinks, food, and socialization.

Not to disappear with anonymous men, like Bernard used to do with anonymous women.

Yet what she did in her free time with men—as if there were any—was none of his business.

Even though, deep down, she wanted him to know there wasn’t anyone who’d captured her attention. Even Mr. Ashby had grown stale. Nothing seemed to be coming of that, her Phantom had not reappeared, she had received no other drawings. Any hope for a seaside romance seemed to be falling flat.

Victor stared down at her with a thoughtful look, as if he somehow knew what she was thinking, and surprised her. “Yes, you’re right. Be safe, then, Anne. I will see you tomorrow.” He bowed, turned around, and returned to the parlor without looking back.

She stared at the empty space he’d left behind, stunned. Had he just dismissed her?

“Anne!” Vivian’s voice carried through the open front door. Outside on the drive sat a glossy, black carriage. “Are you coming or not?”

“Yes! Sorry!” She decided to forget Victor, spun around, and hurried into the carriage.

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