Page 17 of Crimes, Conspiracies, and Courtship (Paddy’s Peelers Mystery #1)

CHAPTER 16

The masquerade ball

W alters was almost giddy. Tonight they would arrest Colvin. One case would come to an end. With the information the duke would provide, the second case might soon be completed.

He checked the mirror, tugged on his beard to make sure it would stay in place, then added the eye patch and a worn tri-cornered hat. A cloth tied around his head held the two shoulder-length braids in place. His long red coat included a sash for the sword on his hip and large blue cuffs covered his wrists. His breeches tucked into tall leather boots.

“You make a handsome pirate, Brother,” said Nora from the hall, opening her cloak to reveal her costume.

“I look ridiculous, but the costume does its purpose.” Walters chuckled. “Keep that cape closed and pull up the hood. If Maggie sees you, she’ll lock you in your room.”

Nora’s silk turquoise pantaloons did nothing to hide her figure. Beneath the sparkling bodice of the same color, she wore a shirt of sheer flesh-colored material, giving the illusion her stomach and arms were bare. Her veil was secured with a band embellished with turquoise stones. Her brilliant red hair spilled down her back, barely contained by the veil.

When they arrived at the townhouse on the Strand, there was a line of carriages waiting. The front of the brick house was bathed in light, uniformed footmen holding open the double-wide doors. Nora put a hand on his arm when he moved to exit the coach. Walters wanted to get out and walk; he hated wasting time.

“Harry, a member of the ton would wait patiently until we arrived at the portico. Remember you are not a working man tonight,” Nora said softly. “We will be there soon enough.”

His shoe tapped on the floor, and then his sister placed a hand on his knee to keep it from bobbing. “I love you, Brother, but you are driving me mad.”

This delay was making him mad. Finally, Roger Lynch appeared at the window, signaling it was time to alight. The boy stood proud in his dark livery, keeping a serious face as he extended his hand to assist Nora. She gave the lad a smile that sent a blush rushing up his neck and face.

Walters took his sister’s arm and hurried up the portico steps, remembering not to acknowledge the wall of footmen. They walked up a circular staircase to the next floor. When they reached the grand ballroom, his jaw almost dropped. He’d never attended a ton event before, and the amount of money in this room, the three gas-lit chandeliers, wall hangings, and costumes, was astounding. The collection of satin and silk, masks, jewels, fobs, and canes was a dazzling display of glitter and pomp. He thought of his humble beginnings and wondered how long one diamond ear bob would have fed him as a child. How well Roger Lynch’s family could live on its proceeds.

“How are you not amazed at this show of wealth?” he asked Nora.

“I’m an actress. I live in a pretend world much of the time, and this is just another set of props.” Nora moved through the guests as if she belonged there, nodding her head at various people as she passed.

“Do you know them?” Walters wouldn’t be surprised.

“Of course not, Harry. But they don’t know that. It’s a masquerade .” Nora moved toward a pair of French doors. “Let’s find a spot with a breeze. It may be December, but it’s horribly warm in here.”

There were several pirates in the throng, one also in a red coat. Good. Darby would be dressed as Casanova, which Walters thought amusing. His sister would be dressed in a Venetian cape with a hood, and her friend would attend as Eleanor of Aquitaine. It would be easier to spot Darby if he were with the two ladies.

His eyes scanned the room, darting from sultans wearing large turbans, several bishops, a few monks, and?—

Walters knew it was Lady Matilda before she turned to face him. Her presence was like a finely spun spider’s web: Once caught, it was impossible to escape the silken threads. She joined an older woman in a blue sari painted with tiny birds of paradise. Mattie leaned forward and gave the medieval-looking woman a quick hug.

Miss Pendleton and her aunt, he thought.

Beneath her cape was a gown of red with some fancy embroidery. Her red mask had a black border with diamonds that made her clear blue eyes stand out. His heart leapt. He wanted to run to her, pick her up, and swing her in a circle above his head. Let her laughter flow over him. Instead, he dragged his eyes from the vision of perfection and continued to search for Darby.

A quarter hour later, a man in a brown wig, pulled back in a short tail, and azure satin breeches took a place beside him. A long gold coat partially covered his white shirt with ruffles at the neck and sleeves. And familiar blue eyes.

“Everything in place?” Darby asked, his eyes straight ahead.

Walters nodded and did the same, not making eye contact. “On my other side is the lady who will be entertaining the duke.” Nora gave Darby a quick glance, then began to mingle. “The constable and his men will be waiting at the designated place at half past eleven. This will be over by midnight.”

“I already spotted Hatford. He has informed his superiors, who will be waiting for word of the arrest.” Darby’s foot tapped. “Is there anything I can do?”

“My lord, in order to maintain the persona, I may need to dance .” The word came out as a grimace. “Do I have your permission to ask one of the ladies with you tonight? It would be easier than asking a stranger who might realize I don’t belong here.”

“That would be fine.”

“Then let us begin the chase.”

Darby let out a long sigh. “I’ve waited too long for this night.”

“Good hunting.” Walters followed Nora into the sea of guests.

* * *

Mattie was disappointed her mother hadn’t attended, and Lord Pendleton had returned to his country estate to attend his wife and mother. But her brother had filled the void, dressed as the dashing Casanova. She secretly hoped he would whisk Hannah away and kiss her in some dark corner.

“I see someone I need to speak with,” Darby murmured in her ear. “Can I escort you somewhere first?”

Her eyes landed on her friend. “No, I see Hannah and Lady Roberta. Join us later?” At his silence, she glanced up at him. His eyes were pinned on Miss Pendleton, an expression on his face she had rarely seen these past years. Happiness? Anticipation? Both, she hoped.

Mattie made her way to her friends, passing two wizards, a couple of servants, and some sort of goddess.

“Welcome, my ladies,” she said in an atrocious Italian accent, trying not to giggle. “I am a stranger here in England and in need of friends.”

The three laughed, and she leaned in to give her friend a quick hug. “You look stunning,” she told Hannah.

“You’d think you girls have been friends since childhood,” added Lady Roberta. “How did you know it was us, my dear? Are we so apparent?”

Mattie laughed. “Well, I’ve already seen Hannah’s costume, and you said you would wear something from your travels. And as I got closer, I could hear your voice. It is quite distinct, Lady Roberta.”

The older woman chuckled. “Well played! Now, let’s mingle and see who is who, shall we?”

They moved slowly to the other side of the room, where they waylaid a footman with a tray of wine glasses. As they sipped champagne and observed the crowd, Hannah’s brows drew together. “Why does that sailor look so… feminine, and that queen so… uncomely?”

“Oh my dear, I forgot this is your first masquerade,” explained Lady Roberta. “Women dress as men, men dress as women. All the more difficult to decipher who is behind the mask. It is monstrous funny, is it not?”

“Nicholas is here somewhere. He had to speak with someone and promised to join us soon.” Mattie searched the room. “I pointed you both out to him when we entered. He said to give you his regards, and he’ll join us shortly.”

Hannah’s face dropped. Mattie’s arm looped arms with her friend. “If you could only have seen his face when he saw you. His mouth fell open.”

Lady Roberta grinned. “Of course it did. And I’m sure you’ve dropped a few jaws yourself this evening, Lady Matilda.”

As the orchestra was warming up, Darby found them. He whispered something in Hannah’s ear that made her smile, then blush. He bowed and kissed her gloved knuckles, then did the same with Lady Roberta. She assumed he would ask Hannah to dance. Without Lord Pendleton to ask for her first dance, as had become their custom, her eyes searched the room for anyone who appeared familiar. Was Lord Smalley in attendance? She hadn’t asked when he’d visited last week, and the baron hadn’t mentioned it.

A pirate approached her and bowed. She blinked, then shivered. He bent before her, and the long umber braids swung with the movement. When he straightened, his dark eyes twinkling, her breath hitched. His long red coat stretched across his broad shoulders, the tight breeches revealing the muscular thighs.

Do not swoon .

“Madame,” Mr. Walters asked, “may I have this dance?”

She glanced at her group, then smiled. “Why, good sir, I cannot dance with a stranger, let alone a treacherous pirate. My brother would never allow it.”

“I am John Rackham at your service, ma’am.” He put his hand to the side of his mouth and whispered loudly, “Known to some as Calico Jack.”

All three ladies gasped in mock horror, enjoying the theatrics.

“I’ve always wanted to dance with a pirate,” Mattie answered, hoping her hands did not tremble when she took his arm. “But you must promise not to kidnap me, for I have to be home by dawn.”

“I cannot vouch for my honesty, but chivalry is not dead, my lady.” He held out his arm as the first notes of a quadrille began.

“If I am not back by the end of the set, send out the Royal Navy,” called Mattie over her shoulder. Nicholas was studying Mr. Walters, a peculiar expression on his face. She grinned up at the handsome pirate, her heart racing. How many times had she dreamt of this moment? Yet, the fact he asked her to dance gave her courage.

“It’s the strangest thing, but you remind me of someone,” she said, batting her eyelashes. She hoped she looked like a coquette and not like she had something in her eye.

“As do you,” he said, his deep baritone making her warm all over. “Anyone in particular?”

“Yes, a strange man who watches our house at night. Lately, even when my brother is home.”

Mr. Walters stopped, coughed, then began moving them forward again. “I-I don’t have a good explanation. I hope tonight will end the need for it.”

Disappointment poked her chest. “Oh, I see. It was a necessity?”

He paused and locked eyes with her. “Like breathing.”

Her pulse raced, and she saw his gaze linger at her neck. Then another thought occurred to her. Of course! “You are close to catching the lickpenny?”

Mr. Walters nodded as they joined the line of dancers for the quadrille. “I needed to share the moment with someone who would understand.”

Her heart soared with this unexpected encounter and the secret Harry had just divulged. How could she think of him as anything but Harry when he was so close?

As they met one another in the center of the line, hands out, palms touching, she asked, “How do you know the dance?”

They separated and came together again. “My sister taught me. However, I’m a clumsy ox, so please look out for your toes and keep me from making a fool of myself.”

The dance progressed, and each time they came together, bodies close, hands touching, she fell a little more in love with him. His signature scent of orange and leather also invaded her dreams. Everything about this man haunted her.

When the quadrille ended, she took his arm. He bent low and whispered in her ear, “I must leave you now. Be awake on all suits tonight. He is here, and I don’t know what he may try. But I worry he will attempt to get close to you or your friend.”

Bile rose in her throat at the thought of the Duke of Colvin touching her or Hannah. He returned her to Lady Roberta, who nodded toward the dancers lining up for the next set. Nicholas was partnering with Hannah. They both appeared smitten by the looks they gave each other. That cheered Mattie, and she pushed the duke from her mind.