Page 31 of My Secret Duke

I t was sheer luck that Olivia was able to attend the Longhursts’ ball. When the invitation arrived two days after Justina’s coming-out, the dowager was deeply involved with Felicia’s wedding. Although it was a family affair—her wish to be married at St. James’s Church had been rejected by Gabriel—Felicia had a great many wishes she wanted fulfilled, and the dowager, whether from a sense of guilt or a desire to see the back of her, seemed happy to comply.

“What is that?” the dowager had asked, seeing the invite in Olivia’s hand.

“Another ball,” she had said airily. “I may not go.”

Her grandmother frowned. “You should take every opportunity to be seen. I wonder if Carey is going?”

Luckily, Felicia chose that moment to appear, informing everyone that the material for her dress wasn’t the same as the one she had chosen. The dowager turned away to deal with this latest disaster, and Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. Hastily, she replied to the Longhursts’ invitation, saying she would be at their ball, and dispatched the message.

She knew this was Ivo’s doing. He had sent her a note the day after Justina’s coming-out, informing her that he would see her at the Longhursts’ ball and to wear a mask.

Then, on the evening, when she was preparing to set off, having ordered the coach, Gabriel almost put a stop to it. “What on earth are you wearing?” He was eyeing her mask warily.

“I am meant to be a Harlequin,” she said self-consciously. The mask was painted in a variety of colors, and matched her yellow and red gown, which was hidden beneath her cloak. “Hidden” because the bodice was cut rather low—a task Olivia had achieved with the help of a maid who had been keen to earn some shillings by staying silent about her young mistress’s plans.

“Where are you going?”

“A ball at the Longhursts’.”

“The Longhursts? That rackety pair. Did your grandmother approve of this?”

“Of course. Carey will be there.”

She was lying to him. She felt guilty, knowing he would never let her go if he knew the truth, but she couldn’t explain to Gabriel how desperately she needed to meet with Ivo. It was a dare, yes, but that was just an excuse. And she knew how inappropriate the Longhursts’ entertainments were for an unmarried young lady like herself. They were known for the sort of society parties where lovers met in secret. The company could get quite bawdy, but they were also known to be discreet.

“Will Justina be accompanying you?” Gabriel asked, and her heart sank. He was watching her closely, and if it wasn’t for the mask, he would have been able to see the truth.

“She’s with Adelina at the theater.”

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. “I really don’t think—”

“I’m going with her.”

They both turned, both surprised to see Roberta there. “You are going to the Longhursts’?” Gabriel made it sound improbable… because it was.

“Yes. There will be some other younger girls there to keep Lady Longhurst’s daughter company. We will probably be playing silly games, but it’s better than staying here with Grandmama and Mama.” She rolled her eyes. “Sorry I’m not ready yet,” she added, gaze fixed on Olivia. “I’ll be quick.” But instead of rushing away, Roberta hesitated, watching her sister.

Olivia opened her mouth but changed her mind before she spoke. “Hurry up then,” she said.

Gabriel still looked uneasy about the matter, but he was a busy man, and soon, he was called away.

Olivia stood alone in her finery, wondering if she should just stay home. This was turning out to be far more complicated than it was meant to be, and now Roberta was coming with her—and wherever Roberta went, trouble followed. She was still standing there when her sister bounced down the stairs and joined her, rather breathless but looking respectable enough. She was even masked, although it appeared to be something she had dug out of the dress-up box in the nursery.

“You’re not going to turn coward, are you?” Roberta demanded. “Come on, we’ll be late.”

Olivia let herself be tugged toward the door and the waiting coach. “How did you know…?”

“You’ve been so sneaky lately, and then I saw the invitation, although you tried to hide it. I could tell something was up. Please, don’t make me stay home. I need something exciting to do, and I promise I won’t get in your way. I’ll sit in a corner.”

“How did you know all that about Lady Longhurst’s daughter?”

“I met her at one of those boring picnics for younger people, and I’ve heard gossip about the family. They are rather disreputable. Even more disreputable than us! No wonder Gabriel was worried.”

Olivia ignored the last sentence. “I really don’t think you should come. You’ll only get into trouble, and I should be setting a better example for you.”

“Oh please,” Roberta burst out. “This is the most fun I’ve had since the horse race. Don’t spoil it now.”

“Robbie, I’m meeting Ivo.”

Her sister’s eyes widened, and she made a muffled shriek behind her mask. “Wonderful!” she breathed. “A tryst. Or is it a rendezvous? Hurry up, he’ll think you’re not coming.”

Once they were inside the coach, Olivia leaned back and took a deep breath. She was trembling with fear and excitement, and now she had Roberta to worry about. What on earth was she thinking bringing her younger sister with her? And at the same time, what other option did she have?

“Promise me you’ll sit somewhere safe and be good.”

“Of course,” her sister said airily. “I promise.”

Olivia hesitated, but she wanted to do this. It was reprehensible but also rather wonderful. And when would she have another chance to make memories that were going to have to last her for the rest of her life?

Impatiently, Ivo strode back and forth on the footpath in front of the Longhursts’ town house. The windows were ablaze with candlelight, and the music ebbed and flowed, interspersed with the hum of many voices. Several couples had entered the building behind him, one woman giggling as her partner whispered to her. Olivia should be here by now, and the more time that went by, the more he wondered if this was a terrible mistake.

His thoughts were swirling around and around.

They would get caught, Olivia would end up facing another scandal, she would refuse to speak to him again, he would lose her forever. And so it went. Even though it had been she who wanted to do this, he still wasn’t sure he should have agreed. The new Ivo, the better man, whispered in his ear: You are behaving very badly. At the same time, the idea of being with her at last was too marvelous to resist.

Ivo took a deep breath. The decision was out of his hands now. If she did not come, then they could go back to being friends. That wouldn’t be so bad, would it? But he knew in his heart and soul that it wasn’t what he wanted.

He felt her before he saw her, a warm tingle down his back. Ivo turned around.

Olivia stood behind him, and even cloaked, the hood pulled low over her head and a mask covering her face, he would have known her anywhere. He lifted his own mask—it had the pointed snout of a fox—and moved closer, his gaze fixed on hers, the scent of her soap as familiar to him as his own. “Take my arm,” he murmured. “No one will question us. Everyone here is hiding something.”

She took his arm, but he could feel her shaking.

“Have you changed your mind?” he asked her. If she had, then he would deal with his disappointment and do the right thing.

“No, I haven’t changed my mind. There is a problem however…” She glanced behind her, and for the first time, Ivo took his gaze from hers and saw there was another woman standing nearby.

“Who…?” he began before he realized. “Roberta?” He scrambled for something to say.

She gave him a mocking curtsy. “At your service, Your Grace.”

“What on earth are you doing here?”

“It was either me come with her or she wouldn’t have been able to come at all,” Roberta informed him. “Gabriel was asking questions.” She looked up at the town house. “Are we going inside?”

“What about…?” he began uneasily, looking from one sister to the other.

“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Roberta said blithely. “I’ll be good.”

“It is all very well to say that,” Ivo replied. “But I’d feel responsible if anything happened.”

Olivia squeezed his arm. “I’ll make sure she behaves,” she whispered. “And I can always send her home.”

“And have Gabriel arrive and drag you out of wherever you are?” Roberta seemed to have ears like a bat. “I don’t think so.”

Defeated, Ivo turned and led the way up the steps into the house. He decided to just let matters unfold and hope for the best, although he wasn’t at all sure this was a good idea, not any longer. He imagined him and Olivia trying to have their passionate moment, while Roberta made comments, and he gave a shudder. But they were inside now, surrounded by music and being handed glasses of champagne, and there were guests dancing. There were also couples seated on sofas set around the room, and it was obvious this was not the sort of ball Olivia was used to. He glanced at her sideways as she gave a little gasp. She had spied a couple kissing with a great deal of enthusiasm.

Was Olivia shocked? Roberta certainly wasn’t. She was looking about her as if she had discovered the Holy Grail. Olivia turned to her and said sternly, “Go and sit in the coach and wait for me. This isn’t the place for you. And not a peep from you, do you hear me?”

Roberta’s chin jutted rebelliously, and she began to protest, but Ivo had spotted someone in the crowd and suddenly had a brilliant idea. “Wait here,” he said, and headed across the room toward a plump, pretty woman wearing a great deal of rouge. A few words, and he was relieved to have the weight of Roberta lifted from his shoulders. He returned to the sisters.

“I have just spoken to Lady Longhurst,” he said to Roberta. “She understands our dilemma. She has a daughter about your age, and although the girl is not allowed to attend these sorts of events, she is upstairs in her bedchamber feeling hard done by. Lady Longhurst is absolutely delighted for you to keep her company.”

Roberta wriggled in delight. “I told you so!” she said to Olivia.

Olivia sighed and watched as her sister set off to accost the other woman. Ivo didn’t wait to see what transpired. He wasn’t at all sure how much time they had, and he wanted to make the most of every minute. He squeezed Olivia’s hand, and she gave him an uncertain look through the mask.

“As much as I want to kiss you,” he said, “I don’t want an audience.”

“No, that would be rather shocking,” she agreed, sounding breathless. “What do you suggest then?”

He smiled. “Come with me.”