Page 30 of Scandalous Nights With the Earl

Turning to Willa, Julia lifted her mask of seaweed so that a part of her face was visible.

‘I do, having attended a few of her wonderful evenings of discussion in the past few years. It is so nice to see you again, Wilhelmina, for I often thought of you in Nice as I perused the art galleries of that city.’

‘A veritable treat, Lady Julia.’

‘You have been there, too, then? To France?’

Willa shook her head. ‘No, I have not, but I have heard wonderful stories.’

The orchestra then burst into life. Another waltz and, wanting some time alone with Wilhelmina, Phillip asked her to dance. As they stepped away he saw a wide smile on Julia’s face.

‘Your aunt looks content.’

‘She has learnt the difficult trick of living a happy life and wants others to do the same.’ His hand came around her back, pressing her in, here amongst the gods and the warriors and fairy folk.

‘Is it not such a relief to suspend the conventions of polite Society, my lord?’

Her question ran alongside his own thoughts.

‘Fifty years ago these affairs were even more risque. Imagine that.’ Her voice held humour.

A man in a long cloak of black pushed past, a thin mask serving as the sole means of disguise. Beside him strode a jester, fully costumed from head to foot, the Harlequin pattern of his clothing reflected in the material of a hood pulled tight across his face.

‘All kinds of people like to hide,’ she said this quietly, ‘and it is not often that they have the chance to do so.’

He could see Julia watching him, and further afield Arabella Montague watched them too. Society had its eyes wide open even in incognito and he knew he needed to be careful. Shifting back, he took a breath.

‘I have not seen you at any of the Society events across the last week.’

‘That’s because I have barely been out.’

‘Have you been ill?’

‘No, merely preoccupied with the affairs of my estate.’

‘That sounds ominous.’

She smiled. ‘Lawyers always are, my lord.’

‘Is everything all right?’

She stopped and looked at him directly.

‘It is.’

Phillip Moreland’s hand was warm against her own. She noticed that those around them were starting to recognise his true identity. Her disguise was nowhere near as complete as his and yet in his company the more astute patrons were beginning to put them together.

When Arabella Montague crossed over towards them as the waltz came to an end she knew that their quiet isolation was over. The group of men and women accompanying Miss Montague looked quizzical until she spoke his name.

‘Lord Elmsworth. I wondered if you would come tonight. Mrs St Claire.’

This was said with far less enthusiasm.

Willa had never been able to understand women who saw every other female as a threat and especially not those as beautiful as Arabella Montague. The young woman had donned a flimsy half-mask which barely covered any of the features of her face.

‘I had promised my aunt Julia that I would at least make an appearance.’

‘You are in London for a while longer, then?’