• • •
Anne had decided that she would arrive fashionably late at the Dalkeith masquerade ball and it was after ten o’clock when she stepped into her family’s coach. It took another half hour for the carriage to make its way from Grosvenor Square to the Pall Mall mansion. Anne thanked her father’s driver and asked him to return for her no later than one o’clock.
She ran up the steps and before she could touch the bellpull, the massive front doors were opened by the liveried majordomo who accepted her invitation and hid his surprise that the lady was without an escort. A maid waited to take her upstairs to the dressing room that was being used for the guests’ coats and cloaks.
As Anne ascended in the white velvet cloak, she drew stares and low gasps from the guests she encountered. When she removed her cloak in the dressing room to reveal the spectacular white velvet gown encrusted with crystals, a cry of delight escaped the maid.
She bobbed a curtsy to the Russian princess. “Oh, your ladyship, you are a vision.”
Anne smiled her gratitude. “You are very kind.” She had often heard about the grand staircase that led down into the central salon. It was top-lit with a large stained-glass dome, brilliantly illuminated to show off its magnificence, and when a female was descending, it displayed her to perfection.
Anne paused at the top of the grand staircase and gazed out at the crowd below. She saw a tall male wearing the uniform of a Horse Guard and sure enough the female beside him was Cleopatra. She was astounded when she saw them leave together. That Brass Monkey is having an intrigue of her own! Anne collected her thoughts, then began to slowly descend with dramatic flair.
• • •
James left the cardroom intending to search the crowded ball one last time before giving up and consigning all females to the devil. A vision in white velvet and fur stopped him in his tracks. The top-lit stained-glass dome made the crystals on her gown and mask glitter like diamonds. The sight of her stunned him like a bird flown into a wall. She was easily the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
Slowly, as if his mind were playing tricks on him, he began to wonder if the exotic Russian princess could actually be the female he had invited to the ball. He stood mesmerized as step by step she descended the staircase until she was standing before him. When he saw her lovely green eyes through the slits of the glittering mask, it confirmed her identity, and when she smiled at him, his heart thudded wildly.
“I’m late,” she murmured. “Have you been waiting long?”
“No, no. I only just arrived.”
“Is that true, my lord?”
“No, it’s a bloody lie. I’ve been waiting hours.”
She began to laugh, and it was so infectious, he laughed with her, thoroughly enjoying himself.
He captured her hand and drew it to his lips. “Would you like to dance?”
“More than anything in the world.”
James tucked her arm beneath his and led her into the crowded ballroom.
• • •
When James took Anne into his arms, she closed her eyes, savoring the moment. I’ve dreamed about this for years. I can’t believe it’s finally happening. Suddenly, she was jarred out of her reverie as another couple bumped into them. She opened her eyes and saw Napoleon partnering a lady in a powdered wig who looked suspiciously like Marie Antoinette. The pair’s incongruity touched Anne’s funny bone and she began to laugh.
James grinned at her. “You have a sly sense of humor that I fully appreciate.”
Trying to keep a straight face, they started to dance again, but the floor was far too crowded to whirl about with grace. By mutual consent they staked out a corner of the ballroom, where James slipped a possessive arm about his princess so they could sway to the music. From this vantage point they were free to observe all the guests’ costumes.
A matador danced by with a moon goddess. “From the ridiculous to the sublime,” Anne whispered.
“With the emphasis on ridiculous,” James countered. When a devil danced by them with a nun in his arms, they had to turn their faces away to hide their amusement.
As a wizard approached, Anne faced James. “If I watch any more, I’ll disgrace myself.” She raised her mask and James took his handkerchief and wiped the mirthful tears from her cheeks.
They each took a deep breath and sobered. “We are no better than the rest of them, you know. I’m masquerading as a Russian princess and you’re a hunter in a kilt!”
“You are an anomaly—a female who can poke fun at herself.”
She leaned close. “Just to be authentic, I warrant you’re naked beneath your kilt.”
James was helpless with laughter. She’d hit the nail on the head. “You’re an amazing judge of human nature. Come, I think we’re in need of a drink.” Just as he took her hand, a tall highwayman in slouch hat and mask blocked their way.
“Stand and deliver, James. You’ve monopolized the loveliest lady at the ball long enough.”
“Father!” James was startled. The last thing he wanted was to turn Lily over to his shrewd parent. “We were just going for a drink.”
“You do that, and I’ll protect the princess from all the lecherous devils on the prowl tonight.” Abercorn offered his arms and Anne moved into them.
She did a remarkable job of holding her laughter inside at James’s predicament. He didn’t know who she was, but she suspected that Abercorn had identified her. He had seen her with his daughter Frances too often not to recognize her.
“Are you enjoying yourself, my lady?”
“Immeasurably, Your Grace.”
“I take it Lord Rakehell has no inkling you’re a debutante?”
She dissolved into laughter at the name he had given his son. It was the very same one she had thrown at Lord Hamilton at the races. “Oh, please don’t spoil my fun by telling him.”
“Your secret is safe with me, my dear.”
James was back with the champagne before their dance was finished. When he saw them laughing together, he experienced a twinge of envy.
The music stopped and James’s father, with a comical look of reluctance, relinquished the princess to his heir.
James held the glass to her lips, and she sipped some champagne before she took the crystal flute from him. He raised his own glass in a salute to her beauty, then drained it.
“The supper rooms aren’t crowded at the moment, but come midnight we’ll be buried in an avalanche of kings, queens, and knaves.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” She took his hand and they left the ballroom.
“At midnight, when everyone makes a mad dash for food, we’ll come back and dance our hearts out.”
She smiled into his eyes. “What a romantic suggestion.”
He bent close and whispered, “You’ll find I’m full of them.”
As they moved slowly past the long tables laden with delicacies, James watched her in fascination as she selected various things, popped them into her mouth, then rolled her eyes in ecstasy. She dipped a third lump of crab into drawn butter. “You absolutely have to try this. It’s divine!”
“How in the name of God do you manage to eat crab, dripping with drawn butter, and not to get a drop on your white velvet?”
“There’s a knack to it. I have a darting tongue.”
James inwardly groaned.
They tried some of everything and took great delight feeding each other. He found it amusing that after enjoying macaroons and chocolate bonbons, she relished some black olives and an artichoke heart. “You’re eating out of order.”
“I’m often out of order. I love to flaunt the rules.”
“And I’d love to flaunt them with you—all of them!”
“Uh-uh, here comes the avalanche. It must be midnight.”
Hand in hand, they went against the tide of knigh
ts, pirates, shepherdesses, and winged fairies, not even bothering to mask their laughter.
As soon as their feet touched the ballroom floor, James swept her into his arms. The orchestra was playing a waltz and because the room was no longer packed, the music filled the space and reverberated around the walls and the high ceiling. The slow, sensual movements of the waltz made her feel desirable. Anne had the sensation that she was drifting in a sea of bliss and she closed her eyes, feeling the lovely, romantic music flow about her. Her pulse began to throb in time to the rhythm of the music. James’s powerful arms tightened about her and she felt him draw her closer to his body. She pictured his dark, compelling image on the inside of her eyelids and was intoxicated by his nearness. As he bent his head toward her, she shuddered with desire and opened her lips in invitation. When his mouth touched her, her eyelashes fluttered and she whispered his name with longing. “James.”
“I love the taste of my name on your lips,” he murmured, then swept her into the next dance.
They became one with the music as he led her in great circles about the ballroom, floating on gossamer wings of magic. As the other guests came crowding back, they stood aside to watch the beautiful Russian princess in the arms of the kilted hunter.
As the dance ended, applause broke out, and they became aware that they were not alone. Anne’s cheeks flushed, and she laughed self-consciously. Without missing a beat, James swept her out of the ballroom, then firmly took hold of her hand, led her through the grand salon, and began to ascend the magnificent staircase.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked breathlessly.
“Somewhere private where we won’t draw every curious eye.”
At the top of the staircase, he placed a proprietary hand at the small of her back, and urged her down a broad hallway, past the dressing room where she had left her cloak. He opened a chamber door and took her inside.
When James turned up the lamp, she saw that they were in a luxuriously furnished sitting room, with a deep-piled carpet. He removed her fur hat, unfastened her glittering mask, and laid them on the window seat. Then he led her to a softly cushioned love seat that sat in front of a cozy fire. “That’s better.” He removed his own eye mask and sent it sailing across the room. “Now I can see your beautiful face and your glorious hair.”
He reached for a curl and rubbed the silken texture between his fingers. “I’ve been wanting to do this all night.” He threaded his hands into the red-gold mass, and drew her face close. Then his mouth took possession of her lips in a sensual, lingering kiss.
“I could play with your hair for hours, and never tire of it.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and placed a kiss on each finger. “Lily, you are an exquisite female.” He removed his doublet and sat back and gazed at her. “You absolutely enchant me.”
She smiled into his dark eyes. “Then I’m glad I decided to come.” I’ve daydreamed about being with you for years, but tonight is a thousand times more thrilling than any daydream.
He traced a finger along the swansdown that trimmed her collar. “This high neck is far more sensual than any low-cut gown.” He pictured her breasts beneath the velvet and desire rose up in him. He could feel the slow, heavy pulse in his groin. His lips traced a path from her ear to her chin. “Come home with me tonight?”
She could feel the texture of his linen shirt beneath her fingers, and see the crisp dark hair on his chest inside the open collar. His wicked suggestion tempted her beyond belief. It hung in the air between them for long, drawn-out minutes. “I can’t do that, James.”
He said ruefully, “I didn’t think it would be that easy.” He took possession of her hands and spoke seriously. “I want you, sweetheart. I’m determined we must come to an arrangement. Tell me what it will take. I will agree to whatever you ask of me.”
She looked at him with her heart in her eyes, and sighed with regret. “You have no idea how much I wish that were possible, my lord.”
His hands tightened. “I swear it! You may have carte blanche. I’ll give you whatever you desire.”
“No, you won’t, James.”
She suddenly felt extremely guilty over her deception. Gently she tried to remove her hands, but he would not let go. She shook her head sadly. “You will not give me what I desire, James.”
“Name it!”
“Marriage,” she whispered.
He stared at her in stunned silence and allowed her to take back her hands.
“I’m afraid I’ve deceived you, my lord. That day we met at the races, you assumed I was Henry Fane’s mistress, and it amused me. It was just a game I played. In reality I am related to Westmorland through marriage. I am no man’s mistress.”
His emotions were suddenly at war. He was elated that she didn’t belong to Westmorland, yet frustrated that she wasn’t a demimonde. More than anything he longed to take her to bed and make love to her. He was also damned annoyed that she had deliberately concealed her identity from him. “If your name isn’t Lily Lamb, what is it? I would like to know who you are.”
“Ask your father.”
He jumped to his feet. “My father knows you?”
“I am a lady, though tonight I truly wish it were otherwise, James.” Regret made her voice husky. “My father’s carriage is coming for me at one.” She retrieved her mask and fur hat from the window seat. “Please try to forgive me.”
• • •
James Hamilton stood at the window for a long time trying to make sense of things. His mind went back to the first time he’d seen the beautiful woman at the Newmarket races. She said she was related to Westmorland. She must have been staying at Apethorpe Hall. Good God, what were my first words to her? I told her she could do much better than Fane unless she enjoyed being an old man’s darling. James flushed at the memory. Her beauty hooked me like a damned trout and she agreed to go for a drink with me so she could reel me in!
Damn it all, lady or no lady, she was attracted to me, or why would she seek me out at the House of Commons? Was it only a week ago that we dined together at the hotel? She was eager enough to accept tonight’s invitation. She thoroughly enjoyed being in my arms dancing with me. She welcomed my kisses eagerly enough. Perhaps there’s still a chance. She certainly wouldn’t be the first lady to indulge in dalliance. I warrant she’s deliberately playing hard to get.
James Hamilton’s mood lightened considerably, and he went downstairs to seek out his father. He searched the ballroom and then the supper rooms. He found his sister Jane, who told him that he’d missed their parents by about five minutes. “Perhaps you’ll catch them if you hurry out to Pall Mall, though you might find it a bit drafty if the wind catches your kilt.”
“Would you enjoy me making a fool of myself, Jane?”
“Ah, James, you could never be that.”
“I’m not so sure. I came within an inch of it tonight.”
Her eyebrows went up in mocking amusement. “Only an inch?”
He grinned, his humor restored. “Well, perhaps six inches.”
• • •
Anne didn’t sleep well because her conscience pricked her about deceiving James Hamilton. In the morning, however, when she sat up in bed, she felt exceedingly happy. How could I possibly have regrets about our evening together when it was so pleasurable? He was a magnificent dancing partner. We shared a good deal of laughter. We enjoyed feeding each other, and when he kissed me, I was in absolute heaven. But the best part, the very best part of all, is that James is attracted to me . . . so completely enamored that he offered me anything I desire if I’d agree to be his mistress. When he learns who I am, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get him to court me.
After breakfast, Anne glanced out the window. It looks like it might snow. Anne put on her jade green winter coat. Though Hampden House was only around the block, it was an extremely cold morning. She chose not to wear the matching j
ade bonnet, but instead donned the white fur hat she had worn to the ball. She decided that she wouldn’t tell Frances too much about her intrigue, but was wildly curious about where her friend had gone with Blandford Churchill, the young noble Frances had marked as her prey.
“Anne, come upstairs. I have something exciting to tell you.”
“Frances, I couldn’t wait. I bolted my breakfast and rushed right over.”
“If you were at the ball last night, I didn’t recognize you.”
“That’s because I arrived late, and a wild guess tells me that you departed early.”
“It’s a secret! No one is supposed to know,” Frances confessed. “How on earth?”
“I saw an Egyptian princess spiriting away a certain Horse Guard who shall remain nameless. Where did you take him? For a ride on your barge down the Nile?”
“He took me. But you’re close. We went for a ride in his carriage along the Thames.”
“Wherever did you find the courage to do such a scandalous thing?”
“Well, the ballroom was unbelievably crowded and hot, so when he suggested we get some fresh air, I thought it an excellent idea.”
“I’ll bet you did. You were ripe for the plucking.”
“I have more good sense than to let him take too many liberties. My head rules my heart and always shall,” Frances reminded her.
“How far did you go?”
“We went all the way to Windsor.”
Anne threw back her head and laughed so hard, tears came to her eyes. “That isn’t what I meant, but I’m glad to know that he stopped before he got to Maidenhead.” She burst into laughter again.
“I’d recognize your lovely voice anywhere.” John Claud strolled into the room.
“Anne and I were having a private conversation.”
“Seems there are lots of private conversations this morning. James showed up first thing and dragged Father into the library.”
Anne went pale and put her hand to her throat.
“Let me take your hat and coat.”