Epilogue
Twelfth Night
Ellie couldn’t stop smiling. The ballroom was filled with everyone she’d invited, and they were having a wonderful evening.
But the best part was that her husband stood at her side.
As she’d predicted, his black mood had not arrived yet.
Though she hadn’t told him of her theory, she was quite sure that the full moon was a significant determinant of when it occurred.
She’d also done some research that might mitigate his symptoms a little when the time came.
But for now, he was with her and happy to be so, and he made an excellent black hole with his black clothing and cape when next to her universe costume.
He’d opted for no mask and allowed her to place a ring of sliver stars about his head, which made him appear the king of the dark.
She’d also forgone a mask, since as hostess, everyone would need to know her, even if her red hair made it clear anyway.
Her own blue gown with silver stars sewn all around it—along with a comet, two nebulae, and seven planets—sparkled in the lamplight.
Darius had called her a “heavenly body” when he first saw her in it.
The memory of the other time he called her that had her blushing.
Darius squeezed her hand before leaning in. “Is that not your friend Lady Georgina dancing with Lord Ashfield?”
She looked to the dance floor. Since she and Darius knew all her friends’ costumes, it was easy to figure out who was who for her, despite the masquerade.
Georgie wore an emerald-green gown with colorful feathers sewn into it.
Even her mask sported red and orange feathers on the sides, and her hairpiece had an array of brightly colored feathers.
The man dancing with her wore a king costume, though he didn’t appear to be any particular king.
“If the man dressed as a king is Lord Ashfield, then yes, it is.”
“She is quite energetic, is she not?”
“Yes, she enjoys dancing. It’s always amazed me that she is so quick in her movements, yet when she’s bird-watching, she’s absolutely still.”
“An interesting observation. Perhaps her frequent inactivity is why she is so active at other times.”
Ellie turned to Darius. “What an astute observation.”
He lifted her hand from his arm and kissed it. “Your praise is welcome.”
Though his actions appeared simple, his finger stroking her palm was anything but. “Darius, we have a house full of guests. We must wait.”
He grinned. “I know, but teasing you is so enjoyable.”
His gaze dipped to her bosom, and she pulled out her fan to cool herself. Since Christmas, she’d kept discovering other sides to the man she had married. All of them were intriguing.
“Ellie, I’m so proud of you.” The Duchess of Northwick approached with her husband. “Your first hosted ball is a true success.”
“It is because of you, Joanna, that it is so. Your acceptance of my invitation made it the ball to attend.”
The duchess waved off her comment. “Not at all. James and I were excited to see one of our students so well established and successful. I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you won’t be hiring a governess and tutor. Your education far exceeds anything they could offer.”
Ellie felt her cheeks heating at such lavish praise. “Like you, I have a husband who understands what it is to have an educated wife.” She looked to Darius.
“And very glad I am at that.” Darius gave an arrogant nod to punctuate his statement.
The duke nodded as well. “It’s good to meet another enlightened man. Hopefully, more will come to appreciate our students.”
The musicians cued up a waltz and the duchess turned to her husband. Without a word between them, the Duke of Northwick gave Ellie and Darius a short nod. “If you will excuse us?”
Ellie grinned as the couple took their place on the dance floor. She turned to her own husband. “They love to waltz, and do so beautifully. Just watch them.”
“I’d rather watch you.”
That Darius felt so strongly for her had her feeling sorry for her classmates who had yet to find their own love.
Scanning the room for her friends, she searched for Sophie, who wore a white shepherdess costume.
Unfortunately, there were at least nine women dressed similarly.
But as Ellie’s gaze fell on a short monk, she sucked in her breath.
What was Rose thinking to be speaking to the three gentlemen by the punch table?
“I must go save Rose. She’ll ruin her reputation. ”
Darius did not release her arm. “That is no longer your concern. Does she not have a chaperone tonight?”
He was right, of course. Quickly, she spotted Lord Sommerset and Lord Harewood by the terrace doors, but Lady Sommerset and Dory seemed to have vanished.
“Lord Harewood is her brother and chaperone, and he’s standing by the terrace doors.
He’s the one in a musketeer costume speaking to the other monk we have tonight. ”
“Then let us make our way there.”
Her husband expertly led her through the crush. They had almost reached their goal when Darius’s parents intercepted them. Despite her concern over Rose, Ellie felt her heart warm that she’d been able to convince Darius’s parents to attend the ball.
Lady Roxburgh, in a full mask and long Grecian toga, held her hands out. “My dear, thank you so much for inviting us. We are having a marvelous time.”
Ellie took the duchess’s hand as Her Grace leaned in closer. “No one knows they have another duke among them, so we are truly enjoying ourselves.”
Darius’s father—dressed as a pirate, also masked and complete with real pegleg—chuckled. “Son, we would be happy to travel south every year for this wonderful event.”
“I have my wife to thank for your enjoyment. It is a rare pleasure to see you both out and about in a social setting.”
Lord Roxburgh looked at Ellie. “Actually, I have you to thank for making my son happy.”
She blushed at the compliment. “It is a mutual feeling, Your Grace.”
Lady Roxburgh squeezed Ellie’s hands and let go. “We will not keep you from attending to others. We just wished to tell you of our appreciation before the night ends.”
As the two wound their way through the crowd, Darius took her arm once again. “I don’t know what you wrote in your letter to convince them to change their mind, but I thank you for giving them this night.”
She wasn’t sure she deserved so many accolades. “I only explained that since they could wear masks, no one would know them, so there was no reason to forgo our ball. I put forth the situation logically and hoped they could see past their natural emotional response to social gatherings.”
“Ellie, what seems so simple to you is often complicated for others. It is part of why I love you.”
She met his gaze and felt another wave of love for him. “And I appreciate that you supported my whim to host this ball, for none of the festivities would have happened without you. And I’m particularly happy I didn’t have to be escorted by Anthony.” She grimaced, having dreaded such a charade.
“Speaking of my brother, he appears to have cornered Lord Harewood and Lord Sommerset by the punch table, but I don’t see Lady Rose now.”
Ellie did a quick scan of the ballroom. He was right. “I also don’t see Sophie, and I am her chaperone. Perhaps we should split up and tackle both tasks at once.”
“I prefer not to, but I understand your concern. Very well, I will talk with the lords about the strangely absent Lady Rose, and you search out Lady Sophie.”
As they parted, Ellie made a note where every shepherdess was and began a methodical search.
It didn’t take long to be sure it was indeed Sophie who was missing, though she did get pulled away for a moment or two by Lady Saunders and Lady Chelton, who seemed to forget they were friends in their anxiousness to invite her to tea.
Once away from them again, she counted shepherdesses.
There were only eight, which could mean that Sophie had left for the ladies’ retiring room.
Seeing that her husband was no longer in the room, she hesitated to leave.
One of them should be present. They were the hosts.
Impatiently, she strode toward the table with the punch and took a glass, absently sipping it.
Soon dinner would be called, and it would be difficult to find anyone in the crush.
Finally, her husband reentered the ballroom and made his way to her.
“Where is Rose? Tell me her brother did not send her to her room.”
Darius shook his head, his lips twitching.
“No. It seems your classmate was challenged to a game of billiards. Lord Harewood found her in the middle of the game and, since she was winning, thought it best not to expose her. He’s waiting to escort her back to the ball.
Lord Sommerset found his brother Christopher there as well, and expressly, though quietly, commanded him to return to the ballroom as soon as his card game was complete. ”
Relieved that Rose was safely chaperoned, she smiled. “I’m pleased that one lady is well attended, but now I must find Sophie.”
Her husband’s right eyebrow rose. “You didn’t find her?”
“No. I plan to check the—” Someone bumped into her. Though her husband caught her arm, as she turned, her punch spilled all over the shepherdess dress of Sophie. “Oh, Sophie.”
Sophie, usually so calm and reflective, appeared a bit wild-eyed as she looked about before gazing down at her ruined costume. She raised her head. “It was my fault. I’d best change.”
She turned to leave, and Ellie grabbed her hand. Something was wrong. “Come to my room. I have a simple domino cape in my chest that you can wear.”
Sophie hesitated, still scanning the room. Finally, she nodded.
Ellie looked up at Darius. “I’ll return shortly.”