Chapter 3
If there was one thing in the world that Nathaniel Ashcroft was, it was proper.
As the Duke of Ravensmere, precision and order were among his greatest qualities.
It was his discipline that would determine the future of his family, and his high standards that had kept him lonely.
Regardless, that had been his choice, and he preferred it that way.
People had a tendency to disappoint him, and so it was for the best that he did not allow them the chance.
But the ballroom was nice enough. Through his black mask threaded with gold, his steel gray eyes had to admit that it was decorated beautifully.
There were enough candles to pose a hazard, and enough people that had followed the theme to make for a mysterious night.
Even if he knew the people in attendance, he would have struggled.
He noticed his reflection in a particularly shiny tray, and fixed his dark hair.
“Enjoying yourself, Your Grace?”
That had to be the host.
“Yes, Lord Johnston. I must admit, I am rarely impressed by such spectacles, but this one is rather inviting.”
“That pleases me greatly. I know that you are a man with impeccable taste, and my wife shall be most pleased to see that you are happy with her efforts.”
The conversation did not go further. It did not need to. The Johnstons had earned the favor of a duke, and that was all that they cared for. Nathaniel sighed, turning back to his reflection.
Then, he saw her.
She was a tall lady, dressed in gold, but that was not what caught his eye. Nor was it the fact that she did not seem to be accompanied by a chaperone, or that her mask did not quite fit her. It was, in truth, that she was slipping confections into her reticule.
“Should I be impressed, My Lady?” he asked, having approached her without thinking. “Or, perhaps, should I alert the host?”
She froze, looking up at him with large green eyes.
“I– well, I– it is not what it looks like.”
“No? Because it looks to me that you are stealing refreshments from our hosts. If you were seen, you would be escorted out.”
“Very well,” she sighed, “have me sent away, then.”
“Any other night, I might have been tempted to. However, I will not pretend that I am not in good spirits tonight. I believe your transgressions can be forgiven, on one condition.”
“Yes?”
“You tell me why you were doing it.”
She startled before him, and he was unsure if that was because his words threatened her or his presence did.
She was a tall lady with soft curves, but he towered over her all the same.
He was broad, and he knew he was commanding, but he never would have called himself threatening.
Then again, he considered, she could not see his face.
“I cannot,” she replied. “It is for good reason, but it would ruin me.”
“On another night, it would. Sharing one’s secrets is never a good idea, but tonight is different. You do not know me, and I shall never know you. We are safely hidden behind these.”
He ran his thumb under the edge of his mask, and he saw through hers that she was studying him, as if weighing her options.
The truth was, she did not need to tell him anything, and he would still have kept her secret.
The food on display was going to waste regardless of what she did, and so at least this way it would be made use of.
He had also considered swiping a few himself, but he was not a lady that had brought a reticule, and so it was not possible.
But she did not know that.
“If I tell you,” she said softly, “you must promise not to breathe a word. Even the simple matter that I… that there is a lady in my position is enough to ruin me eventually.”
“I can assure you, I am far too occupied for idle gossip.”
“Very well.”
She glanced around one final time before clearing her throat.
“You see, they are for my sisters. They have not tasted such confections as these in years, and I wanted them to have an experience at least.”
He softened in an instant. He wished that he had not, for a friendly distance was always what kept him capable of doing his bidding, but there was something in her tone that caught him by surprise.
There were very few genuine young ladies in the ton, and he could not believe that he had found one of them.
“Does your mother prefer them slight?” he asked. “I know many that refuse to give their daughters treats for fear that they would be larger.”
“Not at all. They are both slim girls, not at all like me. No, it is because we cannot afford them.”
She had said it so quickly that he wondered if she knew what she was saying at all. Given the shock in her face, he reasoned that she had not thought twice about it.
“Do continue,” he encouraged. “It would seem that there are things you must say, and it is better for your sake that you do so. It would drive anyone mad if they had to keep their secrets forever.”
“Yes, well, that is what I shall be forced to do.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I do not think that nuns can say very much about themselves.”
“Are you a nun? When you say sisters–”
“Oh, goodness no. Not yet, but by the end of the year I shall be. I have come here this evening with my friends for one last ball, and then after tonight I shall take my place in society as a lady on the shelf, and then I shall enter the convent. Perhaps that is why I find it so easy to tell you all of this. I will never see you again, and that is for the best.”
“Is it?” he asked, looking at her pointedly. “You seem to enjoy all of this, and in a convent you cannot take any gifts for your dear sisters.”
“That does not signify. I am aware of what I will be sacrificing, but it is worth it. My sisters will be able to enter society without me present, and they will secure good matches and then all will be well. I am not important to that extent.”
“I disagree.”
“And you are welcome to, but it does not change anything. This is how things are, My Lord. It may not appear as simply as that to you, for as a man you can change your fate, but I do not have such control. I will go where I am needed, and that is far from here.”
“But what if you could?” he asked.
He had bristled at her suggestion of control.
It was true that he could do what he wanted, but that was gained from years of discipline, of taking very few risks.
He had only ever taken one, and that had almost ruined him on several occasions, but that did not mean that he could not see that there were times and places for them.
“If I could, then I would have done so years ago,” she pointed out.
“Then do it. I can help you, if you like.”
“I do not need assistance.”
“No, of course not. You are a strong and capable lady that will make any sacrifice, of that I have no doubt, but if you should change your mind, then you are welcome to come to Ravensmere House tomorrow, and I shall make an arrangement for you.”
The heat rose in her cheeks, even brighter than her rouge.
“A proposition, you mean?”
“No, nothing of the sort. I do not do such things. No, I am only suggesting something proper in nature, but something that will help you.”
“That is most kind of you, My Lord, but I do not need any help. I have made my decision, and I shall live with the consequences of it.”
She turned to walk away, and Nathaniel knew that the best thing to do was let her go. She was none of his concern, and she seemed content with her choice, but he could not let himself. There was a sadness in her voice, and whether she would admit it or not, he knew that she was unhappy.
“If you like consequences, Miss,” he called softly, “then would it make sense for you to dance with me?”
She turned back, and he wished that he could see her expression.
“I do not understand.”
“You have spoken to a gentleman, and it would follow that he would ask you to dance. If you will have me, of course.”
She seemed to glance off to the side, and he assumed that was to look at the friends she had come with. Then, she looked back at him and gave him a small nod.
“Very well, if you wish. If this is to be my last night…”
The music began, and he took her gloved hand in his and led her to the dancefloor.
Nathaniel had never been much of a dancer, but he wanted to try for her.
There was something that drew him to her that he could not explain, but he saw no harm in it.
He was helping a lady in need and nothing more.
It was clear that she did not know him, either, for she did not call him by his correct title.
“You dance well,” he commented as he twirled her.
“I have to. I was the one to teach my sisters, and so if they were to have any success, then I had to be good myself. That has been the way for much of our upbringing.”
“Did you not have a governess for such things?”
“My Lord, you caught me taking sweets. Do you think we could afford such things?”
“Your Grace,” he corrected.
Even beneath her mask, he could see her bright eyes widen.
“I– Your Grace. Even so, I… I do not know why I am telling you all of this. You will only laugh.”
“I would never do that. I am not the sort of man to mock others. Now, I have told you who I am, and I would appreciate the same kindness in return.”
“And appreciate it you would, but I cannot tell you. I know better than to bring such shame upon my family. I should not even be here. Why, if they only knew they would have me sent away now rather than later.”
“But there is so much more in the world for you, if you would only–”
“I know. I do know. If I had a choice, I would do everything I could, but that is not the life that has been given to me and I must make the best of it. I am happy, Your Grace, believe me.”
She was close to him, slightly closer than was proper, but the ball was known for being ever so slightly scandalous and that was one of the biggest draws of it. They were all strangers, and that protected them all just as it intrigued him about the lady in his arms.
“I shall believe you, then,” he conceded. “However, should you change your mind, I meant what I said. Ravensmere House is open to you. Should you need me, you need only enter and ask for me. I want to help you.”
He knew that she did not believe him. She had no real reason to, for she did not even have proof that he was who he claimed to be, and even if she did she could not have known that he was an honest man.
The music came to an end, and she hastily curtseyed and turned to leave but he gently took her wrist before she could escape.
“Ravensmere House,” he repeated. “Ask for me.”
And he hoped that she would.