Chapter Ten
“YOU LOOK LOVELY,” Katherine said as she stepped back from her charge.
Lila turned to face the full-length mirror and lifted her arms as high as the dress would allow, which was not quite to her shoulders.
Tiny straps attached the edges of the modified cape to her wrists, causing the cape to spread like wings.
The mask of dark green feathers framed her eyes, and her hair was left long and free, cascading over her shoulders in mahogany waves set off by the rich emerald of the gown.
The back of her cape was embroidered with peacock plumes—detailed work that had taken Lila weeks to complete, but with which she was quite pleased.
She had sewn every stitch thinking Neville would be the man to admire it.
That morning she had received a note from Mory, formally requesting the first dance of the night—a dance that had once belonged to Neville.
She had responded with equal formality that she would be honored to lead the evening with him.
His response—received just a few hours ago—was a single yellow rose that now stood in a vase on her dressing table.
“Thank you for your help, Katherine,” Lila said, a bit awed by the final result of so much work. “Will you tell my uncle I shall be downstairs shortly?”
“Certainly, miss,” Katherine said before leaving the room.
Once alone, Lila turned slowly in front of the mirror, hands outstretched so she might see the complete effect of the costume.
She felt beautiful in such a rich color and wondered what Mory would think when he saw her.
A shiver washed through her at the anticipation of his reaction, and a smile drew up the sides of her mouth.
Uncle Peter was indeed waiting in the foyer, his red and black feathered mask that he wore each year held at his side.
He would wear it as they entered but eventually find his way to the card room and remove it so that he might better focus on his game.
He went to the Marchetts’ ball because everyone in the parish went to the Marchetts’ ball.
He was not one to much enjoy social events beyond small dinner parties.
Lila was gratified by the look on his face as she descended the stairs. He asked her to turn and present the full costume for him to see. “You have outdone yourself, and I could not be more proud to escort such a lovely young woman.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” she said, feeling conspicuous and yet very pleased with his compliments. He put out his arm, and she took it, allowing him to lead her to the carriage and feeling as though nothing in the world could be more perfect than this.
Torches lined the staircase and outer wall of the Marchetts’ sprawling estate made of local stone, with turrets on both ends.
Only half as many torches had been used than would be lit for a typical ball, so as to keep a mysterious ambiance about the whole affair.
There was no announcement when they entered the dimly lit ballroom—only masked foot men who instructed men to go one direction and women to go another.
The sexes would mingle on the far side of the room once they navigated the edges.
Uncle Peter kissed Lila’s hand before releasing her.
Lila made her way through the masked women, stopping every few feet to guess someone’s identity.
Some women wore only a ball gown and coordinating mask, while others, like Lila, wore fuller costumes reflective of a theme.
It was surprising how many people did not recognize Lila.
Once they realized who she was, the words they used were “enchanting” and “fantastic.” Lila’s confidence grew as she made her way to the end of the ballroom.
“Lila?”
She turned and smiled as wide as she had all night to see Eloise dressed head to toe in pink.
She had chosen to dress as a flamingo, an exotic bird they had only ever seen in picture books.
“You look amazing,” Lila said, standing back and taking in the full effect of Eloise’s costume.
“I am so pleased with how well your costume came together.”
“As am I,” Eloise said. “I look forward to this night all year long.”
“So do I,” Lila said. She looked past Eloise to the mixing of men and women at the far end.
Eloise laughed. “I shall not detain you any longer. Shall we join our gallant companions?” Eloise moved to Lila’s side and took her arm.
Lila put her other hand over Eloise’s and gave it a squeeze, her stomach a fit of butterflies and eager anticipation.
They walked together, still exchanging greetings with other guests but not stopping to engage conversation.
Instead, their intent was upon the gathering crowd at the far end of the room, where men and women were now weaving in and out of one another, guessing identities, sharing whispered conversations behind fans, and enjoying the intimacy of covered faces and flickering candlelight.
Lila and Eloise were still several steps away from the crowd when the orchestra paused and a scale was played on the pianoforte to indicate the first dance would soon begin.
Lila had not realized she’d spent so much time greeting the women and scanned the group of people before her with greater detail.
When she saw the man dressed all in black, but holding another single yellow rose in his hands and staring straight at her, she caught her breath.
Mory. He was somehow standing apart in the crowd, and she was as struck by his presentation as she was by the fact that he knew it was her.
She had just interacted with any number of women she had known for years who had not recognized her, but somehow Mory had.
He’d seen through the costume and seen her inside it.
The sense of connection and belonging made her dizzy.
“Is that him?” Eloise whispered.
Lila could only nod, her eyes locked on to Mory’s and her heart thrilling.
Without moving, the distance between them seemed to become smaller and narrower.
For a moment Lila felt as though it was only the two of them in the ballroom, alone with this tether drawing them closer in a way she had never felt before.
The shadows created by the low light became sharper, and the whispered conversations became part of the music.
She took a step forward but was brought up short when someone stepped into her line of sight, blocking Mory and breaking the spell.
She blinked and tried to look around this interloper, but he did not continue upon whatever course had created the interference.
Eloise’s hand tightened on Lila’s arm. Lila looked at Eloise, who stared at the man before them, her eyes wide behind her mask.
Lila then looked into the man’s face, as well.
“Neville?” Eloise said, vocalizing the recognition that had fallen like a stone into Lila’s mind. Eloise took a step forward. “Is it really you?”