Chapter 3 #3
Miss Bryce. Sylvie Bryce was around that corner, dressed in what was clearly a disguise.
Why on earth was she hiding her identity?
It was common and accepted for members of even the highest social circles to visit the resort.
In fact, it catered to those in Miss Bryce’s social class with the new elegant Breakers Hotel and fashionable restaurants.
So why was she in disguise?
Thinking for several minutes, Miles finally decided he would never be able to deduce her motives on his own.
He would need to speak with her, but he didn’t want to frighten her away.
If she wanted to hide so badly, she might be skittish when faced with someone she knew.
So after sneaking another glance around the corner to ensure she was still there, he tiptoed a few paces away on his side of the building.
Straightening his back and clearing his throat a few times, Miles then started walking with false bravado, making certain his shoes hit the stone floor with heavy thumps. He cleared his throat one more time for good measure right before rounding the corner.
And his ruse succeeded. When he looked up, Miss Bryce had covered her face and was stepping away from the wall. He’d managed not to unmask her before she was ready, while also not letting her get away before he was ready.
Acting as startled as his limited acting ability allowed, Miles paused mid-step and offered his most charming smile. “Oh, excuse me. I was looking for a quiet corner to catch my breath, but it appears I’m not the only one.”
When Miss Bryce looked up at him, those wide, expressive blue eyes captured his attention, being all he could see around her disguise.
It took him a moment to recover from having such an enchanting gaze turned on him.
She took another step back, looking for all the world as if she wanted to dart away.
But she was too polite to leave without answering, it seemed.
“Ah, well, you’re in luck, after all. I’m on my way out. This quiet corner is all yours.”
Her voice sounded lower than usual, as if she were attempting to disguise it as well as her face.
In danger of losing his moment with her, Miles took a few steps forward, reaching out without meaning to.
The last thing he wanted was to make her feel caged, so he dropped his arm and hurried to continue talking.
Perhaps that would be enough to stop her retreat.
“You must have a good reason to wear a velvet cloak on such a warm day. I’m quite curious about it. ”
She paused, and a rush of gratitude swept over Miles, leaving him almost lightheaded.
She wasn’t running away yet. “Haven’t you heard of the lady archer?
The one who poses as Robin Hood and entertains the crowds with her archery skills?
You wouldn’t expect any less of her than a green cloak as a disguise, would you? ”
Delight was too small a word to describe being the target of teasing banter from Miss Bryce.
Her voice was rich with challenge, and he was eager to accept.
“Why, no, I wouldn’t dare expect less. There could be no other choice for such a bold lady.
I do wonder what makes her feel the need to hide her identity so completely. ”
Her shoulders hunched, the teasing glint vanishing from her eyes. He’d said the wrong thing, pushed too hard. She recognized him. For certain. But she didn’t want him to recognize her, and he’d come too close to admitting he did.
Before he could repair the damage, she took the opportunity to back through the arch behind her, tugging at the hood and mask as if afraid they might fail to keep her secret. “I’m sorry, but I must go. Enjoy your time at the resort.”
And then she was gone in a flash of green velvet.
The crushing weight that hit him when she was out of his sight kept Miles frozen in place for quite some time. He should find the others and continue with the day, but the idea of enjoying amusements when Miss Bryce was there—so close and yet unattainable—was completely unappealing.
No matter what he did, his attention ended up returning to the questions burning trails through his mind.
Why did she feel the need to hide her identity?
Why was she performing a show at the resort at all?
It wasn’t common for ladies of her status to hold employment of any kind, and certainly not a job performing for an audience. Was that why she hid behind a costume?
Given the way Mrs. Bryce had pulled her reluctant daughter around the ball several nights before, perhaps her mother was the reason Miss Bryce held her disguise so close.
Miles had met many women like Leticia Bryce in the past. There wasn’t any possibility she knew her daughter was performing in public and still allowed it.
Miss Bryce was here without the knowledge of her mother, and most likely anyone else.
The question of why she wanted to perform when the potential cost to her reputation was so great lingered in Miles’s mind.
But resolve settled over him as he finally went in search of the others.
He wouldn’t reveal her secret. He wouldn’t even let her know he’d seen her face.
If the archery show was that important to Miss Bryce—and keeping her identity a secret along with it—Miles would be the last person to ever get in her way.