PROLOGUE
She wished she could see his face. However, the mask he wore obscured it. All she could see was two eyes, as green as emeralds...and the thin-lipped mouth that rose in a curious smile.
“You dance quite beautifully,” he said melodiously.
Glenna felt her heart thud within her chest. She shifted the mask over her big gray eyes, trying to obscure more of her face.
“Th...thank you, sir,” she said. She felt her hands grow warm where they clutched his as they moved through the steps of the dance.
“I feel...grateful...to have such an experienced partner,” he added as they turned together.
Glenna swallowed. She felt awkward, like she was not being truthful. What would he think if he knew I was a lady's maid? She felt her head spin at the thought. Abruptly, she stopped moving, lifting a hand to her dark brown hair.
“My lady?” The masked man was concerned.
Glenna shook her head. She wished he wouldn't call her that. “I'm well,” she stammered. “Don't concern yerself with me.”
He blinked, frowning in concern. She felt wretched, thinking the concern was for her sudden shift of accent. Now he's heard my accent slip and he knows for sure that I'm no lady. Just about now he'll turn and walk out. She sighed.
“Come,” he said gently. “You seem unwell. Please...do sit down awhile.”
Glenna looked at the floor, but she allowed him to steer her gently to the refreshments table, heart thudding in her chest as he took her arm. She had no place here, no reason to be here dancing with this tall, elegant gentleman with the beautiful, strong hands.
Where are we going?
He led her to the edge of the vast hall. There, on the edge of the torch-lit space, was a row of columns, a recess in the wall. He drew her into it. Glenna felt her heart stop. Here, it was darker, the music fainter. They were, to all intents and purposes, alone. She was suddenly afraid of him.
What is he going to do to me? He knows I'm no lady. I should escape.
She struggled in his grasp and then stood still as he made a soft hushing noise that, admittedly, wasn't very threatening.
I wish I hadn't let my lady persuade me to come. Not that she had taken much persuading.
Lady Amabel, her charge and a lady only four years her junior, was here at court awaiting the arrival of her father, the duke, from business at his estate, Buccleigh Castle. As it was the night of the masked ball, Amabel – headstrong and generous – had hit on the plan of bringing her maid, Glenna, along.
Glenna ran nervous fingers over the blue velvet of her gown and checked that the silver mask was in place over her eyes. “Sir,” she whispered as his hand moved down her back and drew her to him. “Sir. Please...”
He stopped. Stepped back. “Forgive me,” he whispered. “I have pressed you into this. Please. Leave me if you will.”
Glenna stared at him as he stepped back, taking his hands away from her. She felt her heart sing with relief and a surprising gentleness. She looked up, but all she could see were those green eyes – solemn, gentle – and that thin-lipped mouth.
“I didn't mean to frighten you,” he said solemnly.
“Sir,” she whispered. “I'm...I'm not afraid of you.”
She surprised herself. Until a moment ago, she had been. Now she was bold.
He slumped, visibly relieved. “I'm glad,” he said. “I was a rash fool.”
“No,” Glenna whispered. “Well, mayhap,” she added with a chuckle.
He smiled. She saw the green eyes crinkle at the corners, an endearing smile on his lips. Involuntarily, she reached up as if to pluck the mask.
He smiled. “In a moment, my dear lady,” he whispered.
Glenna sighed. “I too, sir.”
The thought hurt. She had chosen a mask that covered her whole face for a good reason. In a few moments, he would see her revealed. She shuddered. He'll see the scar, then. And what will he think of me? He'll shudder, bow, and walk away. Oh, well. She had lived with the scar for four years. She reckoned that she should be used to the reactions it inspired by now. She would be brave.
“Unmask!”
Glenna sighed, feeling sad.
He smiled down at her. “Ready?”
Glenna nodded, swallowing tears. “Mayhap.”
He let the mask drop. She stared at him, seeing his full face for the first time, and he was breathtaking. Green eyes with heavy lids, a long, thin nose and a mouth like a grave line below it, lips lifted in a close-lipped grin. Symmetrical and strong-jawed, his beauty made her heart ache.
“My lady?” he said.
Glenna let the mask drop. She looked at the floor. Now he would know.
Slowly, deliberately, he bent down. His finger went under her chin and its warm strength tipped her head back, staring into her face. Then, to her utter surprise, he kissed her full on the mouth.
His tongue raked fire across her lips and then, when he had moved back, he looked down at her.
“What..?” She stared at him, unable to understand what had just occurred. He had kissed her. He hadn't flinched. He was looking down into her face and he wasn't surprised, awkward, or even uncomfortable.
“What?” he smiled fondly.
“This, milord.”
Her fingers traced the scar that bisected her lips. The result of a fall, which could so easily have been so much worse, down the stairs at the castle where she worked.
He smiled. “Does a cloud at sunset ruin its beauty? No! It takes on all the hues of it and makes the sunset what it is – a masterpiece.”
Glenna stared. Tears soaked her eyes. “Sir,” she whispered. “That...”
That was the most beautiful thing anyone could ever have said.
He grinned and, bending forward, placed his lips on hers. All her protests ended in a sudden, soulful silence as they kissed.