An Offer for a Spinster: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Willoughbys Book 1) by Dorothy Sheldon

Author:Dorothy Sheldon [Sheldon, Dorothy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The masquerade was to be held at the Argyle Rooms. Katherine had never been there before. The queue to get in the door trailed down the steps up to the main entrance, which did not bode well for the state of affairs inside. Katherine was shivering in the night air, but suspected she would warm up all too quickly once she was inside.

“Ridiculous waste of time,” Henry was muttering, chafing in his outfit. Alexander and he were black and white dominos respectively, with long, flowing cloaks, tight suits, and knee-high boots. William had decided not to wear a mask and could have been going to any party in London, albeit with a long, patchwork cloak which he’d been pressured into throwing on at the last minute. The Duchess had also elected not to dress up, donning a light, lacy black mask as a concession. She had her lips pressed together, and did not appear particularly happy.

“Oh, try and relax a little, Henry,” Alexander chuckled. His eyes were bright, and Katherine suspected he’d already been drinking brandy before they left home. William seemed to be distracted, and Henry was eyeing his younger brother sharply, obviously suspecting the same as Katherine.

“What are you going as again, Kat?” Alexander continued, a little too jovially. She could smell the brandy on his breath now and exchanged a quick look with Henry.

“I’m Athena, Alexander. You know, the Greek goddess?”

“I know who Athena is,” Alexander mumbled. “A little too high brow for a masquerade, though. I hear that Miss Bragg is going as a marionette’s doll. That’ll be interesting, I’m sure.”

“Oh, yes,” Katherine retorted acidly.

In truth, she wasn’t entirely sure whether Athena was the right guise for her. In keeping with the Grecian style, she was wearing a long, white robe, made of shifts and veils all draped together and pinned in various places, hanging down to her sandaled feet. Her arms were bare, and the costume was fixed in place with brooches on the top of each shoulder. It was looser than she was used to and felt somewhat flimsy. She’d done her hair in a simple Grecian style, twisted back at the nape of her neck, and had a head-dress on top, and a simple gold-coloured mask.

The effect had been very nice in the mirror in her bedroom, but now Katherine was a little worried that someone might tread on her hem and tear the whole costume away.

And then they were inside the marbled halls, and as expected, the heat and noise hit them like a wave.

One by one, her family disappeared. William trailed off, Alexander made a beeline for the refreshments and glasses of champagne, and Henry followed him, looking grim.

That left Katherine and her mother. The Duchess looped her arm firmly through her daughter’s, and Katherine realised with a sinking heart that she wasn’t going to get away anytime soon.

“Shall we look out Lord Barwood?” the Duchess said lightly. “I wonder what he is dressed as tonight. Something sensible, I’m sure.”

“I’d… I’d rather not, Mama.

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