Pirate by Connie Mason

Author:Connie Mason
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The Dubois ball was attended by a mad crush of people that Bliss would have been quite happy to avoid. Unfortunately, being seen with Gerald was necessary if they were to present the image of a contented couple.

Gerald had arrived at her door promptly at nine, dressed in impeccable evening attire. Though he looked successful and distinguished, Bliss realized that Gerald was no longer a young man. The hair at his temples had started to silver, and his slight paunch was clearly visible beneath the close cut of his jacket.

Bliss had chosen an emerald green silk dress with a high empire waist, short puff sleeves, and a daringly low neckline that was all the rage these days. Some women went so far as to emulate Napoleon's wife by wetting their gowns before donning them, making the fabric almost transparent. It was not a fashion Bliss cared to follow.

Bliss pasted a brittle smile on her face as she strolled through the ballroom on Gerald's arm, greeting friends and acquaintances as they made their way toward the host and hostess.

"It's so good to see you two together again," Lily Dubois said enthusiastically.

"We were distressed to hear about your recent illness, Bliss. You've made a remarkable recovery. Dare we hope for a wedding announcement now that you've recovered?"

"You're the first to know, Mrs. Dubois," Gerald confided, forestalling Bliss's answer. "Bliss and I have set a wedding date for two weeks from Saturday. Your invitation will be hand delivered shortly. The ceremony will take place at the Cathedral, of course. I hope you will be free to attend."

"Wouldn't miss it," George Dubois said, slapping Gerald's back exuberantly.

"Would it be presumptuous of me to announce the happy occasion tonight?"

"Not at all," Gerald said. "We'd be honored to have you make the announcement." He gave Bliss a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Wouldn't we, my dear?"

"That's vet kind of you," Bliss murmured, swallowing the sickness rising within her. "That would be wonderful."

They moved on then, unaware that a man wearing a satin patch over one eye was intently watching them from his position behind a large pillar.

Guy had seen Bliss and Gerald enter the ballroom and he'd had to swallow the rage he felt upon seeing them together. He'd caught glimpses of Bliss alone at various functions and about town, but this was the first time he'd seen her with Faulk, and his violent reaction surprised him. Before his mind fully grasped the sig-nificance of seeing them together, he was surrounded by a group of inquisitive men and women and lost sight of Bliss.

Bliss excused herself and went to the ladies retiring room to rest her jangled nerves and repair her hair style. She was so tired of smiling and making small talk, she felt as if her face would crack. But even more unnerving had been the strange feeling of being stared at. Of course that was ridiculous, but the feeling lingered.

The retiring room was occupied. Two young women Bliss was acquainted with were discussing the mysterious stranger whom Bliss had yet to meet.

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