The Masquerade by Brenda Joyce

Author:Brenda Joyce [Joyce, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2005-11-25T23:00:00+00:00

The windows in Lizzie’s suite faced the back lawns and the rolling hills of County Limerick. She stood there, staring out, having carefully washed away all traces of her afternoon in the kitchens and changed her gown. Dusk was falling and she could see a faded moon beginning to rise over the distant hillside. The day had been so eventful and so exciting that she had completely forgotten about that evening. But suddenly she realized why such a huge supper was being prepared in the kitchens. Tonight was Tyrell’s engagement ball.

Of course, she had not been invited.

Tyrell was about to become engaged. And he had said he would come to her that night.

Lizzie bit her lip. As much as she wanted to see him again, suddenly it seemed terrible to have planned such a rendezvous. But that was what mistresses did. They had trysts with their lovers, men who were married to someone else.

It was so utterly wrong.

Her bubble of elation and excitement burst. Lizzie stood by the window, watching as night fell, suddenly hurt. She tried to remind herself that many noblemen had mistresses, but her rationale failed her completely. What did that have to do with her? After that evening, he would belong to someone else. How could she go through with this?

But could she really walk away from him now?

Lizzie had learned that the Harringtons were departing tomorrow morning. Lady Blanche would leave Adare with her father, in all likelihood returning to London. But her leaving wouldn’t change the fact of their engagement. Lizzie was used to dreaming, and now she wished that Tyrell would put off his engagement for a few months or even a year. If only she could share his life for that small time, she knew she would forever be grateful and happy.

But Lizzie wasn’t a fool. She couldn’t imagine the engagement being put off, not even for a day. She could not do this, not now, not this way—and certainly not with his fiancée under the very same roof with them.

A crushing heartache replaced her earlier joy. It was consuming. Lizzie did not know what to do. She could only hope that Tyrell was pleased with his fiancée and that she would make him happy and content.

In that moment, Lizzie wanted to see for herself just how pretty his fiancée was and determine if she was good and kind and the woman he deserved. A part of her knew that seeking Blanche Harrington out was wrong, but she refused to consider the possible ramifications.

Lizzie lifted up her ivory skirts and hurried down the corridor and downstairs, a part of her mind telling her that this was too dangerous. As she approached the main house, she could hear the sounds of the guests, laughing and conversing, along with the tinkle of crystal. Lizzie hesitated, now breathless, her heart slamming. What excuse would she make if someone from the family saw her mingling? What excuse could she make if she ran into Tyrell?

And in

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