The Lady and the Thief by Megan Derr

Author:Megan Derr [Derr, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: bisexual, lesbian, Fantasy, romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2018-06-26T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Bea was the only person Adeline saw for the next few days, when she came to deliver meals.

"I don't suppose Lady Vesper is going to let me out tonight?"

"I don't think so, Miss. She didn't mention it before they departed for the Royal Masquerade."

"I see," Adeline managed, disappointment crashing through her. They knew how much she'd been looking forward to the Masquerade, how much it meant to her, and they'd slunk off without her. Why was Lady Vesper being so cruel? Surely Lady Nimbly was not that important a marriage prospect. "Have a good night, Bea."

"You too, Miss."

The moment she was gone, Adeline ate her supper as quickly as she could manage, then rushed over to her dressing room. She was not missing the Royal Masquerade. She'd never get another chance to see the royal palace. She'd been looking forward to it for months, and there was no way in the world she was just going to sit here and be miserable.

Unfortunately, she couldn't wear the costume she'd gone to such pains to put together, all the lectures and sighs and disappointed looks it had earned her for spending money—far less than Edith, but that never mattered to anyone.

Vesper and her aunt and uncle were never anything but disapproving when it came to the royal family. Vesper especially would go on tirades about their inappropriate behavior, all the princes and princesses who'd run away or married their servants. Adeline envied the ability to just flout rules and do as they liked, and rather thought Vesper envied them as well, if for entirely different reasons.

Oh, what could she do for a costume that would meet the standards of a royal ball, allow her to climb in and out the window, and go unnoticed by Vesper? Perhaps she could simply take a costume to change into it elsewhere? But no, that would require carrying things with her, and take even more time, problems she'd rather not have. Ideally Edith wouldn't recognize her either, but Adeline didn't think she'd be that lucky. She would just have to hope the affair was so large they never crossed paths.

Weighing her options, she finally settled on a soldier. She could use the old military jacket from her mother that she'd modified into a riding jacket, her black fencing breeches, and her good riding boots. She quickly pulled the clothes on, then braided her hair and bound it in a simple knot at the back of her head. Some plain earrings, the black domino she hadn't yet used, gloves, and a cloak. Yes, she was going to ball!

It took some work to climb out the window and down the wall, but after that, it was easy as anything to dart to the street and catch a hackney. Several minutes later she was pulling up in front of the royal palace, her heart in her throat, hands fluttering about, unable to hold still.

She joined the throngs sweeping through the gate and milling up the wide, white gleaming stones that led to the palace.

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