To Madden a Marquess (Lords of London Book 2) by Tamara Gill

Author:Tamara Gill [Gill, Tamara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tamara Gill
Published: 2018-07-30T18:30:00+00:00

A week passed, and finally, it was the night of the ball. The masquerade was a crush. The array of gowns, jewels, laughter and candlelight made the room seem like a glittering dream and Cecilia, and Katherine stood at the doors as the Duke and Duchess of Athelby walked ahead of them into the throng.

“Oh my, Cecilia. What a magnificent spectacle!”

Cecilia smiled and entwined her arm with Katherine’s, pulling her forward. “It is truly a sight and one we shall never see again most likely. Promise me one thing tonight, my dear.”

“Anything,” Katherine said, her attention snapping from one costume to another.

There were many. The guests had outdone themselves with an array of characters present, jokers, pirates, mythical creatures and those who were less risqué, simply chose evening attire, silk gowns adorned with masks that sparked with jewels or feathers.

“That we forget where we’re from, we take the opportunity to have fun, dance and laugh and forget all else.”

“That sounds heavenly,” Katherine said, smiling when a gentleman bowed before her in a flourishing, very much over the top manner, and asked her to dance. The man’s costume was almost entirely black, foreboding even, and his mask covered his face entirely giving him an air of mystery.

Cecilia watched them disappear into the throng of dancers already on the ballroom floor and continued behind the duke and duchess.

They came to stand at the end of the long room beside the terrace doors which were open. Many of the guests were taking the opportunity to step out to take the air. The gardens were well lit, and outside looked just as pretty as the interior of the house.

Cecilia checked her attire. This evening she’d worn a white satin short sleeved gown with a green cape fastened on one of her shoulders that folded over her front, almost concealing her waist, but not quite. It was pinned to her hip by a pretty diamond paste broach her mother had loaned her for the evening. A single green plume was incorporated into her hair, and a plain silver mask concealing her eyes completed the outfit.

“Lord Leighton has gone to a lot of trouble for this ball. Does he hold it yearly?”

“He does,” the duchess said, taking the glass of champagne her husband passed to her, before giving it to Cecilia. “I remember last year when I attended, my husband who wasn’t my husband at the time didn’t approve.”

The duke looked down his nose at Darcy before he grinned. “I approve now, my dear.”

Cecilia looked away as it seemed a private, husband and wife conversation was happening between the pair and she didn’t want to intrude.

“I believe Lord Aaron will be here this evening.”

“As to that, my dear.” The duke scanned the crowd, frowning a little. “Hunter may be late. I believe he’s bringing a guest.”

“Really,” the duchess said, casting a glance in Cecilia’s direction. “Who?”

Cecilia picked out Lord Aaron well before the duke said anything else, and she watched as his lordship made his way over to them.

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