“We should get on with it,” Lord Dowding said. “Despite the guest list, this gathering is specifically to entertain Lord Tulk. I can say you should stay away from him, but the truth is, he will likely try to start up a conversation with you. He’s a shrewd man, Miss Clifton, so you must be on your guard at all times. You must have responses ready to every question imaginable. Where we met, common acquaintances, your family history. And he’ll be listening for inconsistencies. Now, I say we begin with—”
Jenny brought the mask up to her face and curtsied. “Lord Tulk? It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Miss Jenny Clifton, Lord Dowding’s fiancée. I’m sure he mentioned me.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of the earl’s lips as he, too, donned a mask. His was white and lacked any embellishments. “Clifton?” he repeated thoughtfully. “I’m not familiar with any Cliftons in the area.”
“Nor would you be, my lord,” she replied. She smiled, though he would not be able to see it behind the mask. “My family resides near Manchester.” This was partially true. There was a family of Cliftons near there. But they were not related to Jenny. Or rather Jenny was not in close relation with them. Her mother had mentioned a second cousin twice removed with their shared surname, so Jenny had chosen them as her immediate family. That was the only drop of truth in her otherwise fictitious history.
“And how did you and Dowding become acquainted if your family resides in Manchester?”
Jenny gave a small giggle, one of those demure types she despised in so many ladies. One thing no one could ever say about Jenny was that she was demure. Polite, yes, even reserved, but demure? Certainly not. Speaking her mind was far too important to her.
“He is a friend of Father’s,” she replied. “When he visited our estate last summer, he and I became… friendly. Soon, he was calling on me more than Father. Our engagement was,” she shrugged, “inevitable.”
“An inevitable engagement, was it?” Lord Dowding asked in the voice he had adopted to imitate Lord Tulk. Then he took a step closer. “You’re an interesting creature, Miss Clifton. I’m surprised you were able to travel in such weather all the way from Manchester to attend this evening. The preparations for your wedding reception must be occupying a great deal of your time.”
Jenny swallowed hard. Fighting against the heart that pounded in her chest was not easy. He was close enough to touch, and he smelled so good! Oak and oranges had become her favorite scent since their first encounter.
“Indeed, I am,” she replied. “And it keeps me extremely occupied.” She nearly growled. Did she just repeat what he had asked?
Keep your mind on why you’re here, Jenny Clifton! You don’t have time for thinking about his fragrance.
“I had no idea how much planning was involved,” she continued. “I was very excited when Lord Dowding said he would be hosting this ball. Masquerades are my favorite. They provide a sense of mystery, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I would.”
“And when he said you wished to meet me,” Jenny continued in that same coquettish tone, “well, I must admit, I was intrigued. His Lordship often mentions what a gifted conversationalist you are, and good conversation can be hard to come by.”
For a moment, Lord Dowding stared at her. Had she said or done something wrong? Had she gone too far? Perhaps she should limit the number—and the potency—of her compliments. The last thing she needed was to come across as flirtatious.
“This book is not as interesting as I expected,” Louisa said from the chair along the wall she had taken. “May I choose another from your library, my lord?”
“Of course,” the earl replied and gave her directions to that room.
When Louisa was gone, Jenny stared up at Lord Dowding. “Well?” she asked when he did not return to their practice. Perhaps it was completed. “Did I pass your test?”
Did that breathy voice come from her mouth? Demure she was not!
Lord Dowding removed his mask. “I must say, Miss Clifton,” he replied in a husky voice, “you performed wonderfully. I’ve no doubt you’ll be successful.”
Without thinking, Jenny placed a hand on his arm, and heat rushed into her body at the feel of the taut muscles beneath his blue coat. Whatever further words she had meant to say stuck in her throat, and it took several moments to release them.
“All I want is for you to see that I’m a competent young lady, my lord, and not some silly schoolgirl. A lady capable of helping you in whatever endeavor in which you may find yourself. One…” She swallowed to work moisture back into her dry throat. “One who wants nothing more than for you to kiss her.”
He did not hesitate to honor her request. Lowering his head, he pressed his lips to hers, and for a moment, the world around them ceased to exist. All she knew was this man whose strong body pressed against hers.
The kiss was everything she had imagined. His lips were demanding, searching, urgent. As if the end of time was upon them, and this was their only chance to share in such intimacy. His embrace was tight—a mixture of possessiveness and comfort. And she returned his fervor in equal measure.
When he pressed a hand to her lower back, a small whimper escaped her lips. Emotions swirled in her heart, and she was certain she would soon faint from lack of breath.
When the kiss ended, a sense of emptiness took its place.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “As much as I’ve tried to fight it, you have consumed my thoughts. And now I am at a loss as to what to do.”
“You’re not considering asking me to skip the ball, are you?” she asked, stunned. “I know I can be of help to you.”
He laid a hand on the side of her face. “I can’t stand the thought of putting you in an unsavory predicament. You’re too precious to be spoiled with the company of rotten men.” He sighed. “But it is far more than that. Being this close to you is upending my plans. I must focus on Lord Tulk and nothing else.”
“May I ask why you are so pressed to deny yourself of any sort of romantic entanglement? Surely, you have a reason. And I have a feeling it’s something other than Lord Tulk.”