"What is it, Hilda?" He asked, turning to look at her and muster the slightest smile.
"Lady Beatrice and Lady Anne are ready for you, my lord." Hilda replied, taking a slight bow.
Weston nodded and gently waved her off. "I shall join them in a moment."
He turned to look at his mirror once again. He just had to get through tonight and a few other nights that would come with it. This was only temporary. Once his sister was settled, this would no longer be his story. He could reach for the freedom he had been dreaming about for so long. Once and for all, he would be able to have a life of his own and live it the way he wanted without any input from his mother whatsoever.
But for now, he needed to face this night and everything it would bring head-on. No matter how hard he tried to protest, there was no escaping the night. He'd been attending events for a long time. This would be no different. He just needed to get through the night, and then, freedom would be on the horizon.
He reached for his mask atop the bedroom dresser.
Chapter Four
Lady Grace swam through the chatter aimlessly, her gaze fixed only on the search for Juliet. The Spring Masquerade Ball was held every year to integrate new men and women into the elite society so they could get accustomed to each other and hopefully get married. While this year's was no different, Grace had more at stake because the major reason she held it was to find a match for her niece. Juliet had suffered one too many rejections in the past seasons, and it was beginning to weigh down on Grace.
“Marvelous party, as usual, Lady Grace. You've outdone yourself.” A voice called amongst the chatter as Grace continued to wade through the crowd. She stopped and gave a courteous reply before heading off one more time.
Grace herself was not fortunate to have a husband, a feat which by no means was a fault of hers. She had gotten married a long time ago, but her husband had suffered a severe case of the fever and was not able to survive it. This was also around the same time her beautiful sister, Lady Celia, suffered the same disease. Grace remembered just how distraught she had been when her sister and husband died with merely months between. Since the terrible disaster, she had always felt some form of innate responsibility for Juliet.
Grace saw one of the housemaids moving around the crowd with fruit trays and hurried towards her.
“You. Wait!” She called as she quickened her steps. Amidst the loud chatter surrounding them, the maid heard her and turned in her direction.
“Is anything the matter, my lady?” The maid asked, a quizzical look of concern resting on her face.
“Juliet. Have you seen her?” Grace asked once she got close enough.
“Last time I saw her, she was hanging by the balcony.”
“Thank you.” Grace said, gently tapping the maid on the arm and heading off once more.
She was almost at the door leading to the balcony when she got stopped one more time by a feminine voice, determined to compliment the effort she put into planning the ball.
“Marvelous effort on your part, Lady Grace.” The voice called behind her. She froze. She would recognize that voice anyway. It was the voice behind most of the salacious scandals in town. The voice of the one and only infamous gossip monger in all of London. Grace cleared her throat anyway and turned to look at her.
“Lady Violet Northam.” She said curtly, taking note of the slightly tall lady in a silky green gown before her and the two other ladies who stood firmly behind her.
Lady Violet's mask was flimsy at its very best. It covered her face but not enough to deem her unrecognizable. Perhaps that was what she was going for.
“So nice of you to come.” Grace greeted, trying to remain as level-headed as possible.
“Pray tell, are you jesting? I would never miss this for the whole of England.” Lady Violet replied, gently pulling out her makeshift fan.
“I hope you've been well entertained by the maids. Let me know if you need anything.” Grace said again, unsure of where the conversation was going.
“I find everything to be quite to taste, thank you very much.” Lady Violet replied, a smile of satisfaction settling on her face.
“I'm glad.” Grace replied. “I'm afraid I must hurry. I am searching for someone, and it is important I see her as soon as possible.”
“I shall let you go, Lady Grace.” Lady Violet replied, slightly bowing. Grace did the same and took off again. Her niece was at the balcony, and she needed to talk to her, or warn her.
Lady Violet Northam was like a hound, who always sniffed around balls and parties for scandals. She could turn the tiniest miscommunication into a massive war. It is no wonder she still attended balls and parties like this since she hadn't found a husband yet.
“There you are.” Grace sighed, immense relief coursing through her veins once she set her eyes on her niece. “I was worried you might have stolen one of the carriages and rode back to Willowbrook.”
Juliet stood, slightly resting against the railing. The mask was still settled on her face, but Grace could tell she wasn't happy.
“What happened?” Grace asked, moving closer to the railing near Juliet.
