CHAPTERONE
Lady Jane Wrightmorepaused to catch her breath as she straddled the windowsill in her friend Daffodil’s old room at the finishing school.
The silk skirt of her gown was heavy as she hoisted it up, and she blew a lock of auburn hair out of her face as she craned her neck to look down at the ground below.
Her breath caught at the drop. But the tree branch was right there, so close she could touch it. She reached out.
Nearly. She could nearly touch it. All it would take was one little leap.
Without this dratted gown she could do it in her sleep.
But she couldn’t very well arrive at a masquerade in her petticoat, now could she?
She glanced back into the dark bedroom, doubt creeping in for the first time since she’d hatched this ridiculous plan.
But the dark room was not a welcoming sight either. It was just a reminder that all of her friends were gone for the summer, while she was stuck here in London. Alone.
She heard a noise below and glanced down to see her maid Sally waiting as they’d planned by the garden’s edge. Sally waved cheerfully, her smile bright in the moonlight.
Jane grinned. She couldn’t have gone to all this trouble for nothing. The fact that she’d found such an adventurous ally with her maid was nothing short of a miracle.
And to discover that her oldest friend just happened to be in London this week and would be in attendance at a public masquerade…
She glanced up at the moonlit sky with a smile. One would be tempted to believe this was fate.
And who was she to disregard fate?
With that thought she took a deep breath…and leapt.
She caught the limb easily, and wrapped her legs around the trunk, her slippered foot seeking out the next foothold as she had so many times as a child.
True, the heavy gown and the mask dangling from her neck weren’t exactly helpful, but she managed nonetheless. And soon enough she was on the ground, Sally bustling around her, brushing off the twigs and leaves that had caught in the fabric of her skirts.
“Well done, miss,” Sally said.
Sally truly was a treasure.
Jane grinned. “Are you ready?”
“To see my first masquerade?” Sally linked her arm through Jane’s as they headed toward the street. “I don’t suppose I need to answer that, do I, miss?”
Jane laughed. She supposed not. Sally’s enthusiasm was infectious, and Jane’s much-shorter legs hurried to keep up with the other girl.
“Are you sure he’ll be here tonight?” Jane asked as they made their way down the street, heads down and masks on, just in case.
“That’s what I was told,” Sally said.
Sally’s cousin worked for the Marquess of Northbridge’s family. “Last my cousin had heard, your fella was set on having one night of fun before heading to his estate.”
It was on the tip of Jane’s tongue to point out that the marquess was notherfella. But she didn’t really care to explain just who he was to her or why she was taking this risk.
Mainly because that would mean justifying it to herself.
And right now the mere thought of what would happen if she were caught tonight made Jane’s belly twist with nerves.
Her parents were already out of patience with her. They’d already exiled her to London for the summer rather than let her return home.
She couldn’t even imagine what they’d do if they learned about tonight’s adventure.
