Part 27 (2/2)
”You really don't know.” Astonishment sounded in Beryl's voice. ”How very interesting.”
”Beryl,” Evelyn snapped. ”Out with it.”
”Patience, my dear friend.” Beryl grinned in a wicked manner. ”Oh, this is delightful.”
”Beryl!”
”Very well then.” She heaved a dramatic sigh. ”If you insist on taking all the fun out of it.”
”And I do.”
”I knew what you were wearing because you were pointed out to me.”
”I haven't told anyone what I was wearing tonight.” Evelyn shook her head in confusion. ”Who on earth could have told you?”
”I have no idea.” She shrugged. ”He was wearing one of those white masks with the black hat and cloak. Why, you couldn't even see his hair.” She thought for a moment. ”He was tall, though.”
”And this mysterious gentleman pointed me out to you?” Evelyn said slowly.
”Well, he had to, of course.”
Her breath caught. ”He did?”
”He did if he wanted me to deliver this to you.” Beryl plucked a folded note from between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s although where she found room to hide something out of sight was beyond Evelyn. Beryl presented the note with a flourish.
Evelyn reached for it but Beryl pulled it back.
”You know nothing about this or who this man might be?”
”No.” Evelyn held out her hand. ”Now, give it to me.”
”And you are not planning an a.s.signation with a mysterious stranger at a masked ball?”
”Most certainly not!”
”No one can feign that kind of indignation.” Beryl grinned and handed her the note. ”I'm glad, you know. Aside from your recent difficulties, you and Adrian are very nearly the only truly happily married couple I know. Oh, certainly I can name any number of couples who are content, but you have always struck me as genuinely happy. As such, you are an example to the rest of us.” She paused. ”Well, not to me but to others.” She handed Evelyn the note. ”Don't do anything to muck it up.”
”I have no intention of mucking up anything.” Evelyn stared at the note in her hand.
”Well?” Beryl said impatiently. ”Aren't you going to read it?”
Evelyn turned the note over in her hand. ”I'm not sure.”
”If you're afraid, I'll read it.” Beryl reached for the note. ”It's bound to be interesting.”
”Oh no.” Evelyn took a step back and shook her head. ”I'll read it.” She unfolded the note and knew, even before she saw the distinctive hand, who it was from.
At long last, the time has come. Dance with me, Eve.
”What does it say? Is it signed? Who is it from?”
Evelyn forced a light laugh. ”I do hate to disappoint you, but it's nothing of significance. It's not signed, but the handwriting is that of an old friend. He's simply trying to be mysterious.”
”An old friend?” Beryl studied her closely. ”An admirer?”
”Not at all.” She shrugged. ”Simply someone I haven't seen in, oh, forever.”
”That's all?”
”He does wish a dance.”
Beryl sucked in a sharp breath. ”Evelyn Waterston, you're lying to me. How can you lie to your dearest friend?”
”I'm not lying,” Evelyn said firmly. Indeed, Sir could well be considered an old friend, and as she had never seen him in person, forever was not entirely inaccurate. ”It is from an old friend. He does wish a dance and it's not the least bit important.” She refolded the note and tucked it into her bodice, realizing she had far more room to hide notes than her friend did.
”Are you going to dance with him?”
”As I have noted any number of gentlemen in white masks and black cloaks, and it's impossible to know which one he is ...” She shrugged. ”If a gentleman so attired asks for a dance, I see no reason to refuse.”
”Won't Adrian mind?”
”Not in the least.” She scoffed. ”I dance with other gentlemen all the time at events like this. It is a ball, after all. Besides ...” She paused. ”Adrian has yet to arrive.”
”He isn't here?” Surprise sounded in Beryl's voice.
”He was delayed. I do expect him at any minute.” Nor was that a lie. She had thought he would be here by now.
”My, that is interesting,” Beryl murmured.
As much as she didn't know her dearest friend well, she did recognize that tone. ”What is interesting?”
”Adrian, who has been known to be jealous, is not yet here. And a gentleman who is completely disguised, with a mask that even m.u.f.fles his voice, an old friend or so he says, has asked you to dance. And ...” She paused. ”This man knew how you were dressed.”
”What are you getting at?”
”It seems to me, a masked ball presents the perfect opportunity to test a wife's loyalty. What if”-she paused dramatically-”your admirer is, in truth, your husband?”
”Don't be absurd.” Evelyn scoffed. ”Adrian would never do such a thing.” Besides, she knew exactly who the note was from. Still, why not allow Beryl to suspect Adrian? It was certainly easier than explaining the complete truth.
”The same way he would never burst into a hotel room where he thought he would find you?”
”He doesn't like the word burst,” she said under her breath.
”No doubt.” Beryl thought for a minute. ”There's really only one way to find out.”
”And what way is that?”
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