Masquerade Read Online Free Page A

looking younger than her years, said softly, “I do, and I am sorry if I have angered you.”
    A long sigh, then a shake of her head. “I am not angry, dear. I just don’t wish to be the object of anyone’s—not even yours or Penny’s—speculation.”
    “I understand.” Then, lightening considerably as Sophie pushed the trolley into the hallway, Rachel asked, “Has Colin said whether or not Penny is going to tonight’s dance? She is, isn’t she?”
    “I’m sure Colin will tell you, if you ask him,” Sophie called over her shoulder. “Why not join us for tea? Then you can see for yourself just how reckless our dear friend can be on the first morning of the New Year!”

Chapter 2
    Sophie was grateful to have made it to the Atwell home in one piece. Call it providence, fate, or the hand of God; something had pulled them through the snowy evening in relative safety.
    There had been moments during the short ride when the five occupants of their carriage held onto each other for dear life as the horses’ hooves sought safe footing on the icy, snow-covered cobblestone streets. Their father and Brian had attempted to reassure them, but neither their mother nor the two sisters had been able to put aside their prayers for a safe journey long enough to hear the men’s words. At one point, their carriage tilted to one side, throwing them all into an untidy heap against the door. Somehow the driver coaxed the horses onward and out of the rut to continue on.
    It was no surprise, then, that their father intended to convey his family home at an hour earlier than he would have done if the weather had not been so thoroughly inauspicious. Sophie was all in favor of turning around and heading home this very minute, but she had been outvoted. They had made it this far, the others reasoned, so why not stay for at least a short while?
    Elbow room was not in short supply in the upstairs bedroom that had been readied for ladies, so she did not feel selfish sitting before the looking glass for an extra few minutes. Her primping had been done at home and her hair curled and sprayed so well it had hardly moved despite the harrowing journey, but she still sat and stared at herself, lost in a reverie, while Rachel fussed beside her.
    “Oh, I do hope the snow lets up some,” Rachel wailed. She licked a finger, and then slicked a wispy tendril near her right temple back into place. Deftly, she inserted a hairpin, effectively securing the wayward strand. “I wondered if Father might turn the carriage right around when the horses drove us into that rut. We are fortunate we did not break a wheel, or worse.”
    “What could possibly be worse than standing outside in a snowstorm waiting for a carriage wheel to be replaced?” To her knowledge, their old, hardly-ever-used carriage did not possess a spare wheel. The ones that were on it were the only ones they could afford. If one had broken, they would be left quite without resources, but she did not point that out.
    “But, Sophie, we could have spilled out the door and onto the snow when the carriage tilted. We would have been wet, our dresses ruined beyond repair, and the evening truly spoiled. That would have been much worse, I dare say!”
    Rachel pinched her cheeks, bringing a rosy tint to her skin. With a snort of annoyance, she rummaged in her bag. It was a tiny evening bag, with a dainty drawstring closure, and as such should not have been able to hold a preponderance of items. Still, Rachel determinedly pored through its contents until she found what she wanted. With a victorious cry, she held up a tiny vial of Pear’s Liquid Blooms of Roses. In seconds, Rachel’s cheeks looked in full bloom and a satisfied smile pulled her lips upward.
    “Would you like some?” Rachel held the vial out, but Sophie shook her head. “Are you certain? It wouldn’t hurt to add some rouge to those cheeks. You look positively white, Sophie.” The smile turned to a frown. Rachel leaned forward and