The Masquerade Read Online Free

knowing her slender sister was referring to her voluptuous figure.
    “Mama might have an apoplexy when she sees you in that costume.” Georgie snickered with some glee, then grasped Lizzie’s hand. “You look lovely in it.”
    Lizzie hoped Georgie was being truthful. She reminded herself that Tyrell would never glance her way, not even once. But if he did, she did not want to look like a cow. She prayed he would not notice her and think her a sorry sight indeed.
    “Well? Are you going to tell me why you are blushing?” Georgie demanded, laughing.
    “I am hot,” Lizzie said abruptly, standing. “I am not blushing.”
    Georgie leapt up. “If you think I have been fooled for one moment, then you are wrong! I know you are on pins and needles because you are going to your first ball at Adare.” She was smiling.
    “I am not infatuated, not anymore,” Lizzie insisted.
    “Of course not. I mean, last St. Paddy’s Day you did not ogle Tyrell de Warenne for hours on end. Oh, no. You do not prick your ears and redden every time his name comes up in social conversation. You do not gaze out of the carriage window when we pass Adare as if you are attached to it! Of course that silly schoolgirl crush is over. ”
    Lizzie hugged herself, silently admitting the truth of Georgie’s words.
    Georgie put her arm around her. “If you think to claim that you are not in love with Tyrell de Warenne, then think again. Mama and Papa may believe your childish infatuation over, but Anna and I know better. We are your sisters, dear.”
    Lizzie gave up. “I am so nervous!” She wrung her hands. “What should I do? Will I look like a fool in that costume? Is there any chance he will notice me? And if he does, what will he think?” she cried.
    “Lizzie, I have no idea if he will notice you in the crush of a hundred guests, but if he does, he will think you the prettiest sixteen-year-old debutante there,” Georgie said with a smile and a firm tone.
    Lizzie didn’t believe her, but Mama chose that moment to enter the room. She glared at them both. “Well? Has your sister talked some sense into you, Georgina May?”
    Georgie looked contrite as she stood. “I am sorry, Mama. Of course I will attend the ball.”
    Mama cried out in delight. “I knew I could count on Lizzie to save the day!” She beamed at Lizzie, then went to Georgie and embraced her. “You are the most loyal and deserving of daughters, my dear Georgina! Now, I do want a word with you about your costume—and Lizzie needs to get ready to go to town, anyway.”
    Lizzie gasped, realizing that time had fled and it was almost ten o’clock. She devoted five or six hours every week to the sisters at St. Mary’s, never mind that the Fitzgeralds had not been Catholic in two generations. Her work was with the orphans there, and as Lizzie loved children, she looked forward to it. “I must be off,” she cried, racing out of the room.
    “Ask Papa if he can drive you,” Mama called after her. “It will save you the walk!”
     
    Lizzie was on her way home. It had rained for several days and the streets were ankle-deep in mud. She did not give a fig for her appearance, but it was a five-mile walk back to the house and the journey would take her twice as long as usual. The family could only afford a single horse and had but one two-wheeled curricle. While Papa had driven her to town, he was not able to pick her up, as Anna had some calls to make that afternoon. Instead of fighting for her turn or spending a precious shilling on a hired coach, Lizzie preferred to walk home.
    Now the gray skies were brightening and Lizzie felt certain that tomorrow would be a remarkably pleasant day—perfect for the masked ball. She was about to step into the mud to cross the street when she felt a tug on the hem of her gown.
    Lizzie knew it was a beggar before she looked down atthe old woman, damp and wet and shivering from the cold.
    “Miss? Spare a penny?” The woman pleaded.
    Lizzie’s