Page 63 of Loving an Earl
Lilly quickly found herself standing alone with the pirate.
“Do not look nervous that Emmeline left you with a stranger.” He bowed. “Caldwell at your service. If you don’t honor me with this dance, I’ll make you walk the plank.” He grinned.
As they made their way to the dance floor, Lilly found herself actually enjoying herself. Caldwell was an exceptional dancer, and he didn’t miss a step of the country dance. She couldn’t say the same for herself. She faltered twice, but she didn’t care. No one knew who she was.
When the dance ended, Caldwell escorted her to where Emmeline and Blackstone stood in a quiet corner of the ballroom. Lilly’s skin tingled, and she recognized the feeling of being watched. As nonchalantly as she could, she looked around and found someone staring at her. He was tall, his arms were crossed on his chest and he was dressed as a smuggler. Or at least she thought he was. He could have been a gentleman sailor, but something about his glare, mannerisms, and posture gave the impression of a more dangerous man.
“Who is that?” She asked Caldwell.
“Who is whom, my lady?”
“Sorry. The smuggler over by the entrance. He is staring at me as if he wants to do me bodily harm.”
Caldwell chuckled, “I haven’t a clue, but you have attracted his attention. Would you like me to approach him and inquire about his attention?”
She almost tripped, having caught the edge of her gown with her gold slippers. “Most certainly not. Although, you don’t suppose Redford...”
“I can’t imagine the magistrate letting him out of Newgate anytime soon. In any case, you need not worry. Blackstone and I will protect you.”
Did Caldwell’s proclamation ease her worry? Not if the continuing pounding of her heart and the shaking of her body were any indicators. She glanced over her shoulder toward where the smuggler stood and exhaled the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding as she saw he no longer stood there. “Thank you.”
Standing close to Emmeline she asked, “Did you see the tall man dressed as a smuggler standing at the entrance to the ballroom?”
“No. Why?”
“No reason.” She leaned close and whispered in Emmeline’s ear, “He was watching me. I couldn’t distinguish his face with the black mask, but something about him had me on edge. He looked like he wanted to harm me.”
Emmeline gasped. “Do you want to go home? Perhaps this night is too much for you. I have heard some people hate masquerade balls because the costumes and masks frighten them.”
“No, that is not it.” At least Lilly didn’t think so. “Will you accompany me to the ladies’ retiring room? I think I need a moment to clear my head.”
As they made their way through the crush of bodies, Lilly got separated from Emmeline. Then she nearly screamed as someone grabbed her arm and pulled her behind one of the potted palms scattered around to give guests the illusion of privacy. More annoyed than frightened, she looked up into the face of the masked smuggler and murmured, “You!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Langford, why are you shadowing me?” She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. Even if he couldn’t tell with her mask on, it made her feel better to stare daggers at him.
“Is that what you think I’m doing?”
Sighing, she relaxed somewhat. “Yes. No.” She didn’t know anything where he was concerned. Except he still made her heart race. “Please say whatever it is you dragged me behind this plant to say.”
He swung his head up and frowned. “Can we go somewhere private and talk?”
Lilly sighed. They did need to talk. But she would rather not have the delicate and emotional conversation at a masquerade ball. “Call on me tomorrow. Is there anything else?”Take me in your arms and kiss me. Behave like a smuggler and take what you want.
“Be careful. Gentlemen hiding behind masks tend to be much more forward. Stay with Emmeline. By the way, where is she?”
“In the ladies’ retiring rooms where I’m going.”
He bowed. “Have a good evening.”
He turned and strolled away from her, leaving her alone after cautioning her about staying with Emmeline and being wary of overly forward men. She made her way down the hallway and somehow got turned around, found herself in the card room, and was surprised to see ladies sitting at tables gambling. She stood off to the side and watched with fascination. She’d never been in a gambling hell or a card room. It was surprisingly quiet as the players concentrated on their cards. When a game ended, there were groans from the losers and ecstatic cheers of jubilee from the winner. So engrossed in the card play, she didn’t notice the person who came up behind her until a low voice said in her ear, “Come with me.”
She was about to reply when he grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the room. Before she could pull away, he had her pushed up against the wall of a dark hallway. It looked like the servants’ hallway. “I’m glad to see you again, Lilly.”
His voice made her gasp in shock while her heart tumbled. “Redford.”
“’Tis I, my lady,” he snarled.
