Page 22 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

I felt Lord Wynter’s arm tense briefly beneath my own, but his voice was light and steady as he said, “There are very few skeletons in my wardrobe, Stefan, you know that.”

Stefan threw his head back and laughed, and then he held out his arm to me. I was beginning to feel as if I were being passed around like a parcel.

“You and Lord Wynter are old friends?” I asked, as we made our way through the crowds to the dining room.

“Very old friends.” Stefan nodded. “Several years ago, when I was sent here to study for a few months, Nick – how is it you have it? – took me under his wing.”

Yet now he wanted me to help ruin this man’s life. What on earth had happened between them?

“I’m sure the pair of you caused quite a stir when you were let loose on the town,” I said.

“I could not possibly say,” he demurred. “Particularly not when I am trying to impress you with my steadiness of character.”

“Oh.” I peeped up at him through my eyelashes. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a little bit of excitement every now and then.”

“That is very good to know.” He grinned. “Now.” He steered me over to an empty sofa. It was small and I realized we would be forced to sit quite close to one another. I did not think that choice had been an accident. “You wait here while I fetch your drink. What would you like?”

I thought queasily of the lemonade. “A glass of champagne, if they have one.”

It took him moments to secure drinks for us both, and then we were sitting cosily, talking.

Stefan asked me about my life, and I tried to use the story Nicholas had created to make myself sound as eligible as I could, as artfully as possible. I could hardly say, “Did I mention that I am exceedingly wealthy?” But I mentioned an overprotective, extremely indulgent father, and a large family home in Yorkshire. I made a mental note to share that detail with Lord Wynter.

I watched closely to see if Stefan was picking up on these hints, but it was hard to say. He was certainly easy to talk to, charming and funny and happy to listen.

“But, please, do tell me about yourself,” I said, sipping from my champagne glass. “I’m sure being a prince is much more interesting than my life – it has been sadly sheltered so far.”

“You are all the more charming for it, like a flower in spring,” he said gallantly. “Although I’m afraid the life of a prince is much less glamorous than you might think. My duties are largely ceremonial now, and my grandmother – the queen – can be a little … old-fashioned. She doesn’t really like for me to be away. I too have had a sheltered life in many ways, one without very much freedom, I suppose.”

His voice was wistful, and I felt a twinge of sympathy. Despite myself I found that I liked him. I forced that feeling down. There was no room for sentiment: I had a job to do.

“I’m sorry,” I said gently. “That sounds difficult.” Hesitantly, I placed my hand on his, just a brief, light touch. Stefan squeezed my fingers gratefully and then released them. It was not the done thing, and I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, but I thought there was a heat in Stefan’s gaze that had not been there before.

And, just like that, I knew what to do next.

“It’s almost midnight,” I said. “Perhaps before we unmask ourselves you could get me another drink?”

“Certainly.” Stefan rose instantly to his feet.

As soon as his back was turned, I stood and walked away, losing myself in the crowd.

Somewhere I heard a clock begin to strike midnight. The noise from the crowd increased, as everyone prepared for the unmasking.

Ding.

Ding.

Ding.

I pushed my way through to the corridor and ran lightly down the crystal staircase. There was no one around – everyone was crammed into the ballroom, giddy on the drama of the big reveal.

As I sailed out of the door and into the cold night air, I heard the final chimes of the clock.

It was midnight, and I had disappeared into the shadows.

Part Two

Kent