One Night with an Earl Read Free Page B

pulled the woman’s dress over her shoulder, and his lips were traveling greedily over her collarbone. Her head was thrown back, and she was making little gasping noises.
    Clearly, masks stripped people of their usual inhibitions.
    Someone rapped on his shoulder with a fan. He looked around to see Madame Lussier, dressed as…something white and frothy. She wore a flesh-colored mask with a pug nose, including drawn-in nostrils. She was…a sheep, perhaps? He couldn’t be sure.
    â€œYou!” she pronounced, pointing her fan at him. “I know you!”
    He hesitated a fraction of a second, thinking how similar this greeting was to the previous woman’s. “Yes, it is me. Good evening, madame.”
    He gave her a bow, then frowned when she let out a burst of laughter.
    â€œYou have no idea of manners, monsieur.”
    â€œI learned my manners when I was still wearing nappies, I believe. It is the people here who seem to be lacking in them.” He gestured toward the crowd. “The last woman who approached me was extremely forward. If she had any manners whatsoever, she would not have spoken to me until we’d been formally introduced.”
    Madame Lussier gave a long-suffering sigh. “ Dieu , Andrew. Come with me.” She grabbed his elbow and led him into an alcove that was quiet and uncrowded compared to the ballroom. “Now, listen to me.” She pointed her fan at him. “Wipe that scowl from your face immediately. We are at a masquerade, my boy. Masquerades have been popular for a very long time.”
    She was correct on that matter, at least. The first known written record of a masquerade was a hundred and eighty-two years ago; however, it was likely they were in existence long before that.
    He might not have ever attended a masquerade, but he was excellent with numbers. He remembered them exactly, without fail.
    â€œ Exactement! And there is certain etiquette, certain tradition, required, especially at my masquerades.”
    â€œSuch as?” Drew asked.
    â€œYou have followed the first and most important rule—you came masked. But you clearly do not know the second rule, the rule of introductions. You may approach anyone at the masquerade, even those you have not formally met.”
    He gave her a wry smile. “Well, that explains that woman’s behavior, then.”
    â€œ Oui, oui. That and her infatuation with the line of your jaw and the width of your shoulders.” Madame Lussier chuckled.
    He simply stared at her, and she waved her hand. “Never mind, never mind. When you approach someone at a masquerade, you must open the conversation with ‘Do I know you?’ or ‘Have we met before?’ or ‘I know who you are,’ or some variation. It is a way for all of us to keep a certain sense of order in this madness.” She made a wide gesture, which he followed with his gaze.
    Yes, it was madness indeed. People laughed so hard they were falling into one another’s arms. Others were tripping over their costumes as the country dance ended.
    Still others held glasses of champagne and punch in both hands and were trading sips from both glasses. In one corner a half-dressed couple embraced intimately, their movements so jerky he was concerned for the safety of the potted plant beside them.
    â€œAnother rule,” Madame Lussier continued, “is that we must all reveal our identities at midnight. If we are so brave as to stay until then.” She grinned at him and reached up to pat his cheek. “That is enough for you now, Andrew. Now I insist you go out there and imply you know everyone you encounter and begin to have some fun.”
    He tried not to audibly grind his teeth. Why people would choose to set aside rules they’d known from their childhoods to don these clothes and engage in such wildly erratic behaviors was beyond him.
    â€œYou are out of your element, I know, but that is a most excellent