The Masquerade Read Free Page B

was repeating her sister’s exact words.
    Georgie looked at her. “We were discussing Helen O’Dell’s engagement, Lizzie, to that old, foolish fop, Sir Lunden!”
    “Mama is so devoted to her duty to us,” Lizzie said softly. “I know she is silly and a bit absurd at times, but she always means well.”
    Georgie went to the table and sat down, appearing glum. “I already feel terrible, do not rub my nose in it.”
    Lizzie sat beside her, taking her hand. “You are usually so stoic! What is this really about?”
    Georgie faced her seriously. “I merely thought to avoid this one event. I was hoping to spend the evening with Papa’s Times. That’s all.”
    Lizzie knew that was not all. But it could not be that she wished to avoid Mama’s matchmaking, because on two occasions Mama had brought a marriage prospect home for her and Georgie had been dutifully polite when another woman would have cringed.
    Georgie sighed. “I will never meet anyone at Adare. Mama is mad to think so. If anyone can snag a husband there, it is Anna, as she garners all the attention, anyway.”
    That was true. Anna was so beautiful and carefree, notto mention very flirtatious. “You’re not jealous?” Lizzie asked in surprise, suddenly sensing that was the case.
    Georgie folded her arms across her chest. “Of course not. I adore Anna, everyone does. But it’s true. Anna will have any highborn suitors tomorrow night, not you and not I. So what is the point?”
    “If you really wished to stay home, you should have pleaded a migraine, or even worse, extreme indigestion,” Lizzie said.
    Georgie looked at her, finally smiling. “I never have migraines and I have the constitution of an ox.”
    Lizzie touched her arm. “I think you’re wrong. Yes, Anna is a coquette, but you are so clever and so proud! You’re also the handsome one, Georgie, and one day you will find true love, I am sure of it.” She grinned. “And it could even be at Adare!”
    Georgie shook her head, but she was smiling. “You have read too many ha’ penny novels. You are such a romantic! True love doesn’t exist. Anyway, I am taller than almost every man I meet, and that is a serious offense, Lizzie.”
    Lizzie had to laugh. “Yes, I suppose it is—but only until you meet the right gentleman. He could be a head shorter than you and, trust me, he will not care about your height.”
    Georgie sat back in her chair. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Anna did marry very, very well?”
    Lizzie stared and their gazes held. She could read her sister’s mind. “You mean, someone terribly wealthy?”
    Georgie bit her lip and nodded. “Mama would be so pleased and our financial worries would be eased. I shouldn’t mind too much if I were to remain a spinster. Would you?”
    “I know you will find a beau one day!” Lizzie cried,believing her words deeply. “I am plain and fat and I have no choice but to remain unwed. Not that I mind!” she added quickly. “Someone will have to take care of Mama and Papa in their older years.” She smiled again, but Tyrell de Warenne’s image had come to mind. “I have no delusions as to my fate—just as I am convinced of yours.”
    Georgie was quick to protest. “You aren’t fat—just a wee bit plump—and you are very pretty! You simply refuse to think about fashion. In that way, we are very much alike.”
    But Lizzie was thinking about Tyrell de Warenne and his fate. He deserved to find true love and surely he would, one day. She wanted him to be happy, very much so.
    Her mind veered. She had been told that last year Tyrell had attended the ball as an Arab sheikh. She wondered what costume he would wear tomorrow night.
    “Well, I never really thought I could get out of the ball,” Georgie was saying.
    Lizzie looked at her. “Do you like my costume?”
    Georgie blinked. Then she smiled, slyly. “You know, many women would die to have your figure, Lizzie.”
    “What does that mean?” Lizzie asked with some heat,