Behind the Mask by Elizabeth D. Michaels Page A

shrugged as he was ushered out of the room. But she didn’t miss the way he winked and smiled at her, leaving her breathless. She was prevented from reveling in the moment when Ramona and Salina sailed into the drawing room with the tea cart.
    “Did I hear Lance leave?” Ramona asked, seating herself to pour the tea. “I’m sure I heard him leave.”
    “Yes.” Abbi remained on her feet, hoping for an excuse to get out of the tea-time ritual.
    “I talked with Lance for a few minutes,” Ramona said more to her sister. “While you were napping we talked a few minutes.”
    “When did he get back?” Salina chirped.
    “It was this morning,” Ramona answered. “I suspect he stopped by to see Abbi between duties. The two of them will have more time to catch up tonight at supper. Yes, they can talk at supper.”
    “Lance certainly seems to be doing much better these days,” Salina said. “Although they say nothing’s been quite the same since Gwen . . . well, you know.” Salina cleared her throat uncomfortably when Abbi noticed Ramona giving her a scolding glance. Whoever Gwen might be, it was obvious Ramona disapproved of talking about her.
    Ramona turned toward Abbi, and her expression indicated she had something important on her mind. “Abbi, my dear, how do you like my stepson?” she asked.
    “He seems to be a fine man,” Abbi replied.
    “Do you find him attractive?” Ramona pursued.
    “Anyone would be blind not to find him attractive, Aunt Ramona. But you need not pretend. I’m already aware that you hope for us to marry.” Salina looked nervous but relaxed when Abbi added, “Lance told me himself.”
    “I see.” Ramona seemed pleased. “Yes, I see. And how do you feel about that?”
    “I’ll tell you what I told him. I hardly know him. We shall just give the matter some time and see what happens.” Abbi hoped Ramona wouldn’t harp about this the way she had about Abbi’s habits that did not meet her approval.
    Ramona smiled. “Just keep in mind that Lance is a good catch. His position as Captain of the Guard is prestigious, so you mustn’t take too much time or you might lose him to another. Yes, his position is quite prestigious.”
    “I suppose there’s always that possibility,” Abbi said with indifference. “But then,” she added, mostly to convey her lack of commitment, “the duke would certainly be a good catch, now wouldn’t he?”
    The aunts looked at each other in surprise and then at Abbi, apparently stunned into silence. Abbi wondered if it were somehow audacious to admit such a thing. Salina spoke at last. “My dear Abbi, you mustn’t set your sights on him. It’s well known that he’s betrothed to a princess from Kohenswald, and he is only biding his time until she comes of age.”
    A sick knot formed in the core of Abbi’s stomach, but she forced her expression to remain steady as she absorbed this painful reminder of her ignorance and naiveté. “I see,” she said, attempting to save face with cool indifference. “I’m certain that when I’m ready to consider marriage the right match will present itself, whether it might be the captain or not. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there are some matters I need to attend to.”
    Abbi left the house quickly as anger crept in to smother her hurt. How she hated Nikolaus du Woernig! She could have forgiven him for his bold advances, had his motives been honorable. Now it was apparent that his intentions had been everything but. How dare he! Was he so arrogant to suppose that he could get away with seducing a considerable heiress of good family, just because there were no male relatives around to protect her? Perhaps that’s what Lance had been trying to do in his efforts to keep Nikolaus at bay. His efforts took on a measure of nobility given what she’d just learned. To think that she’d been taken in by the Duke of Horstberg! Her naiveté in believing he wanted to marry her was downright embarrassing. He was surely