Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley Page B

coachman, is picking me up in half an hour to take me to the costume shop. Why don’t you come with me?”
    â€œMy mother’s dressmaker is coming this afternoon, so I think I’ll take advantage of her expertise.”
    â€œI have no idea who I want to be. Costume balls are such fun for females. I can’t understand why men look panic-stricken at the mere mention of them.”
    â€œReally, Frances? I think there is nothing more dangerous and seductive than a male wearing a mask.”
    â€œJohn Claud absolutely refuses to attend.
‘A costume turns a man into a buffoon.
A figure of fun for the ladies to laugh at behind their fans,’
he insists
.
”
    â€œNot all men think that way. I warrant your father will gallantly escort Lady Lu.”
    â€œOh yes, Father’s game for a bit of fun. And I insisted Jane send an invitation to Blandford Churchill. How divine it wouldbe if he wore his Horse Guard uniform.”
    â€œI would like to be someone exotic. I was thinking of Cleopatra.”
    â€œOh, Anne, you always have such brilliant ideas! I’m the one with dark hair—I would love to be the Egyptian princess.”
    â€œYou would make a most alluring Cleopatra, Frances. You need a turquoise robe and a gold mask, and see if the costumier has some snake jewelry.”
    â€œAre you sure you don’t mind my stealing your idea, Anne?”
    â€œOf course I don’t mind. I’ll come up with something else. I will most likely design my own costume. I would ask a favor of you, though. I want to be absolutely incognito at the ball, so even if you recognize me, I want you to pretend you don’t know me.”
    â€œOh, you are planning an intrigue! How exciting. I promise to completely ignore you, if you give me your sacred word to come round the next day and tell me all about it.”
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    When Madam Olga arrived, she brought Anne’s new winter gown for a fitting. “The skirt is finished and hemmed. You must decide on the bodice. I know we spoke of a low décolletage, my lady, but perhaps a square neck would be more suitable for a debutante.”
    â€œI’m so glad I chose white velvet. It is quite elegant.” Anne gave the dressmaker a speculative look. “I’m invited to the Countess of Dalkeith’s costume ball, and I would like nothing better than to dress as a Russian princess. This dress would be perfect if you could make it with long sleeves and a high collar that came up to my chin.” Anne took a piece of paper and sketched the design she wanted.
    When Madam Olga nodded, Anne began to get excited. “I shall sew crystal beads on the bodice. I’ll need a white mask encrusted with crystal beads. Oh, and I just had a marvelous idea to complete the outfit . . . a white fur hat like the Cossacks wear!”
    â€œThat would be rather unusual, Lady Anne,” she said faintly.
    â€œYes, wouldn’t it?” Her voice was dreamy as she pictured herself at the ball in the spectacular outfit.
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    James Hamilton had attended his fair share of London’s masked balls over the years, so they had lost their appeal for him long ago. When he started to feel excited about the masquerade at Montagu House, he realized the reason was Lily Lamb. He knew his costume would represent his intentions—not a raptor exactly, but definitely a hunter of some sort.
    On the night of the ball, James wore a kilt of Hamilton hunting green tartan. He attached a lace stock to his linen shirt, and donned a black doublet and mask. He selected a silver dagger ornamented with a stag’s head. A short hunting cloak completed the outfit.
    James arrived early. That way, if the young beauty had any trouble gaining entrance to the elite affair at renowned Montagu House, he would be there to smooth her way.
    His sister Jane was far too preoccupied playing