Masquerade of Secrets

PTE

tranger's lips brushed against hers. The

d, and her tho

tless, lost in

iting. Her drunken haze melted away, re

think. Her lips parted, and

.His kiss deepened, but he struggled to maintain control. He knew she was intoxicate

ed him on. H

ing in his hair. She felt alive, free. Her shyness forgotten. The kiss awakened a hunger within her. A hunger she couldn't understand. But could

blazed with desire. He knew he had t

they sh

anxiously, her gaze fixed on the ent

ispered, her concern growi

intensified. She glanced at her pock

returned from this very ball. Suzanne dreaded the c

with a mix of discretion and urgency. She wished she had worn a mask

rched for her Lady's familiar figure. The music and laughter swi

' retiring room, hoping she might be refreshing herself. As sh

he danced with that myster

shoes!" another exclaimed. "That d

rked up, intrigue

s were atrocious!" a thir

ully," the first lady counter

t she knew the gossip didn't c

es' room and resumed her search. The ballroom see

could s

ed, her heart racing wi

nt, distressing sound –

se to a secluded roo

slumped on a sofa, her

her face pale. She was vo

ushed to

ispered urgently. She lift

ne...h

ted her, holdi

t leave

leaned her lady's face. She guide

hem past the lady's family as she ensured no one t

ey reached

helped h

ed no questions. As the carriage rolled

now," Suza

d. Suzanne held her close as th

**********

the curtains, casting a ge

her eyelids f

ausea washe

bbed, a relen

ide her bed, warm

orning,

t up. Suzanne handed

You'll feel better.

to rummaged through it. She brought a d

n think of it!"

the relentless tightening of her corset had left her b

hich liberated her from the suffocating

rabelle Worthington's style. She tapped her fingers on the chair

to conceal the dark circles beneath her eyes.

irt with billowy sleeves and well fitted, floor length,breeches made of fine wool pan

ative sips. The savory broth soothed her stomach as Suz

tion. She felt grateful for Suzanne's thoughtfu

o without you," Mirabelle said,

. "You'll never have