Grace took a glass of wine from a servant who passed by. She surveyed the room, a small smile lighting her face when she observed her sister and the two gentlemen in the corner. Nicholas frowned. Such a reaction was not what he expected, nor was Grace’s gesture of slightly raising her glass in a silent toast to the men after her sister bolted from the room, clearly upset.
With a nod, she ended her silent acknowledgement of the pair and strolled in the direction of her husband. Nicholas frowned. Was he mistaken when he guessed the gentleman to be dressed as Apollo? Portraying a brother and sister was a strange choice for a husband and wife. Grace tugged on her husband’s attire until he leaned down so she could whisper in his ear. The couple then proceeded to have cross words with one another before Lord de Courtenay fled the room.
“Lady de Courtenay’s brother certainly has his hands full keeping their foolish little sister out of trouble,” stated a gentleman who was walking behind Nicholas.
He turned slightly at the mention of Grace’s name and saw the two men in the white and the black masks. They were looking at the door through which Grace’s husband had just left the room.
“Lord de Courtenay may need to lock Miss de Courtenay in her room for the remainder of their stay lest the girl do something even more asinine than pursuing the pair of us,” the other responded with a groan. “We may have just been playing a game to teach the young lady to be careful what she offers and to whom, but other men of our acquaintance would have no issue compromising her and leaving her ruined. I tell you, Gren, I am tired of all these debutantes constantly scheming to be the next duchess. My reputation is meant to scare them off!”
“I believe we made our point, Aldridge.”
Aldridge chuckled. “Indeed. I doubt she will continue throwing herself at us.”
Nicholas watched their retreating backs before returning his attention toward Grace, who was now speaking with his niece, Elinor. Brother? What the bloody hell? For the love of God, could he have been so mistaken about the lady?
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