Page 46 of Never Dare to Masquerade with a Maiden

Anne’s eyes narrowed, and then she shifted to exit. “Don’t stay out all night.” She hopped out of the hack and looked up at the driver. “Make sure he’s back by dawn.”

“Are ye sure yer lordship ain’t needin’ to be getting to bed?” the driver asked.

“Drive him about a bit. He’ll make it well worth your time.” Anne closed the door, and Warren watched her race up the path. Once she was safely inside, he signaled the driver to be off with a click of his heel against the floorboards.

He replayed his conversation with Anne. He had made such a muck of courting Olivia, and now he needed to find a way to redeem himself. Olivia didn’t trust words; she placed her faith in actions, so what should he do to show her how much he loved her?

Four trips about the block and he managed to rule out what he should not do. A grand display would win the hearts of some women, but not Olivia. An act of bravery might melt the defenses of some but not Olivia. Would a symbol of his love win her over? If presented in the right manner at the right time, he might just succeed. Mind finally at ease, he closed his eyes and pictured the ring he’d have Rutherford, the best jeweler in town, forge for him. The masquerade ball at the Velvet Hell was the perfect opportunity for him to win over Olivia. Plan solidified in his mind, he let the sway of the hack lull him to sleep.

The creak of the windowsill sent Olivia bolting from her bed and pulling back the curtains. She’d hoped and mentally willed Warren to come to her, but the body slipping through the window was half the size of the man she was expecting.

“Don’t just stand there, help me!”

Eyes wide, Olivia held up the window as Anne fell to the floor. Lady Anne was dressed in men’s clothing!

“Is that you, Anne? Whyever are you here?” Olivia blinked as Anne took off her cap and let her hair fall down her back.

“Could Charlotte have made it any more difficult for him?”

“Who?’

“Warren.” Anne pressed the back of her hand to Olivia’s forehead. “Isn’t that who you thought I was?”

Heat flooded Olivia’s cheek, and she stuck her head out the window into the cool night air. The white wood of the tree, jagged and freshly exposed, caught her attention. If it had snapped under Anne’s weight, there was no chance it would have held under Warren’s. She pulled back and closed the window, securing the latch she’d intentionally left open earlier.

Olivia turned about and discovered Anne on the bed, boots kicked off, with her hands behind her head, looking up at the ceiling as if she were intending to stay a while. Anne was a formidable force. On the surface, she appeared like any other lady, but once you got to know Anne, there was no mistaking her for anything but a major in a female body. The blasted woman commanded a room effortlessly and had everyone, including Charlotte, acting as if they were all puppets and Anne was the marionette.

Olivia rounded the bed and lay on her side to face Anne. “I suppose you know where he is… and why he’s not here.” She tried to keep her voice soft and even, but the disappointment rang loud and clear to her own ears.

“Actually, I haven’t a clue as to his whereabouts. As to why… Who really knows what goes on in Warren’s head. The man is far more complicated than he appears.”

Anne really did know Warren well. Even if Anne didn’t love Warren more than a brother at present, she could grow to love him. Warren was loyal and faithful; his love wouldn’t waver. She tucked her hands beneath her cheek and let her eyes close. The agony of being Anne’s friend and Warren’s admirer was a conundrum she’d have to face.

“Would you really be fine if Warren married another?” Anne asked as she rolled onto her side as well. “Liv, seriously, I can tell you’re still awake.”

“You can’t stop how you feel about someone regardless of how they feel about you.” She couldn’t look directly at Anne, for if she did, the tears she was holding back would escape.

“I wholeheartedly agree with you.”

Olivia’s eyes popped open at Anne’s sorrow-filled reply, and she blurted, “You do?”

Anne nodded. “Thankfully, Warren feels the same way as I feel about him.”

Olivia’s heart sank as she mumbled, “Thank goodness for that.”

“Do you want to hear what that fool intended to do for love?”

No. She really didn’t want to hear what lengths Warren would go for Anne. The markings from the beating he received had been gut-wrenching enough. Olivia wished she could ease his pain and tend to his wounds, but it wasn’t her place to do so.

“Well, I’ll tell you…” Anne sat up and tucked her legs underneath her. “He was going to wake up the solicitor to discuss if there was a way for him to denounce his title. Everyone knows the law wouldn’t permit such a foolish act.”

“Why would he want to give up his seat in the House of Lords?”

Anne’s brows snapped together. “For love… For you!”

Olivia sat up and mirrored Anne’s posture. Knee-to-knee, she stared at her friend and repeated, “For me? What a ridiculous notion.”

“Exactly.” Anne leaned forward with her hands on her knees. “But that is what love makes you do…”