Page 48

Perhaps it was just the reflection of Lydia’s own nerves. Or perhaps she could see the same trepidation mirrored in Honoria’s eyes staring back at her.

This was the first ball Honoria was to attend as a guest since the two women met. No doubt she was just as nervous about entering Hades’ Hell.

Lydia wanted to say something, to offer reassurances to her friend, but no words sounded comforting enough in her mind.

At least, it’s going to be over soon.

She didn’t say the words out loud. Because as much as Lydia would mourn the proximity to her first love, who also happened to be the man who had betrayed her, Honoria would miss the family she had lived with for over three years.

Yes, both women were running from something, but they also had things they’d be leaving behind.

The carriage came to a halt, and Lydia pulled on a tight smile. “Here we are.”

Honoria let out a breath. “Here we are.”

The door opened, and both ladies made their way out of the carriage and into the hell.

They stopped at the entrance to the main hall, observing the proceedings in awe. The crush in the hall was almost unbearable, and the goings-on at this masquerade weren’t exactly respectable. While it wasn’t as untoward as what she had observed in this hell during her first visit, the people at the masquerade had visibly lowered their inhibitions for the night.

Lydia tilted her head toward Honoria. “Do not wander away from me.”

Honoria’s eyes were wide as she studied the hall. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

Lydia smirked. Honoria was clearly shocked out of her wits. Well, their last night in London was already well spent.

They walked deeper into the hall, looking around. Thorn was supposed to meet them by the main entrance, but he was obviously not there. Had he not arrived yet?

Or perhaps the crush of bodies was so significant that it was difficult to make out who was where. Lydia just hoped that she wouldn’t lose Honoria in her pursuit. So far, her friend walked closely behind.

“Oh, no!” Honoraria suddenly grabbed her by the arm.

“What’s wrong? Do you see Art?” Lydia directed her gaze toward the place Honoria stared.

“No!” she exclaimed in horror. “The earl! My employer is here.”

Lydia frowned at Honoria. “So what?”

“You don’t understand! He can’t be here. He doesn’t know I am here.”

“Yes, and he still won’t know because he won’t recognize you,” Lydia reassured her, a bit surprised at the panic in Honoria’s voice. “Nobody will.”

Honoria squeezed Lydia’s arm and dragged her toward the edge of the hall. “You don’t understand,” she hissed. “I didn’t know he would be here. I never leave the house at night if I think he might be away. Little Rosie has nightmares.”

“What are you on about?” Irritation showed in Lydia’s voice.

Honoria let out a breath. “One of earl’s wards, the youngest one—she has nightmares, and she always goes looking for him at night. If she can’t find him, she comes to me.”

“And she will tell him that you were gone?” Lydia spread her arms, confusion still warring in her mind. “Why does it matter? We shall be gone from London by morning.”

“Because!” Honoria cried and turned her pleading face toward Lydia. “Lydia, I care about those people. I care about little Rosie. I don’t want her to suffer. She will be so scared.”

Lydia let out a breath. Honoria’s bleeding heart always found a way to get hold of her. But that was one of the reasons Lydia loved her friend. “Well, you can’t go back now, it’s too risky. Besides, we are leaving in less than an hour.”

Honoria nodded distractedly, chewing her lower lip, all the while not taking her eyes off the earl. “Then I’ll persuade him to leave.”

“No.” Lydia shook her head, then repeated louder. “No! How are you going to do that?”

Honoria nervously smoothed her skirts. “I don’t know.”