Masked Love (A Christmas Regency Novella)

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author makes no claims to, but instead acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction.

Copyright © 2013 by Nicole Zoltack

Masked Love by Nicole Zoltack

All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America by Swoon Romance. Swoon Romance and its related logo are registered trademarks of Month9Boooks, LLC.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Edited by Georgia McBride

Published by Swoon Romance

Cover designed by Su Kopil

Cover art license by Shutterstock.com

To everyone who loves romance and the Christmas season, may you always enjoy love and hope each Christmas.

Isabelle’s arms were getting tired as she, once again, let her lady’s hair loose. Lady Theodosia Haywood could not make up her mind as to how to wear it, nor her clothes. And if Isabelle did not hurry and help, Lady Theodosia would be very, very late for the masquerade ball that night.

“I’m sorry,” the lady whispered. She rubbed her arms, her flesh bumped and raised.

“Do not fret.” Isabelle patted her shoulder. She, too, would feel all out of sorts if she were to meet the man she was pledged to marry for the first time tomorrow, on Christmas Eve morning.

Isabelle expertly twisted Lady Theodosia’s hair into a bun on the top of her head. Her fingers teased out wisps of blond hair and curly ringlets around her dainty face. “There, is that better?”

She had styled it in a bun earlier, but her lady had deemed it too low. Still, this style was one Lady Theodosia usually liked; although, mayhap it was too familiar for the ball.

Isabelle went to release the bun, when Lady Theodosia touched her arm.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

She nodded. “Now, which dress shall you wear?”

Lady Theodosia stared at herself in the oval mirror. Without a smile, her face looked longer than normal, and her blue eyes had lost their usual luster. Typically, Lady Theodosia enjoyed balls and parties, especially just before Christmas. Now she had lost not just her Christmas spirit, but also her will.

“What if he’s ugly? Or is boring?”

Isabelle held her tongue. Although Lady Theodosia was the nicest charge she had ever served under, she had only been her maid for two years. Despite their being close, Isabelle felt certain she could not speak her mind on this matter. Helping pick out outfits, yes. Suggesting countless hairstyles, of course. Talking about the husband her parents had chosen for her, definitely not.

“What if he doesn’t like me and ignores me and would rather enjoy the company of another woman?”

Ah, now that Lady Theodosia voiced her real fears, Isabelle was too moved to keep silent on the matter. “Then, we shall just have to make certain that you look your best tomorrow and make him forget that all other ladies even exist. He shall have eyes for no other but you.”

Lady Theodosia’s bright blue eyes lit up. “Thank you, Isabelle.” She stood and glided over to her bed. Her fingers traced along the curves of the golden mask she had already decided upon.

“I am sure he will love you, and you him.”

The lady’s pink lips turned downward. “How can you be so certain?”

“What of Lady Helen? Her parents matched her last month, and she is happy.”

“True. They are friends at the very least, and she thinks she might one day grow to love him. So perhaps not all hope is lost.”

Isabelle reached into the lady’s expansive closet. “Would you like this?” She held up a lovely lilac lightweight dress.

“No. Too subdued.” Lady Theodosia tapped her chin with her thin finger. “You know … Charlotte is going tonight, but we are going to see if we can find each other or not, without revealing ourselves. I can’t wear something she’ll instantly recognize. Then again … ” She sighed before brightening almost immediately. “You should accompany me! That way, I’ll have someone to talk to, and it will be your job to make sure I have a good time.”

“Me?” Isabelle took a step backward as if to hide in the mountain of clothing. “No, no I couldn’t. I have nothing to wear and no mask and—”

“I have more than one mask, and more than enough clothes. Hurry now, we do not have a lot of time.”

Lady Theodosia clapped her hands, her cheeks flushed with excitement and happiness for the first time since learning about her upcoming meeting with her intended. She had been so upset earlier she had fled the parlor before her parents could even tell her his name. Isabelle hadn’t the heart to refuse her, although she couldn’t help thinking Lady Theodosia was being a trifle bit absurd. She knew since a young age her parents had already chosen a future husband for her. It was not new news. Besides, Lady Theodosia’s parents loved her and would not choose a horrible man for their only daughter.

So, she dressed them both and soon found herself looking nothing like herself in a pale rose-colored gown and black mask with silver markings that accented the darkness of her eyes and hair. Her stomach twisted into knots as she strolled around the ballroom floor, and she held up a gloved hand to refuse the tray of foods a servant proffered her. She tried to catch the servant’s eye, to acknowledge him, but he kept his gaze on the floor and rushed to another partygoer.

The music was lovely, the most striking she had ever heard, and she inched toward the musicians. Lady Theodosia had left her side shortly after they had ducked inside behind a large group of nobles. So much for coming together. Much to Isabelle’s relief, no one looked her way or seemed to realize she had no business being here. Still, her nerves got the best of her, and she tugged on her gloves, her palms inside becoming dewy.

The song ended, and Isabelle clapped eagerly.

Darkness befell her left side, and she glanced over to see a tall man, his hands clasped behind his back. A lock of hair had fallen onto his forehead, the rest brushed up for added height. His large nose twitched, and his stare fell upon her. “Are you having a good time?” he asked.

She flushed and averted her gaze. As a maid, she wasn’t used to maintaining eye contact. “Y-yes,” she managed after a brief, uncomfortable pause. Before he could say more, she scurried away, feeling like a wounded dog with its tail between its legs.

The music wrapped around her like a welcoming cocoon, and Isabelle scanned the crowd for Lady Theodosia. At first, she saw her nowhere, but then, to her shock, she spied her lady talking to a man. They were tucked away in a dark corner, standing closer than was proper. Isabelle started toward them. Their hushed tones were inaudible, but she heard Lady Theodosia’s clear, giddy laugh easily enough. As long she was happy, Isabelle was happy.

And alone.

Always alone.