I can’t wait to worship you properly.

Until then, please wear these for me tonight.

All my love.

So her admirer was going to be in attendance at the Norrington Ball.

Mena slowly opened the lid and felt her lungs cease to inhale air. A three-piece set consisting of a necklace, bracelet and earbobs, a mixture of emeralds and diamonds, met her gaze. The gemstones winked up at her in all their expensive glory.

They must surely have cost a small fortune.

She touched one of the glittering emeralds and had to shake her head. Her admirer certainly knew how to impress. For a Christmas ball, they would stand out against her bright red gown, as well as compliment her green mask that she had chosen for the masquerade. She had no idea how he might have known what color dress she was even going to be wearing, but somehow he must have found out, for this way he could admire her from afar, confident in her identity, while she continued to remain unaware.

The rebellious nature from her youth wanted to ignore his request, but as usual, in the end she gave in. There were only two days before her suitor revealed himself. At that time, she would politely thank him for his gifts and see that they were returned.

Then she would tell him that she loved another.

Her ladies’ maid arrived shortly thereafter and instantly gushed about the jewelry. “Oh, you certainly have a dedicated beau, my lady. He must care for you a great deal.”

Mena barely withheld a sigh. With each day that passed, she should have been preening with excitement, but instead, she dreaded the day she finally came face to face with her admirer.

Because she feared that it wouldn’t be Julian.

Once she was dressed in all her finery and Anders had told her that Mari and Robbie were waiting for her downstairs, Mena dismissed her maid. “There’s no need to wait up. I have no idea what time I’ll be home, and I’m sure I can manage.”

The girl bobbed a curtsy and quit the room. Mena turned to pick up her mask, the final piece to her ensemble, but when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, she paused. Since Laurence’s death three years ago, followed by Jacob’s the following year, Mena had thought her life was over. In truth, she had ceased to exist after her son’s death.

But now, she realized that she had a long road of possibility ahead of her. And where she thought she was some haggard old woman, the face staring back at her would suggest otherwise. While her reflection wasn’t the first blossom of youth, she was still a woman with the vigorous glow of health and longevity. Her dark hair was piled on her head, and her blue eyes shone with a maturity that was to be celebrated, not scorned. She had suffered terrible loss during her life but had become stronger because of it. Even her figure, while more curvaceous than some, was a testament to how far she had come.

And survived.

A confident smile touched her lips, and with her mask hanging next to her matching green silk reticule, she descended the stairs.

The moment Mari spied her, she gasped. “Mama? Is it truly you?”

She lifted a brow as she embraced her daughter with a laugh. “You were expecting someone else?”

“No, of course not,” Mari said with a grin. “It’s just you look so—” She looked at Mena with a considering eye. “Different.”

“Is that a good thing?” Mena asked.

“It’s a very good thing.”

Her son-in-law reached for her gloved hand, bringing the green silk to his lips for a light kiss. “I believe what my wife is trying to say is that you look lovely, Lady Lipscomb.”

Mena smiled at the man who had stolen her daughter’s heart. With his light blond hair and suave manner, she could certainly understand his appeal. He was a wonderful husband to her daughter, who would soon make an equally wonderful father “Thank you, Robert.”

He held out his arm to her. “Shall we?” With Marigold on his other side, he led the way to his waiting carriage. “I daresay I shall be the luckiest man at the ball to enter with two such adornments.”

He offered them both a wink, to which they replied with a pleasant laugh.

After a brief ride through the London streets, they arrived at the Norrington residence. Outside the white Palladian structure, evergreen swirled around the massive pillars, and the entire, three-story abode was lit up with candles in every window. The décor inside was equally stunning, with more evergreen and holly surrounding the massive staircase leading to the grand, gold ballroom. Mena had been here once before and recalled the lovely black and white swirled marble floor, but now it was so crowded that the splendor was nearly eclipsed with so many people milling about.

About that time, a rather buxom matron jarred Mena. “It’s a terrible crush, is it not?” she muttered, the ostrich plume in her yellow turban falling forward somewhat precariously. Mena was quite sure that the feather would be sacrificed before night’s end.

About thirty minutes later, they finally made their way to the front of the receiving line. After greeting their host and hostess, looking quite festive in their respective silver attire, the butler announced the trio, but his voice was quite drowned out by the din of the audience before him.

By the time they reached the bottom step, Mari put a hand to her forehead. “Is something wrong, dear?” her husband asked in concern.

“Just a little warm.”

He smiled gently. “No doubt our child is not used to such a demanding presence. Come, let’s get a breath of fresh air.” He threaded Mari’s arm through his. “Would you like to join us?” he asked Mena.

She waved them away. “I’ll be perfectly fine. Just take care of my daughter and future grandchild.”

Robert smiled, before he led his wife away.

Mena took a deep breath before decided that a bit of refreshment was in order, as she was already starting to feel the stifling effects of the crowd herself.

She made her way to the table set up with several treats, but her focus was on the eggnog. Originally a posset drink consisting of milk and spices used as certain remedies for the ill, it had turned into a popular Christmas beverage over the years.

Mena quickly procured a glass, but instantly coughed when the overwhelming presence of brandy nearly took her breath.

“Not used to strong spirits?” a deep voice asked from behind her.

Instantly, Mena took another bracing sip. She needed the liquid courage for the man she was about to face. Slowly, she turned to Julian. “It has been awhile, I admit, but I’m sure I will grow accustomed to the taste before long.”

He winked behind his simple black domino mask. “Some things just come back naturally.”

Mena took a larger sip. Something told her that he wasn’t speaking of alcohol any longer. God, he looks entirely sinful tonight. Her greedy gaze took in every firm inch of him. He was dressed entirely in black except for his snow-white cravat and an emerald green waistcoat in a damask pattern. His dark blond hair was brushed back from his forehead, giving him a rakish air. And if that wasn’t enough to tempt her, his strong jawline and chiseled lips were enough to make any woman sigh with admiration.

“Another gift from your admirer?” He gestured to her neck, where the heavy stones sat just above the curve of her breasts.

Mena reached up and touched the necklace with the tips of her fingers, almost guiltily, before she forced her hand back down. “As a matter of fact.”

“Quite an extravagant fellow, isn’t he?” he drawled.

Mena smirked. She couldn’t resist the urge to tease him a bit. “Oh, I don’t know. Does love really have a price?”

He gave a snort. “Be careful. You don’t want to fall into this man’s trap. You don’t know what his intentions are.”

Mena took another sip of her eggnog. Once the brandy had started to settle in her belly, she felt a bit more courageous. “Like I know yours?”

“Mena—”

Unfortunately, she didn’t know what Julian had been about to say, for Lord Grantley suddenly loomed before her. She instantly stilled, for he was one of the men on her possible list of admirers. “My lady, you are the most amazing creature in the room. Might I have the pleasure of the next dance?”