Mena watched as the robotic figurine of a woman, seated on a stool, gently plucked the strings of a harp. From her delicate fingers, to her eyes, every single bit of her moved, the slight whirring of her mechanics amazing the entire trio.
“I’ve heard of such a marvel some years ago,” Mena murmured. “I believe that Marie Antoinette was gifted with one before the Revolution.”
As the song came to an end, Mari used a key to wind it back up, where a different song started to play. She turned to Mena with a sheepish expression. “While I waited for you to return home, I might have played with it a bit.” Her brown eyes sparkled. “She plays four different tunes.”
Day nine, Mena thought. Of course.
Mari handed her the familiar card with the familiar script. “This was with it.”
Mena almost felt as if she was being unfaithful to Julian, reading a card from another man while he stood right next to her and waited to hear what her admirer had to say this time.
Lifting her chin, she broke the seal.
Another day has passed.
Soon we will be together, my love.
“What does it say?” Mari asked.
Mena tucked the card out of sight. “The usual drivel.”
She dared to risk a glance at Julian, only to find that he had disappeared.
Day 10
Mena’s red ball gown arrived in plenty of time for the Norrington Ball, but as Mena sat soaking in a lavender scented bath, she suddenly debated on whether or not she had the strength to attend. She certainly didn’t have the desire. Maybe she could plead a headache…
She shook her head. I’m not a coward who prefers to take the easy way out. Besides, she didn’t want to disappoint Mari so there was nothing for it but to start getting ready. In a few hours, she could make her excuses and be back home by midnight. If she was fortunate.
She was still wrapped in a towel, waiting for her hair to dry when there was a knock at her bedchamber door. It was Anders. “A delivery for you, my lady.”
Mena stared at the square box in his hand. “Just leave it on the dresser, if you please.” The butler did as she asked, before he took his leave.
For several minutes, Mena stared at the offending item before she finally forced herself to move forward. She took the box and sat down on the edge of the bed. Removing the red silken ribbon, she slowly opened the box to find a neat, white card on top of a black velvet inner box.
There is nothing that can compare to your loveliness.
You are beautiful inside and out.
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?”
