Beyond a Doubt

chapter Forty-Two




Bryce was not cultured, or artsy, or pretty, and he felt out of place.

However, right now he resembled an English king. The outfit he wore sported sleeves with layer after layer of material that made them so puffy, he would have to walk through a door sideways. And if his nose itched he couldn’t scratch it, because his hand couldn’t reach his face without seeming to cut his arm in two. The pointed shoes upon his feet were long and awkward, and jutted to a point at the toe. And tights? If a Cameron saw him, he would be removed from the clan without question.

How was he to fit in with this crowd? It was like walking into a group of Pharisees, clean and fancy on the outside, but dark and rotten on the inside. The things they considered important and valuable meant nothing. Everything they had gathered in this life; their fancy wigs, clothing, and money, would rot and wither away upon their end. But here he sat, mingling with them.

Lucy stood across the room in clothing much the same. The hips of her gown exceeded the width of every opening they came to. The stiff collar around her neck did nothing but restrict her movement.

A large crowd gathered around her, asking questions in rapid-fire succession. They fluttered their hands, revealing expensive baubles and trinkets. Lucy answered every question placed to her. The woman, despite her appearance, could only be described as elegant and graceful.

The mask she held in front of her face highlighted the color of her eyes, enhancing their slanted look. Her hair was piled high atop her head; a few tendrils escaped and framed her face.

Bryce felt like a fish out of water. The men he stood with spoke of nothing except fine drink and art. If one mentioned politics or the monarchy, others shushed him and the subject quickly changed. No one wished to have the volatile Queen Mary against him for speaking his mind.

Guards in uniforms stood around the room. Sometimes he forgot the men were indeed real. They stood like statues, and more than one had been bumped or run into. Bryce kept his distance, not wishing to draw any undue attention.

A quick scan of the room revealed nothing unusual. The merriment of the evening and the boisterous crowd made it harder for Bryce and Lucy to locate someone to translate the message.

Bryce didn’t know the first thing about finding a spy. In his mind, they would look like everyone else. To stand out would lead to exposure and death.

Loud laughter rang out. Every head turned to locate the sudden sound. The host appeared. Arrayed in the finest velvet material and followed by three large shirtless men wielding huge plumed fans, he held his arms wide.

“Welcome! I do so hope you are enjoying tonight’s ball. I myself am roasting like a pig on a spit.” His big beefy jaws split into a wide grin. “When I pass by with my entourage, I ask forgiveness now for my odor and for the wide berth I will surely require.”

The room burst into laughter. The host lifted his hand to garner silence and resumed his speech. “As with all my celebrations, when the clock strikes midnight the masks will be removed and all secrets will be revealed. But until then, enjoy your anonymity and have a wonderful time.”

The musicians in the room struck up a song, and an area on the floor was cleared for dancing. Lucy sauntered to his side. Sweat glistened upon her upper lip. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes twinkled.

“Have you seen anything?” she asked, lifting the corner of her lips into an awkward smile.

“Nay, have ye?” asked Bryce.

Lucy squeezed his arm and tilted her head to gather his attention. But there was little need, for he saw what she saw at the same instant. Was it who he thought it was? Was it the young man and woman whose wagon had broken down in front of Lucy’s home?

Where had they come from? Had they been in attendance this whole time?

The possibility existed that the lighting, the costumes, and the masks had caused them to miss the couple. Or maybe these weren’t the people they thought them to be.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“It looks like them, but how can we be sure without exposing ourselves?”

“We dance.”

Lucy managed an anxious smile as she pulled Bryce to the dance floor. Left no choice but to move with her, he joined in. As he changed partners, he struggled with his awkward attire. Ladies grunted as he accidently bumped them and moved away as quickly as the dance allowed. Apologies rolled off his tongue but were ignored by those in his path. When his arms finally wrapped around Lucy he was relieved.

Finding a comfortable position, they moved in unison across the floor. Their arms locked as their hearts intertwined. The dance called for a change in partners but the two of them ignored the call and continued their dance.

The light shimmered off her brown hair. He wrapped one curl around his finger and brought it close. He closed his eyes and inhaled her fresh scent. The world around seemed to stop, leaving only the two of them.

In the middle of the room, couples giggled and cavorted. And in the magic of that moment it felt as if they stopped moving. Bryce tilted her chin upward. She parted her lips and sighed. His reaction was immediate. His pulse quickened as his head dipped and their lips touched. The outfits they wore made deepening the kiss impossible, but Bryce did try. The ruffle around her neck bent; a piece of whalebone poked him. But he didn’t end the kiss, enjoying the soft feel of her lips. As he contemplated pulling away to catch his breath, she was whisked away from his grasp.

In his arms rested a new body. The woman expertly guided him off the floor and into a hidden corner. Potted plants shielded them from prying eyes. Above his new partner’s head, he saw Lucy twirling in the opposite direction on the arms of a familiar man.

“Look at me, please,” came a tiny female voice from far below.

With great effort Bryce complied, ripping his gaze away from someone he’d come to care for more than he should.

“Mein Herr, you do the lady a great disservice. The attention drawn to your escapades defeats her mission.”

He struggled to keep his naturally expressive face neutral.

“I see you pretend to be unfazed by my comments. For you this is good. You are an unknown, but I fear not so for your lady love. Aye, do not look at me thus. It is evident to anyone who wishes to look. But this is not of my concern. You do remember me, don’t you?”

“Aye. Ye are the lady from the carriage yesterday.”

“Correct. And before you ask, I knew nothing of the plans for Fraulein Lombard’s home. The pursuit of her is for one reason. She attended the showing where Mr. Spalding died. I pray you did not give them another reason.”

“What?”

“Never mind. Although others have their doubts as to L.L.’s identity, I’m fairly certain I know the truth. That is why we are speaking now. Since I know L.L. would trust no one to deliver the message save herself, I will give you the clue you need to do just that.

“You will find all the answers you seek in a place dear to your heart.”

After the utterance of those cryptic words, the musicians started a new tune and the strange woman led him back to the floor. Half the night passed before he spoke with Lucy.

Lack of privacy caused him to hold his speech about what he’d learned. They talked only of frivolous things. As the hour approached for the unveiling, Lucy feigned a headache. Bryce took the hint and ordered the hackney brought around. They returned to the Townsend home.