Page 46 of An Inconvenient Duke

They lingered until the juggler caught each baton and one by one extinguished them in his mouth, then took a bow to astounded applause and the tossing of coins into a sack at his feet. Then they strolled along the wide alley fronted by three-story galleries toward the giant Chinese pavilion.

“Aren’t masks wonderful things?” Mrs. Slater held up the half mask she’d taken from the box, letting its ribbons dangle along her skirts as she contemplated it. “If I had my way, every society event would be held behind masks.”

“Because then no one would know who you are,” Dani agreed with a long sigh. How many times during the past few years had she simply wanted to be anonymous and left alone to live her life as she chose? Nightingale gave her that anonymity, but it also came with a price.

“Because then no one would be able to see how bored you are,” the older woman corrected. “Heavens, how tedious these things are! This is the first good time I’ve had all evening.”

“But you came to tonight’s supper, even without your husband. Surely you could have used his absence as an excuse to beg off.”

“Because Mr. Slater asked me to.” She patted Dani’s arm as she took a surreptitious glance over her shoulder. “Future business ventures always come first.”

When Dani’s gaze followed after, she saw nothing but a crush of bodies and entertainers in the dim light of the lanterns strung overhead.

“He knew how important this supper was to Hartsham and thought I would enjoy the evening.” Mrs. Slater smiled nostalgically. “He’s always been so attentive to me and my interests.”

Dani’s throat tightened. Would Marcus ever care for her like that?

“I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I’d rather have spent the evening at home. Besides, I knew that my being here would be important for his business, to show his support for the men in the room.”

Did she mean Marcus? “How so?”

“They’ve all gotten involved in some kind of business venture together. Lord Hartsham and the others have hinted that it could be quite substantial if my husband gives them the financial backing they’re hoping for. And his loyalty.” She sent a sideways glance at Dani. “I’d assumed that was why they were hosting His Grace this evening, to bring him into the venture as well, since he has powerful connections in the military and Westminster.”

That wasn’t the reason for tonight’s supper at all, but Dani didn’t dare reveal that. Although what she’d learned of Mrs. Slater by conversing with her tonight over dinner made her consider the possibility of bringing her into Nightingale, the woman couldn’t yet be trusted. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Her sly expression deepened, followed by another glance behind them. “I thought that surely he would have told you.”

“His Grace and I don’t have that sort of relationship.” Although what sort they did have, Dani had no idea. The kind that involved aching kisses, bared bodies, caresses that sent her out of her mind and had her longing for all kinds of things she had no business wanting…but not a single discussion about politics or business.

“Hmm.” That sound of disbelief answered her, and Mrs. Slater stopped them once more. This time to release her arm. “Oh, I do love a mask,” she remarked offhandedly as she raised hers to her face and tied it behind her head. “Makes for all kinds of wonderful opportunities for secret meetings, don’t you think?”

A conspiratorial smile blossomed on her face, and Dani secured her own mask in place. “I agree.”

With their identities now safely hidden behind the masks, the two women wandered onward again, this time toward the refreshment booths surrounding the pavilion.

“Oh, look!” Mrs. Slater pointed to one of the booths where brightly uniformed attendants served ices. “I wonder if they have peach ice. I haven’t had that since I was a little girl on my first visit to London.”

“Well, perhaps you should go see if they do.” She rested her hand meaningfully on the woman’s arm. “I’ll wait here.”

“Or over there, out of the way of the crowd,” Mrs. Slater amended, gesturing at the close walks snaking off behind the pavilion. “It’s a very long line for the ices. I might be waiting a good while.”

“Indeed.”

“Perhaps twenty minutes or so.”

Dani smiled from behind the half mask that covered only her eyes.

“We might even become separated.”

“Most likely.”

“If so, then there’s no need for you to linger here. We’ll meet back at the box. But I’d like to investigate the rear steps, to find out if the fireworks will be visible from there. So you might find me there rather than inside the box.”

“Of course.” Dani knew exactly what Mrs. Slater meant. Oh, Mrs. Slater would be a fine addition to Nightingale!

If her mask hadn’t been hiding her face, Dani was certain she would have seen a knowing lift of the woman’s brow as she turned to walk toward the refreshment booths.

Dani hesitated a moment, her gaze searching the milling crowd around her but not finding Marcus. Where was he?