“You do that,” he said with a smirk, pushing his hands into his slacks as if he knew what my answer was going to be, and damn him, he was right.
I narrowed my eyes. “Even if I say yes, you won’t get any of my firsts, Mr. Chanler. Not a single one of them!”
I whirled around and stormed back into the house, not caring if it made me look immature.
Mom and Dad waited in the living room.
“What did you say?” Mom asked, sounding scared.
“That I need more time!” I clipped before running up the stairs. I needed to get away from Mr. Chanler before I did something that would ruin the name Whitney altogether. Kill or kiss him, that was still up for debate.
2
The corset of my dress pushed my breasts up, an eye-catcher my parents would have usually frowned upon. Not tonight though. Maybe it was because a masquerade ball offered more room for frivolity or maybe they hoped I could draw in a few more rich bachelors that I hadn’t insulted yet.
Mom turned to me as we pulled up in the driveway of the Constantine mansion. “You could have gone to this party as Mr. Chanler’s fiancée, instead you have to go with us.”
“I need more time to consider his offer.”
“There’s only one answer,” Dad said quietly.
He was right. Soon I’d have to say yes and marry Mr. Chanler, but until then I was free to do as I pleased, and that’s what I was going to do.
A valet parked our car, and a bellboy led us into the mansion. Voices and what sounded like an entire live orchestra playing upbeat arrangements of old classics floated over to us. I checked my reflection in one of the long mirrors in the foyer. I had chosen a white, feathery dress and a matching white mask with beautiful swan feathers fanning out over my eyes, making me look exactly like the graceful bird who’d lost his feathers for the creation of this expensive piece adorned with Swarovski crystals.
I hadn’t been at the Constantine estate before. We’d met a Constantine here and there at social functions and knew of each other, like all families from old money knew each other. The house was a beautiful Georgian mansion decorated lavishly in gold and silver for the festivities. The entire dining hall seemed to glow with an almost ethereal light due to the many crystal chandeliers. Hundreds of guests mingled in the house and the gardens, throngs exploring the vast entertainment options.
“They went a bit overboard, don’t you think, Harald?” Mom whispered to Dad. Envy clung to every word. I still remembered our parties from a few years ago, and they hadn’t been any less splendid.
We hadn’t spared any costs with our costumes for the night, though. The Swarovski crystals on my intricate swan mask had cost a fortune.
Mom and Dad excused themselves to look for their friends, leaving me to my own devices. With everyone dressed up, I didn’t recognize anyone. Not that I had any true friends in this crowd. It was a shark tank. My true friends were girls from boarding school who didn’t have connections in Bishop’s Landing.
I didn’t spot Tinsley Constantine anywhere, but with the number of guests, some of them with full-face masks, it was impossible to make out anyone.
“You look lost,” a deep male voice said behind me. I turned and stared at a broad chest covered by a black suit reminiscent of something Count Dracula might have worn if he’d lived today. Tilting my head back, I looked at the half-covered face of a man. He had a black, animalistic mask with curved antlers. He reminded me of the devil, or a very sexy version of him at least. Only the lower half of his face, his smirking, sensual mouth and a square manly chin were visible. Tall and muscled, he carried himself with an air of self-confidence and ease that made my pulse pick up. In the shimmering light, his eyes looked almost black.
“I’m not lost, only trying to decide where to go,” I said, giving him a coy smile. His eyes were keen and knowing. Did I know him? Maybe a suitor from my parents’ list? I doubted it. Something about him screamed danger.
“How about I grab two glasses of champagne for us, and we explore the mansion and what pleasantries it’s got to offer?”
The way he said pleasantries made my skin heat. Maybe I should have declined his offer, but I’d promised myself to enjoy this night. “Very well.”
He went off and returned a few minutes later with drinks. I took a sip then took his offered arm and followed him into the next room. “You didn’t even ask if I’m allowed to drink.”
He flashed me a smile. “I’m not a man who sticks to the rules.”
“Do we know each other?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.
He sipped at his champagne, smirking. “No. My name doesn’t carry the necessary weight to know the right people.”
“So, you think I’m the right people?”
“Your dress suggests you’re swimming in money, probably old money from the way you carry yourself.”
I smiled, not willing to reveal my name. I enjoyed the anonymity of the masquerade. Usually my hair was a dead giveaway, but it was mostly covered with white feathers, and the strands that peeked out might as well have been dyed.
The room we’d entered was set up as a sort of circus where acrobats showed off their acts. A trapeze hung from the high ceiling and a girl twisted around it as if she didn’t have a single bone in her body.
A few men somersaulted through the room; others handled fiery sticks. I followed their risky stunts only half-heartedly, too mesmerized by the stranger at my side. His smell was almost exotic, and his presence was so intense I could feel it like the sizzle of electricity on my skin.
“What are you supposed to be?” I asked after we’d watched the acrobats in silence for a couple of minutes.
He turned to me. The way he angled his upper body, I was mostly hidden from view. He was all I could see in our own secret corner. “I’m a creature of the night.”
“A vampire?”
A deep chuckle fell from his always-smirking lips. “Not quite. But, like them, I go bump in the night and devour whatever sweet siren calls to me.”
That voice, that seductive drawl, and that square jaw had me completely mesmerized.
I scanned his warped antlers once more. “I hope this isn’t a hint to what lies beneath your suit.” I couldn’t believe my daring words, but they felt liberating.
He was muscular, even the fabric of his costume couldn’t hide it.
He leaned down, his lips coming dangerously close. “The night is long. Who knows what else you’ll discover?”
I felt the almost irresistible urge to grab his neck and pull him in for a kiss.
“How about a dance?” he murmured. I nodded and let him pull me toward the dance floor in the adjoining room. Before I knew it, I was pressed up to his body, my chest against his ribs, his palm low on my back. My nipples hardened, rubbing most distractingly against my corset.
“Should I feel guilty for keeping you from your friends?” he asked, but his voice made it obvious he didn’t feel an ounce of remorse. Neither did I.
“My acquaintances can entertain themselves, and I know many of the other guests, but I don’t know you. That’s more interesting.”
He pulled me even closer, and I almost panted from the delicious pressure against my nipples. “I’m glad to hear that. You are by far the most fascinating creature at this ball. You piqued my interest.”