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Marcus had been the first to deliver that lesson

Anna tapped her gently on the chin “No frowns I expect to hear you danced and flirted with every gentleman in the room”

Before Jane could respond that flirting was the last thing on her mind—especially since she had no clue _how _ to flirt—and that tonight was purely an exercise in freedoht

Like a bird thrust froainst the thickdown the worn stone steps and wondering if she should perhaps return to the safety of her room

Where you will remain for all the rest of your days

The bitter thought barely had time to root before she hurried next door to theno wish to be seen about at such a late hour, she pulled her hood low and burrowed deep into her cloak, hiding frohts until she mounted the steps of her friend’s mansion

The front doors flung wide before Jane even lifted her hand to knock The Duchess of Shillington stood there, liht, the pale strands in her strawberry blond hair glinting like gold ingots “I was beginning to fear you changed your mind,”

Lucy announced

Just beyond the duchess, her butler shifted fro of his duties

And beyond hiue s at all fixed to her face as she leaned against the marble balustrade

Squaring her shoulders, Jane lied, “I never considered it”

Lucy ushered her inside, sweeping Jane’s cloak back from her shoulders even as the butleractivities were afoot that need not bear his witness

Tapping her lip, Lucy assessed her goith ato the Duchess of Derring, she asked with heavy seriousness, “Astrid? What do you think?”

Astrid shrugged “She looks like any other ”

“My thoughts precisely” Lucy aze squarely “You cannot wear this”

“You only said that I should not wear black,” Jane res of annoyance

“For the purpose of tonight, youmore”—Lucy’s nose wrinkled—”suitable”

Suitable Jane strongly suspected that Lucy wanted to use a different word Gathering a fistful of her pale blue skirts, she asked, “How is this unsuitable?”

“It is not—” Lucy stopped, sighed, then tossed a beseeching look to Astrid

Astrid flicked her dark gaze over Jane, her face mild and unlined with expression “You’re not sufficiently risque”

“What would you have ave her head a s hoht sleeper It’s a wonder I did not wake the girl when passing her bedroom”

“A swift bludgeon to the head would take care of that,” Astrid suggested, eyes unblinking, expression unflappable as ever

Lucy shot Astrid a quelling glare and propped her hands on her hips The act opened her erasped at her low-cut scarlet gown The dress hugged her curves indecently

She pointed speechlessly to Lucy’s gown, then looked at Astrid ith a shrug, parted her own cloak to reveal a diaphanous apricot-colored gown as equally shocking

“I understand the hostess’s chef makes the most delicious lobster pasties,” was all Astrid explained

Food As usual, everything ca her friend openly enjoyed

“Fear not,” Lucy assured “I have the perfect dress for you”

Jane looked back and forth between their scandalous attire, wariness creeping over her “What kind of masquerade ball is this?”

Lucy and Astrid exchanged looks and her uneasiness deepened

“Who is the hostess?” She stared hard at her two friends, co one of them to answer

Not surprisingly, it was Astrid She lacked the ability or inclination to prevaricate “Madame Fleur,” she stated

“Madame Fleur?” Jane ell acquainted with the lady’s name All of Britain knew of the famed courtesan “Why would ish to attend such an affair? It’s bound to be—” she stopped, groping for the correct words Scandalous Outrageous Sinful A strange little thrill coursed through her at the very idea Functional-proper--Jane would never dare attend such an affair, an insidious little voice whispered in her head

“I could learn of only one ht,” Lucy explained “Besides, I’ve always been curious about these legendary masques of Madame Fleur It’s bound to be an experience”

“Yes, Bertram was a patron of hers” Astrid lips twisted with derision “Why not see where my devoted husband spent my dowry?”

Jane had no doubt _all _ their husbands had patronized Madame Fleur’s That their husbands had been less than faithful—had in fact been renowned libertines before and after taking their vows—had bonded them from the start