The Masquerade

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

MIRA is a registered trademark of Harlequin Enterprises Limited, used under licence.

Published in Great Britain 2005

MIRA Books, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1SR

© Brenda Joyce 2005

ISBN 9781408955680

Brenda Joyce is the bestselling author of 33 novels and four novellas. She wrote her first novella when she was 16 years old and her first novel when she was 25—and was published shortly thereafter.

She has won many awards and her very first novel, Innocent Fire, won the Best Western Romance award. She has also won the highly coveted Best Historical Romance award for Splendor and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Deadly series, which is set in turn-of-the-century New York and features amateur sleuth Francesca Cahill.

There are over 11 million copies of her novels in print and she is published in over a dozen foreign countries. A native New Yorker, she now lives in southern Arizona with her husband, son, dogs, cat and numerous Arabian and half-Arabian reining horses. For more information about Brenda and her upcoming novels, please visit her web site at www.brendajoyce.com.

The final shape and form of this novel would not have been possible without the editorial support of my editor, Miranda Stecyk.

I am very appreciative of her eleventh-hour willingness to revamp and revise. I also want to thank Lucy Childs for her vast enthusiasm, her wholehearted support and that amazing ear that is always there to listen.

Finally, as always, I remain vastly indebted and eternally grateful to my agent, Aaron Priest.

This one is in memory of my Uncle Sam,

the kindest man I have ever known.

He will always be missed.

Dedicated to Alexa and Isabella,

who will always be my very own beloved It Girls.

Contents

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Part One October 1812—July 1813

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Part Two June 1814—August 1814

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Part Three December 1814—January 1815

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

A Postscript

Author Note

COMING NEXT MONTH

Her mother was standing directly behind her and speaking loudly, so the little girl could, unfortunately, hear her every word. She buried her face in her book, trying to concentrate on the words there. It was impossible, for they were staring. Lizzie’s cheeks were hot.

“Well, she does set herself apart, but that is only because she is the shy one. She means no harm, of course. And she is only ten! I am sure in time she will be as charming as my dear Anna. Now, Anna is a true beauty, is she not? And Georgina May, why, she is a perfect oldest daughter, helping me to no end. She is very sensible,” Mama declared. “And she always does her duty.”

“I cannot imagine, Lydia, how you manage with three young daughters so close in age,” the lady chatting with Mama declared. She was the pastor’s sister and she had come from Cork for a brief visit. “But you are fortunate. Anna will make a good marriage when she comes of age—with such beauty you will not have to worry about her! And Georgina May has some potential. I think she might turn into a handsome woman herself.”

“Oh, I am sure of it!” Mama cried, as if by wishing hard enough she could make her desires come true. “And Lizzie will do well, too, I am certain. She will outgrow that baby fat, don’t you think?”

There was a brief silence. “Well, she will certainly slim down if she does not have a sweet tooth. But if she becomes a bluestocking you will have a hard time finding her a suitable husband,” the pastor’s sister admonished. “I would watch her carefully. Isn’t she too young to be reading?”

Lizzie gave up trying to read, hugging the precious book to her chest, hoping Mama would not march over and take it away. Her cheeks now burned with embarrassment, and she wished they would talk about something or someone else. But Mama and the pastor’s sister were strolling back to the other adults. Lizzie sighed in relief.