The Rebellious Rake (The Notorious Nightingales #4)

Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

T he Humphrey ball was two weeks after she had left Ramsey’s house in freezing conditions an entirely different woman than the one who had entered it. A woman who now knew what it was to make love to the man she cared deeply for.

They’d unburdened their souls to each other, and then he’d taught her about what could be between a man and a woman. Something she’d read about, but the act itself had been entirely different.

He’d walked her and Chester to their door, kissed her softly, and left. Flora had wanted to go after him but knew now they must not show what was between them. Not that she knew entirely what was between them, but for her part, it was love.

Flora had not expected to change that night, but she had. She was different. Her body was different. When she ran the drying cloth over herself, she remembered the feel of Ram’s hands on her. The wet slide of his tongue over her skin.

Her eyes shot across the carriage to where Bram and Ivy sat. They were deep in conversation about their favorite topic: their children. Charles sat beside her, looking out the window.

Were her cheeks flushed? They certainly felt hot, and that was entirely Ramsey’s fault too. Just thinking about him made her blush.

She’d seen him only three times since that night, and that was because he was busy attempting to track down who wanted to harm him and, she guessed, locating his real father.

Flora didn’t know if he’d told anyone about Uncle Brandon being his father. She’d heard no murmurs of it in the Nightingale household.

“That dress you’re wearing under that coat better be as amazing as the price it cost suggests it is,” Charles said suddenly.

“As I pay my own bills with our money”—she put emphasis on the our —“it is more than worth it. Besides, I know what your clothing bill costs, and it is a great deal more than mine, Brother.”

She’d had a further fitting to put the final touches to her dress, where she had been poked and prodded far more than she had been in Willow Hill. In fact, Miss Cherry and her mother, Mrs. Cherry, who had been the local dressmakers, may not have been able to sew a straight seam, but they’d been gentle about pinning fabric onto her, and for that she’d forgiven them much, including the hideous dresses they’d made her that were often odd shapes with lopsided hems.

Looking down at the skirts of her velvet dress that peeked between the folds of her coat as she walked, Flora thought she’d never owned anything like it. She wasn’t exactly excited about the prospect of being in a room full of strangers; she was, however, excited about wearing this dress .

She’d never thought herself vain, but it turned out she’d been wrong there too.

“It is a ball, Flora, and the first you have ever attended in London. For pity’s sake, Sister, smile,” Charles said into her ear, while across the carriage Bram and Ivy continued debating the merits of getting a second tutor, as the current one was surely under pressure with so many enquiring minds to teach.

“I don’t like crowds.”

“Because you can feel their emotions?”

“No, for the most part I have blocked them as we practiced. Can you hear voices?”

“Some but muted,” Charles said.

“I’m just not someone used to these kinds of occasions, Charles. I know you’ve attended things like this before. I have not.”

Her brother looked his usual handsome self in his evening clothes.

“We are all here to help you. Relax and enjoy the moment.”

Easy for him to say. He liked to be surrounded by people, unlike her.

Flora’s cousins had told her this ball and their attendance was now a tradition, and as such, they would all be going. Since she and Charles now lived with them, no matter how temporary that was, they were included in that.

“Lord Humphrey is eccentric,” Ivy said, “so expect the unexpected, and you will not be shocked.”

“Last year, he created an entire ballroom filled with foliage and fairies. It was marvelous, really,” Bram said. “However, as it was more a jungle than the occasional branch tied to a wall, a lot of women caught their hair on it, and by evening’s end, most had simply given up hope of retaining their carefully coifed creations and let it hang loose. ”

“Quite liberating, really,” Ivy added.

“There is always a Christmas theme of some sort. He has a huge tree arranged in the front entrance and decorated,” Bram said. “Of course it is not as lovely as ours.”

Ramsey would be here, too, or so Flora had been told, and she wanted desperately to see him but at the same time didn’t because he created feelings inside her that were terrifying. She was constantly scared whoever wanted to harm him succeeded, and that he’d been hurt or worse.

No, she was absolutely not thinking about that tonight.

“I promise you will enjoy the evening, Flora,” Bram said.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said with as much sincerity as she could muster.

“We are not used to a great deal of socializing,” Charles added, coming to her aid. “I have been to London before, of course, and attended a few things, but not Flora. Willow Hill is all she’s ever known.”

The truth of those words stiffened Flora’s spine. This was just another adventure she would undertake. When Lord Lockwood had humiliated her, she’d vowed to take life with both hands and live it, no matter what opportunity presented itself to her. She had to remind herself of that pledge she’d made constantly.

It wasn’t that she was shy or someone who did not like people, but she was also never at her happiest when walking into a situation she had no prior knowledge of.

“Then we shall ensure she has a night to remember,” Bram said. “In whatever form that takes.”

The carriage rolled slowly forward behind a queue of others, and then it was their turn to step down.

“Oh my,” Flora whispered, looking up at the huge house before them. Light seemed to come from everywhere. Flaming torches lined the entranceway, and staff were dressed as… she squinted to get a better look .

“Good Lord, are the staff all dressed in black with masks and horns?” Charles said.

Bram snorted. “And so the adventure begins.”

“Were we supposed to bring masks?” Flora asked.

“No, they will be supplied,” Ivy said, “or it would have been on the invitation.”

Guests rushed forward, all talking with the excitement of the moment.

“Brace yourself, sister dear,” Charles said, holding out his arm to her. “Shut out the emotions and try to enjoy yourself.”

“And you, Brother. There will be music and other things to send you messages.”

“I am prepared,” he said, patting her hand.

They followed Bram and Ivy through the row of servants with spectacular horns fixed to their heads and up the steps and in through the front doors.

“Close your mouth, Flora,” Charles said.

“It’s like being outside on a cloudless night,” she whispered, looking around her. Everywhere she looked there seemed to be twinkling stars. While lamps lit their way, everywhere else was dark and lit only by the tiny lights.

“It’s beautiful,” she heard Ivy say ahead of her.

After removing their outer clothing, they followed the other guests to where a selection of masks sat on tables. Taking a silver one, Charles tied the strings for her. She then did the same for his black one. Then they walked up some stairs and into a ballroom behind other guests, and the theme in here was the same but on a grander scale.

Lord Humphrey had brought the night sky inside with twinkling lights. Colored sparkling balls hung in clusters. Huge flowers shimmered in a gossamer-thin fabric around the walls. Staff in the same costumes as those she’d already seen wandered through the guests with trays of champagne.

“I have no idea how he’s done this,” Bram said, “but it’s the best so far, and I’ve been to many balls here.” He was looking at the display of figures that appeared to be floating above them.

Elves, goblins, and fairies. Guests stood enraptured, studying everything as Flora and the others did. Sights and scents filled her head, and she felt lightheaded; it was almost too much to take in. Flora hadn’t even studied the guests yet, but she was glad of her dress when she did. They, too, glittered and shone. The jewelry worn by women sparkled, and their evening gowns were exquisite.

“Move it along there, others are trying to get in.”

“Pardon?” Charles said, looking over his shoulder.

“Take a moment to actually enjoy your surroundings, Ellington. The alcohol can wait,” Bram said in a hard voice Flora had never heard him use before.

Through the holes of his mask, she could see the man’s eyes snap with anger as they ran over her insultingly.

“Look at any member of my family again as you just have Miss Thomas, Ellington, and I will not hesitate to intervene.”

“I thought Lord Humphrey had far more discerning taste than letting you in here, Nightingale.”

“That is my uncle,” Charles snapped back.

“Retract that statement,” Flora added in an angry tone.

The man hissed out a breath and brushed past her, disappearing into the guests below.

“Pleasant fellow,” Charles said.

“That man is Baron Ellington. He dislikes our family and thinks that we should not walk in society due to my brother’s actions and our subsequent disgrace. While most have moved on, he and a few others have not. Remember his name, and if at any time he speaks to you in less than flattering terms, tell me, Alex, Gray or Leo at once,” Bram added. “Thank you for your defense of me,” he added with a smile.

Everyone has enemies , Flora thought as they made their way through the guests, and some were enemies you inherited from your parents.

As they walked, her eyes went everywhere. There was so much color, and the scents filling the air all mingled into something exotic.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Flora said to Charles.

“London” was all he said.

“Charles?” The man approaching her brother was smiling. “Good Lord! What has you here in London?”

“Gerard?’ Charles said shaking the man’s hand. “Good to see you.”

“And you. It’s been an age,” the man said.

“Mr. Gerard Fulham, allow me to introduce you to my sister, Flora.”

“You didn’t tell me your sister was beautiful, Charles. Shame on you,” the man said, bowing deeply before her.

“Is she?” Her brother studied her like she was something he’d brought into the house on the sole of his boot. Flora rolled her eyes.

“Brantley and Cosford are here,” Mr. Fulham said.

“Really?” Charles shot Flora a look, and she withdrew her hand from his elbow.

“Go. I am fine with the others. I will see you again soon.”

“For a dance,” Mr. Fulham said. “If you have one spare?”

“Thank you, I would like that,” Flora said.

The men left, and she worked her way through the people to catch up with Bramstone and Ivy.

“Well now, who do we have behind that mask? A beautiful lady, methinks,” a deep voice said to her right. He wore a black mask, and his lips had curled into more of a sneer than a smile.

“Good evening,” Flora said, increasing her pace. Bram was just ahead; she saw his broad shoulders.

“A dance? ”

“Thank you, no. I don’t dance with men I do not know,” Flora said, sounding prim.

“Surely—”

“Back away, Milcroft,” a deep voice growled from behind her.