The Faerie Ring (14 page)

“Quite all right, dear,” the older woman replied. The faded eyes behind her green velvet mask were a bit glassy as she raised her goblet and drank deeply. “It’s not a ball if we don’t rub elbows a bit.” She swayed slightly on her feet as her eyes narrowed at Tiki.

“Enjoy your evening,” Tiki murmured as she patted her hair, letting the emerald earring slide down her sleeve. As she moved away, she heard the woman gasp, and for a second Tiki thought she had already missed her jewels.

“Have you forgotten your crinoline, my dear?”

Tiki dodged behind a stout old man who reminded her of a penguin in his black-and-white dress clothes. She found herself trapped by people on all sides in the crowded room.

“May I offer you a drink?”

Tiki turned with a start. A servant inclined his head over a silver tray.

“Oh, yes, thank you.” Tiki reached for the glass, filled with dark red liquid. She took a sip and coughed, trying to catch her breath from the pungent flavor of the wine.

“Are you all right?” a new voice inquired.

“Y-yes.” Tiki coughed again, her eyes watering at the corners.

“I often have the same reaction to fine wine,” the young man said. One corner of his mouth lifted as he gazed down at her.

Tiki’s stomach dropped like a rock into a pond. His chiseled face was partially hidden beneath a black mask. Though the mask was of a simple cut, the quality of the embellishments suggested that this was a young man of means. The outside corners of the eye cutouts were shaded with glittering gold, and an intricate design of gold embroidery embellished the area above the eyes and down the center portion over his nose. A single black gem sparkled from the center amid the embroidery at the top of the mask.

“Would you like me to fetch you something different to drink?”

He stood straight and tall, immaculately dressed in black trousers with a shirt, waistcoat, and cravat of the purest white silk, covered by an overcoat of black tails. His gray eyes watched her with amusement through the slits in his mask.

“I don’t…,” Tiki started.

“Perhaps a sweeter negus?” he said. “Or, if not that, could I offer you some tea?”

“Wills, you’re not hiding this scrumptious tidbit from the rest of us, are you?” a voice interrupted.

The dark-haired young man turned. “Oh, hello, Leo.”

The newcomer moved into view, and Tiki was surprised to recognize Prince Leopold, the youngest son of Queen Victoria. Though he wore a mask, his short brown hair and receding hairline were unmistakable. He was without a doubt the young man who had stopped her in the park. She dipped into a low curtsy, relieved the package was gone from the depths of her bodice.

Leo reached for Tiki’s hand and assisted her in straightening up. He inclined his head.

“You are breathtaking tonight, miss,” he said. “And so cleverly disguised that I cannot discern your identity, but something tells me we’ve not met before.” He paused, as though hoping Tiki would offer her name, but she remained silent. “Therefore, I will be forced to call you the Unknown Beauty until I learn your true name.”

“Another to your list of Unknown Beauties, Leo?” Wills chuckled. “How do you possibly keep them all straight?”

The prince turned to face the young man. “Perhaps you could save me from this awkward moment, then, Wills, and introduce me to your friend.”

“So you can sweep her away? What do you take me for? A complete fool?”

Leo laughed out loud. “A contest for the hand of the Unknown Beauty, then?” He nudged Wills in the ribs. At that moment, the orchestra struck up a waltz. Before Wills could respond, Leo turned to Tiki.

“Shall we dance?”

Chapter Thirteen

“O
H,
well … I’m … not a, er … very good dancer,” Tiki stuttered.

“Nonsense, I’m sure you’re an excellent dancer.” Leo leaned close. “And I am an excellent dance
partner,
so between the two of us, I daresay we shall be fine.” He took Tiki’s glass and handed both drinks to his friend. “Wills, old chap, would you be so kind?”

Without waiting for a reply, Leo held out his hand and led Tiki into the swirl of dancers.

Hours of dance lessons she’d been forced to endure came back to her as she followed the prince’s lead. One, two, three, one, two, three. Tiki stared at her feet as she concentrated on counting the waltz steps in her head, the familiar tune reminding her of practicing the dance with her father.

Her dance instructor, Madame Broussard, had been most insistent that a waltz, or a valse, as she liked to call it, was an essential bit of knowledge for any properly brought up lady. A valse was the easiest dance to learn if you knew the simple steps, she had insisted. Tiki stumbled over Leo’s foot and immediately felt a blush stain her cheeks. Why had she not thought to practice before coming to a dance? How could she be so daft?

“You’re doing beautifully,” Leo whispered in her ear. He whirled her around until her gown flared out with every turn and Tiki began to enjoy the rhythm of the music. “I’ve danced with many”—he rolled his eyes in a charming way—“
far
too many of the ladies here, and I can say with confidence that you are one of the better dancers in the group. And certainly one of the prettiest.”

“How very kind of you,” Tiki replied. She was starting to enjoy the game she played. A prince of England was flirting with her. She couldn’t wait to tell Fiona. What a laugh they’d have over this. “Please forgive my ignorance, but do I call you sire, sir, Your Highness…?” Her voice trailed off.

“Just call me Leo. I don’t need any fancy titles among friends.” He gave her a warm smile.

“Then, tell me, Leo,” she said, “do you pay such outrageous compliments to all of your guests? Or just those who need dance instruction?”

“No, of course not.” Leo pretended to look aghast. “I only fawn over those who can provide some political advantage to the crown, those who might be related to the crown, and those who live on or near lands held by the crown. Let me see”—he pretended to think—“have I left anyone out?”

Tiki giggled and shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Good.” Leo smiled at her. “Then perhaps I’ve earned my keep here for another day.” He twirled her again and then drew her close. “And how do I categorize you? Are we related?”

“No,” Tiki said. “But, if we are to share confidences, tell me where your favorite places are in London.”

Leo frowned and regarded her for a moment. “Now that’s a question I’m rarely asked.” He paused to consider his answer as he swept her along in the dance. “There’s the Birdkeeper’s Cottage in St. James’ Park. A woman who has tended my mother most of her life lives there. Her husband was the birdkeeper for many years. It’s surrounded by gardens and overlooks the lake. I like to ride out there when it’s warm. The gardens are very picturesque and you feel like you’ve escaped into another world.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Tiki murmured. “And where else do you like to ride?”

“Well, if you follow Rotten Row, over in Hyde Park, you’ll pass by the Upside Down tree—have you seen it?”

“I don’t believe I have.”

“Fascinating tree and quite old. Some type of cypress, I believe. The branches grow toward the ground rather than the sky, creating an umbrella effect. You can walk right underneath and be hidden from the world.”

“Surely your guards don’t let you ride alone?”

Leo grinned at her, his youth suddenly evident. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them. It’s finding the time to escape my responsibilities and obligations that is the difficult part.” He winked and lifted his arm to twirl her again. “But one can’t live life being followed and coddled
all
of the time.”

The violins and piano swelled to a grand finale as the waltz concluded. Tiki dropped into a deep curtsy. “Thank you for the dance and the lovely conversation.” She turned and made her way to the edge of the dance floor. She hadn’t planned on dancing tonight, as if she’d actually been invited to the ball. Now that she’d placed the ring, she needed to get out, just as she’d told Shamus she would do. And somehow manage not to be caught.

“But wait.” Leo took a few hurried steps to catch up with her. “You’ve not told me anything about yourself. How am I to discover who hides behind the mask if you don’t give me any clues? What is your name?”

Tiki laughed. “I’m quite sure there’s nothing about me that you’d find interesting,” she replied. She took a few more steps, then realized that this was her golden opportunity. With a coy look she said, “However, there is something about you that I find fascinating.”

“Only one thing?” Leo asked in mock disappointment.

“I’ve wondered why the palace has offered such a high reward for the queen’s ring that has recently gone missing.”

“Oh.” The prince’s expression hardened. “You’ve heard of the ring?”

“I just overheard some ladies talking about it,” Tiki lied.

“Yes, well, it holds great sentimental value for my mother, and she wishes to have it returned.”

“And it was stolen?”

“Unfortunately, yes. We know where the ring was last seen, but we can’t locate it now and have to assume it’s been taken. My mother is quite insistent upon having the ring returned. And believe me”—Leo lowered his voice—“you don’t argue with my mother.”

Tiki walked along beside the prince, her hands clasped in front of her. “Have you any clue what happened to it?”

“No,” Leo replied. His expression sobered. “The disappearance is quite worrisome, actually.” He came to a stop at the edge of the dance floor and turned to face her. “May I offer you something to drink?”

“But you’ve offered a reward because you think it was stolen?”

A small frown flitted across his brow. “Impossible though it seems, there’s really no other explanation. We’ve questioned the staff and posted handbills, but it seems to have vanished.” He eyed her with curiosity. “Tell me again how you know of it?”

“I heard several ladies discussing it over there.” Tiki pointed to the far corner of the crowded ballroom.

Leo’s gaze followed the direction she pointed, his eyes scanning the crowd. “Hmmm, that’s curious.” He took two goblets from the tray proffered by a footman. “Wine?”

Tiki nodded. She was treading on thin ice, and would feel more confident holding something in her hand.

“It sounds like a great mystery.” She gave Leo her best smile. “But if the thief wanted to claim the reward, how would they return the ring without being arrested?”

“Yes, well, that is a very good question indeed.” Leo surveyed the crowded room again before he lowered his voice. “I suspect the thief would somehow convey a message to one of the palace guards, then we would negotiate the proper exchange of ring for reward.” He took a drink from his glass, letting out a contented sigh. “Now, where were we? Ah yes, your name…”

“Elizabeth.” Tiki said the first name that popped into her head.

“Elizabeth.” Leo sighed. “A lovely name for a lovely girl. Elizabeth suits you.” He peered closer at her mask. “Did you know your eyes are a most unusual shade of green? They remind me of emeralds.”

Tiki smiled at him, thinking of the emerald earring tucked in the folds of her dress. “Thank you, Leo. But, tell me,” she persisted, “how would a thief contact a guard without being caught? I’m sure if you truly want the ring back, then you must have a system of exchange planned out.”

Leo sighed. “I’m sure we can find more interesting topics of conversation other than thievery and blackmail, but being the gentleman I am, I will strive to satisfy your curiosity. There have been occasions in the past when we’ve exchanged goods in certain, shall we say,
extreme
situations, where a person sends a sealed note or letter that contains some identifying information that would suggest they are indeed in the company of an actual missing item.” He leaned forward and put his lips near her ear. “For instance, the missing ring has an inscription inside the band that has never been publicly revealed.” His eyes dropped to the low-cut neckline of her dress and lingered there.

At his words, Tiki was transported back in time. It was as if she stood in the library again, peering at the inscription inside the ring.
Na síochána, aontaímid: For the sake of peace, we agree.
She could see the flowing script inside the gold band reflected in the flickering light of the gas lamp perfectly.

Leo took another sip of wine. “Only someone who has handled the ring would have that information,” he continued. “So should a person provide a letter claiming possession of the ring with the words from the inscription, along with instructions of where to leave a large sum of money, we would be inclined to believe what they said and most likely do as they ask.”

“I see.” Tiki nodded, trying to hide her elation. Without thinking, she took a sip of her drink and immediately started coughing again. The stuff was awful!

“Too much wine?” A familiar voice spoke.

“Ah, Wills, there you are.” Leo turned with a broad smile. “And Isabelle Cavendish.” He nodded at the tall young girl in the striking blue dress. Her brown hair was uplifted in an elegant pile of curls, and a few stray strands of hair dangled around the creamy skin of her narrow face. Her mask was adorned with peacock feathers, and their iridescent colors seemed reflected in her blue green eyes.

“Leo,” she said in a low, seductive voice, “I’ve been wondering why you didn’t invite Wills to your parties anymore.” Her lips curved in a mischievous smile. “I thought perhaps he’d left town.”

“He’s always invited.” Leo chuckled. “Getting him to show up is the challenge. I saw that the two of you took a turn on the dance floor.” Leo’s gaze traced the exotic feathers that adorned Isabelle’s mask, then dropped briefly to the brilliant blue sapphires that glittered from her chest. “You make a fetching pair, you know.”

Tiki caught the wink that Leo threw to the dark-haired young man, and she turned in curiosity to see his reaction.

“Actually, I’m anxious to make the acquaintance of this young lady as well.” He inclined his head toward Tiki. Isabelle shifted her gaze toward her, and Tiki was stunned by the malice in her eyes. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m William Becker Richmond.”