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her mask and waited for the coachman to lower the stairs. Sinjun exited first and helped her down.
    “I can’t wait to show you off,” he murmured as they entered the commodious hall and ascended the stairs to the ballroom. “I’ll be the envy of the ton tonight.”
    They paused in the doorway. Christy felt like a fish out of water as everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at her. Discreet, and some not so discreet, whispers followed them as Sinjun introduced her to their host and hostess. Christy had attended several public dances since arriving in town, but this was her first event given by members of the ton. Just being in the same room with so many English swine stuck in her craw. How she wished she were back home at Glenmoor, roaming the hills and glens and riding free and wild into the wind on her favorite mare.
    Unfortunately she couldn’t conceive an heir for Glenmoor in Scotland. And in order to meet and seduce Sinjun, she had to travel in the same circles.
    Sinjun led her out onto the dance floor, and afterward they joined the throng of people at the buffet table.
    “There’s Julian,” Sinjun said, waving to a tall, handsome man who had just entered the room. “Lord Mansfield is my older brother. He’s rather dour but a likeable sort.” Christy stared at the man rapidly approaching them and felt a moment of panic. She would have fled had she not been so conspicuous. If he recognized her, all was lost.
    “Sinjun, I feared I wouldn’t find you in this crush of people.”
    “Where’s Emma?”
    “She and Amelia Ravensdale went off together to exchange gossip. Will you introduce me to your … friend?”
    “Of course. Julian, meet Lady Flora Randall. Flora, this is my brother, Lord Mansfield. Don’t mind his scowl, he always looks like that.”
    Head bowed, Christy dropped a curtsey. She remembered Sinjun’s brother very well. She prayed he wouldn’t recognize her with her mask on. “My lord.”
    Julian’s scowl deepened. “Do I know you, my lady? Something about you is vaguely familiar.”
    “I’m sure we’ve never met, my lord.”
    “Odd that you should say that, Julian. I had the same feeling the first time I saw Lady Flora.”
    “Please excuse me, my lords,” Christy said, anxious to escape Julian’s intense scrutiny. She touched Sinjun’s arm. “I wish to repair my hair.” She hurried off toward the powder room.
    “She certainly is a beauty,” Julian said, staring after her. “There’s something about her—”
    “I thought the same thing, Julian, but I would have remembered had I met her before. Besides, this is her first visit to town.”
    “Don’t introduce her to Emma,” Julian warned. “It wouldn’t be proper.”
    “Don’t worry, Julian. I know what’s proper and what isn’t. I wouldn’t dream of introducing Emma to my mistress.”
    Christy entered the powder room, relieved to find it empty. Appearing in public as Sinjun’s mistress was devastating to her ego. He should be introducing her as his countess, not his lover. But she had made her choice and must now accept the consequences.

Chapter 4
     
     
    C hristy removed her mask and rubbed her temples. Meeting Sinjun’s brother had been nerve-wracking. She’d wanted the evening to end so she could go home. Heaving a sigh, she realized she couldn’t hide in the powder room forever. But as she settled her mask in place, the door opened, admitting two young women, one blond, one brunette. They were laughing and giggling like schoolgirls, loudly lamenting the lack of attractive, mature men and commenting on the Season’s offering of young suitors who had little to commend them.
    Suddenly the brunette spied Christy and sent her a brilliant smile. Christy sucked in a startled breath, for the lovely young woman had the most remarkable violet eyes she had ever seen.
    “I don’t believe we’ve met,” the brunette said, offering Christy her hand. “I’m Emma Thornton, and this is my friend, Amelia