Chapter 2

“I should get ready and go now.”  

Lorraine folded Henry’s letter next to the teacup and tossed it into the fireplace. The edges blackened and soon disappeared in the flames.  

Today, the Bedington family was hosting a masquerade ball. Lavishly dressed nobles would wear masks and mingle in the ballroom, enjoying drinks and conversation. Not only Mostar’s nobles but also those from the capital and other regions would attend, making it a major event. She’d received a breakup letter from her first lover today, but that wasn’t a reason to skip the ball.  

Just as she rang the bell to call her maid, a lightning thought struck Lorraine’s mind.  

‘If the face is the problem, then just hide the face!’  

The sudden idea made Lorraine’s eyes sparkle. A mask hides everything, and the hidden space is filled with imagination. The masquerade—an evening where faces and identities are unknown. Lorraine felt as if tonight’s ball was prepared just for her.  

With a stranger, in a secret place, with their faces and identities covered by masks… There was no need to know who the other person was—she could finally try the passionate night she’d always wondered about. It was a thought she’d never confess to anyone in her right mind, but her pent-up desires gave strength to her decision tonight.  

When maid Susan entered the room, Lorraine quietly spoke to her.  

“Today, I want to dress a little differently.”  

Susan looked puzzled at Lorraine’s unusual request, but quietly obeyed her master. Lorraine decorated her usually neatly tied red hair with black ribbons and pins, styling it high and fancy.  

Instead of her usual modest dress, she wore a bold velvet gown in shades of blue, exposing her back and neckline, and finally added a black mask covering half her face. Even without the mask, she looked so different that it would be hard for anyone who knew her to recognize her.  

Susan admired Lorraine’s finished look, excitedly exclaiming,  

“My Lady, you’re so beautiful!”  

Lorraine’s green eyes shone more vividly, and her naturally tinted lips glowed seductively. Lorraine wasn’t fond of attention, but tonight was an exception.  

“Let’s head to the Bedington residence now.”  

Lorraine said to her maid, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Determination sparkled in her eyes.

* * *

The laughter of masked nobles and the clinking of glasses filled the hall. Everyone wore masks, wigs, and hats, making it hard to recognize each other. Only physical features like height and build could offer a vague guess. The mysterious atmosphere was strangely dreamlike.  

When Henry Boyle arrived at the Bedington residence, people were sipping drinks and gossiping. Listening in, he heard talk about a young Viscount from the capital who had come to the ball.  

“Madame, did you see him? I’ve never seen such a handsome man!”  

“Of course! I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Even with a mask, he was so beautiful… He’s so gorgeous, the mask seems pointless.”  

“I heard he came to Mostar recently, invited by Earl Bedington. There’s a rumor he’s the lover of the famous actress Glenda.”  

“Oh my, I heard he doesn’t officially date women?”  

The noblewomen all gathered, chatting about ‘that young Viscount.’ Henry could easily guess who they meant, even without listening closely.  

‘I can’t believe Ian Lindsay came here.’  

Henry Boyle bit his lip in thought. He’d heard many outsiders would attend tonight’s party, but didn’t expect such an unwelcome guest.  

Ian Lindsay, the second child of the Lindsay family.  

Ian was famous not only for his beautiful, glamorous looks but also for rumors of his promiscuous relationships. He didn’t officially date women, only considered them for casual flings; if one hoped for love from him, it only ended in separation; despite his beautiful appearance, he was said to be very rough in bed; once a woman experienced him, she could never forget him….

Between rumors whose truth and falsehood could not be discerned, the noblewomen of Mostar found themselves both curious about Ian and feeling he was dangerously alluring, unable to approach him easily. Henry did not know whether Ian was truly the Casanova the rumors claimed, nor did he care.

However, Henry had once encountered Ian in the capital a few years ago. That day, by luck, he was the center of attention among the women at a social gathering. But the moment Ian appeared, Henry’s presence quickly faded. It was as if the lead actor under the spotlight had been relegated to a supporting role in an instant. The sting of that defeat remained vivid.

Watching the noblewomen gossip about Ian’s reputation, Henry quietly bit his lip. After all, men ought to have masculine charm. Yet, whenever these women saw the delicate-looking young Viscount, they lost their senses over Ian.

He could not allow Catherine to meet Ian today. Henry quickly scanned the area for Catherine. Even with masks on, it was not difficult to spot her distinctive golden hair among the crowd.

Standing close to her was a man a full handspan taller than Henry. He had never seen anyone in Mostar taller than himself. Realizing this, Henry instantly knew the man was Ian Lindsay.

‘…D*mn.’

Henry clenched his teeth. Ian, glimpsed now, was even more striking than he had been years ago. His dazzling looks could not be concealed even by a mask.

Beneath black hair, his eyebrows were sharply drawn, leading to deep eyes, and a relaxed smile hovered at his lips—a smile that could enchant anyone who saw it. Ian’s face was so captivating that the many ornaments he wore barely registered.

Behind Ian, speaking with Earl Bedington, Catherine subtly stood, her posture plainly showing she wanted to be introduced to him. Pretending not to notice her wish, Henry greeted her.

“Lady Catherine. It’s been a while.”

“Oh, that voice… Henry? How did you find me here?”

Catherine smiled playfully from behind her mask.

“The moment I entered, you were all I could see, Lady Catherine.”

In Mostar, aside from Lorraine, Catherine was the only woman with such a figure, so even if not for her golden hair, it was natural to recognize her.

“Oh my, such flattery, hoho.”

Though she spoke kindly to Henry, Catherine’s gaze kept drifting to Ian.

“Would you grant me the honor of your first dance tonight?”

“I’d be honored.”

Since Ian Lindsay’s first dance partner would surely be Earl Bedington’s Countess, Catherine accepted Henry’s invitation without hesitation. Normally, she would have skillfully pretended to only see the man in front of her, but tonight, unable to resist her desire, her gaze kept flickering to Ian.

Watching Catherine, Henry resolved never to be foolish enough to introduce her to Ian. He had secured her for the first dance, so afterward, he would find a way to keep her away from Ian.

Though the noblewomen were wary of Ian now, as the party progressed, they would crowd around him, competing for his next dance. At least tonight, Catherine would find it hard to greet Ian.

‘Good. Now, where should I take Catherine for a private rendezvous….’

Henry began planning another sweet night with Catherine. Just then, a woman with rose-colored hair passed through the crowd. Instinctively, Henry looked up. At first, he thought it was just a wig like others, but the vivid red hair was unmistakably familiar. He followed the disappearing figure with his eyes.

‘Agnes… No, Lorraine Summers?’

Soon, Henry spotted her among the crowd, his mouth agape. At first, seeing the flowing red hair, he thought the eldest Summers daughter, Agnes, had returned home for the party. But upon closer inspection, it was Lorraine Summers.

This Lorraine was unlike any he had ever seen before. A bold dress and a dazzling mask covering half her face. Yet, Henry recognized her immediately by her upright posture and the figure he’d secretly admired so often.

Lorraine had always been beautiful. But tonight, the usually modest woman revealed a sensual side he’d never seen before.

Her navy dress set off her skin, pale as if untouched by sunlight. Beyond the low neckline, the curves of her chest—once only imagined—were softly revealed. Though evening dresses were common for ladies, Lorraine’s slight exposure was as provocative as being undressed.

He had expected Lorraine to be home, dejected after their breakup. Seeing her at the party, transformed, stirred Henry’s heart. He hadn’t expected her to come tonight. Did she come to speak with him after receiving his letter?

Looking again, Lorraine stood upright, her face hidden, seeming somewhat forlorn. She was always shy and reserved. Just standing here, attracting attention, must have taken great courage.

‘She must know how much she dislikes the attention, yet she dressed up and came… Is she trying to win my heart back?’