Free The reluctant cavalier by Karen Harbaugh Page B

long ago. Doubt flickered in him for a moment at the thought that it was all because of a costume, and not real, but he dismissed it. He was what he was, and he doubted he'd change at all, truly. But, surely, it could not hurt to play at being a Cavalier, purely for enjoyment?
    He dropped his hand, and as he did so, the sunlight caught the flash of metal upon his right hand. The ring flashed again and sparkled brightly, and Parsifal blinked. It was as if the sun had struck rare and precious gems upon the ring, but there were no diamonds or any other stones upon it. Perhaps it was made of a special alloy of metals, or created from some goldsmith's secret technique. Certainly no ring of simple construction would shine with such brilliance, especially one so old and worn as this.
    He stared at the ring upon his middle finger, as he had often done since Lady Laughton's masquerade. He had carefully cut the threads from the hem of the Cavalier's jacket, extracted the ring, then had Howell, his valet, sew up the jacket again. Parsifal had put the ring on his finger immediately, for he could not think where to put it, and he had not taken it off since. No one commented upon it, for it was a plain band with only a simple braided design etched into it, and though it was gold, it was certainly nothing compared to the rest of the Wentworth jewels. Not even Caroline had noticed it, even though she was quite sharp-eyed when it came to noticing jewelry, and she seemed to have forgotten about the ring hidden in the hem of his costume.
    He closed and opened his hand, and Parsifal noticed again how comfortably the ring fit upon his finger. He did not care for jewelry, in general, but he liked this ring. It was sturdy, and did not pinch at all, and felt as if he had worn it forever, as if it had been made for him. He moved his hand back "and forth, trying to catch the sunlight and make the ring sparkle again, but it did not. The ring only gleamed with a dull lustre, like any other old ring might. He had not imagined it, for the ring had sparkled at least three times, even though he was not able yet to make it do so intentionally. If he wore it long enough, he was certain he'd learn how to do so, however.
    He shrugged, then smiled to himself, quickening his steps as he neared the house. He was becoming fanciful. He had merely come upon an ornament that pleased him, and by coincidence it fit him well. It would be a fine accessory to his Cavalier costume, much better than one of his prize roses. For once, he looked forward to a ball and intended to enjoy himself to the fullest.
     
    "Mama, do look! I have received an invitation to another masquerade—and see, I am not hiding it from you, but showing it to you at once." Annabella waved the gilt-edged card at her mother and smiled mischievously. "Now do tell me I am a very good girl for telling you so quickly, and say I may go."
    Lady Smith laughed. "I should refuse, Miss Impertinence! And before I agree to anything, I must know from whom it comes." She tucked her embroidery and needle into her spool table and nodded to the butler who had brought in the daily post. "Do take this away, Bradley. I am afraid my hands have become quite cramped from sewing too long." The butler bowed and rolled the table from the drawing room.
    Annabella held out the invitation to her. "It is from Caroline Wentworth—oh, please say I may go!" she said upon seeing the doubtful look on her mother's face. "Surely, it is unexceptionable, for we are neighbors after all, and I have known Caroline since we were first schoolmates."
    "I cannot feel comfortable about having you go there, my love, especially since your father has gone to London and cannot be consulted."
    "Oh, but you know he would agree to it if you asked it of him, Mama!" Annabella exclaimed.
    "That is neither here nor there. He should, properly, be consulted."
    Annabella bit her lip and calmed her impatience. If her parents hesitated to allow her another