Free An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel van Dyken Page A

morrow? On Valentine's Day?
    Turning as he pushed himself out of the
chair, all of his nervousness hit him again, full force across the
chest. It was suddenly hard to breathe. He swallowed to give
himself a moment to think as he stared.
    And stared.
    And then stared some more.
    Good thing she knew him to be one who was
sometimes speechless, because at the moment he was gawking.
    Her gown was fully white all the way to the
floor, but tipped around the edges in black satin. As she turned to
grab her gloves he was able to see the scoop of the back. He
groaned. It was scandalously low. Her mask covered only half of her
face, making her eyes stand out so much it hurt for him to stare
directly at her.
    He was an idiot to think she would say yes.
Beautiful women like her married princes and titled gentlemen. They
sailed to Europe and married a duke, much like his relative the
Duke of Tempest. They didn't marry merchants. And they didn't marry
him. A man who didn't deserve to breathe the same air as someone so
pure and innocent.
    "You are beautiful," he choked out as he
went to take her arm. She flinched at his touch and gave a small
curtsy.
    "Shall we?" Without waiting for answer, she
walked ahead of him until they reached the waiting carriage. The
gown she was wearing shimmered in the moonlight, taking his breath
away.
    He was mad for her.
    Getting into the carriage behind her was no
easy task as his eyes were transfixed by the fullness of her form.
He wanted to worship her. Surely God wouldn't mind if Royce
reverently worshipped one of His finest creations?
    "Are you well?" Royce bit his lip as he
waited for Evelyn's response. Why were her eyes so downcast? Was
she unwell again?
    "I am."
    Her response was clipped.
    "If you're too tired, Evelyn, we can go
back." He wanted to kick himself as he watched her shoulders slump
even more. Something was wrong. It was probably him. Wasn't it
always him? "What did you do this afternoon, love?"
    "I went shopping." Licking her lips, she met
his eyes.
    He nodded and smiled. "Ah, yes, shopped the
day of the ball. Whatever did you shop for?"
    "A mask for the Valentine's Ball."
    "It is a lovely mask." The tension in the
carriage was awkward. Clearing his throat, he pried further. "And
where else did you shop?"
    "Franklins glove store, the one on the other
side of town."
    Something wasn't right. As the carriage
rumbled to a stop it hit him.
    "The glove store on the other side of town?
The same glove store next to the disreputable areas? This
afternoon?" Leaning in as he questioned her, he noticed Evelyn's
lip quiver. She turned away and stepped out of the carriage.
    "It's not what you think." Desperately Royce
tried to sound reassuring, even though everything inside him
screamed, "Idiot!"
    Evelyn nodded and smiled as they donned
their masks and walked into the great entryway. After they were
properly introduced, Royce held out his arm and led her into the
ballroom. Brilliant colors of red and white were littered
everywhere within the ballroom. It was a romantic's dream come
alive. It was supposed to be the perfect night for him and Evelyn,
but instead he sensed her pulling away from him.
    Evelyn tensed next to him "Maybe they'll be
dancing; we should split up…"
    "Don't. Evelyn, you need to know the truth.
What happened. I can explain."
    Pulling away from him, she said through her
teeth, "I think I've seen enough to come to my own conclusions,
Royce."
    Insanity seeped into his brain again. Upset
more at himself than at poor Evelyn, he did the only thing he knew
to do. He grabbed her arm and began pulling her past shocked
guests. He led her down the hall and threw open the first door he
found. Luckily it was unoccupied.
    "Sit." His voice was commanding.
    She followed orders but still refused to
meet his gaze.
    "Evelyn, look at me." She shook her head and
clenched her fists. "Evelyn, look at me right now. Let me explain
myself, and then you can be angry. I'll even let you take my pistol
if it makes