Chapter 5: Preperations

        Two nights after that fateful dinner party, Giana decided that it was time for "Angel" to appear again. Many members of the ton considered it somewhat of an honor for her to appear at a party given by them and so tended to hold masquerades to try to lure her out. Everyone was curious as to who the hidden temptress beneath the mask could be. Certainly it couldn’t be a young lady - could it? Giana chuckled merrily to herself as she rummaged through their collection of costumes. She and Serena had accumulated quite a variety of them. They always used the left-over money, after taking care of the children, to put towards buying one after the other of these daring outfits. Her fingers felt a swath of silk near the back. What’s this? Oh my...I had forgotten about this one...

        "I swear Serena, you have been spending way too much time with the contessa. Did you ever think that she might not appreciate you hanging around her so much?" Serena’s mother said exasperated. Serena gave her a look and said,
        "Mother, you know perfectly well that Giana invited me, I never said a word of going to this play with her."
        "Well, what are you going to see?" Serena looked away for a second a swore under her breath. Thinking quickly she said.
        "I’m not really sure, she mentioned something about a man who fell in love with a woman he could not marry or some such." Her mother threw her hands in the air.
        "As if that didn’t describe nearly every play these days! You don’t know anything more about it? Surely there must be something." Serena shook her head and shrugged.
        "I’m sorry mother, I just don’t remember, that’s all."
        "Well, alright." her mother sighed, "when are you leaving?"
        "Soon." Just then, as if by happenstance, Serena heard a carriage roll up to the drive. She jumped out of her seat and ran to the carriage. As soon as she was in the carriage she looked at Giana and said,
        "Thank God you’re punctual. I just got the third degree from my mother on where I was going, what play I was seeing, and the like." Giana grinned and said,
        "I’m sorry. I trust you handled it ok, right?" Serena grimaced.
        "This time I did. But she’s been getting more and more suspicious with us doing this nearly twice a week."
        "You’re right, maybe after tonight we should lay off for a week or two - we have enough money to cover until then." Serena nodded,
        "I suppose that’s a good idea." then she smiled with anticipation, "So, what am I wearing tonight?" Giana’s eyes sparkled,
        "Oh Angelica! I found a gown I thought I had fogotten at the back of the bureau - it’s exquisite! Just you wait and see." Serena leaned back in the carriage seat and closed her eyes, letting the excitement of the night wash over her. I guess I should enjoy myself tonight if I’m going to take a vacation for the next few weeks.

        Darien had a feeling in his gut that she was going to show up tonight at Lord Fielding’s masque. He just knew it. Well, Hell. He knew he had been obsessing over that woman, but he couldn’t help himself. She invaded his dreams, refusing to go one minute without tempting his senses - even at night. Especially at night. Darien could not find a woman who compared with her. Dammit! I don’t even know what she looks like! He hadn’t been able to clearly see her face that one and only time he had met her and yet he imagined her the most beautiful woman in the world. She could be the ugliest woman for all I know but he knew that wasn’t true the same way he knew his own name. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. By damn that woman was leading him around by the nose! But you love it a voice whispered in his head. Do not he countered. He looked over his costume. A prince. She should - damn, I do NOT like that woman!
        As he rode through the cobbled streets of London, he could almost swear he heard a soft whisper in his mind saying, oh yes, you do...