She opened her mouth to demand to know what the hell he was talking about. But he must have realized he’d put his foot in his mouth because he bowed deeply and then drew her in close. “My lady, I have missed you deeply and hope that I might escort you to the ball tonight.”

“I have to make my appearance with the rest of the Society members.”

“Surely not.”

She smiled innocently. “It’s tradition. I’ll save you a dance.”

“All of the dances, my dear,” he said, circling the ring that she’d put back on her finger for his appearance. He kissed her hand and then disappeared into the palace.

Audria rushed to her side as soon as he was gone. “I am so sorry. I never wanted to bring him. He’d asked me when you would be back and said that he’d written your father and never heard back. But then something happened last night. I don’t know what, but in the middle of the night, he banged on my door and demanded that I fly him to Corsica.”

Kerrigan’s face paled. “In the middle of the night?”

She nodded. “I have no idea what happened last night that made him change his mind about it all.”

Kerrigan gulped. She knew precisely what had happened last night. But the real question was, did March know she’d been with Fordham? And if so, how?

44

The Winter Party

A knock sounded at her door. She was behind schedule. She should have already been at the party, but she couldn’t shake the horrible feeling about March. If he knew about her and Fordham, that would be one of the worst things she had ever considered. And if he did, was it the curse working against them? She hated considering it, but she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

If what had happened with Dacia was any indication, then whatever was coming for them would be coming quickly. She needed to get ahead of Ashby March, but she had no idea how.

“Come in,” she said, expecting Audria.

Instead, Darby stepped through the door, looking resplendent in a full white gown, threaded through with diamonds that glittered like starlight. It made her onyx skin stand out rich and luminous. Her black hair was up in an intricate design with a hint of shimmer along her lids and lips.

“Oh my gods,” Kerrigan gushed, throwing her arms around her friend. “Darbs, you look like a dream.”

“Me? Look at you!” Darby said.

Kerrigan laughed. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you already be at the ball?”

“Probably. Sonali isn’t going to be pleased, but a grand entrance never hurt anyone. I haven’t seen you in months. It’s been far too long.”

Kerrigan pulled Darby over to the divan. “Much too long. Tell me everything. Is someone courting you?”