What did it matter that she could barely see a thing? Tonight, she intended to enjoy herself nonetheless. Now, where was a teacake when she needed it?

Daphne helped her maneuver through the crowd until they came upon two blurs speaking to each other. She recognized the voices of her closest friends. Lucy was a blur of crimson and Cass a blur of pink.

Lucy spoke first. “There you are, Janie. I’ve been searching for you. You wouldn’t believe how many handsome gentlemen are here this evening. I daresay Captain Swift, er, I mean Swifdon, has good-looking friends.”

Jane nearly snorted. “Indeed, I would not believe it, because I cannot see anything. I wouldn’t have made it at all if Daphne hadn’t helped me find you. They might as well all be trolls as far as I can tell.”

Cass laughed. “You poor dear.” She squeezed Jane’s hand and turned to Daphne.

“Tell me, and please be honest, how horrible is this red spot on my nose?” Cass asked her future sister-in-law.

“It’s barely noticeable,” Daphne replied.

“I doubt that. I fear we’ll be obliged to set another seat at the banquet table on the day of the wedding to accommodate it,” Cass said.

“It’s hardly that bad,” Jane replied. “I cannot even see it.”

“Yes, but you’re blind as a bat,” Cass replied. “And as to that, thank you for helping Jane find us, Daphne.”

“My pleasure,” Daphne replied. “Doesn’t she look like a dream? She even caught the eye of Lord Owen.” Daphne’s voice took on a subtle cajoling tone.

“Owen?” Cass replied. “You must be jesting.”

“I take great offense to that,” Jane replied. “I might not be able to see anything, but I can still hear you.”

“I beg your pardon,” Cass said, true regret in her voice. “I just cannot believe … Well, you do look entirely different from how you normally do, Jane. But Owen, he’s a—”

“No need to explain,” Jane replied. “I was hardly attempting to attract his attention. I was looking for you two and then teacake … in that order.”

Lucy’s tinkling laughter followed. “When I gave you that mask earlier, I completely forgot about your spectacles. Take it on my good authority that there are indeed a large number of good-looking gentlemen here. It’s really too bad you’re a confirmed spinster.” Lucy sighed as if she really did think it was too bad. “I’d be ever so much more efficient at finding you a husband than at convincing your parents you’re to remain unattached. Your mother is quite single-minded.”

“Don’t I know?” Jane replied. “Now, would one of you kindly point me in the direction of the refreshment table?”

“I shall do even better than that. I shall escort you there myself,” Lucy replied.

Jane supposed the flesh-colored blur that appeared at her side was Lucy’s arm, so she wound her hand over it and allowed her friend to escort her toward the teacake. Jane waved in Cass and Daphne’s general direction as she left them behind.