“Won’t the dress slow you down anyway?”

Kiki shrugs. “That’s why I have you to cover me while I draw.” Her smile widens. She places her hands on my shoulders and turns me around to face the large mirror that inexplicably lives in the drawing room. The wealthy are a vain lot, but looking at our shared reflection, I’m finding it hard to complain.

Alone, we are stunning. Together, we are a vision.

Me, the sly vixen. Kiki, the elegant black swan.

She smiles, her rouged lips curling in satisfaction. “We do make the most splendid team, don’t we?”

“We do.” I turn to her, catching her eyes with mine. I lean in to brush a phantom of a kiss against the seam of her lips. Not enough to sidetrack us, but enough to remind her of all the things I lack the words to say. “Now, let’s get out of here. We have a hell of a night ahead us. And I would so hate to be late to the party.”

CHAPTER 28

Kiki

We are late to the party.

It’s not entirely surprising. Being on time is never fashionable, and I do so care for fashion. And besides, our tardy arrival makes it far easier to slip into the crowd milling about the entrance to Cristobal’s villa relatively unnoticed. Though we’ve arrived in Sebastian’s carriage, I would like to avoid him for as long as I can.

The masks help. It seems like all of New Spain is waiting to be introduced to the glittering throng within. Ana presses in against my side. For all her savvy on the unforgiving streets of Potosí, this is where she is most uncomfortable. Milling about with the aristocracy, especially when they are out in full force, each jockeying to best the person beside them, each vying for even the tiniest elevation in their own standings. Balls like this are never mere social events. There is always an angle. Always an opportunity. And I am hoping that this is where we find ours.

As we approach, the footman by the door glances at us. It is his duty to announce visitors as they enter so that everyone inside knows exactly how much deference new arrivals are owed. But with our masks, I assume he is having a rather difficult time discerning who we are.