Sins of a Duke(39)
Three floors rose in stunning splendor. The ceiling was made of stained-glass panels and dozens of glittering chandeliers hung suspended, their lights dancing off the hundreds of men and women in their finery. The masks of the patrons glittered, some fanciful, some exquisitely designed, and some darkly fashioned into looks of darkness and decadence. Couples embraced publicly in several corners on chaise lounges, and those who danced were certainly closer than what was appropriate. Constance swallowed as she saw a man and woman kissing in the most scandalous fashion for all to see. She became painfully aware how much young ladies of society were sheltered. Suddenly her corset felt too tight and fear wafted through her. She was out of her league.
But she had to admit the place was magnificent. The décor consisted of dark, rich paneled woods, peach and silver velvet drapes lined the walls, and the luxurious orient carpet that covered the floors and the staircase was the richest and most beautiful she had ever seen. The walls were lined with massive gilded columns that were swathed in cloths with oriental colors so vibrant they seemed exotic. Raucous laughter and conversation spilled down the stairs and Constance stared in awe at the dozens of glasses layered on each other in a fountain floating with golden liquid.
“What is it?”
“Champagne,” the earl responded.
A fountain of champagne? The very notion was simply…decadent. “Is this why Mondvale is referred to as the Lord of Sin?” the question spilled out before she could stop herself.
Lord Ainsley glanced at her almost bemusedly. “If you are asking me if Lucan’s moniker was given because he dazzled society with a fountain of champagne you should not be here, Lady Constance. You are ignorant of what is considered sinful.”
Charlotte gasped and Constance froze. How did he know it was her? “I…”
A fleeting smile touched his lips. “Relax, your secret is safe with me. I will have someone attend to you.”
Before she could speak, he melted away into the crowd.
“Oh my goodness, Connie, he knew who you were. I think we need to leave immediately.”
“He said we were safe.”
Charlotte gaped at her. “And you believed him?”
A loud shriek drew Constance’s gaze to a lady slapping a man kissing the globes of her breasts. Constance remembered Lucan had said he catered to Society’s finest. The stunning hypocrisy of everything had a surge of rage firing in her veins. Here they chortled, tossed the dice, danced the most scandalous dances, and they were members of the haute monde. But they felt protected behind their masks. Actions they would judge other people for, cut them for, refused to speak with them for, they were here indulging in liberally. The hypocrites.
A man appeared at their side as if by magic with two glasses of champagne. “What will be your pleasures this evening, madams? The dancers will soon be out in the smaller ballroom if you would like to observe. We have several card parties tonight. Games of Baccarat, poker, Hazard, roulette, Vingt et un, and Faro running in the game rooms, or if you would like to have dinner—”
“I would like to see the Duke of Mondvale,” she interrupted him curtly.
“Very well, this way, Madame.”
They walked around the crush of people to a slim foyer that ran almost parallel to the ballroom. Constance could not help ogling the magnificence of the place. They entered what appeared to be the smaller ballroom, and she slowly blinked. Everyone there was dressed in elaborate costumes and wore masks. It had been a stab in the dark on her part to appear incognito. Never had it occurred to her that everyone else would be similarly attired.
He led them to a chaise near the refreshment table. “I will inform His Grace you are here.”
“Thank you.”
“Whom may I tell His Grace is requesting his presence?”
She inhaled to steady her nerves. “Please inform him that Miss Desiree Hastings is here, and will not leave until she has an audience.”
He sketched another small bow and melted away.
Constance was surprised at how quiet the crowd was as if they waited for something to start. She strained to see where they were all looking. The crowd then roared in approval and her lips parted in astonishment as scantily dressed women twirled out in perfect synchronization onto a space made for them on the ballroom floor.
“My goodness!” Charlotte exclaimed.
Constance thought they were beautiful as they launched into a vigorous dance, their legs kicking scandalously high in such perfect unison. With an unwilling fascination she could not control, she rose to her feet and strolled closer for a better view. Her breath caught. She could see the ladies garters, black stockings, and drawers as they kicked and twirled their long red shirts. She gasped as the dancers struck several provocative poses and then bent over, throwing their skirts over their backs, showing their rear end to the cheering audience.