Read Karla Darcy - [Sweet Deception Regency 04] for Free Online Page A

interest before he fell under the spell of Cecily's wiles. That would be perfect. Leslie was sure that if Pax fell in love with someone suitable, she herself would not mind his marrying.
    The costume party would be a famously romantic setting for Pax to discover someone more charming than Cecily. Mentally Leslie scanned the probable guest list of those in the county who would be attending. Surely among that lot there would be some young lady who would be right for Pax. But wrack her brain though she did, Leslie could think of no likely candidate for the part of the "charmer." And she was sure that Cecily would use every opportunity at the ball to fix Pax's attention on her.
    "Bloody 'ell!" Leslie swore. "If only I could be there. I'd find someone to interest him. I know I would!"
    Dolefully she replaced the book in the box. Then on stockinged feet, Leslie shuffled over to the costume trunk. She struggled with the hasp, finally managing to raise the lid, and threw it back to reveal the blaze of colorful garments within. Pulling out a pile of clothes, she dumped them on the floor, and reached in to lovingly take out the Crusader's costume. Leslie held the white tunic against her chest, touching the scarlet cross emblazoned on the front. She hurried across the floor to the cheval glass propped against the wall. Vigorously, she rubbed the dusty mirror with her sleeve and stared at the wonderful costume.
    "Rat's eyes!" She sadly folded the tunic to put it away. As she laid it on top of the chain mail shirt, Leslie considered going to the party despite her guardian's refusal. If she was clever enough, he need never know. After all she had her pick of a trunk full of wonderful costumes.
    Reaching down to the pile of material on the floor, she picked up a Roman toga. She shook it out, and held it up, parading across to the mirror. Not very exciting, Leslie thought as she looked at the pale linen shift. Folding it carefully, she put it in the trunk and reached for the next garment. Leslie smiled in delight at the yards of material in the red satin-tiered skirt. A gypsy! She rummaged until she found the mass of frilly petticoats and a beautiful wide collared peasant blouse. Laughingly, Leslie tripped across to the mirror, draping herself in the blouse and holding the skirt and petticoats around her waist. She twirled and curtsied to her reflection, enjoying the flash of color as the skirt swayed to her movement.
    "How delightful, your Grace. Of course I'd love another pastry, although of course I must watch my figure after all this food. Leslie twirled again, simpering into the mirror at a hidden partner. "Not another dance, milord. Oh I say, you're just too kind, your highness. What a charming evening."
    Abruptly Leslie stood still, her eyes widening and sparkling as she stared at the vision in the mirror. Charming! A gypsy charmer. What a lark!
    Dropping the clothes, she tore off her jacket and put the blouse on over her own shirt. The petticoats were next, then the beautiful red skirt. They were a dash big, but all in all they were not a bad fit. Since Leslie couldn't think of anyone else who might interest Pax, she would have to do it herself. She would go to the costume ball dressed as a gypsy. Once Pax saw her, he was bound to be intrigued, and then he would forget Cecily entirely. It was the perfect solution.
    "It won't work," Leslie said to her reflection. "Pax will recognize me the moment I open my mouth. And besides, I can't dance."
    She slumped to the floor in defeat. It had seemed the most perfect of solutions. But Leslie knew that in spite of all her acting in the last five years, she wouldn't be able to carry off the role of a woman. It was funny really that she couldn't even play the part her body was intended for. Perhaps she might get away with it, if Pax only saw her for a minute or two, in a darkly lit room. Even at that, she would not be able to speak except in a whisper for fear of his recognizing her voice. She