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horror.
    Lizzie wiped her eyes. “I am sorry for being such a ninny. But he was so heroic. He saved my life. What am I going to do when I see him tonight? If only I had the courage to tell Mama I am not going, but I can’t possibly let her down.”
    “Are you telling us everything?” Anna asked.
    “Of course I am!” Lizzie hugged herself. She would not admit to either sister just how shameful her thoughts had been.
    “Did he kiss you?” Anna asked, apparently sensing all was not quite revealed.
    Lizzie gave her an incredulous look. “He is a gentleman!”
    Anna studied her. “I don’t understand why you are so upset,” she finally said.
    Georgie spoke, her tone brisk. “Lizzie, I can understand why this has been a huge crisis for you, but as the adage goes, there is no use crying over spilt milk. Whatever you said, there is no taking it back. I am sure he is not thinking about your words.”
    “I hope you are right,” Lizzie muttered.
    Anna stood. “We should help Lizzie with her hair. Georgie, is this costume too dark for my complexion?”
    “It’s fine,” Georgie returned. “Lizzie, as exciting as his rescue must have been, he is a de Warenne and you are only a Fitzgerald.” Her tone was gentle.
    Anna put her hands on her hips. “And sixteen,” she added. She flashed a smile. “We are not trying to be mean, Lizzie, but if a man like that is thinking about anyone, why, it is some beautiful courtesan that he is currently courting.” Anna stood. “We are all going to be late!”
    Lizzie stiffened. Anna’s words were like a splash of ice water. And suddenly she realized that all of her anxiety had been in vain. Her sisters were right. He was a de Warenne and she was an impoverished Irish gentlewoman—not to mention sixteen to his twenty-four years. He had undoubtedly forgotten all about their encounter the moment he had left her at St. Mary’s. If he saw her again, it was unlikely he would even recognize her. He would be chasing some terribly beautiful noblewoman—or a notoriously seductive courtesan.
    Oddly, she felt far more dismayed than before.
    “Are you all right?” Georgie asked, seeing her distress.
    “Of course,” Lizzie said, eyes downcast. “I am doubly the fool, to think he would even think about me for a moment.” The thought hurt, very much, but then she pulled herself together, standing and smiling. “I am sorry. Because of my lapse into hysteria, you will have to wait for me and we will all be late.”
    “Don’t apologize,” Georgie said, also rising. “You have loved him from afar forever. Of course such an encounter would distress you. In any case, we can help you dress and we will hardly be late at all.”
    Anna had gone to the bureau. “I will curl your hair,” she said, “as I am the best at it. Let me heat the tongs.”
    Lizzie managed another smile, turning her back to Georgie so she could be helped out of her dress. But she wasn’t fine, she was on a whirlwind of emotion, first thrust high, then dragged low and lower still. But it was best this way, wasn’t it? It was best that he would never recall her again. It was best that he should remain her secret fantasy lover.
    And then she gave up. Whirling, she seized Anna’s hands, knowing she must be mad. “Make me beautiful,” she cried.
    Anna regarded her with obvious surprise.
    “Do something special with my hair—I want to wear rouge—and coal on my eyes!”
    “I can try,” Anna began hesitantly with a glance at an equally surprised Georgie. “Lizzie? What are you thinking?”
    Lizzie swallowed and prayed. “I am thinking that tonight I have a second chance and I must try to win his admiration, even if only for a single night.”
     
    As they went up the wide limestone steps in front of the house, a mansion the size of the grandest homes in southern Ireland, Mama prattled on. Clad as a Georgian lady from just a few decades ago, she cried, “I have never been more pleased! Lizzie, seeing you dressed