“Excuse me, miss.”
I willed myself not to jump. Another gentleman wanted to dance with me? Those fairies really did work magic. I took my time raising my head, preparing my response.
Prince Hendrick smiled down at me. “May I have this dance?”
My glassy heels clicked through the marble hall like hoofbeats on pavement. I might as well have shouted, “Hello, guards! I’m wandering around where I’m not supposed to be!” With a sigh, I pried the slippers from my feet and draped them over my fingers. Much better.
My time with Prince Hendrick had been more pleasant than I’d anticipated, but thankfully his obligation to meet as many young ladies as possible caused him to move on after one dance. He’d seemed oddly interested in getting to know me, but with none of Tad’s playful flirtation. Heat skittered up my neck. Was Tad looking for me? If only we could have danced once more . . .
No . I’d managed to slip from the ballroom unseen, now I needed to see this mission through.
The lights from the front window display made navigation simple but secrecy impossible. Each set of tasseled, velvet curtains were draped open, gathered in dark metal loops to allow the gas lamp tucked into each window ledge to shine through. If I were spotted, the only place to hide would be to duck into a room. I surveyed the pristine white doors lining the back side of the hall, each painted with a distinct pattern of intertwining leaves. Probably all locked. I slunk farther from the lanterns and quickened my pace. If questioned, I’d have to feign stupidity. I strayed a bit from the ball and got lost. My exhale blew a curl from my cheek. Extreme stupidity.
My pulse thundered faster in my ears as I neared the end of the hall. Crouching at the front window, I peeked out to regain my bearings. Third story, eastern wing, facing the gardens. The adjacent door ought to lead to Louvaine’s room if I’d interpreted the fairies’ picture correctly. I knocked and listened at the door. Silence. My sweaty fingers slipped as I tried the door handle. Even after a few more attempts, it wouldn’t budge.
Stooping, I raised my skirt just high enough to reach my tools. I removed the utility knife and the smallest screwdriver and set to work.
I jiggled the handle. The bolt had moved, but not enough. If only I had something smaller . . . A constant prick throbbed at the back of my head. Of course. I dug through my curls until a hairpin came loose. More useful than I thought. My throat tightened at the final click of the lock shifting.
Was that it? Or did her chamber have additional protections?
Easing the door open, I slipped inside. A turned-down gas lamp bathed the room in a yellow glow. Perfumes, lipsticks, and powder containers lined the vanity. A half-dozen top hats decorated with feathers, beads, and tulle adorned an engraved metal hat rack. Elaborate lace edged the smooth white bedspread. Rows of shoes, several made from the same iridescent material as the ones I’d set near the door, peeked out from the bottom of the closet. It appeared I really had found Louvaine’s chamber.
But how did this green stone work? Would she hide it or display it? I peered above and below dressers and shelves, lifted the corners of the drapes and the bed skirt. I squinted at the pocket watch I’d clipped to the waistline of my dress. Eleven thirty. My fingers trembled as I tucked the watch back into the folds of my skirt. She’d told the fairies she would arrive at midnight, but might she return sooner? I let my head fall back and my eyes drift closed. Think, Rae. Think. I pictured the stone again—thin and rectangular, like a large jewel. Darting to the dresser, I began sifting through the drawers, trying to disturb the contents as little as possible. I shut the top drawer with a huff. Still nothing. My gaze landed on a large jewelry box just above, studded with gold filigree and glimmering pearls. I wonder . . .
Rising to my toes, I lifted the lid. Green sparkled from the stone within, creating a light of its own. Thank you. I removed my handkerchief and gingerly used it to lift the jewel. For all I knew, tampering with such a magical object could cause burn or paralysis. After clicking the jewelry box lid back into place, I folded the stone more carefully into my handkerchief. Biting my lip, I stared at the package in my hands, still emitting a slight glow. I could hardly walk down the halls and out the front entrance with such evident contraband.
Failing to find any kind of pocket amid my voluminous skirts, I loosened the band around my leg and tucked the wrapped stone within. I surveyed the room one last time. No obvious signs of trespassing. I grabbed my shoes, closed the door behind me, and reset the lock before taking off down the hall. Almost there.
Either luck was smiling on me, or the guards had all been employed to keep an eye on the ball. I made it back down the stairs without encountering a soul. Hopefully, most of the partygoers hadn’t run out of energy yet, and I could slip home unnoticed. I considered putting my shoes back on as I neared the ballroom. My feet shuddered in protest. Nah, easier to tiptoe through the hall without them.
A cool breeze wafted past. I slowed my pace as the front doors came into view, wide open to the night air. Pasting on a smile, I nodded to the guards on either side. “Thank you for a lovely evening.”
They each bowed in response. I glided down the stairs, suddenly less perturbed by my tight bodice and heavy skirts. I did it! I actually—
The clock in the bell tower chimed. Swirls of light streaked through the sky, all bolting through the open door. I blinked at the array of colors as panic surged through my veins. Midnight. Louvaine could discover the missing stone at any moment if she hadn’t already. I clutched my skirts to break into a run, but a hand caught my elbow.
“Rae?”
Oh, no. Not now.
“It is you. I looked for your carriage and saw it was still here. I was so hoping to speak with you again.” Tad rounded to face me, then bent to peer into my eyes. “Is everything all right? You disappeared from the ball so quickly.”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just prefer fresh air. But I really—”
“That’s a relief.” He ran his fingers down my arm and grasped my hand. “But if anything has upset you, if I said anything amiss, or Prince Hendrick . . . please allow me a chance to make it right.” His thumb traced my palm, sending shivers up to my shoulder.
“No, truly. Everything was perfect.” I dared a glance at his face. Those earnest eyes were so near, those full lips . . .
The bell chimed again, rousing my senses like an alarm clock.
I wrenched my hand from his grasp. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could explain, but I really must go.”
He looked to his now free hand, then back to me. “Can I at least—?”
Voices rose to a swell behind us as people exited the ballroom. If I didn’t leave now, I’d be stuck in a throng of carriages the entire way home.
“Goodbye, Tad.” I raced down the remaining stairs, forcing myself not to look back. A stone cut into my foot, throwing me off balance. One of my slippers dropped from my fingers. I paused, then kept running.
My feet were eager to switch back to boots anyway.
Daylight, at last. I peeled off my covers, dressed in the white shirt and cropped tan pants I’d worn to bed. The drive home the prior evening had been blissfully uneventful, and I’d managed to sneak into my chamber before Mother, Dianthe, and Herra returned. Hopefully, they weren’t aware I’d ever left.