She moved her mask on a stick away from her face. “It’s me. Nita Hayfield.”
Darcy smiled. “Nita, I didn’t recognize you. Uh, great costume.”
She leaned in closer. “Jack painted it on,” she whispered loudly, then let her gaze fall on Surlock. “It was quite erotic. He has that wonderful little shop at Eighth and Monroe. You should check him out sometime.”
Heat flooded Darcy’s face and she took a quick half-step away from the woman. Eww. She grabbed Surlock’s arm and pulled him closer to her. “Do you know my friend, Surlock?”
Nita’s gaze roamed over him as if she could eat him alive, and Darcy had no doubt she would if they’d been the only two in the room.
“No, I don’t believe I do. Would you like me to get to know him?” She met Darcy’s eyes. “We could make a night of it together. All three of us.”
“Sorry, Surlock isn’t into that sort of thing.” She smiled and pulled him quickly away from the other woman.
“Was her costume really painted on?” Surlock asked.
“Afraid so.” She barely knew Nita. “She’s recently divorced. A very messy one. I think she’s trying to prove she’s still sexy.” She glanced his way. “She didn’t go about it in the right way.”
“You would look good in a painted-on costume.”
She stumbled. He caught her elbow to steady her. “That is so not going to happen in my lifetime.”
“Oh, I would only let you wear it for me.” His thumb traced circles on her arm. “And I would be the one who painted you.”
Flames shot down to her lower regions, then curled into a tight little ball of passion. If he kept this up, it was going to be a long night.
They chatted their way to the French doors that were open to the outside, spilling people out onto the large patio. More lights twinkled in the trees, and again, beads draped everything. The bandstand was a makeshift float in bright colors.
Any other time, Darcy would have loved to be outside with Surlock. Since there were no walls, it seemed less like she was crammed into a can of sardines.
But she was working, and getting more and more frustrated. No one seemed to recognize Surlock, but Darcy told herself the evening was still young. More people would probably show up.
Outside, they continued their meet and greet.
She noticed one woman seemed to be staring at her intently. The woman had followed them outside. Darcy knew it could just be a coincidence, but what if she knew Surlock? Darcy was pretty sure she’d never met her. She was just taking a step toward her when Annette and Jennifer hurried up to them.
“Come on, Peter wants you both inside for the first parade,” Annette said, grabbing her arm while Jennifer latched on to Surlock’s.
Before Darcy could protest, they were herded back inside. A parade? No, she wanted to talk to the woman. But the group grew in size and she was forced to move along with them or be trampled. She looked back for Surlock, met his gaze, then lost him.
“Let the parade begin,” Peter said. Bowls of beads were passed around.
“Grab some,” Annette yelled over the noise of the band, which had gotten louder.
Her smile was infectious. Darcy knew she would find Surlock again as soon as the parade was over. She grabbed a handful of beads, laughing. Someone shoved a champagne cocktail in her hand. She realized how thirsty she was and downed the drink, then placed the empty glass on a waiter’s tray as he passed.
Bleh, the drink had a bad aftertaste.
“Let the good times roll,” Peter called out.
The music changed to a sexy beat as they pranced through the ballroom. One of the bead throwers yelled out that he wanted to see some skin. A female voice laughed and told him to keep dreaming.
Darcy joined in on the fun. She caught sight of Surlock briefly before she began to throw beads into the crowd of clapping, yelling people. She smiled and waved at him. He smiled and waved back.
When she turned back around, the room blurred. Wow, the cocktail she’d drunk had gone straight to her head. It was a good thing she was in the middle of the crowd because she was afraid the tight press was the only thing keeping her upright. Next time she would remember to eat before she went to one of Peter’s parties.
“Over here,” a man yelled, then raised his hands for beads.
Darcy tossed some his way, laughing when he caught them. She glanced around. No Annette. People were disappearing. No, just her friends. No problem, she would find them later.
The room blurred again and she had to blink several times until it cleared, but even then everything still looked slightly out of kilter. Not that it mattered that much. She was having too much fun!
“Isn’t this great?” a female voice asked beside her.
Darcy laughed and turned toward the other woman. “I love Peter’s parties,” Darcy yelled above the noise, but when she got a good look at the woman, anything else she was going to say died in her throat. It was the same person who had been watching her and Surlock earlier.
This was her chance. Maybe this woman knew Surlock. Darcy’s heart pounded. Damn it, her vision was freakin’ blurry. The woman weaved beside her.
“You okay?” the stranger asked with concern. “I’m Darcy Spencer. Do you happen to know the man I’m with?”
The woman smiled. “Of course, I know Surlock.”
CHAPTER 22
Relief flooded Darcy. She’d known they’d meet someone who would recognize Surlock. She looked around, but didn’t see him anywhere. Not that she could see very well at all. Jeez, why was everything so fuzzy?
“You really do know Surlock, right?” Darcy asked.
“Of course. My name is Excoria. Has he not mentioned me?”
“No.” She didn’t tell her he had amnesia.
“I saw him go out that side door,” Excoria said, pointing to an exit that would lead them to the opposite side of the yard.
Now why would he go out that way? Everyone was gathered on the other side of the house. Maybe he just needed some quiet time. She had to admit it was pretty noisy.
“We need to catch up to him,” Darcy told her. As big as the estate was, Surlock might get lost. He needed to talk to this woman.
Darcy glanced her way. She wore a really bad costume. What was she supposed to be, an alien? She should’ve watched Star Trek or something because this was the worst alien costume she had ever seen.
The humming started in Darcy’s ears again. She closed her eyes, willing it to go away. Talk about bad timing. Maybe she could just ignore it.
“Let’s hang on to each other so we don’t get separated.”
“Good idea.” Darcy could barely walk a straight line. How embarrassing. Actually, she wasn’t real sure she was even accomplishing that small feat. Hanging on to someone helped.
“I’m afraid Peter’s drinks are a little strong.”
“I agree,” Excoria said, then laughed lightly.
Darcy would definitely talk to Peter about this tomorrow. They stepped into the night. The crisp air lightly teased her. It was nice outside. “Wow, look how beautiful the stars are. They’re so bright. ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star,’” she sang off key.
“Over this way,” Excoria urged.
Darcy blinked several times. What the hell was she doing? Oh, yeah, looking for Surlock. She needed to find him.
Darcy glanced around. “But there aren’t any people over here. I don’t see Surlock, either. I think we went through the wrong door.”
“No, I’m positive that was the door.” Excoria dragged Darcy down the path and around a corner.
“Wait a minute.” Darcy came to a sudden stop, tumbling into a bush. A thorn stabbed her arm. Damn, that hurt.
Excoria helped her out of the bush. “Watch where you’re going!”
Why the hell was Excoria pissed? Darcy was the one who’d been hurt. It wasn’t her fault Peter made his drinks so strong. “How do you know Surlock?” she asked.
“He’s a prince from New Symtaria.”