It was night at the castle. The masquerade was about to begin; everyone was in their rooms getting dressed. He was in a dark brown velvet vest with black leather kneepants, a white silk shirt, and white leggings. His mask was black velvet.
She was wearing a cream colored watered silk dress with a full skirt and very tight low cut bodice, and seed pearls around the scooped neckline. Her mask was also cream colored silk.
It was time for the masque to start. He was at the end of the ballroom, talking to some other men. She noticed him as soon as she entered the room. She didn't know who he was, but he looked very good. She blushed as her glance took in his tight kneepants, and quickly looked away. Whoever his tailor was, they had made his clothes very snug.
All that evening there was music and dancing; everyone was having a good time. She danced until she thought she would float away. The whole time she was hoping he would ask her to dance, but he didn't ask anyone until finally, at 11.45, he asked her. The unmasking was to be at midnight; she would finally find out who he was.
As they danced, he held her very close. She was sure that the older ladies clustered around the punchbowls would see him and make him stop, but no one noticed. His hand, which had started at her waist, gradually slipped down to cup her firm rear, and she moved it back up to her waist.
"Sir, you do presume too much. Please act the gentleman and keep your hands where they belong," she said.
He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "I am no gentleman, my lady, so I will do as I please." His warm whiskey scented breath tickled her ear and neck, giving her a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach and making her nervous. She blushed again, and moved back from him, laughing uneasily.
When the dance was ended and another about to begin, he took her arm and began to take her toward the kitchen.
"Where do you think you're taking me?" she asked. She was starting to get angry; he was spoiling her reputation.
"Don't worry, I just want to show you something," he said, smiling at her with that killer smile that had been making her feel weak and feverish all evening. She couldn't resist.
When they were almost to the kitchen, he led her to a set of spiral stairs. They went up and up; she thought they would never stop climbing. She realized they were in a tower, but she didn't know which one. This castle had three, and she was completely disoriented now.
At the top of the stairs was a black door. She knew this was his room."I--I have to go back now," she said, pulling her arm from his grasp. He took it back gently, but firmly, and opened the door. They went inside, and he shut it and locked it.
"Why did you do that? This is not funny, I want to go back now. Let me out!" she said, starting to panic.