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escorting you.”
    A lump filled Caterine’s throat as she stared down at her hands.
    “Caterine?”
    Swallowing hard, she tried to look nonchalant as she met her grandmother’s eyes. “No, I’ll be going alone.”
    “Really? Why is that?”
    Caterine hesitated. How could she tell her grandmother she’d seen Jonathan in another woman’s arms? Or about the confrontation they’d had, the thought of which brought back stirring images of her handsome rescuer.
    “Caterine, is something wrong?”
    Startled from her thoughts, she jumped. “I’m sorry, Grandmère. What did you say?”
    “I asked you if there was something wrong. I take it by the scowl on your face there’s a problem between you and Jonathan.”
    Caterine took a deep breath. “Jonathan and I will no longer be seeing one another.”
    “Well, my dear, I hope you’re not too disappointed. I won’t pry by asking what happened, but to be honest, I can’t say I’m sorry. I never truly thought he was the man for you.”
    Taken aback, Caterine stammered, “But I thought you liked Jonathan.”
    “Oh, he’s nice enough, I suppose, though I fear he has a rather large ego, which in time would become tiresome.”
    Caterine shook her head. “That’s what Elaine said. I don’t know how I didn’t see it.”
    “Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s right in front of our face. The right man is out there, you just haven’t met him yet. Why, who knows, perhaps tonight you’ll meet a handsome stranger who will sweep you off your feet.”

Chapter Three

    Remi leaned against the makeshift bar in the corner of the ballroom. Feeling as out of place as a mudbug in a bowtie, he sipped his cold Turbodog and studied the other guests. He’d take a smoky bar on the bayou with people clapping to a Cajun two-step over this glitz any day.
    When he’d arrived, he’d spotted Paul and spoken to him briefly, then Paul had gone off to find Elaine and her friend. That had been quite a while ago. He reached in his pocket for his cigarettes. Finding it empty, he cursed.
    “Can I help?”
    He turned at the sound of the low sexy voice to see a red-haired Cleopatra standing next to him holding out a pack of cigarettes.
    “Thanks, but I’m supposed to be quitting.”
    Her cherry lips parted, showing small white teeth. “Well, handsome, if I can’t help you with a smoke, is there anything else you might need?”
    He grinned. “I appreciate the offer, but I was about to leave.”
    “Now, why would you want to do that? The evening is young. You never know what delights you might uncover at a masquerade ball.”
    Why indeed? What the hell was wrong with him? A beautiful woman was practically throwing herself at him, and he was about to walk away. In the past, he wouldn’t have thought twice about taking the lady up on her offer. They’d have a great night together then he’d be gone. That was until one lady had played him for a fool.
    Perhaps Paul was right and it was time for him to have some fun. But as his eyes traveled over Cleopatra, he didn’t feel any stirring of desire. Great. Had Desiree messed him up for life? Then he thought of sky-blue eyes, long blond hair, and the attraction he’d felt. He forced a smile. “I’m sure there are delights aplenty, cher ,but not for me tonight.”
    She gave him a seductive pout and ran her fingers down the front of his shirt. “Oh, I’m sure you can handle anything that’s thrown your way.”
    Remi lifted her hand and gave her fingers a light squeeze. “I appreciate your confidence, but I’ll still have to decline. Besides, there’s a knight coming this way and he doesn’t seem pleased.”
    Cleopatra frowned. “Damn, that’s Beauregard. Boring ass , more like. My friend Charlotte set me up with him, and I’m going to kill her next time I see her.” She gave Remi a hopeful look. “I can tell him I’m feeling ill, and meet you somewhere later.”
    He shook his head. “Sorry.”
    “As they say, you can’t blame a