The Masquerade Read Online Free PDF Page B

never been lovelier. It had been hard to have such a stunning sister while growing up. Even as a child, everyone flattered Anna to no end, and Lizzie had always been ignored or simply patted on the head. Mama, ofcourse, had been so proud to have such a beautiful child, and she had praised Anna to anyone who would listen. Lizzie hadn’t been jealous—she loved her sister and was as proud of her—but she had always felt plain and, more importantly, left out.
    It had been just as difficult to be Anna’s sister as a young woman, for when they strolled in town, it was quite the same. British soldiers would chase after Anna, eagerly trying to learn her name, but Lizzie was always invisible—unless one of the men wished to solicit her to gain Anna’s attention. Lizzie had played matchmaker for her sister more times than she could remember or count.
    The irony was that Lizzie did resemble her older sister, just a bit, but every perfect feature Anna had been given was somehow dulled on Lizzie. Anna’s hair was honey-blond and naturally wavy, unlike Lizzie’s frizzy copper-blond tresses; her eyes were a striking blue, whereas Lizzie’s were a startling gray; her cheekbones were higher, her nose straighter and more classic, her lips fuller. And she had a perfect figure, slim yet curved. Anna caused gentlemen to turn and take a second or third look; no rake or rogue had ever looked at Lizzie even once, but then, she seemed to have the amazing ability to disappear in any crowd.
    Now, with the high white ruff framing her face, her waist impossibly narrow, Anna was breathtaking. She was adjusting her bodice when Lizzie walked into the room.
    Some women their age accused Anna of being vain. Lizzie knew that was untrue, but Anna could give that impression, especially when other women were already jealous of all the attention she received. Some of Mama’s friends even whispered rudely about her behind her back, calling her “the wild one.” But they were jealous, too, because Anna could attract any suitor she wished, whentheir own daughters could not. That was because she was so carefree and so merry, not wild or improper.
    Now Anna was frowning, clearly displeased with some feature of her costume. Lizzie could not imagine what flaw she had found. “It’s perfect, Anna,” she said.
    “Do you really think so?” Anna turned and instantly her interest in her costume vanished. “Lizzie? You haven’t begun your hair! Oh, we will be so late!” she cried in dismay. Then she hesitated. “Are you upset?”
    Lizzie bit her lip and somehow smiled. When she appeared at the ball, Tyrell was going to notice her. After all, they were now acquaintances. Would he laugh at her again? What did he think of her? “I’m fine.” She inhaled, shaking. “That costume is perfect and you are so beautiful in it, Anna. Maybe tonight Mama will get her wish and you will find a beau.” But while she wanted her sister to marry for love, not just rank and wealth, she could barely think about that now.
    Anna turned back to the mirror. “Does this color make me look sallow? I think it is too dark!”
    “Not at all,” Lizzie said. “You have never been more fetching.”
    Anna looked at herself a moment longer, then faced Lizzie again. “I do hope you are right. Lizzie? You are very pale.”
    Lizzie sighed heavily. “I don’t know if I can go to the ball—I am not that well.”
    Anna stared in disbelief. “Not go? You would miss your very first ball? Lizzie! I am going to get Georgie.” Stricken, she hurried from the room.
    Anna was only a year and a half older than Lizzie and the two sisters were close, but not simply because of their ages. Lizzie admired her sister because she was everything that Lizzie was not. She could not imagine what itmust be like to be so beautiful and so generally admired. And of the three sisters, Anna was the one who had been kissed, not once, but several times. They had stayed up many nights discussing her sister’s