Standing alone with James, Anthony guessed, “You’re expecting something unpleasant. What?”

“Reeves is going to be here.”

“He wouldn’t dare.”

“There’s never been any doubt about his temerity. And while George assured me she invited no pirates, your minx sent off some invitations, too, and Judy is privy to all of Jack’s secrets, so she might have invited him. But you’re going to help me spot him before he gets anywhere near Jack.”

“If I must,” Anthony said drily, but after entering the ballroom with James and seeing how many couples were already on the dance floor, including Jacqueline, he added, “Did George really invite this many? Or has every gate-crasher in London come out for this?”

“The latter. How often does a Malory host an extravaganza? The ton will be rabid with curiosity to find out why we did.”

“Point taken. But in this crush, we’re not likely to—” Anthony began, but amended, “Well, that didn’t take long a’tall. Take a gander at the terrace. Reeves might have an invitation, but he wouldn’t want his name announced in a room full of Malorys. He appears to be sneaking in the back way to avoid that, but just this moment he put on his mask. Shall I toss him out?”

“Bite your tongue, that pleasure is mine.”

“Well, now’s your chance to catch him off guard, while he’s got his eyes clapped on Jack.”

A few moments later, James told Damon, “You were warned.”

The punch had already been delivered. Doubled over—bloody déjà vu—Damon gasped, “God, not again. Must you always lead with your fists, Malory?”

“You were warned.”

Damon didn’t straighten yet, but he risked a black eye and porcelain being smashed into his cheek to peer up at James to gauge just how angry he was—and wished he hadn’t. “What is the bloody point of a masque if you guess who’s who? I could say you have mistaken me—”

“You’re not that stupid.”

“I love her.”

“So you are that stupid,” James said. “The anguish you’ve twice caused my family won’t ever be forgiven. And you really were warned.”

James gripped a handful of Damon’s hair on the top of his head in preparation for the next blow, which would likely knock him out. The half mask fell off. The thought did cross Damon’s mind that he could fight back, but that brought an image of Jack crying over her parent being hurt, so that was out of the question.

He did have one second to get out, “What if Jack loves me? Would you really deny her happiness?”

“With you, yes. This country is overflowing with eligible men, and I’ll find her one m’self in a decade or two—” The pause was unexpected before he added, “Does she?”

“I don’t know,” Damon was forced to admit.

“Good.” James drew his fist back.

“But I’m going to find out.” Damon tore himself away.

He left a damn lot of hair behind in Malory’s fist, but quickly weaved his way onto the dance floor. He’d spotted Jack immediately, her domino short this time, barely covering her eyes—as if she wanted him to recognize her. He whisked her away from the fellow she was dancing with, hopefully not another Malory who might object.

Her eyes widened slightly, but then she laughed. “No mask? I’m disappointed we aren’t going to play that guessing game again.”

His smile was brilliant. “No, you aren’t.”

“No, I’m not. I’ve missed you!”

“I thought I might be coming to my execution here. I couldn’t think of any other reason your mother would send me the invitation.”

“And yet you came anyway?”

“Yes.”

“She didn’t send it, Judy did.”

“No, I actually got two invitations; one was from your mother.”

Jack’s brows went up. “Really? Then maybe you were right about an execution. Shall we find out? Quickly, before my father joins her!”

“Dragging me to my death wasn’t what I had in mind for tonight,” he said as Jack pulled him to the two women standing with Anthony Malory.

“Don’t be silly,” Jack said. “Mother wouldn’t carry her pistols to a ball.”

When they walked up to the trio, Anthony immediately started to reach for Damon, but Georgina actually put out an arm to stay him, which gave Jack time to say, “Mother, I would like you to meet Damon—”

Georgina cut in, “No, I don’t think so,” and gave Damon a resounding slap.

There was actually some applause in the room. Well, a lot of Malorys were present, and they were well aware of Jacqueline’s second trip to the Caribbean.

But Jacqueline stared at her mother and asked, “Just once, yes?”

“For tonight.”

“Is it my turn now, George?” Anthony asked.

“No, it’s my turn,” Jacqueline told her uncle, and pulled Damon away again.

Back in the center of the dance floor, where they would be temporarily shielded by other couples, she didn’t even pretend to want to dance. She did put her arms around Damon and leaned up to kiss his red cheek, whispering, “Better her than him.”

“Funny you should mention that,” he said cryptically. “I do understand, you know. You’re their only daughter. I twice caused them anguish, which I heartily regret.”

“I suppose it will take time to smooth those edges.”

“I would expect so.”

“But they will relent when they see how happy you make me.”

He drew in his breath. “Do I?”

“Well, that depends on why you’re here.”

“I’m here to ask you again to marry me. I wasn’t teasing before.” He had started to lead them in the dance, but stopped as he waited breathlessly for her answer.

“I wasn’t ready to hear it then, but now I am. Shall we sneak out now?”

He began to laugh. “Shouldn’t I ask your—”

“Good God, no. You can’t ask him or we’ll never get out of here.”

“I was going to say your mother. One parent’s approval would be nice.”

Jack rolled her eyes at him. “She just slapped you. She’s not ready to approve, either.”