Secrets and Lies

Four

Nicole moved between the couples crowding the floor on her way toward her relatives. Emily was being escorted onto the dance floor. The girl's smile stretched across her face, and the way she conversed with the man, Nicole received the impression that the two knew each other. Then again, the Thornocks did live in this area and knew most of these people. Nicole was actually the stranger here.

Aunt Anita waved to her from the corner of the room, capturing Nicole's attention. She hurried to the other woman. Uncle Michael stood beside his wife, sipping a glass of punch. Even through the slits of his mask, she detected the disapproving glare. She could barely see his arched brows above the covering.

"I thought I might have to come rescue you, Nicole," he said sharply.

She refrained from rolling her eyes. Rescue her? She'd stopped counting how many times she wanted to tell her relatives that she was a Secret Agent working alongside her brother and father—and that she had saved them on a few occasions. Instead, she held her tongue. It would shock them completely to know that she was following in the family business—and being a woman, no less! All they knew was that she led the life of a pampered little girl whose father enjoyed buying her anything she wished. Aunt Anita would swoon if she knew Nicole paid for her own things.

"Come now, Uncle Michael," she said sweetly, "why would you think you'd have to rescue me?"

"Nicole," Aunt Anita continued for her husband when he lifted the drink to his mouth again, "you danced with that man twice...one right after the other."

"Indeed, I did." Nicole nodded.

Her aunt waved a fan in front of her brightly pink face. "I'm sure you know how scandalous it would be if you danced with him again, don't you?"

Nicole sighed heavily. "Yes, I'm aware of that, which is why I won't have another dance with him tonight." She glanced across the room and spotted Prince Charming twirling an older woman across the dance floor. At least Nicole thought the female appeared older.

"It was bad enough that he caught you from falling down the stairs," her uncle grumbled as he swiped a hand through his graying blonde hair, "but if he shows more interest in you this evening, I might have to talk with him in private. I shall not have my niece's reputation ruined."

"I understand." Nicole flipped her hand in the air. "But, Uncle Michael? Do you know who that man is? Do you think he knows me?"

"Hmm..." He scratched his chin. "I'm not certain. He does not look familiar in the least."

"While talking with him," Nicole continued, turning her gaze back on her prince, "he mentioned he came with his friends Glynn Nickerson and Steve Larson."

"Oh, really?" Uncle Michael's tone of voice lifted slightly. "Now that's interesting."

Nicole pulled her attention away from the stunning man from across the room and settled it on her uncle. "What's interesting about that?"

"Mr. Glynn Nickerson and Mr. Steve Larson are owners of the Conrail Railroad. Rumor has it that in the last couple of months, they've taken on a new partner—Mr. Ashton Lee. I haven't met the gentleman, but I heard he is a real ladies' man." Uncle Michael motioned his head in the direction of her prince. "I wonder if that is the man I've heard so much about."

"Yes, that's very interesting." When she rested her focus back on her prince, she couldn't help but grin. Mr. Ashton Lee? If this was indeed the stranger who'd been charming to her so far this evening, it was good to know that he was wealthy and had good connections. Not that she was after a man with wealth. On the contrary. She had her own little stash of money resting safely inside a bank from her job with the Secret Service. But it was nice to know that the man she found so fascinating wouldn't like her just for her money. Maybe this would be the first man who would get to know the real Nicole Bastian.

Then again, she'd never let anyone get that close to her before. Not even her own relatives. She knew how criminals loved to torture the family members in order to get the agents to talk.

The next hour passed by in a blur of rainbows of silks and glittering costumes. Although many men asked her to dance, she couldn't keep her eyes off Prince Charming. Remarkably enough, she found his attention on her a lot of the time, as well. It was good to know she wasn't the only one interested.

It didn't take long for the room to become extremely stifling. So many people filled the small space, taking away any remote chance to find a breeze. She wanted so badly to remove her mask, but unfortunately the time to reveal her identity was not at hand.

After dancing with a short, plump man dressed as Napoleon—of all people—she excused herself and hurried out the side door, onto the terrace. The night air felt so refreshing against her flushed face. She walked to the gated edge and held onto the steel railing. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back, enjoying the cool air against her throat. She took in large breaths, hoping the coolness would rejuvenate her insides as well.

When she opened her eyes and gazed across the manicured lawns and the lanterns littering the walking trails, she realized not many people were out enjoying the evening and the invigorating cooler air. A few couples strolled along the gardens, but she really couldn't tell if anyone was farther back in the shadows of the trees. She suspected they were, but didn't dare venture by herself just to see.

From down at the end of the walkway, a lone figure captured her attention. The man was tall, and his stance was very striking, reminding her of someone else she'd not been able to keep her eyes off of. As she moved away from the railing and walked down the few steps and onto one of the trails, she studied his build. Half of him was in the shadows, and by watching the other half, she knew for sure that this was Mr. Ashton Lee. No other man was dressed as regal as her Prince Charming. And for certain, no other man at this party tonight had made such an impact on her mind, either.

He must have been lost in his thoughts, because he didn't hear her approach. His gaze was aimed toward the road, yet there was nothing really to see. She wanted to say something to make him jump, yet nothing came to mind.

Softly, she cleared her throat, hoping the noise would jerk him out of his daydreams. But when that didn't work, she knew she'd have to do it again, but louder. Either that or she'd have to actually say something.

Once more, she swallowed and cleared her throat. "For a moment there, Mr. Lee, I thought you might be lost."

His body stiffened, but he didn't jump as she'd expected him to do. However, his head snapped toward her. It only took him a second before his mouth stretched into a wide grin.

"Me, lost? No, my dear, it's you who are lost." Slowly, he turned and faced her. "Because you cannot possibly be out here with me—alone."

Funny, but he hadn't denied his identity when she'd called him by name. It made her happy that he was who her uncle had suspected. "I can't? And why not? It's not like you escorted me out here."

Chuckling, he shook his head. "No, but I'm sure if others saw us together this far away from the main house, they might assume that very thing."

"Then perhaps I should leave." Nicole took a step and turned, but he gently grasped her elbow.

"Please don't go."

She wasn't really going to leave, but she was happy to know he wanted her to remain right here. "All right, I shall stay."

He released her arm, exhaling deeply, and folded his arms across his wide chest. "Tell me, Cinderella, how do you know my name?"

"So you are Mr. Ashton Lee?"

"Yes, but how do you know me? I think I would have remembered meeting someone as enchanting as you, but my mind is blank. I honestly don't think we were ever introduced."

"We haven't been introduced. However, my uncle thought he knew you."

Mr. Lee c****d his head. "Do I know your uncle?"

"I actually don't know, but I had mentioned Mr. Nickerson and Mr. Larson to my uncle, and he had heard of your friends. My uncle says you are one of the co-owners of the Conrail railroad. Is he correct?"

Mr. Lee nodded. "Your uncle has heard right. I am that man. But now, I think it's only fair that I know your identity. I'm aware we still have a half hour before it's time to take off our masks, but I hope you'll let me see you now."

He reached behind his head and pulled at the strings to the mask. In one smooth motion, the mask fell from his face. Although Ashton Lee was still mainly in the shadows, she could tell he was a strikingly handsome man. Just as she imagined him to be.

She was tempted to tease him a little more, but in truth, she couldn't wait to remove her mask as well. She'd definitely feel a little cooler.

"You are correct, Mr. Lee." She found the strings holding her mask together, and untied them. She stood more in the light of the full moon, and when she had removed her mask, his eyes widened and his mouth hung open. His response made her want to laugh, but she refrained. Not very often did men look at her like this, and she quite enjoyed the attention.

He sighed heavily. "Forgive me, my dear, but you are more exquisite than I had imagined." He lifted his hand as if to touch the side of her face, but then quickly dropped it to his side. "Will you tell me your name now?"

"I'm Miss Nicole Bastian." She curtsyed. "My uncle is Mr. Michael Thornock who owns a small shipping line."

"I'm afraid I don't know your uncle, but Miss Bastian," he took her gloved hand and lifted her knuckles to his mouth and continued, "it's certainly a pleasure to know you."

His lips brushed the top of her hand briefly. Excitement shot through her and made her heart skip a beat—several beats, in fact—before he finally pulled away. "Tell me Mr. Lee, are you always this charming or is tonight so special because you're dressed as a prince?"

He laughed. "I would hope that I'm like this all the time, but I fear I've not had much time to court a woman, so I'm not certain if I'm always so charming."

From up the walkway, loud voices boomed through the calm night. She jumped and turned toward the sound. Several men, most of them holding a bottle of whiskey, were making a lot of ruckus. By the way they stumbled about, she was certain they were very drunk. She certainly didn't want them to notice her, or Ashton Lee for that matter. That's all she needed was for these men to ruin her very pleasant evening with a very captivating man.

And what if one of them knew her uncle and said something to her relative? She'd definitely be in trouble! Uncle Michael would never trust her again. She couldn't allow that to happen, especially when she relied on her relatives so much.