"I'm to remind you that you're playing the part of a foreign ambassador's daughter tonight," Anne said, as we hurried along the corridors, back towards the entrance hall. Miss Claridge followed behind us on silent feet.

"I think I can manage that," I said, catching a glimpse of my utterly altered reflection in a mirror.

"You'll have to accent your voice, or minimize your talking when the other debutantes are around," Anne said, as we neared the entrance hall.

"I think I'll manage," I said, slipping effortlessly into a flawless recreation of Vile Edith's American drawl. Anne looked over at me in surprise and I shrugged with a smile.

"My brother and I do it when we want to tease our horrid sister-in-law," I said, maintaining the American accent. A grin sprang to Anne's face.

"Well it's excellent," she said, stopping to grab me into a hug before we emerged into the entrance hall, "Enjoy yourself!"

The two butlers manning the doors bowed to the princess before I handed over my invitation. The one reading it nodded to the other and they opened the doors for me.

My breath caught in my throat as the music overtook me, the whirlwind of colours twirling around the dance floor almost hypnotizing. Before I could begin to doubt myself, I strode in, gulping back my apprehension.

I'd never been invited myself alone to a ball before. I'd always attended as Ella's lady in waiting or as my mother's daughter. Never had I been more alone, but never had I been more free to enjoy myself however I pleased. My disguise provided the anonymity to do whatever I wanted tonight without having to face the consequences, a bizarre kind of freedom I'd never felt before.

I descended the stairs to the marble floor, taking in the spectacular costumes. The ball was filled with older nobles and their families, the debutantes and male courtiers the only members of the Season allowed to attend the first night. The debutantes were easy to pick out from the crowd, their features each distinctive enough to recognize them through their costumes. There were a number of other young women in attendance, likely the daughters of other nobles that had not been selected to participate in the Season - thanks to them, I wouldn't stand out as much.

I paused at the base of the stairs, unsure where to go next. Overtaken by the splendour and opulence of the ballroom, I'd nearly forgotten that the sole reason I was attending was to warn Andrew about Ashley. There would be balls enough in my future, but I had to make use of my disguise to finally speak with him alone.

The waltz ended and the dancers bowed to their partners, a flood of people entering and leaving the dance floor. I skirted the edge, realizing I had no idea what kind of costume I was looking for. I spotted Ella in her bright white costume, laughing with James who was dressed in a boring set of black tails made interesting only by his spectacular silver mask. The two of them had eyes only for each other, not letting go of one another as the rest of the dancers selected new partners.

Ashley Mayfair flounced past me, her peacock mask thoroughly appropriate. Her dress was a marvel, with the peacock feather motif carried throughout. Deciding that following her would be my best way to locate the prince, I shadowed her path until she paused at the edge of the dance floor. She tossed her cascading curls as Penelope Roxton, covered head to toe in a rich, red satin, whispered to her. The two of them were watching where Sarah had just risen from a curtsey in front of a costumed gentleman.

Andrew's eyes met mine and the world stopped around us.

While he was masked too, his a silvery gold that rose into spikes mimicking a crown atop his forehead, he was unmistakable. His navy blue jacket was embroidered in gold and he barely gave Sarah a second look as he strode towards me. I was rooted to the spot, my breath caught in my throat. Ashley and Penelope simpered as he approached, turning nasty, curious looks my way as Andrew breezed past them.

"You came," he said, stopping in front of me and he bringing my hand to his lips.

"I couldn't very well pass up this dress," I said, my American accent on-point. Andrew blinked then clamped his mouth closed against the laughter dancing in his eyes.

"That accent is so fetching on you," he said, offering me his arm. I accepted it, realizing how glacial my skin was from nerves as he tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow.

"Truly?" I asked and this time Andrew laughed.

"You sound ridiculous," he whispered, "But I'll suffer through it if it means you're here with me tonight,"

I didn't know what to say to that, my thudding heart hammering in my ears.

"Where are we going?" I asked finally, as the music started and Andrew led me away from the dance floor.

"We're making your customary first stop, of course," he said, gesturing to the buffet table, "I have yet to attend a ball where your first priority wasn't the food,"

Just like that, his words set my stomach to tumbling in all the wrong kinds of ways. Had he truly noticed that?

"You must think I'm some terrible glutton," I said, emphasizing my American R's as I spoke. Andrew fought another grin, no doubt because of my ridiculous accent.

"Heavens no, I think you're a woman with her priorities in order," he said, taking a plate, "Allow me to serve you,"

I blushed furiously at the ridiculous suggestion, attempting to take the plate from him, but he held fast.

"You're a crown prince, you have no business serving me!" I said, so flustered that my accent slipped.

"If you won't tell me what you'd like, then you'll be forced to eat whatever I choose for you," he taunted. I inhaled, my somersaulting stomach in no mood to eat. When I said nothing, Andrew gave an exaggerated shrug as he proceeded to pile my plate high.

I watched him with a sad, sinking feeling. This man deserved to marry someone who cared for him, not someone who cared for his crown. I was wrong to have come tonight as it was clear that I would be no more than a distraction from his choice. When he turned back to me with a smile, proud of the plate he'd assembled, I forced a smile as I accepted it. I pushed the food around with my fork, all too keenly aware of his masked eyes on me.

"You're not eating, something must be the matter," Andrew said, his grin disappearing. I sighed, setting down the plate.

"James had convinced me not to attend tonight," I started.

"And I'm very glad you changed your mind," Andrew replied. I shook my head in frustration.

"I'm only here because I wanted to talk to you about something and it's the only way I can get you alone," I said, the words tumbling out in a rush. Andrew frowned warily.

"What about?" he asked. I swallowed.

"It's about Ashley," I said, watching for his reaction. When his frown melted away into that devastating grin of his, my heart skipped a beat.

"Then I royally command you not to speak a word of it. I have no desire to talk of anyone but us tonight," Andrew said, reaching for my free hand, my plate forgotten, "And if you've lost your appetite because of my dashing charm, I would very much like to waltz with you,"

I wordlessly allowed him to lead me to the dance floor, my heart hammering in my chest once again. I couldn't think for the butterflies swirling in my stomach, my anxiety all but forgotten when his hand rested against my waist. I could barely string together a coherent thought as he drew me nearer to dance. The music started up and my cheeks flamed as I recalled the last time our faces had come this close, the time he'd pressed me up against the door in the library.

"I'm so glad you came," Andrew said, leaning his face close to my ear as we waltzed. I could feel his breath on my ear as he spoke, smiling up at him when he pulled away to look at me.

"I'm so glad it's a masquerade," I replied, "And that I have such a lovely costume. Thank you for arranging it,"

He didn't say anything, but the look he was giving me through his mask set my stomach to twirling again.

"Anne was right, you truly are a planner," I said, forcing myself to look away for fear of being overtaken by the intensity in his green eyes.

"It was worth it, I think," he said, "You look beautiful tonight, although I do much prefer your natural hair color,"

Suddenly I was acutely aware of his warm hand around mine and just how closely we were dancing. I couldn't think of a single thing to say because I couldn't think of a single thing besides that he'd just called me beautiful.

"You certainly are charming tonight," I managed finally, when I forced my brain to think of anything besides the prince whose arms I was currently waltzing in.

"That's the beauty of a masquerade, you can be whomever you choose to be. Tonight, I choose to be your charming prince," he said, grinning down at me.

"Perhaps you should save some of your charm for the other debutantes," I said, as a glowering Penelope Roxton waltzed past us, her eyes fixed on me.

"Damn the other debutantes," Andrew said. I looked back at him in shock.

"Andrew-" I started, frowning, but he interrupted me.

"I'm sorry, that was rude," he said quickly, shaking his head, "But you have no idea what I've had to put up with until you arrived. You were my beacon of salvation from endless surprise attacks by the debutantes,"

"Oh how horrible for you, a bevy of beautiful women vying for your time," I mock pouted. Andrew made an annoyed growl in his throat.

"When you tease me with such an accent it's just that much more infuriating because you sound ridiculous," he said. I grinned at him.

"Poor little prince," I continued and he narrowed his eyes again, fighting a grin himself.

Andrew stopped twirling me and only then did I realize that the music had ended. No sooner had he opened his mouth to speak than Ashley had appeared next to us.

"I would love to meet your lovely new friend, your Highness," she said, a poisonous smile on her face as she looked me over. I knew she was trying to figure out who I was and standing so close to her after our last encounter in the ladies' room had me convinced she'd be able to see through my disguise.

"Lavinia, this is Ashley Mayfair, one of the Season's debutantes. Lavinia Fortescue is visiting from the Americas," Andrew said, without missing a beat. Ashley's blue eyes widened as she battled a sneer.

"How lovely to meet you," I said, grinning as her nostrils flared upon hearing my accent.

"Enchanted, I'm sure," Ashley managed through her gritted, forced smile, "Your Highness I was hoping for a dance?"

Andrew must have been prepared for her brash request because my jaw popped open of its own accord while he answered her smoothly with a smile.

"Lavinia has come a long way to be here tonight, perhaps later," he said, before taking my hand once more, "Shall we, Lavinia?"

If looks could kill, I would've been a corpse on the floor from the glare Ashley levelled my way. I bobbed a parting nod in her direction, doing my best not to laugh at the fury in her quivering face.

"Lavinia?" I asked, once Andrew had led us out of earshot. He barked a laugh.

"Close enough to Libby that if I slip I can explain it away," he grinned.

"You do always have a plan," I mused, smiling as I shook my head.

"I do. And right now my plan is to dance the night away with no one but you," he said, that intensity returning to his green eyes.

I swallowed the swooping butterflies in my stomach as the music started up again.