Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney

on the other hand, had the most calm and respectable of upbringings and have a rather mousy temperament, so I find myself drawn to men who are a little wild.” She made a face. “I suspect this is not a good thing.”
    “You’re not mousy!” Kiri exclaimed. “But I see you’ve thought seriously about the subject. I’m still trying to decide what kind of man would suit me best.”
    Sarah helped herself to a ginger cake. “Since you’re still looking, I gather that you decided Godfrey Hitchcock won’t suit?”
    “Most definitely not.” Kiri’s voice was edged.
    Sarah frowned. “What happened?” When Kiri hesitated, Sarah said, “If something dreadful happened and you told Adam, he’ll tell Mariah, and she’ll tell me, so you might as well tell me directly.”
    Kiri laughed. “You’re right. As long as you don’t tell anyone else.”
    “I won’t,” Sarah assured her. “Your story will end with me.”
    Knowing Sarah’s word was good, Kiri gave a terse summary of why she had bolted from Grimes Manor, and what had happened later. The other girl listened raptly.
    When Kiri finished, Sarah said wistfully, “Imagine being rescued by Damian Mackenzie himself! I’ve been hearing about his club ever since it opened three years ago. It’s the most fashionable evening spot in London.” She consumed an almond cake in two bites. “The masquerades at Damian’s are famous. The last one of the year is two nights from now. I’d love to go, but my mother would be horrified.”
    “So would mine.” Kiri paused with her teacup halfway to her mouth as inspiration struck. “I just had the most wonderful idea! We could go to the masquerade together. I must repay the money Mackenzie spent on buying my freedom, and we can take the opportunity to see the club.” She also needed to see the man in his normal world if she was to get over him.
    Sarah’s eyes widened with shock. “I couldn’t possibly do such a thing!”
    “Of course you can. Damian’s is on Pall Mall near royalty and the best other clubs, not in some horrid waterfront stew,” Kiri said persuasively. “With a domino to cover head and body and a mask over half our faces, no one will recognize us. We’ll leave before the unmasking.”
    “Going there secretly would be dreadfully wicked.” The other girl bit her lip. “I long to be wicked! But how would it be done?”
    “While we’re both of age and can do as we choose, it would be better to go undiscovered.” Kiri pondered. “Since I’m staying here for the next several days, why not say you want to stay as well to keep me company?”
    “That would work! With Mariah increasing, she and Adam usually withdraw to their quarters not long after dinner. We could leave after they retire.”
    “I’ll ask Murphy, the head groom, to drive us to the club and wait. I think I can persuade him not to give us away until later.”
    Sarah frowned. “Would he risk his job if he helps us?”
    Kiri shook her head. “No, Adam trusts Murphy’s judgment. He’s guaranteed Murphy employment for life for his aid in the past.”
    “That’s all right, then. We can tell Adam and Mariah the next day. I doubt they’ll tell our parents.”
    “The next question is where to get dominos. I don’t have one.” Kiri glanced ruefully at her divided skirt, which needed more than a good brushing to look proper. “Since I ran off from Kent without my baggage and I can’t get clothing from home until the measles pass, I can’t go in society unless I’m completely covered by a domino.”
    “I can borrow my parents’ dominos. Since you’re tall, you can wear my father’s.” Sarah was beaming. “This will be such an adventure!”
    Kiri made a face, thinking of Lady Agnes’s words. “I have discovered that adventures aren’t much fun when they’re happening.”
    “Being kidnapped by ruffians would be too much of an adventure,” the other girl agreed. “Attending a masquerade at a racy but safe club is a proper