Tammy Falkner - [Faerie 02] by The Magic of "I Do" Page B

Finn, prepared to explain her actions. But his eyes were riveted to her breasts. She looked down and tugged at the bodice of her gown, trying to bring it a little higher, but it was no use. Instead, she straightened her spine and stared back at him.
    “That dress is positively indecent. Where did you obtain it?”
    “I paid a visit to your Colette and told her what I needed.”
    Finn groaned. “What possessed you to do such a thing? Are you mad? She’ll tell everyone!”
    “She had no idea who I was. I went after I’d tinted my hair and painted my face. She thinks I am a newcomer to town and that my name is Mrs. Abercrombie.”
    “And she’s not my Colette,” he grumbled.
    “She would like to be.” It was amazing the things women would say when they didn’t assume you were an innocent. “She was rather envious that I had been invited to this particular ball.” But that was neither here nor there. She took a deep breath and pushed on. “Tell me what tonight’s mission is. So I can prepare myself.”
    “You will wait in the carriage, Claire. I will not take you into Ackley’s ball. There are things there that someone of your sort should never see. You’d be scarred for life.”
    “Public beheading?” Claire gasped, teasing him.
    “More like public intercourse,” he said, raising a brow at her.
    Claire’s heart stuttered. “You mean… two people…” She let her words trail off.
    “Or three or four,” he corrected. “This is not your typical soiree.”
    “I can overlook the public intercourse.” She tapped his leg, and he scooted it away from her. “What’s wrong?”
    “I will not take you to this party. I’d take you home if I didn’t think this would take no more than a moment.” He sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead in frustration. “I just need to find someone and ask some questions.” He looked down at her dress again. Then back up to her hair. “What did you put on your hair?” He pulled one of her curls until the curl straightened, and then let it slip from his fingers to curl back up at the base of her neck. Claire shivered lightly.
    “Don’t worry. I used a little faerie dust in my hair, so it will wash out tonight.”
    “You look beautiful,” he said, his voice suddenly raspier than usual. “But I like your real hair color more. I miss it.”
    “Thank you.” Her heart was beating so strongly that he could probably hear it.
    The carriage began to slow. “You will remain in the carriage,” he warned. She wouldn’t, but she would let him go inside before he figured that out. She could be a help to him in his mission, whatever it was. He just didn’t know that yet.
    She nodded at him and heaved a sigh. “I will remain in the carriage. Though I’d hoped for at least a dance.”
    “We can dance when we get back to the Hall,” he said. He pointed a finger at her and shook it. “Do not get out of the carriage.”
    He spoke briefly to the footmen who remained with the carriage, and one of them looked through the window into the coach, surprised to see her there. “Who is she, my lord?” one of them asked.
    “Just an acquaintance of mine,” he said. “Do not let her out of the coach.”
    “You can count on us, my lord,” the footman said. Then he leaned against the door and sealed her in. She could get out. She was a faerie after all. But she couldn’t shrink and fly away in this dress. Definitely not. She’d need her fae clothing for that. But she would find a way. She would not let Finn attend this party without her.
    ***
    Finn stepped through the entrance and stopped at the door, observing the room. From behind his mask, he could still see everything clearly, and he wasn’t terribly impressed with the goings-on. This portion of the party was moderately respectable, and the part that was much less respectable was farther toward the interior.
    “Lord Phineas,” a cool voice said at the door.
    “Good evening,” he replied. He walked through the crush of