Chapter 25

Otis fought the urge to pout like a disgruntled child as he made his way to the masquerade alone. Where was Sadie? She'd gotten

him into this fix. She should have joined him. But she hadn't, and she hadn't even said goodbye or thanked him for the music.

Now here he was, dressed in a dark suit jacket, complete with a cummerbund and the tie Sadie's family had gifted him, a sorry

replacement for her presence. Covering the upper half of his face and his head, his mask looked like something a bandit turned

dandy would wear. On top of that he wore a tall hat. The effect, Mildred said, was mysterious and surprisingly handsome. He

wasn't sure he agreed but was grateful for the compliment and the shadows the costume created for him to hide in.

He stood with sweaty hands at the door of the large rink, peering in at the Monticello masses. Two women, perhaps twenty years

old, walked by with skates in their hands.

The woman nearest him spoke first. "I saw you come from the road that leads to the Taylor mansion. Are you him?"

A lie formed on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it. "I'm Otis Taylor. It's a pleasure to meet you."

They turned toward each other and giggled. He touched his mask—it was intact and in place. There was nothing funny about him, was there?

"May we walk with you?" the second woman said, and he relaxed, realizing their laughter wasn't malicious. Women were a mystery.

"We've no escort. So you can be ours."

He bowed slightly and offered himself. "I'd be honored."

The women introduced themselves as Nettie Plumb and Charlotte Bowers. He winced when he heard the second woman's name. She

was most likely the daughter of the overzealous mother who had mailed so many letters, expressing her eagerness for him to

return.

He darted glances at them out of the corner of his eye as they made their way into the Big Rink. They were attractive women,

more fashionable than Sadie, and once they stopped tittering, they carried a conversation with ease. Both offered flattering

compliments about his home and family. With the mask on, he could almost believe himself the social man he would have grown

into had he not lost his hair and been sent away. A regular Alexander Darling.

Soon there were voices all around him. Some claimed to have known him before he left town, others exclaimed their excitement

to now become acquainted. He did his best to shake hands, nod, and smile at everyone, but it did not take long for his newfound

confidence to dwindle. These people were searching for a man who did not exist behind the mask. He'd proved himself a decent

actor, but there were some things that could not be pretended away. If he could have shrunk back into hiding, he would have,

but he was surrounded, everyone believing him the elusive bachelor, the handsome pianist returned to take over the family

empire.

The noise increased, and his heart rate with it. Faster it beat, louder, harder. If only Sadie had given him a lesson in calming his nerves.

"I'm Dr.Henry, and this is my rink." A big man grabbed his arm and pulled him from the crowd. "Come with me, son."

Following blindly after the man was the only way to escape the throng of curious townsfolk. A band of ten played to his right,

and the scents of popped corn and roasted nuts filled the air. Sadie would have loved the energy in the large room and the

excitement of the crowd. If only she were here.

"Louie, John, and Harold have been playing in the band for years. All of 'em knew your father. The rest are younger, but they

would know your family too," Dr.Henry said, absently gesturing toward the band as they walked away from the crowd. "Thought

you might want to make a speech. Your father always knew how to work the crowd."

"A speech? I, um, hadn't thought of that."

"I'll give you some time to find your words. It doesn't have to be right now. Go and skate, and we'll gather everyone together

later in the evening."

"I'll do my best," he said, at the same time wondering whether he could find a way to excuse himself early. The paper was

full of stories of mishaps at the rink. A sprained ankle wouldn't be so bad.

"Go on, son—go mingle." Dr.Henry nudged him back toward the crowd. "I didn't mean to pull you away from all the fun."

They were standing at the far edge of the building, away from the rink and to the right of the seating. He couldn't just stand

there, not when he'd been excused and told to enjoy himself. He turned back toward the crowd and found himself face-to-face

with a woman whose eyes were hungry.

"I'm Alta. I've been so eager to meet you." She batted her large, fiery eyes at him. "Do you skate?"

Alta? He'd heard that name before. Sadie had mentioned her, but he could not recall any particulars. The low murmur of the

crowd made thinking difficult.

"I do," he said, doing his best to appear at ease. "Let me put my skates on, and then I'd love to escort you around the rink."

She clapped her hands and squealed before casting a victorious smile at the women she'd pushed past. "I can hardly wait."

"My list of skating tricks is not long."

"I come every week at least once. I'll teach you." She smiled prettily. The moment his skates were latched, she grabbed his

hand and pulled him onto the floor.

The floor of the great hall was like a busy street, but rather than wagons and carriages, skaters wove together. "Everyone

is looking at us."

She looked over her shoulder, only to turn back with a pert smile. "I believe we are the couple that is making everyone envious.

I told Sadie and Sylvia, two women from work, that I would be the one you would notice. And here I am the first to skate with

you. It must mean we are meant for more than skating together."

Caught off guard, he nearly lost his footing. "I've skated before," he said.

"You have?"

"Yes, with Sadie." He winced, realizing his blunder. This town believed him only recently returned, and if that were true,

he would not know Sadie well, if at all.

"Sadie!" Alta spat out her name. "She told us that she was working at the Taylor mansion, but I thought she was helping prepare

it for your return. Not socializing. I can't believe she didn't tell us you were back in town."

"I asked her to keep my return a secret. Don't blame her. She's been nothing but a devoted employee who respected my desire for privacy."

"But you went skating together." She raised a skeptical brow. "Employers don't do that with their employees."

"When I decided to come to the masquerade skate, I convinced her to practice with me." Alta's face remained flushed, so he

said, "It's been a long time since I've seen everyone here. Let's enjoy our time."

"Of course." She pulled her claws back in. "Now that you are settled back in your house, will we be seeing more of you?"

"Unfortunately, I still have many matters to resolve. I believe I'll be quite busy." A couple passed them on his right.

"You had best settle all those matters, because this town is in need of eligible bachelors."

He managed a weak smile, missing Sadie's less-predatorial ways. When Alta begged to skate the next number with him so they

could become better acquainted, he offered a polite apology. "It's been so long since I've been in town. I need to go and

visit with others. Please excuse me."

To his back she said, "Very well. I'll find you later in the evening."

He pulled his watch from his pocket. Would it be terribly impolite to leave after only fifteen minutes? Before deciding how

to get through the crowd and out of the building, he felt a hand on his back. Turning, he noticed three faces that seemed

faintly familiar, like ghosts from his past.

"Otis, you really are back," one man said before grinning. The gap between his front teeth was unforgettable. His mischief-making

friends.

"Don't you recognize us?" the tallest of the three men asked, pulling his mask from his face. "It's Andrew, Dan, and Wilbur." He pointed to each of them. These had been his chums. "It's good to see you."

"You all look so much older," he said, thinking of their last days together. They'd been in school talking about which girls

they thought were pretty and who could hit a baseball the farthest one moment, and then the next he'd woken up with hair on

his pillow and a patch of smooth skin on his scalp, and everything changed. His father sent him away without ever letting

him say goodbye. So many years lost. "You've changed."

"Especially Andrew." Wilbur fisted his friend in the shoulder. "He's married, and his wife feeds him all day long."

Andrew patted his stomach. "A little extra girth is not worth complaining about when you have a wife like mine."

Dan laughed. "We can't tell what anyone looks like tonight. You're taller, but I'm guessing you still have the same baby face

you always had."

"I suppose." Otis grinned, grateful for the masks. "Are you all married?"

"Andrew's been married two years. Wilbur will be married, once he gets brave enough to ask," Dan said with a laugh that made

Otis feel young again. Memories of childhood bliss were louder than the band. Good times, long forgotten, felt like only yesterday.

"And you?" Otis asked Dan.

Dan puffed out his chest. "I don't need a woman in my life."

Andrew smirked. "Dan says that only because Sissy Walker just sent him on his way. She told him she hopes to find a more serious

man."

"I was never going to marry her, anyhow." Dan's voice said otherwise.

"I'm sure you had women following you around. The famous musician, Otis Taylor." Dan whistled, then threw his arm around Otis's shoulder and pulled him into a side hug. "My chances with a woman here just got slimmer. They'll all be chasing after you."

The men continued their teasing until the crowd moved toward them, enveloping them and encroaching on the men's reunion. With

each song, each skate, Otis found himself inching closer toward comfort, the desire to flee losing its pull. The part of himself

that had been starved for company was now overflowing.

An hour into the evening, Dr.Henry stepped onstage and quieted the crowd. "The Taylor family has been a pillar in this community

ever since the late Mr.Taylor moved here. He was a hardworking man who left behind a legacy, and it is a pleasure to welcome

back a part of that legacy. Welcome home, Otis Taylor."

The crowd roared. They clapped and cheered. Dr.Henry motioned for Otis to join him on the platform. Everyone's eyes were

on him as he made his way through the crowd and carefully walked up the steps off the rink. Dr.Henry's arm went around his

shoulder. "Time for a speech! Tell us where you've been and what kept you away."

Otis pinched the bridge of his nose. He should have left when he had the chance. The friendly faces he'd enjoyed and the comradery

with old friends had done his heart good, but trying to explain where he'd been... He had no words. Was he to maintain

his father's lies, claiming fame kept him away? Or did he break the Taylor mold and speak truth?

"Go on," Dr.Henry said again.

Otis searched the crowd. The band members held their instruments silent in their laps. The spectators sat without eating.

The couples rolled closer and closer, crowding in, eager to hear and judge his words.

And then he saw Sadie. She sat beside Leon and Mildred in a back corner, her blue mask unable to fool him.

"It's been a long time since I've been in Monticello. A lot has changed. There are so many new buildings," he rambled. This wasn't what he needed to say. "My father," he tried again, keeping his eyes on Sadie. "He... he sent me away not only to learn music." She nodded, encouraging him. "He sent me away in hopes my health would improve."

A hum rose from the crowd as onlookers turned to one another, whispering.

"Your health?" Dr.Henry said, his face as confused as all the others. "Your father never mentioned an ailment. Are you well

now?"

He faltered, his mouth too dry, his memories too raw for him to speak. Sadie stood, walking closer, but she couldn't reach

him through the dense crowd. "I find," he managed to say, "it difficult to talk about."

"But you are back," Dr.Henry said, recovering his composure. "And we are glad to have you. Aren't we folks?"

The crowd cheered, but not as boisterously as before. They held back, unsure what to make of Otis and his cautious answers.

Surely they expected a confident, boisterous Taylor like his father and brother had been. But he was his own man. For better

or worse, he was a product of all he'd endured.

"To celebrate"—Dr.Henry slapped his back again—"you go and pick yourself a partner, anyone you want for the next number.

Everyone be sure to visit the café. There's a feast in there tonight. Have fun, folks."

Any partner.

He didn't hesitate. He didn't look at anyone but her. The crowd parted for Otis as he stepped away from the platform. From

the corner of his eye, he saw Alta flash a flirtatious smile, but he didn't turn or offer her one in return. It was Sadie

he needed.

He bowed when he reached her and held out his hand. "Will you skate with me?"

"You're supposed to meet everyone else. You weren't even supposed to see me."

"I didn't hear Dr.Henry say that. I heard him say I got my choice of anyone in the room." He kept his hand outstretched.

"I saw you in the crowd, in your stunning blue dress and mask, and I thought, There is the woman I simply must have ." She took his hand, and instantly he breathed easier. "You were going to hide in the shadows, but if I recall, we both agreed

to do away with such nonsense."

It took her only a moment to fasten her latches, and then they began making their way around the circle, all eyes on them

as they skated in their matching blue. Their movements were in perfect unison. Left, right, left.

"I didn't want to start rumors or be in the way," Sadie said.

"You heard me up there. Rumors are inevitable."

She squeezed his hand, leaned in, and whispered. "Once they really know you, they'll have only good things to say."

"Once I take this mask off, they may not care to really know me."

"Rule number nine." She kept her voice low, only for him. "Never care so much about the town that you are untrue to yourself.

If they like you only with the mask, that's their fault. You must already know this, though, because you spoke truth up there

with everyone watching. You did well."

"I was tempted to pull off my mask and be done with it all."

"You could have." She touched the edge of her own mask. "Do you suppose Mildred set out to make our costumes match?"

"I would not be surprised. It appears your family are also to blame. I do believe my tie and your dress are made of the same

fabric."

"I didn't realize you were going to wear it tonight."

"I didn't realize you were going to come at all. I haven't seen you all day. I had hoped you would find me so I could play

the song I wrote." He nodded his head at a couple who skated past them. "I want to be friends, and I'll be content with that.

I'm glad you came tonight."

"I wasn't going to come, but I had to watch my favorite student. As for your gift, I intend to beg you to play it once the

masquerade is over." She looked away and waved to Alta and the woman beside her, earning her a piercing glare. "Oh dear. Alta

doesn't look pleased with me. I had hoped she would not recognize me."

He winced. "I may have mentioned that we'd skated before."

"Oh." Sadie's face went dark. "She will think I have been conspiring against her."

"Let's not worry over Alta right now. Look around." He let his gaze wander over the high ceiling, many windows, and rows of

spectator seating. "We're at the Big Rink. Is it how you imagined?"

"The crowd, the music, my dress." She blushed. "It's all perfect. It's magical. I feel like a princess."

"A princess? No." He shook his head. "Remember, I've read every type of book. A princess leads a dull life, but you, you're

an adventurer." He winked. "I don't think I've ever heard of a princess named Jane Squatter."

"I don't think I've ever heard of an adventurer named Jane Squatter." She laughed, and enchantment touched everything. He

didn't need the rest of the world, only her, if she would have him. If she had not run from him in the barn, he would have

been tempted to pull her close and kiss her rosy cheek with the entire crowd watching.

"When this song is over," Sadie said, "I'm going back to the mansion. Leon and Mildred did not want to stay long, and we will draw less attention to ourselves if I go. I'm afraid we look too comfortable together. Everyone will suspect that we are long acquainted."

"And if they do?"

"Otis, I work for you. This town has plenty of gossips. It won't do either of us any good if they think you've formed an attachment

to your maid."

He nodded. He hadn't anticipated this moment when he'd asked her to keep his being in Monticello to herself, but he saw her

reasoning, and he knew the importance of keeping appearances up as he readied for a legal battle over Elisabeth. "If you are

going to leave, then let's at least enjoy this while we can."

They skated fast and to the rhythm of the music with smiles on their faces and their hands clasped together. He brought her

in close before the song ended and whispered, "Thank you."

"For what?" she whispered back before stepping away.

"For choosing my factory."

She squeezed his hand, then rolled away from him without looking back.

With her gone he felt alone despite the crowd. The songs seemed longer and the minutes slower. His childhood friends asked

after his health, as did his other skating partners, and though he did his best to give vague but honest answers, he could

not shake the feeling of being a spectacle. One more song, and then he would leave.

"Are you looking at the door because you tire of our company?" Alta asked, skating toward him. His back was to the wall, making

escape impossible. She rolled so close the toes of their shoes touched. "Won't you remove the mask before leaving so we can

see your face and discover whether you resemble your father and brother?"

"It'll have to wait for another time."

She pursed her lips. A devilish twinkle in her eye sent warning alarms blaring, but he was too slow to heed it. Grabbing the

corner of his mask, she tugged at it. His hat fell to the ground, and the mask came half off. She yanked harder.

"Stop!" he barked, drawing attention from the crowd. "You've no right."

"We only want to see you." One more tug and it was off.

The room fell silent. Frantically, he tried to cover his scarred scalp. He picked up his hat and put it on, but it was too

late. Gasps from the audience told him they'd seen him. Wide-eyed, horrified, they stared at him, some with mouths agape,

others murmuring. This was the moment he'd spent his life avoiding. A decade of hiding was not enough to keep it from happening.

"What's wrong with you?" Alta asked as she backed away from him.

"What's wrong with me?" He turned to the crowd, facing them fully. He was done hiding. "Be honest," Sadie had told him. "Nothing is wrong. I have scars from life. Who doesn't?" His voice grew stronger and louder. "My father

could not see past them. You may not be able to either. But here I am, Otis Taylor, returned."

He bowed, he turned, and he left.