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The jewel had once been just an heirloom. It had represented the Thornton legacy, the power of his family’s title, a symbol of possession bestowed upon their brides. But the day he had given it to his first love, its meaning had changed. The ring, once a symbol of duty, had become a reminder of her.

And then she disappeared. Leaving the ring—and him—behind.

He had searched for her for so long, even when logic dictated that he should have stopped. Perhaps now it was time to let go.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Thorn unclasped the silver chain from his neck. The ring slipped down his chest, and he caught it, holding it tightly against his abdomen before bringing it to eye level.

The ruby caught the firelight, glowing with a radiance that seemed almost alive. A living flame.

It reminded Thorn of her hair. A smile tugged at his lips.

No longer an heirloom in his mind, it was a reminder of the girl he loved. A reminder of the girl he had lost.

He placed the jewel by the bath and proceeded to wash himself.

Once out of the bath, he hastily dressed and returned for the ring.

Vlad appeared in the dressing room. “Time for a shave, my lord?”

“Just a moment.” Thorn rubbed his thumb over the ruby, feeling its smooth surface beneath his touch. It was time to put it away.

He turned toward the safe, ready to lock it away in the past where it belonged, when a soft knock sounded at the door.

“My lord, you have a visitor.”

Thorn turned on his butler sharply. “Who?”

Cecil straightened as if he was preparing to announce the queen. “Miss Penelope Prescott.”

* * *

“She did what?” Honoria exclaimed loudly and then clamped her lips shut.

Lydia had sneaked into her bedroom and discreetly waved her down in the corridor. Honoria quickly excused herself from her duties and slipped into her room for a short break. That’s when Lydia told her everything about her late-night escapades at Hades’ Hell.

“Can you imagine? She kidnapped me in order to frighten me!”

“You don’t look frightened,” Honoria observed, although the color seemed to drain from her own face.

“No, I am not. And you know why? Because I am going to get the job done. Anyway, this is not the only reason I came to you today. While I was at Hades’ Hell, not to let that time go to waste, I stole a couple of masks for us.”

Honoria let out a chuckle. “But we already have masks.”

“Yes, but these are a lot more beautiful. Look!” She offered one intricate mask to Honoria. “Besides, Miss Monroe truly shouldn’t have angered me.”

Honoria chuckled nervously as she took the mask. It was a lot more beautiful than the simple domino masks they’d gotten a hold of for this masquerade. “It is wonderful. But won’t Miss Monroe be furious when she finds out you stole them?”

“I doubt she will. Besides, these masks cover our noses and cheeks completely, and the animal designs are a good distraction. Nobody will recognize us. Not that anybody will be in a position to see us up close. You are not to wander away without me.”

“I know, Lydia. I shall be a perfect debutante and will not stray far from my chaperone.”

“Good.” Lydia nodded her approval. “And do you have your things collected?”

“Things? I have but four dresses. I do not have much to collect.”

“Just be certain you have everything you need when we leave tonight. We are not coming back.”

Honoria hung her head, her fingers nervously playing with her mask.