She finished Alain's costume barely in time for the ball. However, on the night of the gala affair, after presenting Katherine with her costume, Katie was puzzled that Alain hadn't come to fetch her own costume, or even send her maid for it.
The guests were already arriving, and still Alain hadn't come to for the costume. Katie had promised to help her with the wig so it would look the way Katie had intended it to, and if Alain did not start dressing for the ball soon, she would make a very late entrance. Katie thought perhaps that was the very reason Alain was waiting so long. It could be that she planned to make a grand entrance, knowing she would be the center of attention the moment she set foot in the ballroom.
Katie would not put something like that past Alain, but just the same, she finally decided to see what was delaying Alain. She went to Alain's room and tapped on the door. Through the finely tooled and polished oak panels, Katie heard a muffled "come in," and pushed the door open.
Alain was seated on her bed. Her eyes were swollen with apparent tears and she was still sniffling.
"My word, Alain," Katie ran forward feeling a need to comfort the girl. She put her arm around Alain’s shoulder. "What is the matter? Why aren't you getting ready for the ball?"
"It is no use, Katie. I just can't force myself to go to an occasion prepared for the sole purpose of welcoming that...that...impostor who claims to be my sister! I would make terrible company, and in the mood I am in right now, I would probably cause a scene I would feel sorry for later, and Alden would scold me for as well. He has done nothing but scold me lately, and I've had just about enough of it!
“And Katherine, I couldn't bear to see her flaunt herself in front of all the guests who have only come out of curiosity rather than friendship. Have you seen how smug she is and how she hangs on Alden so? I am afraid he has been taken in by her deceitful tricks, or else he is a part of them himself. But, whatever, I cannot face them. I just cannot face them!"
Katie thought to herself of how Alain used to hang on Alden as well. Katie had thought Alain to be childish and had resented the way she took Alden for granted all the time, insisting he take care of all her affairs, and then complaining about it when things did not go in her favor. However, Katie said nothing to Alain of her thoughts, for her main concern was the fact that Alain refused to attend the ball.
"You can't just stay in your room all night,” Katie admonished her. “You will be missed. Katherine and Alden will be very put out if you do not attend, and you will most likely get a scolding from Alden just the same, for not attending. It will be an open admission that you have not welcomed your own sister."
"She is not my sister!" Alain spat bitterly. "You are correct; I do not welcome her here. I am not going down there, Katie! No one will miss me. How could they, when everyone will be in costume? They won't know I'm not there until the unmasking and then it will be too late to start wondering about my absence. Besides, if they ask or come looking for me, I will tell them I am sick and cannot attend."
"Oh, Alain," Katie protested, "what about your costume? I made a special effort to make it especially beautiful. You will outshine Katherine. Surely you would want to show her that she cannot take over everyone’s attention so easily."
"I've made up my mind, Katie. I would feel miserable every time Alden danced with her! Surely, everyone will soon discover by her manner, who she is, in spite of her costume. They will clamor to be at her side to learn more of her mysterious disappearance, and even more mysterious, her strange reappearance. I could not bear to watch it!"
"Only, what about your costume," Katie asked. "all that work gone to waste. At least you could have told me about this silly decision sooner, before I wasted my time and effort on your gown!" Katie was almost beginning to feel angry with Alain for her stubborn pride.
Alain looked a little hurt for the way Katie was talking to her, yet she seemed to understand the way Katie must feel. "I am sorry if you have wasted your time on my costume. I did like the fact that you were going to so much trouble to make my dress extra becoming. Yet, even if I were the bell of the ball, in the end, Katherine would take over, the moment of the unmasking. I...could not face everyone then, but that is no reason why my costume should go to waste.”
Alain got a mischievous look upon her face, and then said with a sly smile, “Why don't you wear the costume, Katie? You're about my size and I am sure you could do any adjusting that would be necessary. You are right, you put so much time into it that it wouldn’t be fair to just let it hang in the wardrobe and never be seen. I appreciate all the work you've done on it too. It is truly lovely. You must understand why I can't wear it though."
"Wear it myself? Alain, that is absurd! I am only the seamstress. I am not allowed to attend such affairs. No one has given me permission to attend."
"Well, who are you working for? I have just given you permission." Alain said getting her old spirit back. "What difference does it make? No one will know who you are if you are masked. They will just think you are another one of the guests. That white wig will cover your red hair so Katherine and Alden won't know you either. If you talk to them, disguise your voice. There are plenty of invitations left over."
Alain arose and rummaged through some papers on her small writing desk. "Here, I'll get you one, and you can tell everyone you are an old friend of mine. No one has seen the costume but us, and when the unmasking draws near, you can just slip away to your room somehow. Perhaps through that secret passage you discovered. Or are you afraid of that ghost that tried to kill you?"
Katie gave a slight shiver but managed to smile. "Of course, not, the ghost is the least of my worries. Suppose I can't get away, or they discover who I am?"
Alain laughed. "Don't you have any sense of adventure? Who cares? What can they do? I said you could come, didn't I? Alden insisted that I help make up the guest list so I have just put you on it. Besides, they are not going to throw you in the dungeon or anything like that. We don't have a dungeon here anyway. All that can happen is a strong scolding to both of us. I'm sure you can withstand that. I have become quite used to them. I will take all the blame, if it comes to that. What’s another scolding? Don't you want to feel like Cinderella, going to the ball in disguise and having to run away at the stroke of midnight?"
Katie couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of what Alain was suggesting, but she still wasn't sure she wanted to try it. She would feel terrible if Alden or Katherine were to discover who she was. Alden would think her a child, disobeying rules. Katherine would probably think she was trying to get away with something and send her away on the spot. However, the challenge of the scheme was enticing.
"It just seems so...so preposterous, Alain. I'd feel like I was spying on them, or something."
"As a matter of fact, you will be. You can keep an eye on that new heiress of ours and see how she is accepted by everyone. Gossip with the guests and see what their feelings are. Or eavesdrop on Alden and Katherine. Maybe they will let something slip, and we would be able to uncover their scheme."
"But you could do that yourself," Katie insisted.
"No, It wouldn't take long before everyone would know who I was in spite of the costume. I cannot be so easily disguised as you. You are always up in the sewing room of yours and very seldom talk to anyone. Even Alden won't recognize you if you are sly enough. You can do it if you keep your wits about you."
“But there is no real reason to spy, Alain. You are going to have to accept the fact, eventually, that Katherine is your sister. Regardless of you claiming she is an impostor, everything she and her uncle have presented to prove their story seems to be in order.”
Alain’s eyes flashed. “I don’t care how much proof they present! I told you, I know some things that you, and others don’t! That woman is not my sister. It is just a matter of time before she slips up and we all discover that.”
“Then why won’t you tell me what you heard?”
“Never mind, it has nothing to do wit
h you. Do you want to go to the ball or not? If you are so concerned with the work you put into my costume, you might as well take advantage of my offer.”
She had been toying with the invitation in her hand as she talked and now she placed it on the desk, sighed it with a flourish, and then handed the elegantly engraved card to Katie. "You had better hurry. You don't want to make too grand an entrance with that fabulous costume of yours." She pushed Katie into the hallway. "Be sure and let me know how everything turns out afterwards," she instructed her before she closed her door.
Katie stood for a moment, the invitation in her hand. Why not? she suddenly decided. I'll go along with Alain's wild idea and replace her at the ball. She had never attended a ball in her life, and now she suddenly felt excited at the prospects, though a little frightened at the same time. She wasn’t even sure if she could dance.
She thought of the times her mother had showed her how to dance, but surely the dances her mother taught her, were out of style by now. She remembered now of how she and her mother used to daydream, and her mother had laughed and said, “Someday, my sweet, you shall attend a grand ball. I am sure of it!”
It had only been make-believe back then, but now it seemed that make-believe was coming true. With an excited giggle, Katie hurried to her room to don on the beautiful Snow Queen costume.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Katie's excitement grew as she tried on the gown she never dreamed she would be wearing. She was glad that she had designed it to hang from the shoulders loose and flowing, because Alain was a little smaller than she was and it saved her from having to take out stitches. The dress felt comfortable enough and fitted with ease. It was a little short, however, as Katie was slightly taller than Alain. The shorter length made it easier to maneuver in since the difference in length elevated the train and caused the hem to barely brush the floor. If Katie planned to use the secret passage, she would have less skirt to trip over on the narrow stairs.
With excited fingers, she pinned her hair on top of her head and placed the wig carefully over her own auburn locks. To add to her disguise she placed a small diamond patch at the corner of her mouth and darkened her eyebrows with a pencil. She then placed the white feathered mask over her eyes and went to examine herself in the full length looking-glass in her sewing room. Katie stared at the unexpected reflection in the glass. Her breath came fast as she realized that no one could possibly recognize her. She could hardly recognize herself.
She pulled on a pair of long white gloves over her slender arms that she had found in the trunk Alden had sent. Then placing her hooded riding cape over her shoulders to protect the gown and wig from the cobwebs she would encounter on her decent down the passageway, she slipped her invitation into a pocked of the cape, and was ready for her new and exciting adventure.
Katie cautiously unlatched the pivoting door behind the wardrobe. She couldn’t help but remember her last encounter on that passage way, but she bolstered up her courage. Since she did not intend to take a lantern with her, she placed a book between the door and the wall so it wouldn't close all the way, giving her a slim sliver of light to guide her first few steps of descent.
The passageway led only to one place, and if she proceeded with caution, she was sure she could find her way to the garden opening without mishap. Pulling the cloak closely about her chin, she started on her way down the long cascade of steps with only the dim crack of light from the propped-open door to illuminate her path. Soon that small amount of light was swallowed up as she rounded the first curve of the spiral staircase, leading down into the damp darkness.
In Katie's eagerness to reach her destination, she hardly noticed the cobwebs or the musty smell of the ancient tunnel. She practically flew down the steps, one hand in front of her to guide her way, and the other holding her cape close about her.
The distance from her room to the garden seemed shorter than she remembered from her first experience along the corridor. Of course, she knew exactly what to expect this time. Soon she was mounting the stairs to the trap door beneath the willow tree.
When she felt the fresh air against her face, Katie took in a breath of relief and removed her invitation from the cape pocket. She rolled the cape up, and placed it in the branches of the tree. Then with impatient feet she scurried through the shadows of the garden around to the front of the house.
There were still many guests arriving in an array of expensive carriages, all dressed gaily in bright colors, and each wearing a mask to conceal their identity. Unobtrusively, she mingled with a group just approaching the great doors of the house and presented her invitation to the butler.
The guests entering before her turned slightly and peered over their shoulders at Katie as she hesitated in the entryway. A smile shyly turned the corners of her mouth at them and they nodded, plainly taken in by the splendor of her costume, then turned back, talking among themselves as they continued on into the hall.
Until now, Katie had been so absorbed in dressing and planning how she would arrive and leave, she had quite forgotten the effect of her costume. Instead of entering the ballroom without much notice, as she had hoped, she saw all eyes were on her. She felt herself blushing behind her mask, and was impatient with herself for being at a loss to keep from attracting so much attention. She had meant for the attention to be for Alain. Now she stood in Alain’s place with a splendid array of net and jewels and feathers floating about her. She paused for a moment contemplating the possibility of turning around and retracing her steps back to the safety of her room.
Katie forced her feet to stand still. She would never have another opportunity like this one. She scolded herself, for wanting to run and hide like a mouse. She straightened her back with determination and assuming a regal pose, she boldly took on the role that went with her splendid costume, and swept into the lighted hall with majestic poise. The orchestra struck up a waltz just at that very moment as though they had been waiting only for her arrival. She stood calmly at the edge of the dance floor, surveying the beautiful swirl of colors as the couples danced past.
"May I have the pleasure of this dance?" she heard a deep voice say, and looked up to see a pair of blue eyes gazing down at her behind a red mask. The gentleman was dressed as a joker, but before she had even looked at his costume, Katie knew the voice that had addressed her was that of Alden Emerson.
She dared not speak for fear that he might recognize her voice, and so she curtsied slightly and nodded assent. Alden took her in his arms and guided her out onto the floor.
She was strongly conscious of his firm hand on her waist and the other cupping her small trembling gloved hand with perfect assurance. The room whirled around Katie in a shimmering blur, yet she was actually aware that many eyes were on her and Alden as they glided across the polished hardwood floor. She could not let herself look at Alden, for fear he would see in her eyes how happy she was to be in his arms. She trembled slightly at the thought, and as she did so she heard Alden whisper in her ear.
"Do not be frightened, Miss. I perceive this must be your first ball. Nevertheless, you have excellent taste in your costume."
At Alden's words Katie realized that she had been gripping Alden's hand very tightly. And never having danced with a man before, she must be making all sorts of mistakes in trying to follow Alden’s lead. She forced herself to relax a little.
"That is better," Alden complimented. "The steps are quite easy. Just follow the beat, one two three, one two three. There, you have it now! If it were not a masquerade I would introduce myself, and several of the other guests, so you would feel more at your ease. As it is, I cannot even ask your name, though I would like very much to know what it is."
Katie smiled, but still said nothing. How long could she go on dancing with him and not talk before he became suspicious of her silence? He cocked his head to one side and gave her a quizzical look.
"You are a quiet one, aren't you?" he mused. As he spoke, the music stopped and Katherine was beside t
hem, giving Katie a sizzling look.
Katherine looked splendid in her costume, Katie thought. She admired her own talent at making Katherine's dress so the cut complimented her small waist, and added grandeur to her stature.
"Well, Alain, I see that little seamstress of yours has done justice to you, in order to show where her true loyalty lies. You have turned every head your way, as I am sure you intended to do, to try and out shine me at my own Ball. Perhaps it was my mistake for having your seamstress do my costume when I should have known that she was dedicated to your service. However, it is of no consequence. I shall be throwing more balls in the future, and by that time, my own seamstress shall be with me. Then your little country bumpkin of a seamstress will see what really fine sewing is all about," she said coolly.
"Please, Katherine!" Alden said under his breath. "I fear you have made a dreadful mistake. This is not Alain, as you have so readily assumed. I have known Alain since she was a girl, and this woman is very definitely not your sister. I hope you will accept our apology, Miss. By now you must know that this is Katherine Gail Winslow. She has mistaken you for her half-sister. I hope you will be kind enough to overlook her remarks!"
Katie smiled and cleared her throat. Then with great courage she lowered her voice, turned to Katherine, and took on a French accent, since her mother had insisted she learn the language, along with her other studies, and spoke in a husky tone. "Vous avez confondu avec moi pour quelqu’un d’autre sous mon costume?” She wondered if Katherine understood French. “An easy mistake to make at such an affair as this, n’est-ce pas? I'm sure we will all mistake someone for another before the ball is over,” she added, trying to keep her voice lively and unfamiliar.
Katherine looked taken back a bit, but she regained her poise. "I'm so sorry!" she bowed her head. "You do understand… I have been looking for my sister. Your costume is so striking that I thought...I suppose I must explain. We had a slight disagreement before the ball...but you couldn't possibly be interested in all this," she laughed to cover her embarrassment and frustration at herself for allowing her true attitude towards her sister to surface.
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