Celeste was pacing in her room. She was already dressed for the ball. She wore a magnificent gown of blue, white, silver and black. Her little mask was tied delicately on her face with thin thread. It was black and blue and had little white feathers at the corners.
She was praying that the plan would go through.
The magnificent masquerade ball was in full swirl. The dazzling light of the chandeliers bounced off the gilt ceiling and sparkling jewels of the swirling dancers.
Louis was dancing and laughing with any number of young ladies and D'Artagnan stood off to the side of the ballroom, ever watchful, ever remote.
Celeste came over to him. "D'Artagnan, you needn't have such a fierce look on your face."
D'Artagnan gave a half smile. "I can hardly wait for this night to be over."
Celeste sighed as she looked around. "Me neither."
A large man came over and bowed to Celeste. "Mademoiselle, may I have the honor?"
Celeste dipped a curtsey. "Certainly, sir." She looked at D'Artagnan with raised eyebrows.
He smiled as he watched her disappear into the swirl of dancers.