"If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed." - Adolf Hitler

1813

Life seemed to be moving too slowly. The winter months dragged without the usual excitement and she found herself hopping from one place to another. It was easier to stay in one place in the summer months, to reinvent herself during the season and remain under the radar. She had many aliases that she used but she'd been favouring her own name of late and since she was staying with a childhood friend, she'd have to use her real name while staying in London.

"I'm glad you could join me for the season. It is such a bore when my husband must travel, and I am left all alone. I had thought you'd be in hiding since he got out of gaol and all."

Valarie frowned and supressed the shiver that wanted to run up her spine at the mention of him.

"This isn't 1811 Gwyn. I am not a damsel that needs saving and I couldn't care less about him. He is no threat to me."

"Last time we met you were positively terrified of him. I must admit, I am quite frightened of him. Why the change of heart?"

"Simple, I do not think him capable of it. Sure, he's a monster if ever there was one but he's not that intelligent."

"You're clutching at straws Valarie. You and I both know it's him. He's seeking revenge for what you put him through. To ignore things would be quite foolish of you."

Valarie glared at Gwyn in barely concealed annoyance. She hadn't come here to be judged for her actions but to have fun and let off some steam.

"It hardly matters Gwyn. The matter doesn't involve you and I'll deal with it as I see fit."

The carriage they were in lurched to a stop, reminding the two of them that they weren't in the safe confines of the house and as such, their conversation should be halted less someone was eavesdropping.

"I won't ask you to behave like I demand others. This'll be just like when we were younger. Divide and conquer Valarie. Watch out for the Mother's though. They're more vicious than the Queen of the hive..."

Valarie laughed loudly. She knew full well the venom that lay in the mouths of mothers. They were the most dangerous aspect of any ball. One wrong move and they'd sink their claws into you, dragging you down with their lies and rumours.

Valarie stayed on the outskirts of the ballroom as she made her first trip around it. Many a man smiled and bowed in her direction and she responded in kind while she heard the whispers of her arrival follow her every move. There was something about London that was simply marvellous. Something that connected way down in her soul. It was different to every other place she had visited. Here the lights sparkled all around her. Sound dominated every inch of the room, the food was exquisite, the people open to manipulation and the dancing sinful. If Valarie could remain anywhere for the remainder of her life, it would be here in London. Yet, she knew that was just a dream, a dream she could never reach.

On her second tour of the ballroom, she was stopped by an outstretched hand that belonged to the most handsome body. He was asking for a dance and with a smirk and the chance to lay a trap, Valarie accepted. She could practically hear all the females in the room groan in disappointment as she was led out onto the dancefloor.

Society dances were so constricting yet so intimate. In dancing you could touch places you otherwise couldn't. Valarie felt safe in a dance, she could control a dance and a dance could not be tampered with, on account of the many people watching.

"Allow me to ignore social etiquette and introduce myself. I am Lord Victor Madden. I believe I have not had the pleasure, I'm sure I would have remembered someone with your beauty."

He smiled down at Valarie and she couldn't help but feel he was putting too much stock in his charm. She smirked to herself, this was a man who could prove interesting to play with. She blushed prettily and dipped her head. She knew from experience that this action would reel him in and when she saw him looking down, she knew she had him.

"I am Valarie, I am staying with Lady Gwyneth, I believe you know her."

She'd deliberately been informal with him. She didn't want him knowing more than he needed and he didn't need to know her surname or where she came from.

"Valarie, what a beautiful name."

She smiled, feeling the fingers placed on her back caress the fabric of her dress lightly.

It seemed that apart from the brief introduction, Victor Madden was content to dance in silence while he starred into Valarie's eyes. Valarie summarized that he thought this a sure-fire way to make her fall in love with him. It may have worked on another girl but not Valarie. They danced twice more before Valarie excused herself to find Gwyn.

"Didn't take you long to hook someone."

"Oh please, we've been at this game so long Gwyn, that it takes mere seconds to attract someone."

"You're right Valarie but that Victor Madden, he is gorgeous. You'll have angered the mothers by dancing with him. He's one of this season's catches."

"Already? The season has just started."

"That's how it works in London. I've heard things about the Madden family though. Good luck playing him, you might have met your match."

"Met my match? Never. Once a Queen of the game, always a Queen of the game."

"There's a man in the corner starring at you, do you know him? I certainly don't."

Valarie followed Gwyn's line of sight. Sure enough, in the corner of the ballroom stood a tall man with black hair, a black beard and grey eyes. He was impeccably dressed and seemed the sort of man that every woman present would like to sink their teeth into.

"No, I don't, but I daresay I haven't set my eye on a more delectable creature in all my years of the game."

"Yes, he is quite delightful," said Gwyn as she turned to face Valarie and whispered, "perhaps you could play both that man and Victor? What a challenge that would be."

"Yes, a challenge indeed."

"Oh, look, he's gone! Perhaps he walked this way?"

Sure enough, when Valarie looked back to the corner, the handsome but unknown man had vanished. When he didn't appear before them, Valarie concluded that he must have left. As Victor came to claim her for another dance, all thoughts of the stranger flew from her mind.