"CHAMPAGNE?" A WAITER, holding a tray of flutes in his palm asked. He had a boyish smile as his eyes skimmed her.

Vahl smiled at the butler who offered her a glass of champagne and took a sip of the drink, sighing delightedly at the taste of it. She was more of a whiskey kind of person, but you could never go wrong with a flute of champagne. She looked out in front of her. The orchestra had started playing on the podium. Pairs danced where the chairs for the bidders had stood. Laughter and chatter warmed the air.

"Did you get to buy anything?" The boy asked her. He stood with his back straight and his neck craned back to look at her.

She shook her head and glanced at him. "I was interested in buying the mask, but Sir Sparkly Boots over there outbid me." She frowned darkly. It wasn't a complete lie. She was interested in the mask.

The waiter let out a laugh at her words. His shoulders shook, but he managed not to drop the tray that was balanced on his palm. "Oh dear." He gasped once the waves of laughter stopped.

Vahl's eyes sparkled with amusement over the rim of her champagne flute. She watched the dancing pairs that gracefully glided over the floor.

"May I have this dance, milady?" The boy with the teasing blue eyes asked, extending his hand. The light of the many chandeliers cast pale light on his black hair.

Vahl furrowed her eyebrows and let her eyes wander along the faces of the guests, in search for Vaughn. He'd gone off to admire the art pieces and left her to entertain herself.

The boy's lips quirked. "Looking for your boyfriend?" He asked, looking over his shoulder. He turned back to her with a smirk.

"Something like that." She muttered, giving the guests a last glance before settling her eyes on him again. "How about that dance?"

His smirked turned into a wicked smile. "Won't your boyfriend get mad?" He inquired, though it seemed as if he didn't care at all.

"He'll know better than to wander off next time." She told him and politely excused herself to the butler. She took hold of his hand and followed him to the dance floor.

The music changed. The violinists took the lead in this piece. They stood facing each other, her right hand in his left. They raised their arms so their joined hands were the level of their faces. The trumpets blew deeply, making a beautiful undertone in the violins' solos. Vahl and the boy circled on the dance floor, their palms never losing contact.

They changed positions, and twirled away from one another. This caused them to end up with other partners. The boy was now dancing with an older lady, but his eyes were still focused on Vahl over the woman's shoulder. Vahl had ended up with the owner of the mask, Mr Copaldy.

He held onto her hand and her shoulder gently and spun her across the room. "So you're the girl that bid so high I nearly couldn't buy the mask." He observed, looking down at her through half closed eyes.

Vahl made a face into his shoulder. "That's me for you." She said to him. "Mrs Steal Your Auction Piece." She looked up at him.

She felt the laugh rumble in his chest. "You've got a sense of humor. " He noted. "That's..."

"Annoying?" She offered.

"Refreshing." He breathed with a smile. "The people here are so formal. It's boring." They stepped back from another and twirled before coming back together.

"Well, I'm glad I could be a great source of entertainment to you." She curtly said as the piece ended. "But I best be on my way now." She paused. He rushed after her as she stormed her way off the dance floor. He caught her by the arm and hauled her against him. "Can't you stay a bit longer?" He questioned.

She peeled his fingers off her upper arm and choked back an insult. "My date is waiting." She spat through gritted teeth.

"I could show you the mask."

Her eyes shot up to his face. "Really? Why?" She was suspicious. Why would he offer to show her the mask? Her eyes were narrowed.

He lazily shrugged. "I thought you'd like to see the mask you won't be going home with tonight. " She detected a tone of slight mockery in his voice, but decided not to say anything about it.

After all, he had given her the golden opportunity to keep this assassination as secret as possible with his generous offer. He didn't even know that he was contributing to his own death.