Love by Chance (A Contemporary Romance)

Alysa Stevens slipped into the strapless black silk ball gown with the help of her assistant, Lisa. The stark black color was the perfect complement to her porcelain skin. The hand-sewn gold crystal beads across the bodice shimmered in the light of her bedroom. The dress was sure to turn heads at tonight’s charity masquerade ball. “Hold still while I do these corset ties,” Lisa said.

Alysa chuckled. “I do need to breathe tonight. Please remember that.”

“With a dress like this, who needs to breathe? And besides, if I know you, you won’t stay long enough to be suffocated by this corset.”

“I don’t know how women in history used to wear these? Can you imagine going through this process every single day?

“No, not at all. Maybe that’s why so many women used to faint? They couldn’t breathe.”

“You’re probably right, Lisa. I really don’t like going to these things, but how could I pass up a masquerade party. It’s not like I’m invited to one every day.”

The event was being held in the ballroom of one of the wealthiest socialites in the Hamptons. It was the social event of the season and Alysa planned on enjoying herself.
 
She’d been working hard these days and needed a short break to recharge her batteries. This ball was exactly what she needed. After all, not many knew who she was and she liked it that way.
 
She could slip in and out if it suited her without making apologies for her untimely departure.

 
With a last tug on the ribbons, Lisa tied them off and tucked them inside the corset. “There. You look amazing.”

“Thank you. This dress should put Gabriella’s name on every socialite’s lips. At least, that’s my hope. She deserves the recognition and more business.”

“I’m sure it will. What jewelry do you want?”

Alysa glanced over to her vanity table at the stunning gold mask. “None, that mask is all I need.”

Lisa walked over and picked up the mask, admiring its intricate detail. A master craftsman who truly knew how to work the metal to its best effect made it. “This has to be the most beautiful mask I’ve ever seen.”

“I know. Alan outdid himself on this one. He remembered I was going to this ball the last time he traveled to Italy. When he saw it in a tiny shop window in Venice, he knew it was the one for me. I had Gabriella design the dress to match it.”

“It’s truly beautiful. What do you want to do with your hair? Up or down?”

“I was thinking down with a few more curls. What do you think?” Alysa moved to her vanity and sat down.

“Oh, I agree.” Lisa picked up the curling iron and wound sections of Alysa’s shoulder length blonde hair around it, creating long, flowing curls. “Done. That’s perfect.”

Alysa craned her neck while looking in the mirror to see the back. “Oh, I love it. Thank you. What would I do without you?”

“Lucky for you, you won’t have to find out,” Lisa said. “Are you ready for the mask?”

“Please.”

Lisa helped tie the mask’s ribbons and secured it with a few bobby pins on the back of her boss’s head. She picked up the invitation and handed it to Alysa. “Here. You need this to get in the door. You’re all set. The driver is downstairs waiting for you.
 
Have fun tonight.”

Alysa gave her assistant a quick hug. “Thank you for everything. You’re the best.”

Lisa chuckled. “You’re welcome. Now off to the ball with you, Cinderella! You’re officially fashionably late.”

Alysa took one last glance in the mirror before gliding out the door, the satin of her ball gown rustling softly. As the young CEO of a thriving Fortune 500 company, her online presence was Al Stevens and no one was the wiser, at least not yet. Her VP, Alan Skateley, did all the in-person negotiating and her assistant screened all her visitors. She would show those venture capitalists that had denied her early requests for funding a thing or two about a woman running a successful business. In three years she had taken an obscure little solar company and turned it into a multi-million dollar operation. At the next stockholder’s meeting she planned to unveil her identity, but not tonight.
 
Tonight was all about enjoying the mystery and intrigue of a masquerade ball.

In the car, Alysa tried hard not to think about work, at least for the next few hours, but that was easier said than done. She pulled her phone out of her drawstring purse and checked her email.

She scrolled through the messages. “Good, nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow.”

“Did you say something, Ms. Stevens?”

Alysa looked up at her limo driver. “No, sorry John. Was talking to myself again.”

John nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

By the time she got to her destination, the ball was crowded with every who’s who of Hampton’s society. She handed her invitation to the gentleman at the door and made her way to the ballroom. It wasn’t hard to pick out some of the society women even behind their masks, but that was intentional. They wanted to be known and have their names dropped in the society pages.

The room was aglow with light from the multiple crystal chandeliers cleaned and shined to perfection, the orchestra was playing and the dance floor was filled with bodies in every costume imaginable. It was a magnificent sight—beautiful women in shimmering silk ball gowns and masks of every color being escorted around the floor by mysterious masked men. A slight smile curved Alysa’s lips as she kept to the edges of the room and made her way over to the bar that was set up in one of the wide alcoves.

“Champagne, please,” she told the bartender.

“Perhaps a dance first,” said a deep, baritone voice behind her.

Alysa turned around and came face-to-face with a dashing figure straight out of the pages of history, standing in front of her. He was dressed all in black except for the white shirt with cuffs that peeked out from his jacket sleeves. Even his black boots were shined to perfection. His light brown hair was longish and brushed against the shirt collar. She took her time admiring his strong jaw line and full lips.

“Good evening, d’Artagnan, it would be my pleasure.”

The stranger, dressed as the most famous of the Three Musketeers, removed his hat and bowed with a flourish of his hand. “My Lady Constance, you honor me.”

Alysa took his hand and instantly felt a tingle run up her spine. Dancing green eyes peered out of his mask as he folded his fingers around hers. His smile was engaging and though she’d not had anything to drink, a rush of lightheadedness threatened to overwhelm her. It was easy to smile in return at this mysterious man.

They moved onto the dance floor and the orchestra struck up a waltz. His hand went to the small of her back, their right hands interlocked and she breathed in his scent within their dancers’ embrace. Their bodies melded together like they had been made for each other. He was intoxicating. She hadn’t felt a rush like this in a long time, but dismissed it as the excitement and mystery of the masquerade. No matter what it was, she was going to enjoy this. It was easy to imagine the perfect romantic love story when all their identities were hidden. In the light of day though, the mysteries may not be as appealing.

The pair glided around the dance floor in perfect sync, not only to the music, but also with each other as if they had danced together for years. The crowd seemed to part for the enchanting couple who only had eyes for each other. Time had no meaning. Dance after dance they whirled around the ballroom floor.

When the orchestra stopped for a break, the handsome stranger bowed to her. “Thank you, my lady. It was my absolute pleasure to dance with you.” He turned to leave.
 

Alysa wasn’t sure why, but she knew she couldn’t let him go. It had been too long since she’d been intrigued by a man and she didn’t want their contact to end. “Would you care to share that drink now,” she said a little out of breath.

d’Artagnan’s lips curled up in a mischievous grin.. “Indeed, I would, my lady.”

He offered his arm and she took it without a moment’s hesitation. They wound their way around the dance floor and headed back to the bar.

“May I say that you look stunning this evening? You’re the most beautiful woman at the ball,” he whispered in her ear.

His breath caressed her slender neck and Alysa felt the blush creep up her face. “Thank you. It is very kind of you to say that.”

“Not at all, my lady, I only speak the truth.”

She was captivated with the handsome stranger. That deep voice was mesmerizing. She wanted to rip off his mask to reveal his identity, but that was against the rules at a masquerade ball. Instead, she gripped his arm tighter and let him lead her away from the dance floor.

There were two other couples waiting for drinks at the bar when they arrived. Alysa recognized socialite Sophia Johnson and her husband Ed, waiting to be served. She was dressed as Marie Antoinette, including the enormous hairstyle and hat that the French queen was famous for. Ed looked every inch the dashing Louie XVI. When they turned, Alysa inclined her head toward Sophia. Sophia nodded in return and walked on past.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asked.

“Two glasses of champagne, please,” d’Artagnan said.

The bartender put two tall flutes on the bar and poured the bubbly liquid. d’Artagnan reached for the glasses and handed one to Alysa.

“Thank you,” she said. “I absolutely adore champagne, especially Moet.”

“I appreciate a good glass every now and then, but it’s not my first choice.”

“No?”

d’Artagnan offered his arm and the two walked away from the bar to a more secluded alcove. “My tastes run more to a pint of Guinness draught, especially on a cold night with a crisp wind. Warms my insides,” he said with a chuckle.

His laughter struck a cord in her. She wanted nothing more than to listen to that voice for the rest of her life. She leaned closer to him, ready to taste his lips.