Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 22: Masquerade Part II

"Would you like your palm read?" Nina asked sweetly when she snapped out of her reverie and saw a potential customer sitting at her table.

"No. I've had enough of that to last me a lifetime," Peter said gruffly.

"Oh... it's you," his niece quickly recognized him. "So then... what are you doing here? You should be in the ballroom dancing the night away with Lisbeth."

"I need to speak to you, Nina," Peter sounded serious.

"What about?" Nina asked.

"About the man you were talking to," Peter answered.

"Which one? I've spoken to so many already," Nina feigned innocence.

"The one who was sitting in this chair right before me," Peter said.

His niece narrowed her eyes. "What about him?"

"Do you know who he was?"

Nina shrugged. "How could I be sure? He was wearing a mask."

"You looked like you knew each other well," Peter said.

"What makes you say that?" Nina wasn't cooperating.

"Because... your body language was very intimate," Peter didn't beat around the bush.

"We were just flirting a bit," Nina pouted. "What's wrong with that?"

"Are you sure that's all it was? It sounded to me like you are planning to see each other later tonight." Peter insisted.

Nina scowled. "And what's it to you if we do? I don't pick on you and Lisbeth," she gave him a meaningful glance.

"That's different," Peter said.

"How so?" Nina sounded offended. "Because you are a man and I'm a girl?"

"Precisely!" Peter spoke loudly. "You know me well enough to realize that Lisbeth has nothing to fear from me." He paused and lowered his voice. "How much do you know about this man? What if he's dangerous?"

Nina scoffed. "I can take care of myself. Plus... he's not dangerous!"

"Again... I have to ask you. How well do you know him?" Peter sounded concerned. "What if he takes advantage of you? Or worse... hurts you?"

Nina shook her head despondently. "He is a guest in our house, and you are insulting him."

"Nina," Peter reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers. "I care very much about you! You know that I'm just worried... I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you."

Hearing Peter's words, Nina softened a bit. "I know... and I appreciate it. Truly... But I'm almost twenty years old. Soon, I'll have to get married. You know what a high society woman's life is like. I probably won't even get to choose my own husband." She sighed. "I just want to have a bit of fun while I still can."

"And there's nothing wrong with that. As long as the person you're having fun with is trustworthy," Peter said. "So... do you know who he was?"

Nina rolled her eyes. "It was Nicolae Bartholy," she whispered. "You have absolutely nothing to worry about." She pointed to a red rose she had tucked behind one ear.  "And look! He's an amazing magician! He made this rose appear out of thin air and gave it to me!" She smiled while running her fingers over the delicate petals.

Peter thought about his first meeting with Count Nicolae Bartholy. The man had been kind to him. In fact, Peter was the one who invited him to the ball. Yet... he was practically a stranger. Peter didn't like the idea of his teenage niece being alone with someone she didn't know well. Then again... Nina was stubborn. When she put her mind to something, it was basically impossible to make her change it. He sighed.