A Night of Shadows

Day 12: Masks/Exhibitionism – "A Night of Shadows"

The grand hall was dimly lit, the flickering light of candles casting long shadows over the walls adorned with crimson drapery and gilded mirrors. The low murmur of conversation filled the room, punctuated by the occasional soft laughter that echoed from behind elaborately decorated masks. It was a gathering unlike any Eloise had ever witnessed, and yet, it stirred something deep within her—a thrill she hadn't anticipated.

Benedict had told her of this secretive event, an exclusive ball that catered to the more daring desires of not just the ton—those who craved something beyond the rigid confines of polite society. Eloise had accepted his invitation with a mixture of curiosity and nerves, not fully understanding the extent of what she would witness here tonight. But now, standing at the threshold of the ballroom, her breath catching behind the delicate mask that adorned her face, she felt a surge of excitement she could no longer deny.

"Are you nervous, my dear?" Eloise teased her partner.

Cressida, too, was masked, her face half-hidden behind a black velvet piece that only added to the allure of her presence. Her gown was daring—cut lower than anything she would wear at a typical ball, her bare shoulders glistening in the candlelight, the deep burgundy fabric hugging her curves.

The blonde glanced at her, her heart racing with both excitement and a slight twinge of apprehension. "No," she replied, though her voice trembled ever so slightly. "Perhaps just... curious."

The short girl's lips curved into a small, knowing smile as she stepped closer, her breath warm against Cressida's ear as she whispered, "Curiosity can be dangerous, you know. But tonight, I think it shall serve us well."

The room was filled with figures in elaborate masks. No one here was recognizable—every face was obscured, every identity concealed, leaving them free to explore the more indulgent aspects of their nature without fear of scandal. Perhaps that was why several ladies already had their breasts exposed, their partners casually groping them as though it were nothing more than a leisurely pastime.

Cressida's eyes widened at the sight of it, her breath catching in her throat as she watched one lady recline against a chaise, her gown undone entirely as a man bent over her, his hand possessively gripping her bare breast. Another woman stood beside him, her mask in place but her shirt opened, her own breasts on display as her companion tugged at her nipples, eliciting soft gasps that carried across the room.

Several men, Eloise noticed with distaste, had abandoned their trousers altogether. Their shirts and waistcoats still covered them modestly from the waist up, but the rest of them was left quite indecent, their unpleasant "dangly bits," as Eloise often referred to them, on display for any poor soul who cared to look. Fortunately, neither she nor Cressida had any interest in them.

"I must say, I expected a great deal of indecency, but this…" Cressida murmured softly, her gaze still lingering on the uninhibited display before them. "It's far more than I could have imagined."

Eloise chuckled, her fingers brushing lightly against Cressida's arm as she guided her further into the room. "Does it make you uncomfortable, my dear? Or are you more intrigued than you care to admit?"

Cressida's breath hitched, her pulse quickening beneath Eloise's touch. "Intrigued, I think," she admitted softly, her voice trembling with the weight of her curiosity. "There is something... liberating about it. No one here knows us. We could be anyone, and no one would ever know."

Eloise's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile as she leaned closer, her breath warm against Cressida's skin. "Exactly," she whispered, her fingers trailing down the length of Cressida's arm, the touch deliberate, teasing. "And that is precisely why I intend to make the most of it."

Cressida shivered beneath Eloise's touch, her body trembling with the quiet anticipation that thrummed between them. "And what, exactly, do you intend to do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, though the tremor of excitement was unmistakable.

Eloise's lips curved into a knowing smile, her fingers brushing lightly against the delicate fabric of Cressida's gown. "I think, my dear, that I shall have you over by the planter," she murmured, her voice low and filled with mischief. "Your gown might loosen itself, and perhaps... your corset may no longer hold your lovely form as it should."

Cressida's breath hitched at Eloise's suggestion, her heart pounding in her chest as she met her gaze, eyes wide beneath her mask. "Here? In front of... everyone?" she whispered, her voice trembling, though it was not with fear, but with the thrill of the forbidden.

Eloise's smile deepened, her fingers tightening ever so slightly on Cressida's waist. "Do you think they will care, my dear? Look around." Her eyes flicked toward the others in the room, where various masked figures engaged in far more than polite conversation. "We are but another pair in a sea of masks. No one will mind. And besides... you are mine tonight. No one else matters."

The taller girl swallowed hard, her entire body trembling with a mixture of anticipation and excitement. The thought of Eloise taking her, right there in the middle of such a daring crowd, left her breathless. She glanced around once more, noting the way many of the guests were already too absorbed in their own indulgences to pay much attention to those around them.

"I... I trust you," Cressida whispered softly, her voice filled with both submission and a quiet thrill that made Eloise's smile widen with satisfaction.

"Good," Eloise murmured, her fingers trailing down the length of Cressida's arm as she guided her toward a shadowed alcove by a large ornamental planter. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room, their masked faces hidden in the dim glow as they moved deeper into the crowd, concealed but never quite alone.

Briefly, Eloise wondered if any of her Bridgerton siblings were there. She was glad for the masks. She doubted the Cowpers would ever attend such a thing. No one would be able to tell who they were with any discernibility with the masks.

When they reached the spot, Eloise's fingers brushed lightly over the ribbon at the front of Cressida's gown. With a gentle tug, the bow came undone, the fabric loosening around her shoulders, revealing the pale skin beneath. The sight of Cressida, half-exposed, made Eloise's breath catch in her throat, the thrill of control sending a shiver down her spine.

"Beautiful," Eloise whispered, her voice low, reverent as she leaned closer, her breath warm against Cressida's ear. "Now, be still for me."

The blonde's body trembled beneath her lover's touch, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she stood perfectly still, waiting, anticipating. She could feel the cool air of the room against her exposed skin, the weight of the situation pressing down on her in the most exhilarating way.

Eloise's fingers moved lower, sliding down to the hem of Cressida's gown, lifting it ever so slightly as her other hand moved to cup one of the tall girl's small breasts, the fabric of her corset already beginning to loosen. The intimate touch made the blonde gasp softly, her body arching toward Eloise's hand.

"Such a good girl," Eloise murmured softly, her fingers deftly unhooking the front of Cressida's corset, allowing her breasts to spill free, the pale curves now fully exposed to the flickering candlelight. "I knew you would behave."

Cressida's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest as she glanced around nervously, though there was no real fear in her eyes—only excitement. She could feel the gaze of others on them, could sense the way the room seemed to still ever so slightly as Eloise's hands moved with quiet confidence, each touch more deliberate, more intimate than the last.

Eloise's hand slid lower, her fingers brushing lightly against the soft fabric of Cressida's undergarments, teasing her with a touch that was both gentle and insistent. "Tell me," she whispered softly, her voice filled with quiet command. "Do you wish for me to stop?"

Cressida's breath trembled, her entire body tingling with the anticipation of what was to come. "No," she whispered, her voice barely audible, though her desire was unmistakable. "Please, don't stop."

Eloise's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile as her fingers slipped beneath the fabric of Cressida's undergarments, the warmth of her touch sending a shock of pleasure through her trembling form. "Good girl," Eloise murmured, her voice low and filled with quiet authority as her fingers began to explore, moving with deliberate care as she teased Cressida, never quite giving her what she needed but keeping her on the edge of desire.

Cressida's breath came in short, shallow gasps, her body arching toward Eloise's hand as her fingers moved with more purpose now, slipping lower, deeper, until they found the soft heat between her legs. The sensation was overwhelming, her entire body trembling with the intensity of it as Eloise's fingers pressed against her, stroking her with a rhythm that left her breathless.

"You are so wet," Eloise whispered, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction as she pressed more firmly, her fingers moving in slow, tight circles over her aching clit. "Do you enjoy this, my dear? Being at my mercy, exposed to anyone who cares to look?"

The blonde moaned softly, her body trembling uncontrollably as Eloise's fingers continued their gentle assault, the pleasure building with each passing moment. "Yes," she gasped, her voice trembling with both fear and excitement. "I... I love it."

The dominant girl's smile deepened, her fingers sliding deeper, exploring every inch of Cressida's body with a precision that made her gasp, her breath coming in short, desperate bursts. "Good," Eloise murmured softly, her voice filled with quiet command. "Because I am not nearly finished with you."

Cressida's breath hitched, her entire being consumed by the sensation of Eloise's fingers moving inside her, stroking her, teasing her with a care that was both tender and unrelenting. The weight of the public setting—the knowledge that anyone could see them—only heightened the intensity of the moment, making her pulse race with a mixture of fear and excitement.

As Eloise's fingers moved with more purpose, Cressida felt herself teetering on the edge of release, her body trembling uncontrollably as the pleasure built to a fever pitch. But just as she thought she might fall over that edge, Eloise's hand stilled, her fingers pulling away slightly as she leaned in, her breath warm against Cressida's ear.

"Not yet," Eloise whispered softly, her voice filled with quiet command. "You will wait for me."

Cressida's breath hitched, her body trembling under Eloise's touch as the pleasure swirled through her, her release agonizingly close, yet held just out of reach. Her entire body ached with the need to let go, to fall over the edge, but Eloise's soft, commanding words echoed in her mind, forcing her to wait. To be still. To obey.

"Please," Cressida whispered, her voice trembling with desperation as she glanced up at Eloise, her eyes wide with pleading. "Please, Eloise... I can't—"

"You can," Eloise interrupted, her voice firm but filled with quiet affection as her fingers began to move again, teasing Cressida with slow, deliberate strokes. "You will wait until I give you permission. I know you can."

Cressida whimpered softly, her body arching toward Eloise's hand as the pleasure built once more, the slow, rhythmic movement of her fingers pushing her closer and closer to the edge. She could feel every sensation with heightened clarity—the warmth of Eloise's breath against her skin, the slickness of her arousal coating Eloise's fingers, the soft flicker of candlelight dancing over their exposed forms. It was all too much, too intense, and yet, she clung to Eloise's command, her body trembling with the effort to hold back.

"Now," Eloise whispered, her voice low and filled with quiet satisfaction as she pressed more firmly in her clit, her fingers stroking the delicate nub with a deliberate rhythm that left no room for hesitation. "Come for me, my love."

The words were a command, one that Cressida's body had been waiting for. With a soft cry, her body tensed, her breath catching in her throat as the wave of release crashed over her, sending tremors of pleasure through her entire being. Eloise's fingers moved in perfect sync with her body, drawing out every last shudder, every last gasp of pleasure as Cressida fell apart beneath her.

As the final tremors subsided, Cressida collapsed against the planter, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. Her entire body tingled with the aftermath of her release, the intensity of it still leaving her trembling, her legs weak beneath her.

Eloise's hand remained steady, her fingers still brushing lightly against Cressida's bare skin as she leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. "You did beautifully," Eloise whispered, her voice filled with quiet pride as she cupped Cressida's cheek, her thumb brushing lightly over her flushed skin. "Such a good girl."

Cressida smiled weakly, her breath still coming in shallow gasps as she looked up at Eloise, her heart swelling with affection and gratitude. She had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable—and yet, in Eloise's hands, she felt utterly safe, cherished.

But before either of them could fully bask in the intimacy of the moment, a soft voice interrupted them.

"Excuse me," the voice purred from behind them, filled with curiosity and unmistakable interest. "I couldn't help but notice..."

Eloise turned, her body tensing slightly as she glanced over her shoulder. Two women stood just a few feet away, their faces half-hidden behind elaborate masks, their expressions unreadable. They, too, were dressed in the daring attire of the evening, their gowns low-cut, their bodies clearly engaged in the same indulgent atmosphere that had consumed the ball.

One of the women stepped closer, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile as her eyes flicked between Eloise and Cressida. "You seem to be having quite the... adventure," she remarked softly, her voice laced with amusement. "Would you mind if we joined you?"

The blonde's breath caught, her body still trembling beneath the weight of her release, but Eloise remained calm, her hand tightening slightly on her lover's waist as she met the gaze of the two women.

For a moment, Eloise said nothing, her gaze steady as she considered the offer, her hand still resting protectively on Cressida's bare skin. Then, after a long pause, her lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile.

"I suppose," she murmured softly, her voice filled with quiet authority as she glanced up at Cressida, her fingers brushing lightly against her cheek. "That depends on whether my darling here is up for it."

Cressida's eyes widened, her breath trembling as she met Eloise's gaze. The idea of being watched, of being touched by others while Eloise remained in control, sent a thrill of excitement through her already sensitized body. But she trusted her partner—had always trusted her—and so, after a brief hesitation, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper as she replied, "If... if you wish it, ma'am."