Chapter 27

As they lay, satiated, in each other’s arms, the sound of party goers approaching registered enough to rouse them.  They quickly made aright their appearances and scurried out of the maze.  Although still quite heavily under the influence of the whiskey, Nate was coherent enough to realize the scandal they would cause should he be seen coming out of the maze with Elise on his arm; especially when she was still in considerable disarray.

The only thing they had in their favor was the fact that they were in disguise. He mentioned this to Elise, who quickly put her mask over her face before leaving the maze and Nate behind her.

Because Nate’s coordination made him a little slower to replace his mask when he finally decided to don it after procrastinating so that he could watch Elise disappear into the night without obstruction, he was recognized by a very angry Elizabeth Pratt.  Fortunately, Elizabeth was not informed of the costume Elise chose t