8.

Of Masks and Mystery.

Letty opened the door to them herself.

“Katie! You look fantastic,” she squealed, giving Rob a huge hug and a kiss, making Pru's eyebrows elevate yet again.

She had a white long wig on, and had darkened her face to look very like Halle Berry in the X-Men movie. The silver contact lenses were the most surreal effect, and her black outfit accentuated her trim little figure.

“Hi Peter,” she said, slightly subdued.

“Hello Letty, is Tony here yet?”

Rob smirked behind his whiskers and mask.

“He called. He's on his way, but might miss the first course.”

Pru relaxed a little.

Letty led them through to the large drawing room. All bar Tony gathered there, all looking self conscious in their super hero outfits. There was a very tall but rather thin Superman, Green Lantern was by the fire, trying to look casual and relaxed but failing miserably. Wonder Woman was sitting on the sofa, trying not to show she felt she was overexposed. Captain America looked more like Corporal Oxfam, and Pru laughed out loud when she saw one man dressed as Danger Mouse, complete with huge white ears.

“Don't we all look completely ridiculous?” she said. However, she realised that none of them were listening to her. They were all watching Rob's entry to the room. He'd taken his coat off, and had adopted that sexy walk again. He had tried not to, but the heels were so high it just seemed to happen. The costume was so tight she was waiting for a ripping noise.

“Hello everyone, don't we look silly?”

Vigorous male head shook with disagreement. Pru had to admit, her little brother stole the show.

Cocktails were served. Pru was careful with what she drank. She noted with interest that Rob was doing the same. They all went into the dining room and sat round the enormous oval table, capable of seating more than twenty people with ease.

The starters were fresh oysters, which a couple of the party refused. Pru and Rob, having eaten many things that would not strictly be classified as food, ate them with no hesitation.

As the plates were being cleared away, Bat Man appeared, looking faintly jaded.

“Sorry I'm late, minor crisis on the farm,” he said, taking his seat opposite Pru.

“I'm relieved to see you. I didn't want to be half a double act,” she said.

Tony smiled, taking his mask off.

“God, that thing is hot! Gosh, don't you all look, look, um, look different.”

The ice was broken, but Pru noted that Tony did more than glance at Rob.

“Well, if I had to judge the best costume here, it would be hard, but I think Cat Woman wins, out of sheer eroticism,” he said.

Rob turned to him and blew him a kiss.

“Meeeow,” he said, flicking his tail and stroking his whiskers.

It was a very good meal, but Pru noticed that Tony drank quite heavily. Not that he was excessive, but certainly wouldn't be safe to drive.

At a little after ten, the butler announced that the bus had arrived. Pru hadn't even thought that far ahead, but now saw it as the only logical answer to get them all there at the same time.

The Hurlingham Club was deep in true blue Chelsea, being a large old manor house in superb grounds that was now set-aside for tennis and other gentle pursuits.

The party arrived and started to mingle with the other guests. Letty grabbed her friend Katie and taking her onto the dance floor, ensured that every male saw the exquisite couple right from the start.

Needless to say, neither was without willing partners for long. After forty minutes, ‘Katie' excused herself to go to the Ladies.

Collecting her bag from where he had hidden it earlier, Rob disappeared across the lawns to a small pavilion by the bowling green.

Taking the Cat Woman suit off was harder than he had anticipated. He was suddenly worried about getting back into it later. However, he succeeded, and using the makeup remover, he wiped Katie away completely, taking off his false black varnished nails using the appropriate remover.

Letty was standing by the bar with Tony.

“Isn't this fun?”

“If you say so,” said Tony, looking at the fools cavorting in capes and silly masks.

“Oh, Tony, stop being such a party pooper. Why don't you go and dance with Katie?”

“Katie is doing fine without me,” he said, disliking being bullied into doing things.

“I think you and she would make a perfect couple.”

“Letty, your choice of men has, up to this point, been completely inappropriate, so please, spare me the marital advice.”

Letty, not taking the slightest offence, grinned and continued.

“She's very attractive, she'd intelligent, she's quick and quite a strong person. She'd make you an excellent wife.”

“She's also fashion conscious, highly hyperactive, career minded, independent and too young for me.”

“So, who else could you marry? You've turned nearly everyone else down.”

Tony watched as Pru left the dance floor leading Wonder Woman towards where they were standing.

“I am in no rush, child. The woman I marry will be loyal, attractive without being chocolate-box pretty, dependable, intelligent, physically and emotionally strong. In short, she will be prudence personified.”

This said just as Pru came within earshot, and despite herself she started to blush.

“Hot, young Peter?”

“Just a bit,” she replied, grateful for the excuse.

“I was trying to persuade Tony to dance with Katie. Where is she?” Letty asked.

“I have no idea, I last saw her dancing with Inspector Gadget,” said Pru.

“Then Tony will have to dance with me,” she said.

“My dear girl, I should be delighted to dance with you, when hell freezes over.”

Letty stamped her foot.

“Oh Tony, you can be so boring.”

“Excusez moi, madamoiselle, would you do me the honour of accompanying me onto the floor?” said a new voice.

All turned to see whom it could be.

Standing a little in the shadows, was a slim young man dressed in black. With a tricorn hat, black mask, riding breeches and highly polished riding boots gleaming in the flashing lights. A sword was strapped to his waist, the tip peeping out from under his black frock coat. Blue eyes shone through the holes in the black velvet mast, as if mocking convention. He bowed low, sweeping his hat under him. He had long fair hair, tied back in a small ponytail with a length of black ribbon.

He handed Letty a single white rose.

Letty clapped her hands with delight.

“I'd love to, how wonderful!”

“Excuse me, young fellow, but I thought this was a theme party,” said Tony.

“Sir, you are quite correct. You see me as the latest Super Hero, HIGHWAY-MAN,” he said, bowing his head at Tony.

“Oh, very droll,” said Tony with a chuckle.

“Mademoiselle?” said the unknown, holding his arm for her.

“One moment. I have decided to take the lady for a dance,” said Tony.

Pru held her breath.

The shorter man took a half pace backwards, looking as if he were about to draw the sword.

“Sir, then the lady shall decide. Ma chéri, which shall be your partner?”

Letty's eyes glinted in the lights. It might only be in Chelsea and not a Castle, but this was what romance was all about. It was no contest, as a few moments later, the unknown led her onto the floor.

Pru came over to Tony.

“Never mind, you can have the next one,” she said.

“Piffle. I can't stand dancing, I didn't want the bloody dance, but I just wanted her to feel a bit of competition.”

Pru laughed.

“You are a very strange man.”

“Oh, how so?” asked Tony.

“Sometimes you pretend to be so grown up.”

He laughed.

“Well done, you are more astute than you appear, young Peter.”

“So are you, Tony, so are you.”

Letty was enjoying the dance. For unlike the others who stood back and gyrated madly, he took her in his arms and waltzed her around with flowing grace.

“This is such fun,” she said.

“It certainly is.”

“Have you danced with many girls tonight?”

“I came to dance with but one, and my ambition is achieved.”

Letty grinned, aware this was so silly, but it made her go all tingly.

“I feel I know you, who are you?” she said.

“Aha, how can you ask that? Where is the romance in discovering your secret admirer's identity, Letitia?”

Letty frowned, as this was so frustrating. He knew her name, yet she didn't know who he was.

“Are you?”

“Am I what, ma chéri?"

“Are you my secret admirer?”

“Can you doubt it?”

“You can't be very secret if I can see you.”

“Ah, but you may see me and never know me. That is my secret.” His eyes laughed at her from behind the mask.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because I love you, and am here to tell you that I shall be watching over you. At the right time, I shall be there for you, and when I come for you, you will come with me.”

There was such certainty in his voice that Letty was captivated.

“How can you love me, you don't know me?”

“I know you so well, ma chéri, I have loved you for many days, and hope in time you shall come to love me too.”

“I will wait for midnight, when the masks come off. Then I shall know you!”

“I shall not be here. As I said, I came for one dance, and now, I shall say farewell. Remember, I love you.”

The unknown took her hands and kissed them, finally kissing her on the lips.

“How will I know you?” she asked, afraid he was going to go away forever.

He opened his shirt and she saw, lying on his bare chest, a medallion of a Chinese dragon.

“This is the only one of its kind in the world. I will always wear it for you.”

One more kiss and he was gone.

Letty sought out Katie to tell her about the unknown. She found so many Cat Women that she became frustrated. She returned to the bar to find Tony still there.

“Tony, have you seen Katie?”

“Why, should I have done?”

“On Tony, you can be such an arse at times.”

“No, Letty, I haven't. At least I don't think I have. A woman in a suit like hers past me going to the loo a few minutes ago.”

Letty grinned. “Where's Peter? It seems strange not seeing him with you, you're like Siamese twins these days.”

She didn't see it, but a slow flush rose in Tony's face.

“I have no idea, I assumed he was off trying to fight the strange little man for your hand.”

Letty smiled and walked off in search of her friend, Katie. She couldn't wait to tell her about the mysterious highwayman.

In the pavilion, Pru was lacing Rob back into the suit.

“You are a fool,” she said.

“Yes, dear.”

“A stupid romantic fool.”

“If you say so,” he said, grinning.

“There, not quite as tight as before. Are your boobs okay?”

Rob juggled them about.

“Yeah, I think so. How do I look?”

“Fine. You should have got a less fiddly costume.”

“Now she tells me.”

“Okay, come on, let's get back before they miss us. Letty will be looking for you, you realise that?”

“Of course.”

Pru smiled.

“Does this mean that the boy is winning?

“Possibly,” he said, grinning again.

“Are the nails on tightly?” she asked.

“They'll do.”

They tripped across the lawns, keeping into the shadows, entering the house by a side door. Rob grinned as his stiletto heels kept getting stuck in the grass. Tony was still by the bar, talking to an acquaintance. Pru, nodding at her brother, made her way over to his side. Rob took a different path, ending up at the Ladies.

“Ah, Boy Wonder, Letty is after your sister, any idea where she is?”

“She muttered something about the loo, cursing long queues and bloody silly costumes.”

“Ah, that explains it. Enjoying yourself?”

“I suppose so. I have to admit that these aren't really my cup of tea. It's fun seeing people making complete cocks of themselves.”

“Us included, dear boy, us too,” said Tony swirling his Bat Cape.

Letty found Katie as she came out of a cubicle in the Ladies.

“Oh, there you are, I've been looking for you for ages. You'll never guess what has just happened.”

Rob smiled and repaired his makeup in the mirror. The quick change had been just about adequate, but there was much to do. The mask did him a favour, but still he was hard pushed to get things back to the way they'd been.

“No, I don't think I can guess, so tell me.”

Letty was so excited, the words spilled over themselves as they came out in such a rush. She told her friend all about the mysterious swordsman, who had spoken to her in French, and expressed his love for her, even though she didn't know who he was.

“Sounds a little potty to me. You must have some idea who he is?”

Letty shook her head, her white wig shimmering in the lights.

“I thought it could be Richard Venner, but I saw him snogging with Adele Mitchum. He's dressed as Banana Man, in any case. His voice was rather like George Kaye, but George is a good three of four inches taller. I really don't have a clue, isn't it romantic?”

“If that's what you want. Personally, I like my men where I can see them,” Rob said, finishing with the lipstick. “Be a love, and tighten up my laces at the back, I just can't reach.”

Letty helped her friend adjust the costume, unaware she was helping Rob with his deception. Satisfied that the costume and makeup were as good as they could be, Rob and Letty rejoined the party, their arms around each other's waists. Rob dragged a reluctant Tony onto the floor, and Pru danced with Letty. However, the latter kept looking around in the vain hope of catching a glimpse of her unknown admirer.

Tony wasn't a natural dancer. Being such a tall man, he was neither graceful nor was he that well coordinated, at least not for dancing. Rob realised he wasn't enjoying himself, and so took pity on him.

“My corset is killing me, would you mind if we sat this out?” he said.

Tony looked positively delighted, leading his partner gallantly from the floor. Sipping cold drinks, they watched the dancers for a moment.

“What's Letty in a spin about? She came out with some drivel about a secret admirer.”

“Ah, you were otherwise indisposed, but a strange young man came and spirited her away for a dance claiming undying love for her. Knowing Letty as you do, you'll understand that it is just the sort of stupidity she goes in for. Now she's all agog to find out who the chap is.”

“Do you know who he is?”

“I? Good God, no. Only saw him for a moment, and with the costume and mask, haven't the foggiest.”

“I think it's quite sweet and romantic.”

“He's probably a serial rapist, lining up his next victim.”

Rob laughed out of genuine humour. Tony smiled, the smile developing into a grin.

Pru and Letty appeared.

“It's no good, she's not with it at all. She keeps looking for her admirer,” Pru remarked.

The music ended, the lights came up and the host stood on the small stage with the DJ. Taking the microphone, he started speaking.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. Midnight is upon us, and it is time to judge the costumes and unmask. The judges have been circulating all evening, surreptitiously, but to give them a better idea, I'd like you all to split into ladies on the left and gents on the right of the hall.”

Letty and Rob went to the left, as the judges circulated amongst everyone.

After a few minutes, they congregated by the host, conferring with each other.

“It has been amazingly hard to select winners, because everyone has put in such tremendous effort, and really we'd love to reward you all. However, we have the winners! For the ladies, from incredibly stiff competition, notwithstanding there were several sharing the same character, it is Cat Woman - The one standing with Batman and Robin, appropriately enough. For the judges decided that the dynamic duo should share the prize for the men. So all three of you, please come up and collect your prizes.”

Letty squealed with delight as her friends walked up to collect their prizes. Pru was aware that Tony was terribly embarrassed under his mask. She had to admit that the man was so big, so well built, that he cut a very dashing and imposing figure. Their costumes were based on the movie costumes and not the TV series of the 1960s.

Rob collected a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates, while the men were handed a very nice bottle of champagne. There followed the unmasking, and after that people started drifting away.

Rob and Pru said goodnight to their friends, and caught a cab home. Letty went to bed, but couldn't sleep because her mind was focussed on her admirer. Tony sat in his armchair, a frown upon his face signifying he was a troubled man. He went to his computer and started searching in the Internet. He was there a long time, but by six in the morning, he went to bed with a small smile on his face.

“Well, well, well, that is very interesting,” he said, as he fell asleep.