The clear, melodious voice, like a silver bell cutting through the din, arrested both Michael and Linsy at once. Their gazes, one from the ballroom floor and one from the secluded balcony, snapped toward the source.

A young woman emerged from the crowd, a vision in a flowing gown of blush pink. Her skin was porcelain-fair, her hair styled into an elegant chignon studded with delicate, glittering jewels. The mask she wore was a work of art—silver-white filigree that was, Linsy noted with a ...