The older man bowed his head and then melted into the crowd. Scarcely able to believe the turn of events, Imogen smiled invitingly at a young blonde dancing on her toes at the front of the line. The next hour flew by as she engaged dozens of attendees in conversation. The number of insightful questions and thoughtful comments humbled her.
When a gaggle of stylish young men and women from her social circle stepped forward, however, her confidence wavered. She braced herself for some off-hand comment about her former fiancé, but it never came. All they wanted to know about were her professional plans. As she’d so fervently hoped, her public jilting was already old news.
She only wished Tommy were there. He would give her that cocky smirk, the one that said he’d been right all along. Her heart squeezed wistfully. How long would it be before they were together again? Her patience was far from that of a saint—more like a toddler before a dessert table. She would have given in to despair weeks ago if it hadn’t been for the constant arrival of Tommy’s letters. Sometimes one a day, sometimes two or three. She never knew what they’d include; a book quote, a pressed flower, a detailed description of his day. She lived for the arrival of those letters, which the scoundrel undoubtedly knew.
Today of all days, though, one hadn’t arrived. The mailman had shrugged, then grown disgruntled when she demanded he check his bag again. Imogen hated how quickly her niggling doubts had reared their ugly head. One missing letter surely meant nothing.
Bright red hair flashed in the corner of her eye. Excusing herself from the line, she took three steps forward. The ballroom had grown even more crowded, and large hats sporting feathers and silk flowers blocked her view. She shook her head at her strike of fancy. One glimpse of the color red and she was conjuring the man in her mind!
“Looking for me, Genie love?”
Tommy’s resonant voice rumbled close to her ear and she spun around so fast she stumbled forward. Tommy caught her against his chest, his gloved hand wrapping around her waist. She reveled in his touch for three precious seconds before reluctantly pulling back. Her eyes devoured him, taking in his close-cropped hair—too short for fashion but much better than it had been the last time she’d seen him—his sparkling blue eyes, his darling freckles, and an immaculate suit. She shivered at the longing that swept through her. She was so used to seeing him in ridiculous clothing that the sight of a well-fitted suit had her libido doing somersaults.
“You didn’t write today,” she said faintly.
His lips quirked. “I knew you’d be upset about that, but my news could never have fit inside a letter. I came to tell you myself.” He lifted his head and took in the crowded ballroom. “And I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
“You could have told me you were coming.”
“Where’s the excitement in that?”
“Touché.” She gripped his hand. “Oh, Tommy, you wouldn’t believe the reception. It’s positively wonderful.”
“Show me.”
She drew him to her photographs and awaited his verdict.
“How disappointing.”
Her breath caught. “What? Why?”
He turned to her, eyes twinkling. “I had hoped the photograph of my bare behind was the cause of all the fuss.”
She let out an indelicate snort. “In a way, it did.” She leaned in close. “I have news, too. Shall we go somewhere private?”
“Call me a scoundrel, but I also hoped to steal you away for a little while. I have something to show you.” He waggled his brows. “Who do we need to escape this time?”
A wave of intense affection washed over her, and she laughed helplessly. “We’re not escaping anyone. Not anymore. Give me a few minutes to find my Aunt Judith and let her know.”
“She won’t mind?”
“She’s a wonderful aunt…and a terrible chaperone.”
“Thank God for family like her.” His blue eyes glittered in the ballroom’s electric lights. “Meet me by the taxis out front?”
She agreed, then went in search of Aunt Judith. As she navigated the room, she was occasionally stopped by former classmates and acquaintances who wished to congratulate her. The bustle inevitably roused the curiosity of nearby attendees, and it was a while before she was able to find her aunt and inform her of everything that had happened. Luckily, Judith was once again willing to turn a blind eye to her plan, so long as she promised to return within the hour.
Imogen collected her coat and hurried to the row of black carriages waiting outside the hotel. Tommy straightened from where he leaned against a lamp post and met her by the first carriage.
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting,” she said breathlessly.
“I’ll always wait for you, Genie love.” He handed her up into the carriage, then said in a low voice, “The driver knows where to go. I’ll join you once you’ve rounded the corner.”
As much as she hated the delay, it was the wise thing to do. The last thing she wanted was to cast a pall over her triumphant evening by sparking inane gossip about her leaving with a man. “All right, but don’t dawdle. I’m simply dying to be kissed.”
Tommy’s nostrils flared at her words, but rather than answer, he closed the carriage door, turned on his heel, and walked briskly toward the street.
Imogen settled against the wide seat as the carriage jolted forward. She wrapped her arms around herself for warmth and slowly counted backward from one hundred. When she reached sixty-two, the carriage stopped and the door flung open.
