Perhaps he could even steal a dance or two. Christopher felt himself falling back into the dream like state he’d experienced while examining the portrait but forced himself to remain in the present.
“I do. And I look forward to it.”
“Wonderful. We shall make plans for our dinner at the ball. I must say, as unfortunate as the business with the lost necklace was, I am ever so glad it has led us to each other. I foresee a prosperous future for this acquaintance.”
With that, Lord Hazelshire rose and Christopher and Henry followed suit as he led them out of the room.
They bade the Earl farewell and made their way outside.
The moment they stepped outside; Henry boxed him in the arm.
‘What is the matter with you? Finally, we make a connection that could lead us to prosper once more and you all but depart the conversation, standing like a fool while staring at the painting of the man’s family.”
He sighed, “I cannot explain it. There was something about her, the daughter. I must meet her. Henry, I have not the words but something about this woman is so magnetic that it has captured me.”
Henry frowned and then shrugged.
“She is pretty, looks just like her Mother too.”
“Not her, the one with the dark hair. She is ever so striking, so–” he stopped where he stood, stretching one arm out to his side to stop Henry.
‘Oh, Brother, what are you doing?” he grunted as he walked with his chest into his brother’s outstretched arm.
“Look,” Christopher said as they stood on the sidewalk.
Up ahead, a carriage stopped. Embedded within the Coat of Arms was the now familiar symbol, the rose.
The carriage door opened, and the coachman assisted a blonde-haired woman, Lady Hazelshire, no doubt, out of the vehicle. She was outfitted in a traveling dress, as was the young blonde woman who followed her out of the carriage.
This must be the Earl’s family arriving. He did say they were due today. And that means, certainly that means she will be among them.
A young woman with shorter, amber-colored hair stepped out next. Christopher did not recognize her. She’d not been in the painting. However, following her–
He took step forward, almost walking into an oncoming curricle when Henry pulled him back.
“Topher! What has gotten into you?”
He almost did not hear him for his eyes were fixed on the woman with the long, dark hair who had stepped out of the carriage after the rest of her family. He stared in her direction, knowing in his heart it was her. The woman from the painting.
He waited, hoping she might turn around to look in his direction so he might see her face in real life.
After a long moment, she did. The sun lit up her pale face, giving her dark hair a glimmer and for just one glorious second, their eyes met across the street.
Christopher knew then, he had to meet her in person. He knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
Chapter 4
Rowena was standing by the window, looking out over the busy streets below. It seems as though all of London was heading for the park today. People streamed toward the East, to where the entrance to Green Park was visible in the distance. She quite fancied a walk in the park herself. Perhaps once her mother returned with Betsy, she would see if she could persuade her friend to go with her.
They’d only been in London for three days, but her mother had wasted no time at all in taking Betsy on morning calls in an effort to help her secure a position. Nor had she wasted time planning Catherine’s ball. Presently, her sister was busy sorting through the many dresses which hung in her armoire, trying to select the perfect choice for the ball.
“Do you think this one, perhaps? Or is it too much?” Catherine held up a gown in front of her body and swirled it around. The gown, a fancy number, featured a hoop skirt, the kind only worn to Court.
Rowena frowned and shook her head. “Cathy, that gown is meant for Court and you know it. In any case, I should imagine the hoop skirt might making dancing somewhat cumbersome.”
Her sister’s face fell for a moment and she held the gown stretched out in front of her. Rowena could not help but grin. Her sister’s face was pinched together, and she hung the large gown on a hook on the wall and instead pulled out another dress from the armoire.
She held it to her body for a moment and then dropped her arm, letting the dress scrape the floor.
