Not to be outdone, Cole pointed to the small toy sword at his waist, a gift from Niall.
Nurse tsked. “Next the younger Mr. Buchanan will be giving him boxing lessons.”
“Surely not,” Loveday replied with a touch of dismay. “I’ve not met him, but...”
“’Tis time to go down,” Juliet said, holding out her hands to the children. “Remember your manners. Smile at our guests, and practice saying sir and ma’am and please and thank you.”
“Mind yer stepmother, aye,” Nurse said, patting her pockets. “There’ll be a sweetmeat for ye if ye do.”
Juliet drew a steadying breath as the door opened and they passed into the corridor. No reason for nerves. Her own debut at the assembly hall was yet to come. This was Loveday’s hour, and she prayed it wouldn’t disappoint.
Below, the flower-festooned chamber was filling, the chandelier spilling light on the first arrivals. Loveday went aheadof her, and Juliet was careful the children didn’t step on the trailing hem of her dress.
Leith stood near the drawing room door, greeting guests as the footman announced them.
Was she tardy?
The qualm dissolved as he came into sharp focus.Oh, my heart.She’d hardly seen him since that day they’d fetched the twins from Ardraigh Hall. Tonight he was remarkably braw.
And he was looking up at her.
Well played, Juliet.
He’d not expected to see the twins by her side, but there they were, navigating the staircase with surprising ease, the harmless sword swinging from the sash at Cole’s waist. Bella was beaming at him, and in the shifting light he caught a glimpse of what she might look like as a young woman in fancy dress. Years from now, would he remember this shining moment?
Delighted guests turned toward the children as they stepped into the entrance hall. If Juliet was nervous, her attention given the twins surely relieved it. She was clad in a new gown of blue damask. On purpose? It seemed arrogant to think she dressed to please him.
Glasgow seamstresses didn’t disappoint. No other woman was her rival. But he had no eye for any other.
“Da,” Cole said with a little bow when they stood before him.
Leith knelt down as Bella curtsied, and everyone watching gave a collective “ahh.” He took her hand and kissed it, wanting to take Juliet’s as well. When he stood up, he met her eyes, which were smiling. She was never happier than when with the children. Would she never light up that way with him?
“Shall we?” he asked, extending his arm.
She accepted and kept hold of Bella, while Cole, spying his uncles and aunt already in the drawing room, took off at a cumbersome run. Leith’s brothers turned toward them, and Lyrica began laughing behind her fan at the amusing spectacle.
“Allow me to present Mrs. Juliet Buchanan, lately of Virginia.” Leith felt more than a beat of pride.
His normally taciturn brothers wore a look of unmistakable admiration as introductions were made.
Lyrica embraced Juliet, kissing both her cheeks. “Welcome to the family. I’m thrilled to not be the only Mrs. Buchanan!”
Juliet warmed to Lyrica at once. She exuded a candor Juliet found refreshing among all the pomp and powder here. Euan looked a tad like Leith but wasn’t so tall, his attire boasting a hint of a dandy with his embroidered claret suit of gold and silver thread with a lace jabot about his neck. But that was the only softening thing about him. He bore the Buchanan stoniness Juliet found disturbing, the jut of his jaw and the arrogant slant of his brows distancing, even daunting.
Euan regarded her with cool calculation, reminding her she was a foreigner. But she couldn’t blame him when she’d arrived without warning and hadn’t brought much to the marriage except a dowry of colonial debt.
Niall was a youthful Leith but a more engaging one with his ready smiles and teasing of the twins. He had an honest, boyish vulnerability entirely absent in his older brothers.
Loveday approached, so lovely and gracious that tears came to Juliet’s eyes. Her little sister seemed more mature, and she sensed this night would be a turning point not only for Loveday but for their relationship.
Euan bowed stiffly and Lyrica greeted Loveday promptly, but it became obvious that Niall looked the longest, seemingly at a loss for words. Loveday met the youngest Buchanan’s eyes with a spark that hinted at an instantaneous, unspoken attraction. Leith appeared amused, as if remembering his words of weeks ago.
“Your sister might make a better pairing with my youngest brother.”
“May I have a dance, Miss Catesby?” Niall said, recovering himself.
Loveday rewarded him with a dimpled smile, acceptance written in her every feature. “The first of many, I hope.”
