“And Lord Ludlow?” Olivia asked Jocelyn.
“Oh I care deeply for Lord Ludlow, but I don’t know his intentions. I just know that the marquis will ask me to marry him. I rather like his style of courtship.”
“He’s certainly swept you off your feet,” agreed Olivia.
She looked around the ballroom at the constellation of silvery stars hanging from the ceiling. The orchestra played another reel and to her stunned surprise, she saw Uncle Harold dancing with Marianne.
“I can see Lord Ludlow heading this way. Do you want to speak with him? I can divert him if you’d rather not.”
“I’ll speak with him and dance if he ever asks me,” Jocelyn muttered, with a note of irritation.
Oh how complicated this quest for a husband can become.I should be out there, mixing and hoping I catch the eye of a man of good fortune and character. I have no desire to do that, but I suspect I will have to make that effort very soon.
She closed her eyes momentarily and wondered if she imagined the scent of sandalwood and cedar of Lebanon. She looked up into those honey brown eyes and saw a look of humor.
“My dear Lady Olivia, I am going to suggest that we defy convention and dance the next two dances together. What do you think?”
“I think it is a very good idea indeed,” she responded, smiling brightly. “I care not for convention and,” she paused briefly before making the decision to continue, “I find I rather enjoy dancing with you, My Lord.”
“Then let us away to the dance floor and waltz,” Marcus said, taking her hand.
As they walked together, he whispered in her ear. “You look stunning in that green dress. I keep looking at you and wondering if you are Lady Olivia Sherwyn, or a dryad ormysterious fae creature, who is wearing all the greens of the forest. Beautiful... Breathtaking...”
She held her breath. Had she imagined those words? Her body was alive with a thrill of excitement.
He thinks I look beautiful.She felt the pressure of his arm holding hers as they moved together.
Then a dose of cold reality.This can’t last.
If only he knew my secret; knew the truth.
Olivia was aware that their conversation was different tonight. His style, the way he spoke to her had somehow changed. This new, lightly flirtatious tone brought a lightness into her life that she had thought lost. Could she dare to hope there was a future for her?
And then, stepping into the waltz, he held her close, her feet barely touching the floor, as the rhythm of the music grew stronger with every beat.
I could stay here forever, absorbed by the music and wrapped in a strong pair of arms.
***
As soon as she saw Marcus leading Olivia onto the dance floor and into a waltz, she felt anger and rage course through her veins.
All around her she could hear the complimentary comments about the couple.
“Don’t they look like the perfect couple.”
“He’s been in the war, then away in Italy. Now he’s found his bride.”
“Such a brave young woman, saving her cousin in that fire.”
“A perfect couple at a perfect ball.”
“That green dress is so lovely. It suits her complexion.”
Everywhere she turned she heard small talk about Lord Marcus Hatfield and Lady Olivia Sherwyn.
Cressida escaped to the terrace, away from the stifling air in the ballroom.
It’s better outside,she thought.I couldn’t breathe in there.Watching those two twirling about made me feel physically sick. What’s happening? Are my powers waning?
