“Because they are as captivated as I am, dear Elizabeth,” he whispered softly.
“Or they are just curious,” she said with a grin, relaxing a bit.
“Think of it like your beehive.”
She frowned slightly, and Collin continued. “In a room full of bees, everyone all the same, there’s only one queen, and without her, the rest of the hive wouldn’t survive.”
“I think London would survive without me, as it has for centuries.” Smiling in challenge, she waited for a response.
“But I wouldn’t, and they can see that. And they want it too,” he finished, meeting her gaze with all the love in his heart.
“The waltz is about to start,” Joan murmured.
Collin led Elizabeth to the dance floor as the music started and pulled her in close as he began to lead.
“You know, this is the first time I’ve ever danced with you.”
“We’ve danced around arguments for weeks now,” she teased, her wit just as sparkling as her expression.
“And here I thought since it was our engagement ball, there would be a cease-fire.”
“Never.” She tempered the word with an easy grin. “I rather like accosting you.” Her attention darted down to his lips.
“If you keep looking at me that way, I assure you, sweet Elizabeth, we are going to scandalize all of London as I devour you right here,” he whispered softly, temptingly, as if challenging her.
“That is one challenge I’ll have to decline, out of respect for your sister. I, for my part, wouldn’t mind. No, that’s not true. I would. I would…tomorrow.”
Collin chuckled. “Is that to say you’d not regret it tonight?”
“Likely not. You tend to distract me.”
“That’s only fair, since I feel the same way.”
“Equals.”
“Did you ever consider yourself anything less?” He raised the question.
A blush bloomed in Elizabeth’s cheeks. “No. That is one of the many reasons I love you.” She didn’t glance away shyly when she said it; she merely met his gaze with a direct and frank one of her own. “Because asyourwife, I’m also still me, with my own thoughts, ideas, plans…”
“Future, your own opinions,” he added. “All of it, and I wouldn’t change that about you at all. I only ask that when you disagree with me, you do it gently to make sure I’ll recover some day.”
“Agreed, same. Because I’ve been known to be wrong a time or two.”
“Only once or twice though.”
“Maybe more.”
“About me? You were wrong about me.”
“You were… You didn’t present yourself accurately.”
“So, it’s my fault?” he asked provocatively.
“Yes,” she returned.
“You know, if you smile any wider, the whole of London is going to think you’re entirely too happy.”
“Then they will be correct in their assessment.”
