“There. Now we look the same too. Although…” I tapped my lip, “I daresay you are the most beautiful girl in the entire house tonight.” I smiled as she touched the pin on the back of her head in awe.
“Enjoy the party,” I said, glancing in her father’s direction as well. As I walked away, she tapped her father’s shoulder to show him the new pin in her hair.
My smile seemed irreversible now, and as I walked away, I steadied myself and refocused on the task I had come here to accomplish. A voice from behind me made my heart leap.
“I didn’t think you could become more beautiful.”
I turned slowly, steeling myself. James was smiling, just a soft lift of his lips that fluttered my heart. Every piece of me he had stolen was reflected in his eyes, and I had no power to reclaim them. My cheeks tingled with heat at his compliment.
“I didn’t think you could become more flirtatious.”
He laughed, looking down at his boots, then back at my face. “Forgive me.”
I smiled, hating myself for how much I enjoyed being beside him, talking with him, teasing him, laughing with him. It was all so unfair. “I assume you approached me because you have a plan to accomplish the quest we call ‘Rosemary’?” I said.
“That is one reason.” He smiled but it lasted only a brief moment.
“How can we bring them together?” I asked quickly, keeping my gaze moving around the room, not settling for too long on his face.
“Do you know for certain that she loves him?” I heard the suspicion in his voice.
I dared a glance at his face. “Yes, I have no doubt.”
James’s eyes were careful, withdrawn, and looking far too deeply into mine. I was afraid he could read my thoughts.
“And your brother? Do you know that he loves her?” I asked.
“It was difficult to believe at first, but now there is no question.” His eyes did not leave my face. “He loves her more than anything.”
I tried not to think too deeply about his words or the look in his eyes. My heart hammered. “What shall we do then? Or should we trust fate to the task?”
He smiled, one side of his mouth lifting more than the other. “If there’s anything I don’t trust, it’s fate. Come now, Charlotte, we’re clever. We’ll find a way.”
I searched the room, looking for clues—and a distraction. The awareness I felt of James standing beside me, every breath, every movement, was too much to bear at the moment. “We must separate. You speak to your brother, I to my sister, and we will meet again later to…conspire with our new information.”
He nodded with an amused smile. “Where will this conspiracy take place?”
“In this very spot. In one hour.”
He chuckled. “Very well. I will see you in an hour, then.”
I nodded and turned, eager to escape his gaze. My mind raced as I walked through the crowd, searching for Clara. I couldn’t find her, so I just tried to find the farthest corner of the ballroom that I could hide where James wouldn’t find me. Not now, not in one hour. I leaned against the wall and breathed, squeezing my eyes shut. I did not love him. I did not love him.I did not love him.
I opened my eyes and saw Mrs. Abbot and Lucy standing nearby. Relief flooded through me and I hurried toward them, knowing their conversation would serve as the perfect distraction.
Mrs. Abbot looked up as I approached. “Charlotte, there you are! Did you try one of the cakes yet? We have them prepared every year but this year they reminded me of you.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners and she whispered, “I must warn you…they are quite addicting.”
The thought of eating cake right now made me sick. “I will have to try one.” My smile was forced.
Mrs. Abbot glanced at the clock on the north wall then turned to Lucy. “Will you go fetch the guest book from the front room? The ladies will need to pick names soon and we ought to begin making the papers.”
My stomach flipped over as Lucy left and I remembered that particular tradition. “How many gentlemen are here?”
“Oh, at least ten unmarried. They are the ones who participate. Some are from out of town and considered quite eligible.” Mrs. Abbot winked at me.
I allowed myself to relax a little, knowing my chances of being partnered with James were slim.
I spotted Sophia standing with the housekeeper just outside the ballroom in the corridor. She wore a pale green dress to match her eyes, which were peering into the ballroom with longing. Her father wasn’t by her side, so I excused myself and walked over to Sophia, putting a smile on my face for her sake more than my own.
