Jillian looked frustrated, but Justin kissed her gently and whispered against her lips. “Just think on it. I will have my answer after the ball.”
###
Jillian was announced first and a few moments later Justin appeared at the entrance. As Jillian was indulging in conversation with Lady Cecilia and Lady Burlington, Case appeared at her elbow. “My lady, may I have the honor of this dance?”
“Case! Oh, Case!” she exclaimed, nearly throwing her arms around him in her excitement.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said grinning down at her. He led her onto the floor, and she smiled brilliantly up at him. “It’s good to see you again, Jilly.”
“I’ve missed you, Case. While Justin was unable to spend much time with me this last fortnight, you have no such excuse,” she admonished. “London is quite used to us breaking all the rules.”
“I’m sorry,” he said contritely. “I’ve not been in London for the most part.”
She cocked her head inquisitively as the whirled past another couple. “Have you been able to discover who is trying to kill me?”
He sighed. “No, not as of yet, but we will, Jilly, I promise.”
She smiled. “I know you will.”
As the music died, he escorted her to the perimeter of the ballroom. “Would you care to take a turn around the art gallery?”
Jillian looked at him curiously, but allowed him to escort her from the ballroom and down the hallway to the art room. Something was on his mind, she was sure of it.
Case stood away from the other people who were milling about taking in the impressive collection of art Lady Bea proudly displayed and pretended to take interest in the painting nearest him. “All right, out with it,” he said quietly. “What’s bothering you?”
She looked at him in surprise.
“Jilly, I saw you come in, and you’ve been wearing the expression of someone in deep thought ever since you arrived.”
“It’s Justin.” She sighed. Trust Case to notice her preoccupation and demand an explanation. “He’s asked me to marry him.”
Case arched an eyebrow. “And this is bad, why?”
“Because I am tempted to give in, and I don’t think I would make him a suitable wife.”
“Don’t you think that should be his decision?
“That’s what Lady Bea said,” she murmured.
“Sound advice, I’d say.”
“Oh, Case, it isn’t that simple. Until tonight I thought, well, I assumed that he only asked me to marry him out of pity or some misplaced sense of obligation to protect me.”
“And now?”
“He asked again before the ball, and the things he said led me to believe that maybe I was wrong. I want so badly to believe him.”
“So you don’t believe him?” Case regarded her intently.
“It’s not that I don’t believe him. I’mafraidto believe him.”
“What does your heart tell you, Jilly? You can make all of this real if you just say yes. Justin cares for you or he would not have asked you to marry him.” He paused for a moment. “Do you love him?”
She raised her head to look at him, her mind whirling. Lady Bea’s words came to her from a long ago conversation.When the thought of being without him brings you immeasurable anguish—then my dear, you are in love.
“Yes,” she said in a shaky voice. “Yes, I do.”
“Then you must be willing to take a chance.” He cupped her cheek gently in his hand. “He won’t hurt you.”
