The Kingswood School was decorated with everything that school boys would never need nor even be allowed to see, solely for the sake of Bath’s elite and for those down from London for the event. Lanterns covered the grounds around the massive residence, summer flowers filled vases, and the aroma of fine food filled the air. The tickets had been absurdly expensive to raise money and to make certain only one class of people wouldbe in attendance. And these party-goers expected the best of everything.
“I see friends from London and as far away as Edinburgh.”
As if overwhelmed, Mrs. Malcolm said nothing, head down, her gaze upon the floor. She seemed smaller and shrunken as if she might vanish entirely.
“You are the loveliest woman here,” Adam vowed, hoping to quell her nervousness.
Her head shot up, and she looked at him, nodded, and regained some of her usual spirit.
Keeping her arm safely tucked under his so as not to lose her in the throng, they made their way through people who were eager to see whether the Queen and Prince Albert had come as they were rumored to do. He didn’t care as much about royalty as dancing with Alice. The crowds made it difficult to get through the entrance chamber and into the school’s common room turned into a ballroom.
As soon as the next piece began, however, they were on the dance floor.
Alice wished she hadnever agreed to attend. She was nearly certain she recognized people from her old life, although no one whose name she knew. It had been many weeks since the dance she had chaperoned, weeks since she’d had the pleasure of being in Adam’s arms, except for a few precious kisses that left her breathless and light-headed.
She’d given in to him, donning her only ballgown, because of her intense desire to dance with him again. However, with the crowd of Londoners attending, she knew this was a mistake. Asthey crossed the polished floor, she wished she could disappear beneath it.
After ten minutes without incident — no one had called her name — she relaxed slightly. Because of the rarity of this treat, determined never to put herself in this perilous situation again, Alice decided to make the most of the music and dance every dance.
“I shall take no other partner all night,” Adam vowed during their first waltz. “After all, who is to stop us from enjoying only one another?”
“No one, I suppose,” she agreed. Although she wondered if they would draw unnecessary attention by doing so. But in such a crowd, perhaps no one would notice. Thus, they didn’t vacate the dance floor after the piece ended, but continued on to the next one.
“Your eyes are sparkling like gems,” he said.
Alice smiled. This was the best night of her life, without doubt. In the warmth of the room, his cologne tickled her senses, making her long to give in and go with him to his home. She could learn if his promises of bliss were true or some wild fantasy he’d made up.
After an hour, they needed a respite.
“At this ball,” Adam predicted, “there will be faultlessly chilled champagne, even if ice had to be carted from the North Pole itself.”
In what would become the students’ dining hall, they found every manner of refreshment. Not only the aforementioned beverage but little pastries, trays of fruits and cheeses, and thinly sliced bread, morsels intended to satisfy the partygoers until the late-night supper.
“There’s a good view of the gardens from the far end,” their server informed them, nodding toward the double doors opposite.
With glass in hand, they carved a path through the other guests seeking claret, lemonade, or the champagne Alice and Adam now sipped while traversing the long room toward the back. Double doors of clear panes showed an estate lit with a hundred lanterns.
“A romantic place, don’t you think?” he asked.
“It is,” she agreed, not remembering the last time she had felt this happy. “Rather at odds for a preparatory school.”
“Maybe we should go outside and enjoy more than just a view,” Adam suggested.
Side by side, they peered out. She knew it would result in another astonishing kiss. Thus, she nodded.
Out upon the terrace, Alice considered how far into the garden she would go with Adam, both figuratively and literally as they surveyed the expansive lawn, hedges, and playing fields.
“We won’t go too far,” he said, and she wondered at his meaning. In any case, they strolled down one path away from the main building, and eventually stopped beside an ancient stone wall.
He raised his glass of champagne. “To your health, Mrs. Malcolm.”
She raised it, too, seeing his expression had grown quite serious.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, looking at him over her glass as she sipped.
“That we are meant to be together.”
She rolled her eyes. “You said you wouldn’t try to entice me back to the Royal Crescent tonight.”
