Elspeth curtsied and said, “Yes, m’lady,” before exiting the room.
Oliver came up behind Kate and kissed her neck. “You smell delicious,” he said, “and look stunning. I’m going to be the envy of every man tonight.”
Kate laughed and turned to face her husband. “Hardly, I think I am the one who will receive envious stares from all the women.”
“Well then, why don’t we go and find out, Lady Knox,” Oliver said.
“The Earl ofKnox and Lady Knox,” the doorman announced as they stepped into Lady Ashworth’s ballroom, and Kate saw many heads turn to look in their direction. Oliver squeezed Kate’s arm lightly in a reassuring gesture. Despite being a baronet’s daughter, she’d spent her life in Yorkshire and had never made her debut into society, so she’d had little experience attending balls and mingling with the ton. But she needn’t have worried because Oliver stayed closely by her side, introducing her to the host and others who came to greet them. Kate smiled at so many people that her cheeks began to ache.
“Who knew smiling and making small talk with people was so exhausting,” she said.
“Oh, believe me, it’s a marathon,” Oliver said. “If you want to go, I can make our excuses. I don’t want you to over-exert yourself.”
“Nonsense,” Kate said. “We only just got here, and we haven’t even danced yet. I spent years learning to dance and then never had a chance to put my lessons into practice.”
“Well then, may I have this dance, my lady?”
“I don’t know,” Kate teased, holding out her wrist and pretending to read an imaginary dance card. “It looks like my card is full. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until the next ball.”
“Forget them,” he said, taking her hand and starting for the ballroom floor. “I’ll duel every one of them to the death if I have to.”
Kate giggled as Oliver grabbed her waist and twirled her onto the ballroom floor. Then she realized that heads had turned, and they were attracting attention. She straightened and turned back to Oliver, trying to appear somber.
“People are looking at us,” she said.
“Let them,” Oliver said. “I want the whole world to know how happy you make me.”
The music started, and she glided across the ballroom floor with her husband. How wonderful it felt to be dancing. But after three dances, Kate had to excuse herself to go to the withdrawing room, so Oliver escorted her off the floor.
“I’ll fetch you a glass of iced tea in the meantime,” he said.
“That would be lovely.”
As Kate weaved her way through the crowded room toward the exit, a young woman, standing in a far-off corner, sipping a glass of champagne, caught her eye. She wore a yellow empire dress with a white sash. Kate’s heart began to pound. There was something familiar about her tall, slim physique, and the way she wore her blond hair in an elaborate bun.
“Emilia,” she whispered.
As though the young woman sensed a presence calling out to her, she turned and gazed into the crowded room.
“Emilia,” Kate whispered again, advancing cautiously. As she got closer, her knees almost gave way. There was no mistaking those ice blue eyes and sharp cheekbones.
A mad desperation gripped Kate.Am I hallucinating? Emilia is dead! Yet, here she stands before me as she did in life.
Kate pushed forward, weaving through the crowd. She needed to touch Emilia, feel her warmth and know that she wasn’t going mad. But when she reached the spot where Emilia had stood, there was no sign of her friend.
Kate blinked at the space where Emilia had stood, sipping champagne in her yellow gown. She cradled her head in her hands. What had happened? Had her mind played a trick on her? Emilia was dead. She knew that. Yet, she could have sworn…
Kate’s body trembled, and a heavy weight settled on her chest, making it hard to breathe. Emilia had looked so real—so alive. Those eyes and that beautiful face—she’d know it anywhere. What was happening to her?
Oh, Emilia, why do you haunt me now? Is it because I betrayed your brother by falling in love again so soon?Tears stung Kate’s eyes, as she realized that it must have been her guilty mind at work. So much had happened since Theo’s and Emilia’s deaths that she’d hardly had time to mourn them properly. And here she was at an elaborate ball, laughing and dancing with her new husband as though Theo had never existed.
“Kate.” Oliver appeared by her side. “What happened? I’ve been searching everywhere for you. Why do you tremble so? Are you cold?”
Kate shook her head. She couldn’t tell Oliver what she’d seen. He would think her mad and worry himself sick. “I—I don’t know. I suddenly felt nauseated.”
“Good Lord.” Oliver removed his jacket and put it around his wife’s shoulders. “I should not have pushed you to attend this ball. I’m a fool. You are with child. You need your rest.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Forgive me.”
Kate burrowed against his chest, taking comfort in his warmth and leather and spice scent. Her body relaxed. She desired sleep. Her exhaustion had caused her to become confused. That was all.
