Elise glanced away, uncertain what to say.
“I think it might have been that man who helped her after the coach wreck,” Dara hazarded.
That caught Elise’s attention. “What man?” she asked innocently.
Gwendolyn spoke. “Oh, please. Something happened, Elise, something that has given you a fresh perspective on life.”
“It could be the danger of the crash,” Dara suggested.
The oldest sister shook her head. “That does happen with some people. However, one doesn’t sit at a window overlooking the street waiting for a wrecked coach.”
“Waiting?” Elise queried.
Her sisters almost groaned.
“Any fool can tell that you miss him,” Gwendolyn said.
“Well, not Michael,” Dara said. “He was worried about Elise not going out. He feared you weren’t well. I told him you were merely acting lovesick.”
“Men don’t understand,” Gwendolyn said.
“Not unless they experience it themselves,” Dara said. “But that is the way they are, isn’t it—?”
Elise stepped between her sisters.“Lovesick?”Her first thought was her conversation with her great-aunt. “Did Tweedie—?”
“Tweedie said nothing,” Gwendolyn cut in. “She didn’t have to. We know you better than you know yourself. Who is he, Elise? Is he the one who helped you in the crash? We have been waiting for you to tell us on your own.”
“You can trust us,” Dara added.
“I do trust you... I just thought—” Elise broke off. She’d done it again. She’d discountedher sisters and their love for her. She pulled them into a tight circle, shutting out everyone in the ballroom. “He’s not titled,” she whispered. “Or wealthy. But he is the most wonderful,nobleman alive. Even if he rarely shaves.”
“Does he bathe?” Gwendolyn firmly believed in the efficacy of soap and water. She’d pushed her sisters to think the same.
“Of course,” Elise answered. “I want you to meet him. He should be coming for me any day.”
“Why hasn’t he come yet?” Dara wanted to know.
So, Elise told them of Holbert and the vendetta... how Kit had saved her life again. All of the dangerous things she had left out of her earlier story.
They’d been so wrapped up in their discussion, they almost didn’t realize that Lord and Lady Woolfolk had left the receiving line and were prepared to open the ball by leading the first dance.
Anything else Elise could have shared about Kit was interrupted by the arrival of a trio of young men racing to reach Elise and Gwendolyn before the others.
Viscount Morley begged Gwendolyn for the dance. Elise found herself agreeing to accompany young Lord Durbin and after that, there was a line for the following dances.
Elise understood her role. She could not attend a ball and refuse every offer for a dance. She smiled, she behaved, she danced, she was kind to the gentlemen.
However, her heart was light. Her sisters had seemed happy for her. Meanwhile, once again, she had underestimated their love for her.
Elise had just finished a dance with the Marquis of Combury. He gallantly escorted her back to her family. Michael had rejoined them. He stood at his wife’s side. The marquis was thanking Elise for the honor of a dance just as there seemed to be a rush of whispers all around.
At first, Elise thought that the supper room must have opened. There was always an eagerness among the guests when that happened. Many would line up, crowding the door, except the hour was too early.
And then she realized the whisper was the pronouncement of a name. They were saying “Winderton.” Repeating it over and over to each other until it sounded like a wind rustling through the guests.
She looked to the door. She wasn’t the only one. Women immediately began preening as they turned toward the entrance. Men straightened as if preparing to be challenged for their women.
Dara squeezed her arm. “The eighth wonder of the world, a ‘young’ duke has arrived,” she said with mock excitement, and they laughed.
