* * *
Later that evening, there was no trepidation in her movement as Susannah walked up the steps to the Great Hall with Mrs. Princeton by her side. She had been eagerly awaiting the time for them to leave for the ball. The night was almost balmy, which was unusual for the month of May. A golden glow came from the massive double doors that had been thrown wide, and the sounds of lively music drifted on the heavy, damp air.
At the marble landing to the entrance of the building, Susannah stopped in the doorway and looked down into the crowded ballroom. It had been so long since she’d been in the Great Hall, but judging from the swirling throng of people inside, it didn’t appear as if any part of it had changed, especially not the impeccably dressed gentlemen and the elaborately gowned ladies filling the open, spacious floor.
The magnificent ballroom was lined down each side with fluted Corinthian columns. Some of the stately pillars formed little alcoves where intimate groups could shield themselves from the masses. The detailed woodwork around the ceiling was touched in gilt, and the walls were decorated with silks, brocades, and ornately painted landscapes. The enormous columns had been draped with vines of bright green ivy, colorful spring flowers, and wispy yards of white and sky-blue satin.
From out of the center of the crowd below, Susannah saw Race striding toward her. She turned to Mrs. Princeton, who was dressed in a dark brown gown with white lace collar and cuffs, and said, “You may feel free to enjoy your evening. I will find you when I am ready to leave.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Mrs. Princeton said and walked away.
Susannah turned back toward Race and smiled as he approached. His expression was tender, and it touched her heart. He looked splendid in his formal evening attire of a black cutaway jacket and slim-legged trousers. His crisp white shirt was covered by a gold-colored, quilted waistcoat.
He stopped in front of her. His gaze skimmed down her face and then back up to her eyes, telling her with his expression that he was happy to see her.
“I’ve been waiting quite impatiently for you to arrive,” he said.
Susannah tilted her head back a little and smiled at him. “I didn’t know I needed to be here at any specific time.”
He chuckled lightly. “The devil you didn’t. I think you were intentionally late just so I would squirm.”
“Not so,” she argued good-naturedly. “I thought it was still fashionable to be late.”
She felt his gaze caress her lips, and somehow she knew he wanted to kiss her. And that made her stomach tingle expectantly.
“You are a beautiful lady, Susannah, and well worth the wait. I’m glad you came.”
She looked into his magnificent brownish-green eyes and without delay said, “So am I. I haven’t been to a big party like this in many years. I intend to enjoy every moment of it. I want to dance and drink champagne. I want to smile at all the handsome gentlemen and be envious of all the beautiful ladies.”
Race’s eyebrows rose, questioning her. “I’m not sure I want you smiling at any of the gentlemen, handsome or not, and there is no reason for you to be envious of any of the ladies in attendance.” His gaze swept easily down her face and then back up to rest on her eyes. “There is not one lady in London who can compare to your beauty tonight.”
Susannah gave him a teasing smile. “You say that only because you are smitten with me. I can assure you other gentlemen will not think as you do.”
His eyebrows lifted in mock surprise. “So you think I’m smitten with you, do you?”
“I do.”
“Guess what? You’re right, and if you keep looking at me that way, I will show you just how smitten I am right here in the doorway.”
Susannah shook her head. “That wouldn’t be wise, my lord. You kissed me in public the other day and, somehow, fate smiled on me and no one managed to see you. I do not want to tempt fate twice and possibly be ruined once again here on my first night back in the center of Polite Society.”
He moved closer and smiled warmly at her. “I don’t want that either, because I don’t want you to have any reason to say ‘no’ should I decide to ask you to go riding in the park with me again.”
“So there is some doubt as to whether you will invite me again?” she said good-naturedly.
His eyes shimmered with humor. “Of course. A lot depends on whether you step on my toes when we’re dancing.”
They both laughed.
“What the devil are you two doing standing in the entrance way of the ballroom? Are you trying to make a spectacle of yourselves?”
Susannah spun to see a tall, extremely handsome man, with longish dark-brown hair, walking toward them. Everything about him projected power, privilege, title, and wealth. He had the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen, and his gaze immediately zeroed in on her. Without question, she knew this man had to be one of Race’s notorious cousins.
“Morgan,” Race said, smiling. “I was hoping you would be here.” He turned to Susannah. “May I present my cousin, the Earl of Morgandale. Morgan, may I present the Dowager Duchess of Blooming.”
Susannah didn’t miss the curious glance Lord Morgandale threw his cousin’s way before the earl bowed and kissed her gloved hand. In the way he looked at her with narrowing eyes and a tightness around his mouth, she got the distinct impression that he had reservations concerning her, and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with her ruined reputation twelve years ago.
“It’s a pleasure, Duchess,” he said, looking straight into her eyes but with enough chill in his voice to belie his words and send icy fingers of disapproval running down her back. “I was wondering when you were going to make your first appearance in Society.”
