Your loving Grandmother,
Lady Elder
Lights from the Great Hall faded from view as Susannah, Race, and Mrs. Princeton walked to where her carriage waited. The coolness of the early morning air was refreshing after the crowded heat of the ballroom. Susannah didn’t know how it had happened, except for the fact there were so many people to meet, talk to, and reminisce with, that she and Race were among the last people to leave the ball. The street was almost deserted.
When they reached her carriage, Race looked at her, and instead of saying good night as she expected, he said, “Susannah, you have lost an earring.”
“Oh,” she said, both hands going to her ears to check which one. “You are right. I must have lost it somewhere inside.”
“Maybe by the champagne table or elsewhere. Perhaps Mrs. Princeton wouldn’t mind going back inside and checking for you to see if someone might have turned it over to our hosts. Would you, Mrs. Princeton?” he questioned with a charming smile on his face.
Susannah knew exactly what Race was up to, and so did Mrs. Princeton by the firm set of her thin lips and the glare shooting from her eyes. Though Mrs. Princeton very much wanted Susannah to have a beau, even marry, she would move heaven and earth to protect Susannah’s reputation and keep it spotless. Her companion didn’t want to leave the two of them with just Benson, her footman, but there was no way Mrs. Princeton was going to say no to the marquis.
“It would be lovely if you would do that for me,” Susannah said to her companion.
“Of course,” Mrs. Princeton said stiffly and hurried away.
When she was a safe distance from them, Race asked, “Does that woman ever bend the rules for anything?”
“Not much. I’m afraid she’s become very protective of me in the ten years we’ve been together.”
“Then I’m lucky to have outsmarted her.”
Susannah felt strength and confidence in his hand as he helped her into the carriage. The muggy air of earlier had given way to an early morning chill and she wrapped her cape tightly about her as she sat down and turned back to tell him good night, but he held up his hand to silence her. He gave a quick glance all around, and before she could say anything, he jumped into the carriage beside her and quickly shut the door.
“Race, what are you doing?”
“I suppose I’m tempting fate once again, but I had to get rid of Mrs. Princeton so I could say good night to you without her nosy eyes watching.”
She gasped. “You didn’t!”
He shrugged but said, “Of course I did.” He scooted onto the seat beside her and picked up her gloved hand and placed her earring into her palm.
“You are a devilish rogue,” she said and quickly slipped the earring into her reticule.
“And don’t forget it,” he teased. “I’ve worked hard for years to earn that title and I intend to keep it.”
“With what you did tonight, I don’t think you will have any problem doing that. How did you take my earring off without my knowing?”
Race grinned roguishly. “Practice. Where there’s a will, there is a way.”
“More of Lord Chesterfield’s quotes, I presume?”
He laughed. “I hope not. I can’t believe we stayed at that blasted party for over four hours and never had one dance.”
Susannah looked at his somber face in the dim light of the carriage. She nestled into the soft cushions and sighed. “I fear that is my fault. It’s been so long since I’ve been to such a lavish affair I didn’t want the evening to end. The Hall was so glamorous and festive, I’m afraid I was caught up in the magic of the evening. There were so many people to meet and talk to, and it was impossible to get away from some of them.”
“Like Lord Snellingly?”
“Ah, no.” She laughed. “He was an easy gentleman to run from, but truly the time seemed to fly by.”
He edged closer to her and wrapped his arm comfortably around her. She rested her head on his shoulder. The solid warmth of his body dispelled the chilly air in the carriage. He first kissed the back of her hand and then turned it over and kissed the center of her palm. The warmth of his breath penetrated her cotton glove and heated her skin.
“I know. I shouldn’t complain. It was your first party in years, and you were indeed the diamond of the ball tonight.”
She glanced up at him with disbelief. “You jest. The diamond of the ball is reserved for an innocent young lady and we both know I do not fit into that category.”
“But you were, just the same. Everyone wanted to make sure the proper introductions were made so they could put you on their invitation lists. I counted at least nine eligible bachelors who tried to monopolize your time.”
