Page 19 of A Highland Lass for the English Duke

Watching the amassed nobles enter, Lissie felt herself shake, then took a deep breath. The great and the good, the aristocracy of England, all gathered here in one great hall.

At least, that was what it felt like. Lissie felt nerves creeping up her spine. She had thought she could handle this, but she had been wrong. Casting her eyes wide, she saw what looked like hundreds of lords, all arriving to fanfares and cheer.

At the front of the hall, on a low dais, an announcer—a chancellor, or perhaps a knight—was reading from a roll of nobles as guests streamed in.

Watching them all, Lissie had to find time to catch her breath. Inside, her heart battled her rib cage. This was all moving so fast.

Stepping out in the lavish gown that Annice's ladies had painstakingly picked out for her, Lissie tottered forward on uncertain chopines.

Step by step, Lissie prayed and held her nerve. It went without saying she had never worn chopines before. At least, not ones that rendered her a giantess. The wedges on the shoes were so high she almost had vertigo looking down. And yet, looking around, no one else in the feast hall had a problem with them.

For the first time, Lissie dared herself to look. All around were glittering robes and suave silks. Damask was in abundance, as were staggering high heels.

Lissie watched in amazement as ladies not only moved but swept across the great hall and even, in some cases, danced.

Inadequacy dawned on Lissie. What on Earth was she doing here? She was like a fish out of water. She did not belong here amongst these haughty people.

"Elisabeth!"

Annice's voice reached her from the back of the hall. Lissie came to. To her surprise, people were staring at her, and a small crowd had gathered around. Then she saw Annice beckoning her over from the very edge of the hall.

"Come hither, sweeting," Annice hissed. She did not have to ask twice. Lissie was moving at the fastest pace she could manage in her stilted shoes. For the first time, she was actively glad to see Annice, pressed to the back of the hall, waiting for her.

"Pray, Elisabeth, meet Viscount Spencer. He has heard so much about you."

Annice was at her pearly best. Every inch of her was buffeted somehow, and she seemed to shine. Under the elaborate candelabra, Lissie marveled at the extravagance of her robe and headdress.

Pressed forward, she came to curtsy to the lord.

"My lord," said Lissie, falling into a curtsy, her head cast downward. She hoped she was getting it right. Annice had taught her how to do the correct curtsy for an English lord, but this was the first time she had had to deploy it.

It felt like forever before she was released by the lord.

"Enchanted," said the viscount as she rose gingerly, checking her skirts were intact. Wobbly, she emerged to her feet.

"Elisabeth is new to London," said Annice, but in a tone that suggested she was an unbroken house animal in sore need of taming. She glanced warily at the lord, who smiled.

"My dear, let me see you to your seat," said the lord. And taking her hand, he escorted her along to the top table.

There were so many thoughts pumping around Lissie's young heart that she barely looked at the man accompanying her to her place.

The sights and sounds of the great hall swirled in her head, making her stiff and tense.

Her guide chatted pleasantries as he ushered her through the crowd, but she barely murmured a reply. And keeping her eyes firmly ahead, she did not see his face either, but she had a sense of his presence; tall and capable.

He was older, she could tell, from the outline of his hair, silver and gray at the temples. He was also solid and firm, almost round, with a ruddy pink glow from him.

Over the din of the chatter, she could barely hear him, but just about got by with nodding and grinning.

Instead, Lissie cast her eye over the amassed hall. It was teeming with arrivals. Slowly, the guests stood at the table of the sumptuous fare. It felt like forever, but eventually, her cousin returned from bamboozling nobles to take her place beside her. As soon as she did, Annice nudged Lissie in the ribs.

"Pray heed the lord and lady de Lacy before you commence the ball, Lissie. And remain upright until the lord and lady be seated. Then, again, attend for the marshal to assay the dishes, and of course, his lordship to take the first bite, and..."

Lissie tried her hardest not to roll her eyes. But inside, something growled. Annice really did think she was an idiot.

"I will try an' remember," she said, banishing the sarcasm from her voice. It was not as if she did not already live in a castle and had hosted numerous balls herself. However, Lissie had long since given up convincing Annice of this fact. No matter how many times she tried to tell her she was accustomed to feasting, it seemed to go in one ear and out the other.

Never mind. She was here now and needed to concentrate on what was important: finding a lord. The only problem was, as Annice had surmised, this was likely to be difficult. As she looked around the room, she saw all the eligible bachelors, one by one, be seated beside other ladies of considerable standing.