Page 53 of A Highland Lass for the English Duke

"Lady Agnes," he murmured, as Annice came into the bedchamber.

Almost instantly, he had jumped backward, keen to distance himself—literally—from Lissie's flesh. Fervently, he hoped that Aunt Annice had not seen anything untoward. But from the look in Annice's eyes, it seemed she had.

"Good day, Duke Iverst," said Annice, nodding respectfully. She lowered her head as Will greeted her.

"You are as bright as the summer's sun, my lady," said Will, but inside, he had been blunted.

It was obvious that Annice's sudden appearance spelled the end of his carefree flirting. Now things were serious.

"So, um, you are to accompany us to Sudbury's court?" said Will, theatrically unfurling his arms in the hopes of leading her away.

"Yes," said Annice, herself looking immaculate in the evening light. Will had to admit, for a lady of her years, Lissie's cousin did not look bad. Her dark hair was stretched away from her head and cast up into one of those ridiculous hornets. Her eyebrows had been all but shaved off, and even the top layer of hairs plucked from her hairline.

But despite her impeccability, there was something daunting about this woman. She was somehow too polished, like wood, and with a soul of ice lurking behind it. He already sensed her disdain; perhaps it was not exactly for him, but Will could tell she did not approve of Lissie being with him.

Cheerfully casting this all to one side, Will piped up, "Well then, ladies, may I have the honor of accompanying both...belles to the ball?"

* * *

"Jings, the players are so bright and gay!"

Lissie clasped her hands to her bosom and gasped as the players bowed at the end of their piece. Almost immediately, the crowd was on their feet to applaud, with Lissie breaking free of her seat to join in.

"Bravo, bravo!" cried the crowd, as in wonder, Lissie turned to Will, bringing her arm to his.

"'Tis like nothing I have ever seen back home," explained Lissie, smiling at Will. Will, for his part, found his heart beating. They were sitting close, yet every fiber in Will's being exhorted him to move closer.

Lissie looked sensational. Just about every head in the room had turned when they entered, and Will's heart swelled with pride. She was easily the most beautiful woman there, but it was if Lissie did not notice the stir she caused.

"Och, crivvens, what's this?" she asked, open-eyed.

Trying to sound casual, Will shrugged and removed his arm from her shoulder.

"You didn't ever have mummers?" he asked in disbelief.

"Och no. I mean, aye, but..." she began, then she frowned.

The room was elaborate and cheerful. Festooned with flowers at every angle, the Lord of Sudbury had gone out of his way to impress, and for Will, impress he did.

Lissie was about to tell him more when, before she could say a word, in danced a troupe of jugglers! The look on Lissie's face said it all. She was completely silenced as the jugglers and acrobats performed their act, dancing and cavorting into the main hall of Sudbury House.

"Och! Help me boab," she gasped.

Will almost burst out laughing. Lissie looked at him wildly. "What?" she asked accusingly.

Will, biting back his amusement, watched her with interest. "I, um, nothing, my lady, just..."

"Och!" gasped Lissie again as one of the acrobats balancing on high swayed and faltered from above.

The entire hall had fallen silent, as the acrobats, highly painted and gay, danced and contorted themselves from a high beam set at the top of the hall. Then they swarmed in, performing cartwheels, backflips, and handstands, coming up to the ladies and kissing their hands.

Lissie, who was clearly overwhelmed, reacted excitedly.

Will couldn't help smiling as he watched her. Despite her cool, calm act, it was clear that Lissie had never seen such things before but was struggling to pretend she did.

Seeing things through Lissie's eyes had been its own eye-opener for Will. He had never come across anyone like her in all his staid existence in London. Watching her excitement at the show made him, in turn, excited for her.

It was plain to everyone that Lissie was the belle of the ball. And now, there she sat, barely half a foot from him, in easy reach of his wishful arms. For now, though, Will kept his hands to himself. Not because he did not want to approach her, and not even from any lack of confidence. Once or twice, she had shot him looks that hinted she wanted more, albeit discreetly.