Page 80 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Stop saying my name then.”
She nodded and headed for the door, but before she left, a teasing part of her took the reins and she looked over her shoulder and smirked.
“Come along.Gavin.”
He strode towards her, and she let out a little yip as she dashed away from him, hurrying towards the stairs. They were halfway down the steps when they saw Katrina and Marnie waiting patiently by the door.
Straightening her shoulders as Gavin cleared his throat, they exited the house to make their way to the coming-out ball.
St. James Palace was one of the most impressive buildings Holly had ever seen in her entire life. The sheer size of it gave her something to awe at. They waited in the carriage queue for nearly a half hour before exiting. Though it was a medievalpalace, Holly couldn’t help but feel she was entering some magical stronghold. And once they were brought inside, her jaw actually dropped.
The floors were covered with red carpets with a gold diamond-shaped pattern. The two-story high windows were lined with matching curtains. The walls were all painted bright white, and gold-framed paintings, the size of carriages, hung from the walls.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Marnie whispered to Katrina as they walked ahead of Holly and Gavin.
“Yes,” Katrina whispered as Holly felt Gavin’s bicep flex beneath her fingers.
She looked at him, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched her. He leaned towards her as they continued to follow a line of people to the ballroom where Katrina would be presented.
“You aren’t nervous, are you?”
“Of course not,” Holly lied.
“You know, if you’d like, we could have Felton Manor decorated in this same style?”
Holly grimaced.
“Oh, goodness no. This is much too…” Holly caught the teasing grin on his lips and smirked. “You’re jesting?”
“Not if you actually want it.”
“No, thank you,” she said as they reached the doorway into the ballroom.
It was a vast room with gold accents and crystal chandeliers. White flowers had been gathered and set in large assortments around the room. Hundreds of guests filled the chamber, and Holly, Gavin, and Marnie were soon introduced. At the same time, Katrina was sequestered in another room where the other debutantes were kept before the official meeting with the head of state.
Holly peered down at her gown, wondering if she had picked the proper attire. A sheer silver netting laid over the green satin, splitting down the skirt in an upside-down V. It was a new style she hadn’t ever worn before, and her nervousness must have shown for the moment after they were announced, Gavin made sure to compliment her again as he led her to the refreshments table.
“You are beautiful, Holly. You know that, don’t you?”
She felt her cheeks warm.
“Thank you.”
Never in Holly’s life had she felt more pleased. Although she never would have guessed that being here would have that effect on her. Large parties had never interested her, but for some reason, she felt a little taller than she ever had before, simply being on Gavin’s arm.
He led her through a crowded side room, nodding and greeting people as they went. He seemed to know everyone. If Holly allowed herself to indulge, she might feel insecure about it, but then it would be evident on her face, and she wouldn’t want to appear anything less than perfect. Not because Gavin wanted her to be perfect but because she wished to make a good impression, for the sake of Gavin’s reputation as well as Katrina’s. But even as she thought these things, she knew Gavin’s opinion of her could never be altered by anything the ton said or did.
It was why she loved him.
She loved him. She loved him? When in the world had she decided that? Just now? Before they arrived?
Holly’s face must have demonstrated her inner turmoil, for Gavin leaned in and whispered into her ear.
“Are you all right? Is something the matter?”
Holly shook her head, unable to speak. She couldn’t tell him what she had just thought. He would think she was crazy. Theyhad only known each other for a few months. But then, why did it feel so natural to believe it?
The memories of the night before caused a flood of feelings to course through her. Desire, shame, anticipation. She wanted this entire evening and the entire ball to be in the past, not only to quell her anxiety but because it meant she would be in Gavin’s arms again.
