Page 31 of The Lyon and His Promise
His mother took his father’s arm. “Let’s hope there aren’t any more distractions coming fromthatparticular lady.”
His father leaned over to press a kiss to his mother’s forehead. “Give her no further thought, my love, and let us enjoy the ball. You’ve put enough work into this event that it’s more than time for you to enjoy your hard efforts.”
“Wickes… enjoy yourself. I believe there is a certain lady inside who is anxiously waiting for your company,” his mother said with a wink.
He gave a brief bow to his parents. “I plan on finding her directly,” he replied with a grin and began making his way through the crowd.
He scanned the many faces in attendance. Lord and Lady Versey, the Duke and Duchess of Winshire, and even the Danvers sisters had managed to receive an invitation. He tried not to grimace thinking of the last pair knowing that they most likely would report to theTeatime Tattlerany gossip they learned tonight. But he wouldn’t bother with them any more than he would pay much attention to Lady Juliet who once again waved her hand in his direction. He could imagine her frown when he turned in the opposite direction.
Heading through the front parlor, he skirted the ballroom still searching for the one woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. There weren’t many more rooms where she could disappear, and he finally found her at the buffet table. He took a plate, although food was the furthest thing from his mind.
He took several tidbits of food until he met her halfway down the table.
“You look enchanting tonight, Mrs. Bouchard,” he whispered softly for her ears alone before he looked around him to ensure there was a small bit of privacy for a bit of conversation.
“You are very handsome as well, Lord Wickes. Your parents have pulled together a lovely event,” she murmured turning with her plate to survey the other nearby occupants.
“You know this is all for you,” he said taking a glass of champagne from a passing servant and handing it to her. He took one for himself and they made their way to a small table where they could sit in full view of anyone who might question them. They nodded to others who were also sampling the food close by. Setting down his plate and glass, he took Josephine’s and also set it down before holding out herchair.
Once she was seated, she took up her flute and finally answered him. “I cannot thank them enough for holding this ball. Although not officially in my honor, I am still very humbly grateful.”
“It was our pleasure,” Gyles said before he, too, took hold of his glass and raised it toward her. “To the woman who means everything to me.”
Her eyes widened at his declaration but she also raised her glass to recognize his toast. “I adore you,” she whispered softly. “May the evening be a big success.”
“It already is with you here, my love,” he said quietly before they were interrupted by another couple who came to their table to say hello.
From that point on, the evening progressed without any hitches. As much as Gyles wanted to keep Josephine to himself, he knew that his time with her would be limited. But he watched her from afar and admired her while she was asked to dance from one gentleman after another. Yes… she had become a big success, and if he didn’t offer for her soon, he just might find that he had to stand in line. She was becoming that popular not only with the ladies but the gentlemen who might consider her for their wife.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Josephine had feltlike the entire evening had been a dream. She gave a curtsey to Gyles after having performed their second dance together and wished she could have stayed in his arms forever. But that was hardly appropriate, and she reluctantly allowed him to take her hand and escort her from the ballroom. He turned her over to her brother who offered her a glass of punch. Gyles continued to appear reluctant to leave her side.
Josephine’s eyes narrowed when a woman came up to Gyles waving her dance card practically in the man’s face. Gyles’s face showed nothing but a small tick in his cheek told Josephine more than any words he could have said. As he escorted the lady toward the ballroom, Josephine leaned over to her brother.
“Who is she?” she asked trying her best to hide the jealousy that reared its ugly head.
Simon leaned down to keep their conversation between them. “Lady Juliet Dubois. She has been after Gyles’s title all Season until you, my darling sister, entered the picture. She is none too happy that she is not the center of attention from Gyles—not that he ever encouraged her.”
Josephine’s attention was suddenly drawn to Asher’s escort. “And is Lady Maribel Johnson her friend?”
Simon nodded. “Yes, they’re the best of friends, or so I’ve heard.”
“That explains a lot,” Josephine muttered.
“Have either of them offended you?” Simon inquired with a frown of displeasure.
“No, not directly, but Lady Maribel and I have been in each other’s company at several events and her apparent animosity now is clear.”
“Don’t let them get the best of you, sister. Lady Juliet is just jealous and isn’t worth your time,” Simon drawled before he took a sip of his drink. “Besides, you are well aware that Gyles is in love with you. After these many weeks, the rest of thetonknows it, too.”
She couldn’t help the small smile that appeared on her face. Simon’s words meant so much to her. She could hardly contain her joy knowing that all she had dreamed about would one day come true. Gyles had more than declared himself to her and while the past weeks had been hard, Josephine knew they were many steps closer to becoming man and wife.
She wandered the room that had become overly stuffy since all of Society seemed to be contained in several rooms. She noticed an open balcony and decided to step outside to cool herself. She kept within view of the doors and waved her fan before her. She was enjoying the solitude thinking of Gyles as she viewed the garden below until a voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Well, well, well… if it isn’t the fallen woman who is a disgrace to every lady present here tonight,” a lady sneered in contempt.
Josephine turned to stare at none other than Lady Juliet. “Excuse me?” Josephine muttered thinking she surely misheard this woman, although on second thought, she realized that she shouldn’t have been surprised by this woman’s rudeness.
