She stopped briefly to hold a discussion with Lucy, introducing the men to her. Beth straighte

"I choose to. Hold up your best smile, e

d red but Aunt Marrily didn't care. "Sir George, these are my nieces, Beth and Gwen. Beautiful, are they not?" Ignoring whatever r

hands, kissing hers on the knuckle, holding on longer un

y finished off with the introductions. "And thi

ed both their hand

smile. "Very well. How ar

w." Gwen blushed. Beth was slightly i

ymoir's statement. Aunt Marrily watched from beside them, giving them the reins of

Lord Claymoir waited as she placed her wine glass on the tab

ed, always wondering what she felt, but never brave enough to ask her. If Lord Cossington's presence in their lives

he most beautiful

would soon ask her to dance. She couldn't refuse; Aunt Marrily was still

iful." Sir Geo

stened small conver

e wit

not a very good dancer." Aunt Marrily's eyes grew int

rrily's direction again, she groaned inwardly but chose to dance. This one dance would save her a tirade of scol

n that sorted out a dance from her, bowing as they bowed, eyes running to-and-fro, watching out for her Aunt. Poor Lucy must have forgotten how many men she had danced with; and how many times with Lord D'Averette. Gwen looked like she might just a

rette's gaze. Aunt Marrily was a seer. Lord D'Averette was besotted with Lucy, he might soon propose. It would never end, she thought. Following the beams of the moon streaming in t

s soo

ugh not big enough, shone brightly, making her wonder how bright it would be when it would finally reveal itself in all its glory. The garden below reflected the light of the moon and the glows from the lanterns tha

ed the peace she thought she had finally found. Standing up straight, she braved a question. "Who is there?" Her voice was a whisper. She cl

uiet." A deep

their peace? She excused, "I had no idea anyone else was here. Forgive my intr

t with as much right as I h

ned. "No need for t

a tall man, silhouetted by the light behind him. "Please." His hand gestured, waving her back. She slowly walked back to her former posit

randy? Or was it Whisky? His stance was inviting. She mirrored his stance subconsciously – holding her hands together and crossing her ankles underneath her dress. "My cousin mentioned that 4th e balls hosted here are always amazing, a

stated, absentmindedly swir