“I should have suspected,” her mother said, “but it is nearly time for you two to have your first dance.”
“We are ready,” Enid assured her.
Her mother bobbed her head in approval. “Good,” she said. “Wait here, and do not move until those doors open.”
After her mother disappeared into the ballroom, Greydon turned to face her and perused the length of her. His eyes shone with approval. “You are looking especially lovely this evening, my love.”
“You are looking quite dapper yourself.”
Greydon leaned forward and kissed her. As he leaned back, he said, “You deserve to be kissed, and often.”
“I agree, wholeheartedly.” She paused. “Thank you for agreeing to stay at my parents’ townhouse until after we return from our wedding tour.”
“You do not need to thank me. It is what is best for Marigold.”
“It is, but I know it can’t be easy on you.”
Greydon chuckled. “Just wait until you live with my father,” he joked. “He wasn’t exactly keen on our marriage.”
“But he has never made me feel unwelcome.”
“I am glad to hear that because I threatened to ride far away with you and never come back if he was rude to you,” he said.
Enid could hear them being announced in the ballroom and the footmen promptly opened the doors.
Greydon offered his arm. “Are you ready for this?”
“I am,” she replied as she accepted his arm.
As he led her into the center of the ballroom, Enid’s eyes roamed over all the guests that were in attendance. She had never seen the ballroom so full and people were craning their necks to get a good look at them. No one was glaring at them, but they all appeared to be happy to be there.
“This is acrush,” Enid said under her breath.
“It is,” Greydon agreed. “Your mother mentioned that everyone had accepted their invitations. I just hadn’t realized she had invited so many people.”
“Neither did I.”
Greydon gave her an amused look. “You seem disappointed.”
“I just find thetonto be entirely too fickle,” Enid remarked. “After word got out that you exonerated Lady Eugenie and you brought the murderers to justice, you have been London’s golden boy.”
“Yes, but everyone knows that you played a part in that, as well.”
“I am not used to people looking at me without scorn in their eyes,” Enid admitted.
“Well, you best get used to it,” Greydon encouraged. “Thetonis fascinated with you and what you helped accomplish.”
They came to a stop in the center of the room and the orchestra started up. Greydon placed his hand on her waist and brought their hands up. Once they started dancing the waltz, Enid felt herself relax in her husband’s arms.
This past week had been a dream. She never thought she could be so happy. Quite frankly, she never thought she deserved to be this happy. But Greydon had changed her life, for the better. She never wanted to go back to a life without him in it.
The music came to an end and Greydon dropped his arms. “Now is the part that I dread,” he grumbled.
“Which is?”
“Engaging in dull conversation,” Greydon said.
“I promise that you will survive.”
