Page 20 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“A dance.”

Evanna looked at him sharply. Had he read her thoughts?

“Come now, Fairy Queen. Grant me this one wish.”

“If ye get us safely out of the maze, ye may have two.”

John grinned, and it felt like the lanterns glowed brighter in the night.

“Forgive me for asking, but wasn’t there a man in the maze earlier shouting your name?”

Evanna’s joy deflated.

“Yes. But he’s not important.”

“An unwanted suitor?”

Evanna snorted derision. “Hmph. More like an unwanted savior. My father sent him to chaperone me during the season. He took the command to mean to suffocate me.”

“Ah, overprotective.” He nodded. “I can understand why you wanted to get away. And I’m glad you did, because it led you to me.”

He looked deep in her eyes, gently pulling her to a left turn, and they were back in the gardens. The house was a beacon of light in front of them. Evanna laughed. “Ye did it!”

“You owe me two dances.”

“I will gladly give them to ye.”

They continued inside where the music swelled and ebbed. Evanna spied Clara dancing with Mr. Grim. John took her hand and led her to the center of the room. They began to spin and dance, their bodies keeping time with the music. Evanna noticed many eyes turning to them, but John only had eyes for her.

Their first dance ended, and John stepped away to find her some lemonade. Clara found her and squeezed her arm. “I see you’ve met John.”

“I have.”

“You two looked good together.”

“It was just a dance.”

“It wasn’t just a dance. John has been away to India for the past two years, and the first person he dances with is not an old acquaintance but you. It is unusual and will be commented on. I knew your first ball would be a splash.”

Evanna could see that what Clara said was true. Many of the young ladies she’d met tonight were now viewing her with narrow suspicion.

John approached her, greeted Clara, and handed them both glasses of lemonade. Just then Aleck walked into the ballroom, his hair slightly mussed and worry lines etched across his brow. When he saw Evanna across the room his worry turned to fury.

Evanna didn’t acknowledge his presence.

Instead, when the music began, she took John’s proffered hand and danced with joy.

Chapter Nine

The morning after the Fulton ball saw the young ladies at Ashby manor pacing the front parlor. Lady Ashby oversaw the placement of biscuits and refreshments while Evanna and Clara glanced out the window from time to time, trying to look busy. Aleck stood in the center of the room, tall, stiff, and foreboding--a dark cloud to put a damper on any wooing that might come Evanna’s way.

“Suppose no one comes.” Clara whispered.

Evanna bit her lip. Was it possible? Clara had been much admired. Surely at least one suitor would call and make it known where his interest lay this season.

“Don’t fret, my ducklings.” Lady Ashby sat down and picked up her embroidery. “It is still early in the day.”

No sooner had she finished speaking then the butler sauntered in to announce that Mr. Grim had arrived for Miss Clara Ashby.