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She scanned the party guests for her father. At last, she found him talking with one of the village elders. He had come alone to the ball and she knew that he would leave alone too. She did not want to end up like him.
Now wasn’t the best time to speak to her father, but she couldn’t stand the tug of war going on within herself. She had to know.
She made her way over to him. “Good evening, Poppa.”
“Hello, daughter. Shouldn’t you be with your date?”
Her stomach churned. She was in no mood to make polite chitchat. The best way to end her agony was just to get it out there. “Do you know why Momma was murdered?”
Instantly the color drained from her father’s face. “Annabelle, what’s the meaning of this?”
“You said you didn’t think she died as a result of a mugging, but do you know what did happen?” And then a thought popped into her mind and she uttered it before her brain could process the implications. “Are you afraid that she did something wrong and it got her killed?”
The color came rushing back to her father’s face. His voice came out in hushed tones but there was no mistaking the fury behind each word. “Annabelle, I will not stand for you speaking to me like this. I’ve done nothing to warrant such hostility and suspicion.”
He was right. She’d let her imagination get the best of her. “I’m sorry, Poppa. It’s the not knowing. I can’t take it anymore.”
“Do you honestly think your mother would have done anything to hurt our family? She loved us with every fiber of her being.” His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I miss her so much.”
“I miss her too.”
“She would have been proud of the young woman you’ve grown into.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Talking about Momma. You never want to talk of her and it hurts because I miss her too. And talking about her keeps those memories alive for me.”
Her father cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I failed you in that regard. I will try to do better.”
“And I’m sorry my questions hurt you.”
They hugged and Annabelle accepted that was the best she could hope for from her father tonight. She decided to go in search of her dashing escort. She didn’t care how many balls she attended, they were all magical. But this evening was extra special thanks to Grayson.
Tonight, she would laugh, forget about her problems and kick up her heels. Grayson would make sure of it. And tomorrow, her feet would land back in reality. But tomorrow was a long way off.
Her gaze sought out Grayson, who looked so handsome in his black tux. She was in absolutely no hurry for the sun to rise on a new day because she had a gut feeling that tomorrow would bring her those long-sought-after answers. And she had absolutely no idea if those answers would be good or bad.
“Here you go.” Grayson stepped up to her and held out a glass of bubbly. When she accepted it, he held up his glass to make a toast. “Here’s to the most beautiful woman at the ball.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks as she smiled. The truth of the matter was that she felt a bit overdone. The king had sent along a tiara for her to wear. As far as tiaras went, at least it wasn’t big and showy, but it just felt like too much.
“Thank you for the kind words.”
“They aren’t just words. I mean them.” He leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on her lips.
He pulled back before she was ready for him to go. A dreamy sigh passed her lips. If only...
Thoughts of her gown and tiara slipped to the back of her mind. Her heart tap-danced in her chest as Grayson smiled at her. How had she gotten so lucky?
The evening took on a life of its own. She sipped at the bubbly. She talked with the guests. And then Grayson held out his hand to escort her onto the dance floor.
In his very capable arms, she glided arou
nd like she was on a cloud. She wasn’t even sure if her feet ever touched the ground. And her cheeks grew sore from all of the smiling. But she couldn’t stop. This was the most amazing evening and she didn’t want it to end...not ever.
Grayson stopped moving.
