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“Truly, Papa?” Shock plowed into her. Noelle gaped at her father. Why would he go along with such a scandalous idea? “What of dinner and church later?”
“What of them? They’re not set in stone, so plans can easily change.” His grin was as wide as Trey’s. “For far too long you’ve kept yourself here, taking care of me. Now it’s time to attend to your own life.”
“But—”
He shook his head. “Go upstairs, put on your best dress, and tell your maid you are attending a ball this evening. I shall be happy to entertain Captain Marsden while you’re otherwise occupied.”
“Surely you don’t want me to sneak into a society event and—”
Trey’s eyes sparkled with mischief, but it was a wicked twinkle deep in those hazel depths that stole her breath. “Yes, do, Noelle.” He made a shooing motion with his hand. “I wished to speak with your father in any event. Now is as good a time as any.” He stuck out his hand. “Captain Marsden. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
No, she didn’t quite trust that gleam at all. What devilry was he up to?
Her father beamed. “Mr. Gedney, but call me Michael.” He shook Trey’s hand. “Come have a brandy with me. I’m sure my daughter will be abovestairs for some time.”
“I appreciate the offer.” Trey glanced over his shoulder at her and sent her a speaking glance.
With a hot face, Noelle fled upstairs. What the deuce did the captain have to discuss with her father? As far as she knew, the two men hadn’t met before. But then excitement pushed all other thoughts from her mind.
“Annie! Annie, where are you?” she called as soon as she gained the upper level. “I need to dress for a ball.”
Thirty-five minutes later, Noelle rejoined the men in the drawing room. She particularly liked the way the crimson taffeta felt cool against her legs through embroidered silk stockings. The bodice was rather lower than her day dresses and lined with tiny silver and clear glass beads. Though she seldom had the opportunity to move in society, her father always made certain she ordered a few gowns to use if the occasion demanded. Matching beadwork decorated the hem and bottoms of the capped sleeves, while a band of silver satin went around the high waist and fell into a sweet bow at the back of the gown.
“Dear God, Noelle, you’re beautiful,” Trey breathed as he scrambled out of the chair and to his feet when she entered the drawing room.
“Indeed, she is,” her father said with a wide grin. “Like Christmas personified.”
Heat jumped into her cheeks, but their praise pleased her. When she touched a gloved hand to her face, tiny diamonds and rubies in her bracelet caught the candlelight. “Hush, you two.”
Trey exchanged a glance with her father. Then he cleared his throat. “Yes, well, we should be off. I don’t want the ball to end before we arrive.”
“Have a wonderful time,” her father said as he came close enough to buss her cheek. “Done up like that, you look very much like your mother had at your age.”
“Is that a good thing?” Never had he told her that before.
“Oh, indeed, for she’d enchanted me that night, and I offered for her the next morning.” His wink held a decidedly saucy edge. “We’d only known of each other for a handful of weeks.”
“Your marriage was strong for such humble beginnings.”
“Quite.” He arched an eyebrow as if to say,So what are you waiting for?
“Come.” Trey touched her shoulder. “If we’re fortunate, we won’t have missed the first waltz.” Then he whisked her from the room with a brief stop in the small entry hall to collect their outer things. Seconds later, they were in the same open carriage he’d taken her out in yesterday. As he settled beside her on the bench, he maintained a mysterious grin but refused to talk about what had occurred with her father. Despite the silence, he appeared all too pleased with himself, and it had nothing to do with the rakish angle at which he wore his top hat.
“You’ve the air of the cat who’s just eaten the canary. Why?” The muscles in her stomach knotted with nerves, but the evening’s chill was pleasant enough for she was beside him with the fur-lined blanket over her lap and legs.
“I can’t say right now, but hopefully you’ll discover in good time.”
That was all the maddening man would say.
Nearly a half hour later, they arrived at the squire’s manor. Every window glowed with golden light, and each one was decorated with the dark silhouettes of people moving through the rooms within.
“The key to slipping into a place where one hasn’t been invited is confidence,” he whispered into her ear as they approached the door. “Act as if you belong and that’s what others will see.” Before she had a chance to protest, he rapped on the door, and when it was opened, he pulled her inside. “Keep these close, my good man,” he told the waiting footman as he handed over his greatcoat and top hat. “We won’t stay long.” When he reached for her cloak, she gave it over gladly, for his elevated mood was infectious.
She glanced at the young man and smiled. “Thank you.”
“Let’s find the refreshments table.” The grin Trey shot her awakened the butterflies in her belly. “At least we were too late for the reception line.”
“What if we’re called out because we don’t belong?” she whispered while he escorted her along the corridors. Merry laughter and happy conversation filled the air the closer they came to the populated parts of the manor house.
