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Although they were surrounded by other dancing couples, they both felt as if they were the only ones there, the only two people in the world. He had eyes for no one else, and hers rested solely on him. That smile she wore was his as well, and he could not have felt more proud to be there, regardless of everything that had happened.
When the music stopped, he offered to take her to the refreshments table. "Are you endeavoring to make me inebriated, Your Grace?" she continued to tease him.
"Perhaps," he winked at her again, as he took a glass from the table and offered it to her. "I might have such a devious plan on my mind."
Instantly, he regretted saying that, and more so, using that word. He remembered how thetonthought him a monster, and devious had been one of the words used to describe him in the newspapers. After that, he stopped reading them, although they had always been his favorite pastime during breakfast. He feared that she might take it the wrong way, but her smile assured him that she understood exactly what he meant.
"In that case, why don't you partake in a drink yourself?" she answered playfully, as she accepted the proffered drink.
"Don't mind if I do," he smiled, feeling more relieved than ever. He realized that he cared what she thought of him. He wanted her to like him. Even more than like. He wanted her to belong to him. He wanted her to love him, if such a thing was possible.
They stood on the side, next to each other, so close that their upper arms were brushing against each other casually. He welcomed the touch. He did not want to stare at the crowd. All he wanted to look at was her. So, he turned to her instead of stealing glances at her with the corner of his eye.
"Are you sorry that we came?" he asked, needing to be assured that she was enjoying herself with him as much as he was enjoying himself with her.
"Not at all," she shook her head. "To tell you honestly, I do not remember the last time I had so much fun."
"I am very happy to hear that," he said, his heart feeling as if it were about to burst with happiness. "You know... when my parents... I didn't think I would ever attend another ball. I didn't see a reason for it. But you gave me one, and I am so glad for it."
"Edward, that is so sweet of you to say," she smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. They gazed at each other for what appeared to be a small eternity. He felt like that was the perfect moment for a kiss, if only they were not surrounded by a million prying eyes of theton.How he longed to express his devotion to her physically, if only he would be given the chance for it.
At that moment, they saw Alicia approach them, interlocking her arm with Leah's. "Do you mind if I steal this lovely lady away from you for a while?" she said, giggling.
"Only if you promise to give her back," Edward agreed good-humoredly.
"Of course," Alicia laughed and took Leah away, leaving Edward alone in the crowd. He pulled all the way to the wall behind him, searching for the path to the terrace. Being here without Leah was no fun. Some fresh air ought to do him good while he waited for her to return.
* * *
"I must say, you and the duke look like you are ever so in love!" Alicia squealed with delight. "The way he swirled you on the floor while you were dancing... ah, it was such a sight to behold!"
"And I'm certain that everyone was watching," Leah sighed. "Not that I understand what is there to see. Not like Edward has a third eye in the middle of his forehead."
No matter how much she tried not to pay attention, she could not help but notice all those looks that were cast in Edward's direction, followed by a hushed whisper. She wanted to grab each and every person who did that, and shake them by the shoulder, demanding to know what sort of behavior that was. She felt protective over him.
"Oh, do not pay attention to that," Alicia waved her hand dismissively. "I am telling you what I saw. Two young people in love. There is nothing more beautiful than that."
Leah smiled. "You are right."
Alicia raised an eyebrow. "Then, it is true? You are both in love with each other?" Her voice was now down to a whisper, but in a place like this, even walls had ears. Their conversation could have been overheard at any moment, so Leah was careful not to reveal too much.
"We are husband and wife," she said, with a mysterious flicker of a smile. "I think we are well on the way to becoming that in the real sense of the word."
"I knew it!" Alicia exclaimed, then quickly pressed her hand to her lips. "Sorry. I need to learn some self-control."
Leah chuckled. "That's quite all right. The music is so loud, I can barely hear what you are saying, let alone someone several feet away from you." Leah did not really believe that to be true, but she still wanted to make Alicia feel reassured that she did not reveal anything even if they were overheard.
As she was speaking, someone wanted to walk past her, so Leah took a step to the side, not realizing that this way, she would bump into the person who was about to pass her by. She stepped on something hard, and instantly realized that it was someone's foot.
"Oh, I am so sorry!" she exclaimed immediately, turning around to face a kind-looking man, whose gaze was aimed at the ground. "I did not mean to step on you," she continued with her apology.
"No harm done," he smiled, lifting his hand to the level of his chest and shaking it comfortingly. "It is rather crowded in here. But Lady Alicia likes it that way, don't you, my dear?"
Upon hearing the man speak so familiarly with her friend, Leah realized that he must know her well. Alicia smiled in response.
"Lady Leah Gillet, may I introduce Jerome Grant, the Marquess of Dawbridge?" Alicia introduced the man with striking blue eyes and a silver-gray hair. Overall, the impression that Leah got was that he was a man well in his fifties, but apparently, the ladies were still swooning over him. She could see why.
"My Lord," Leah curtsied respectfully, while the Marquess took her hand and brought it to his lips, where they lingered on her skin for one moment longer than usual.
