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“She is lonely there, being an only child. And besides, my aunt and uncle are homebodies. They have asked me to look after her, as I am sure she would only get into trouble if she were to go back to town.” He sighed heavily. “She is family, so I cannot resent her too much.”
The matter passed, and Simon looked at his pocket watch, eager to see Ellen. Everett laughed. “Things really have changed for you to look so eager to have your bride arrive. Or should I saywife?” His differentiation was not lost on Simon.
“In due time, my friend.”
At that moment, he spotted movement at the top of the grand staircase. Ellen appeared and searched the crowd for a moment until her eyes alighted on him. She smiled and started down the stairs, looking resplendent in a crimson-red gown.
Her blonde curls had been pulled back, with tiny wisps of hair framing her face. A glittering diamond necklace hung around her graceful throat, with a matching pair of dangling diamond earrings. She looked like a queen, taking his breath away.
“Excuse me,” Simon said, never once taking his eyes off of her.
“Of course,” Everett said and moved out of his way.
Simon met her at the bottom of the stairs, and she stopped on the stair above the last, looking dazzling. He looked her up and down and was sure his mouth hung open. She laughed at his reaction and came down the final step when he offered her his hand. They stood very close for a moment, but he did not care who saw them. “You are a vision, Ellen,” he said softly.
“Will I do? Really? I thought the diamonds might be too much—” She glanced around the foyer, looking almost shy.
“Not at all. The diamonds cannot compare to how brightly you shine,” he said. The words sounded inadequate and perhaps a bit sentimental, but he could not take them back now. He looked down at the floor and gave a short laugh. “At any rate, would you do me the honour of opening the first dance set with me?”
Her cheeks tinged with a very pretty blush, and she took his arm when he offered it. “I should be delighted.”
However, before they could head into the ballroom, his parents stopped them. “Oh, my goodness, Ellen. You look so beautiful,” his mother gushed.
Ellen looked up at him and blushed all over again. “Thank you, Mother Grant,” she replied. “Thank you so much for loaning the necklace and earrings to me. It was very generous.”
“Well, of course!” his mother said. “You are a part of the family now!”
Simon warmed to this. His father could not seem to take his eyes off his wife. Simon looked around and saw that several other gentlemen were also looking at her. A strange protectiveness rose inside him, and he placed his free hand over hers. He remembered Viscount Tilbury and how he had fawned over Ellen at the Saint Nicholas celebration they had attended at her parents’ home a few nights before.
Not usually a jealous person, he quickly pushed the feelings down, for he knew Ellen had likely been oblivious to anything untoward being present in the viscount’s attentions. He did not want any other gentlemen getting any ideas.
“Shall we dance?” Simon asked, steering her toward the ballroom. Her parents moved aside, smiling all the while at the vision they made, no doubt. He knew his father was happy for him and that he had finally settled down with a good woman. She was indeed turning into the woman of his dreams.
They made their way down the hall, and he could hear several whispers about how beautiful she looked. The women were all jealous of her dress and trying to figure out who her seamstress had been, no doubt. While the men were scheming, trying to find a way they might dance with her. Simon vowed to stay close to her throughout the evening and dance as much as possible with his bride.
Simon nodded to the musicians as they entered the room, and he led her out to the middle of the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her as the music began to play a waltz, and he again was struck by her beauty. “How did I become so lucky?” he asked so only she could hear.
“In what way?” She screwed up her forehead, and he paused to look at her—so unassuming.
“You, Ellen. I did not think it would be possible, given the way things began for us. But…but I am glad to be here with you tonight. Only you,” he said.
She blinked several times, and he saw the tears come into her eyes. She smiled. “I am glad, too.”
Chapter 21
Ellen felt breathless and alive as Simon twirled her around the dance floor. She glanced around the candlelit room. Tiny points of starlight ricocheted off the ceiling and walls as the flames reflected off the thousands of crystals hanging from the chandelier. She looked at the people standing around the dance floor, embarrassed that they were the only ones dancing.
“Everyone is looking at us,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“No, they are all looking at you tonight. You are the most beautiful woman here,” Simon corrected. “You are the most beautiful womananywhere.”
She gave a slight gasp, wondering if he truly meant it. She met his gaze and saw that he did from the genuine warmth pouring from his eyes. How had she ever thought him to be cruel? She felt so ashamed of her past behaviour now.
“What is the matter?” he asked softly. He was so attuned to her moods, and only after a few weeks of being together. It made her feel at even more of a loss. She could never make up for everything she had said to him.
“I am a little overwhelmed,” she said.
He started to slow their pace around the dance floor. “Do you need to sit down? Are you overwarm?” he asked.
