by Jenni James
She took a deep breath and faced him again, her gaze meeting his, before traveling down to his grinning lips. She kissed him there, a soft full kiss and said quietly, “These lips—these lips hold the answers to your beautiful soul. They create a world full of beauty greater than any lips I have ever known. They rejoice, they play, they care, they love. Your lips are flawless. And quite possibly have locked within them the most joyous of kisses a girl could know. I am forever in gratitude of those lips, for the simple words you speak and the actions you do with them—they very clearly leave me breathless.
She drew back and blushed. “Now do you see? Now do you understand how it is I see you?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
JOHN COULD NOT STOP grinning like a fool. Who was this woman? How was he ever fortunate enough to have such a being in his life? His heart and mind raced as he tried to process all that she had said to him. Words he would have never thought of to describe himself, but said with such sincerity, such sweetness…he was quite simply moved.
How was it no one had seen her before? How was it she was living here in this home and not swept off her feet by another lucky man?
“One day you are going to make a man very fortunate he found you.”
“Me?” She laughed. “No, no, I am sure it will be quite the opposite. I am much too strong and hasty in the things I say at times. I would like to get married one day, perhaps. I would like it very much.” She shrugged and pulled farther away from him, sitting back. “But I am so far from a proper lady, I am afraid sometimes to wonder who would ever want me.”
He grinned, positive a man would sweep her up very soon. Mayhap even someone she met at the ball. “Oh, do not worry. I am sure you would be loved by anyone who spent time with you.”
She glanced up, her eyes meeting his, searching his features, before biting her lip and looking away. He could see the beginnings of an even redder complexion showing itself. “I hope—I hope I was not too forward just now. I would not want to make you uncomfortable.” She turned back toward him. “And please, in anyway, do not think that what I said to you just now was me complicating things between us. I know you see me as a friend. I am well aware and fine with how things are.”
John had no notion of what she was speaking of. “But you did say some of the most wondrous things. A man would call himself fortunate indeed to hear from your lips again.”
“Yes, but I know—I know that the custom of kissing one another could be construed as a proposal of sorts, but I would like to clarify that to be sure, I do not take it that way. So you have no need to worry.”
She was correct! How could he have been so foolish? To kiss a woman did allow for certain liberated thinking to take place within her mind. It would naturally unearth a whole slew of complications if the impulsive man had not thought clearly through them all. He stared at her a moment—his mind racing through the unjustness of his impulse. He had meant to thank her for her kindness, for her gentle prodding into his life, her caring nature. And then she was sharing with him her vision of how she sees his character. How every man wishes he could be seen by a woman someday. His heart began to thump wildly. He would need to travel home first to sort through his feelings before he began to ascertain them all. But this—this was not right. He could not, absolutely could not fall in love with the girl and she him, while she believed him to be John.
No, he would not do that to her. She must fully comprehend what she would be getting herself into, must realize who she was speaking with and giving her heart over to, before he dared to return any sentiments or make any undeniable declarations. “Forgive me; I do not make it a habit to kiss women, in case I may have given you that impression as well. And you are strikingly remarkable. I have never met a girl like you before—there is something that is so fresh and natural, as I have implied earlier, but ‘tis true. You are so very easy to be with and speak to. And I—”
She came forward and placed a finger over his mouth. “John, stop. It is well. I understand you do not feel towards me as much as what may have come across just now. This is fine. Let us be friends and enjoy the day.” She smiled such an engaging smile as she removed her dainty finger.
For no reason at all, he wanted to snatch her up and hold her close and kiss her like he had never dreamed of kissing another before. He was not sure he would ever let her go this time if he acted on his silly whim, and so he said simply, “One day, I will explain more of how I truly feel—I am not sure at this moment even I know what is happening between us—but that day is not now; there is more that needs to be revealed between both of our lives and more trust shown on both of our parts first. However, today has indeed been a magnificent beginning to something I could not have thought was possible a week ago.” He found her hands and brought them up to kiss each and every one of her knuckles. “You, my fair lady, do more good for a man’s soul than any woman I have ever met before. I thank you. I thank you for sharing yourself and your unbelievable patience in me.”
She raised an eyebrow, still smiling, her sparkling eyes sending joy right through him. “I do not know how much longer you shall see such patience if you will not stand up quickly and begin dancing with me.”
“Oh-ho!” John laughed as he got to his feet, pulling her up with him. “Now, I see, the reluctant lady has found her footing after all! And just yesterday you were terrified to try such things, now you are ordering me about to do it all over again.”
“Yes, well, I have learned something.”
“And that is?”
“As long as you have an agreeable dancing partner, the world shines brighter and your day more complete.”
“So are you saying you are now officially addicted to dancing?”
“I am saying I have found an agreeable partner, and once within his arms I tend to forget all but the most happiest of things—and that, yes, that may become quite an addiction if I am not careful.”
“Milady,” he said as he bowed before her, “I am at your service. You can become addicted to my charms any time you would like.”
“Oh, heaven help us! Do not encourage me!”
“Yes, for what would we do if all you ever wanted was to be folded about in my arms and gliding around the orchard? Something so shocking as that sounds like—”
“It sounds like bliss.” She giggled and stepped right up into his willing arms. “Now when do we begin?”
He grinned down into that shining face below him—a great warmth grew inside and multiplied a hundredfold until he could feel the stimulating effects through the tips of every fiber of his hair and all the way to his toes. She was in a very fair way of capturing his heart, that is, if she had not already managed to do so.
It would seem the lovely Eleanoria Woodston could charm the moon out of the sky, if she was not careful. Wrapping his arm more firmly about her trim waist, he squeezed her right hand and said, “Would now be soon enough for you, my dear?”
“I thought we would never begin.”
“Patience,” he whispered as they began to glide across the grass. “Patience, and the world will soon be yours.”
“But I do not need the world,” she whispered in reply.
“I know, but you will have it nonetheless. Now shh… and enjoy the moment.”
She giggled softly. “Brute.”
“Minx.”
“Monster.”
“Love.”
When she gasped and looked up at him with such an adorable expression, he could not help himself…he kissed her.
This time, slowly, while the world spun with them.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
WHEN ELLA HURRIED BACK into the house, with the promise to meet John tomorrow, she nearly flew up the stairs to her room. Oh, what a wonderful day it had been! What a glorious, perfect day it was. She giggled to herself as she opened her bedroom door and met a very sullen Jillian setting upon her bed.
“Where have you been?” she asked, her face twisting into a sneer.
“I was out
side in the orchard.”
“For over an hour?”
It had been nearly two hours when John finally left. “There are many chores to do outside.”
She grumbled and folded her arms.
“Did you need something? I am sorry, I did not know you were waiting for me, or I would have come in earlier.”
“Of course, I was waiting for you,” she snarled. “Mother says I have to give you one of my gowns for the ball. She says you were invited by the queen herself. I did not believe her, so I came up here to read the invitation myself.”
It was the first time Ella noticed the torn and rumpled missive in Jillian’s hand. “You ruined my invitation?”
“I have been holding it this whole time. Had you come up here, then perhaps it would not have been so crumpled.” She held it out to her. “Where did you get it?”
Ella took the tattered paper and placed it on her dresser. “From the queen.”
“Clearly from the queen. But how did you come by it? Tell me now.”
She sighed. “I do not know why I was invited. I just know a servant of the castle came and brought it to me. That is all.”
“But how did you get invited? You of all people? If anyone in this family should have been specially invited, it should have been Lacey. She is the eldest. Not you.”
Ella decided it was best just to agree with Jillian. “Yes, I realize that.”
“And to think now we must show up with you. And share our gowns with you! It is disgraceful.”
“Yes, it is.”
“When I think of the way you treat us, it is the last thing in the world I would want to do for you. Do you understand me? The last thing—helping you go to some ball as a guest of the queen!”
Ella let out a silent sigh and walked to the window. “You received the same invitation. I am sure I will be shown the same treatment as everyone else.”
“No. Clearly not. Clearly she sent a separate invitation just for you. It must mean something. And I want to know what. I want to know why you must be included, you who no one has heard of or seen in ages.”
She closed the curtains at the window and turned around, trying desperately to change the subject. “Would you rather not lend me a dress, then?”
“I do not have a choice,” she hissed as she got off the bed. “We might as well get this misery over with now.” She threw open the door and began to flounce down the stairs.
Closing the door silently behind her, Ella followed Jillian down the steps and into the main family rooms.
Jillian paused at her room. “Well, are you coming in or do you choose to have me throw one at you?”
Throw it at me, by all means. Ella took a deep breath and silently walked in. Her stepsister was already at the closet rummaging through the gowns and muttering to herself. She pulled out two and tossed them in a heap upon the bed.
“Here. Make your choice and be quick about it. You will need to help with the supper soon.”
Ella knew both of the dresses well. The puce one had looked hideous when it was still on the fabric bolt and Jillian had picked the silk out. She had decided puce was all the rage a couple of seasons ago, yet no one else opted to join her on her choice of gown color. It was rarely worn and was still in perfect condition. However, there was no way the color would be able to do Ella justice at all, yellowy brown/bright green simply did nothing for her. That left the stained blue, but the blue was certainly much finer than the cotton one she had on at the moment.
She pulled the pretty blue gown off the bed and walked over to the looking glass. How many times had she ironed this dress and wished she could wear it. The stain was not large; however it was of red wine and so quite noticeable. Ella swayed slightly in front of the mirror allowing the skirts to swish back and forth. How beautiful it was. How pretty it shimmered as the light danced upon it.
Pulling the stained portion of the skirt up to inspect it better, Ella found her solution. Quickly, she flipped the dress around and walked over to the bed. Laying it down, its skirts forming a large arch, she tucked the stained portion in with her fingers and then doing the same with another bit of the skirt a few inches to the left she saw that it bunched up nicely in an attractive pattern. If she repeated the same folds every few inches it would look like a whole new gown.
“So have you decided yet?” Jillian’s shrill voice caused her to jump.
“Yes, I have.”
“Good.” She shooed her away with her hand. “Then leave, please, and take the gown with you.”
Ella quickly gathered up the dress and walked to the door. “Thank you,” she said as she stepped into the corridor. “It will look very lovel—”
Jillian slammed the door shut.
“Lovely,” Ella whispered to no one in particular. Turning to head back up to her rooms, she heard—
“Ella, is it true?” Lacey quietly asked and motioned her into her room.
She walked in. “What?”
“Did you truly get invited to the ball by the queen herself?”
“Yes.”
“Eeeh! How wonderful!”
Ella was surprised to be wrapped in an enthusiastic hug.
“It is the best news I have heard all day.”
“You are happy, then?” Ella asked, amazed.
“Of course I am!” Lacey giggled and let her go. “Now you can be there with me and make sure I will not act the fool in front of Lord Gavenston. I know you will be the perfect good luck charm for me.”
“Me? You think I bring good luck?”
“Well, you got yourself invited to the ball, did you not?”
Ella laughed and shook her head. “I am not quite so certain it will be something lucky—especially with the upheaval it is causing the family at the moment.”
“Pshaw!” She waved her hand and sat down upon the white chair near her large window. “My mother and sister need to rethink their priorities. All along it has been how great the Dashlund name is and how they feared your boorish ways would ruin that name. Well, I say good for you! Well done to get invited. It is about time they saw how well you really will do at an event at the palace. Heaven knows you will do better than I do.”
Without Lacey being aware of it, her words wounded Ella. So that was why they had banished her away from the life she was used to. Her family was ashamed of her. Ella’s face reddened as her whole body went cold. How does one rectify that? How does one prove they can indeed be around royalty without shaming them all? “Thank you for your confidence in me, though I fear it may be misplaced.”
“You will do fine, I promise you.” She glanced at the gown in Ella’s arms. “Is that the one you have chosen, then? It is very pretty and will look remarkable on you.”
Ella nodded. “Thank you. I will have to alter it a bit to hide the stain, but I think it will come out very fine.”
Lacey stood up from her chair. “You will outshine us all, you know.”
“I will?” Ella laughed. “No, no, you are all ten times more beautiful than I am. And you hold yourself with the proper grace and etiquette known for these types of galas. Whereas I, on the—”
Lacey started to laugh. Loudly. “Oh, Ella, you really have never seen what I can do, have you? Yes, around here I am feminine and good. But out there—or more especially—as soon as Lord Gavenston shows up, I am all arms and legs and elbows. Anything that surely could go wrong, does! And it is so mortifying. Frankly, I am surprised I was even included on the invite list at all. Considering what happened last time.”
Perhaps it was a good thing Ella was coming, mayhap she would be able to keep Jillian away and allow Lacey to have a moment with the duke without mayhem wreaking havoc on them both. “I have had to clean your messes up, after such incidences, and it does amaze us all the amount of damage that can occur. But you are correct, I have never witnessed these moments firsthand.” She walked over to the bed and settled herself against it, Lacey was quick to follow suit. “What happened the last time you visited the castle?�
�� she asked her.
Lacey closed her eyes and ran her hand over her face. “It was awful, just completely awful.”
“What?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
LACEY OPENED HER EYES and stared ruefully right at Ella. Shaking her head slightly, she began, “I do not know exactly. I really cannot say. But Jillian and I were speaking with the Duke one moment and then the next I had tripped over something and flew into his arms, knocking not only him to the ground, but the rows upon rows of newly placed latticework for the recently planted hedges. They all tumbled down around us in a great circle, one right after another. The last one landing directly on the queen’s footman, causing him to tumble upon her and she to fall onto the large table spread full of food.”
“No.” Ella winced. “The poor queen.”
“Oh, it was worse, so very much worse. For when the table crashed, food starting flying about and landing upon all those who had rushed to help the latticework. In those drawn out seconds, it became such a sticky mess. Gowns ruined, wigs falling off. Men and women alike slipping all over the place. The servants themselves had several more falls and slips and I just lay there, on top of Lord Gavenston, afraid to move. Afraid to see what else could befall us all.
“Was he fine with allowing you to remain on him?”
“Oh, he did not know!” She chuckled a bit. “Did I not tell you the worst part?” When Ella shook her head, she continued, “The whole occasion I had been convinced he was acting the gentleman by allowing me to stay upon him—no. Indeed, I did not know it at the time, but he had been stunned in the fall—the wind completely knocked out of him. It was not until I looked at his strangely grey-blue face that I discovered it was me not allowing the air to come back in his lungs. As quickly as possible, I scrambled off of him and turned him over. After a few sharp whacks on the back by a man next to us, he began to cough and all was well again. But, no, Ella, no, in my inane attempt to keep my balance I nearly killed the man I love.”