Chapter 2
Emily placed her hand on her father’s arm. With her mother on his other arm, they entered the Tisbury ballroom together.
Candles flickered and lit up every corner of the room. There was an oversized, crystal chandelier suspended from the ceiling in the center of the ballroom. A dozen wall sconces scattered around the room sent prisms of colors bouncing off the walls and the scent of fresh cut flowers filled the air. The musicians played a lively tune and several couples were dancing. The swirl of silk dresses was something one might see in one of Sir David Brewster’s kaleidoscopes that dazzled the eyes with every color of the rainbow.
“Oh, Papa, it’s so beautiful, isn’t it?” Emily whispered in her father’s ear.
Riley patted his daughter’s hand. “Indeed it is.”
Before they had ventured too far into the room, Emily saw Mia Gardner, her most trusted friend, standing at the edge of the dance floor.
“Papa, there’s Mia.”
Riley steered them in that direction. “Good evening, Miss Gardner,” he said.
Mia curtsied. “Good evening, Mr. Stanton, Mrs. Stanton. How lovely to see you both tonight.” She turned to her friend. “Emily, I’m so glad you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Did I miss anything?”
Mia whispered in her ear.
Emily giggled and let go of her father’s arm. “Papa, may I take your leave?”
Riley nodded. “Of course, Emily. Miss Gardner, a pleasure to see you this evening.” He bowed to the young woman before escorting his wife away from the two young women.
Mia curtsied. “Thank you, Mr. Stanton.” She grabbed Emily’s hand and they hurried over to the nearest alcove to confer in private, and away from prying eyes.
“Let me see it,” Emily demanded.
Mia reached into her reticule and held out her dance card for her friend’s inspection. Neatly scribbled were the names of three young men: the handsome Mr. Connor Preston being the first name, Mr. Ethan Richardson the second name and the reserved Mr. Charles Giles rounding out her dance partners thus far. “Can you believe it? Mr. Preston wants to dance with me?”
“Of course he does. Why wouldn’t he? You look beautiful tonight,” Emily said.
Mia gave her friend a sad smile. She was not a beauty, but had a sweet disposition and the pale pink dress she wore complimented her complexion nicely. She was from a good family; not wealthy, but comfortable on 2,000 pounds per annum. With four children still at home, however, there wasn’t any extra to go around especially not for a new dress for each ball. The dress she wore tonight was one from last year’s collection, but freshened with new satin ribbons.
Nineteen-year-old Mia had already been through one Season without a marriage proposal. The ladies of the ton had noticed too. There wasn’t much that was missed by them at these affairs. Emily had defended her friend on more than one occasion. Sometimes the ton was quite cruel in their teasing and gossip. Mia tried to ignore them and worried more that it would weigh heavily on her parents. She could guess the gossip that spread like wild fire around the ballroom this evening.
Did you see? She’s wearing the same dress again.
Will she land a husband this Season?
Will she wait season after season for that elusive marriage proposal?
Too bad, such a shame, she’s so plain.
“Thank you. You’re such a dear friend to say such sweet things. I must confess that I do have high hopes for this season. I heard some news.
“What?”
“Did you know that Mr. Giles has recently returned from his travels? He’d been away most of last season. That’s why we didn’t see him at any of the previous balls.”
“Really? He’s a pleasant sort of fellow, but certainly not as dashing as Mr. Preston.”
“Oh Em, I don’t need dashing. I’m more than willing to marry a pleasant sort of man that will offer me a good home and hopefully, children. It would be such a pleasure to manage a home of my own and I would be grateful for it.”
Emily grasped Mia’s hand. “I just know you’ll find someone this Season.”
“And you’ll be fending off your own marriage proposals this season, I’m sure of it,” Mia added.
Emily giggled. “I hope so. It would be grand if we both received proposals, wouldn’t it?”
“Indeed, it would,” Mia said.
Compared to her plain friend, there was no doubt that Emily would have her pick of suitors. She was the most beautiful girl in the room with her high cheekbones, perfect white teeth and bright blue eyes that shone with youthful exuberance. With a handsome dowry to go along with her sweet smile, she should be irresistible to many young gentlemen.
The two young women remained huddled together on the bench talking in whispers about who was there and more importantly who wasn’t in attendance this evening. Neither of them noticed Lady Tisbury approaching with two gentlemen in her wake until their shadows fell over them.
“Good evening, Miss Gardner, Miss Stanton,” Lady Tisbury said.
Both Mia and Emily looked up and scrambled to their feet.
“Lady Tisbury, a pleasure to see you again,” Mia said as she curtsied.
“Good evening, Lady Tisbury,” Emily chimed in with a curtsy of her own. “Thank you for your kind invitation to attend this evening’s festivities. Everything is so beautiful.”
“It is my pleasure, dear.” She held out her hand and ushered the men forward. “I would like to present Mr. Connor Preston and, of course, you both know my nephew, Mr. Ethan Richardson.”
The young women curtsied to the gentlemen. “Mr. Preston, Mr. Richardson,” they said.
Lady Tisbury continued the introductions. “Mr. Preston, this is Miss Stanton. You may be acquainted with her father, Mr. Riley Stanton.”
“Yes, I have recently made his acquaintance,” Connor said. “Pleasure to meet you Miss Stanton.” He turned toward Mia. “Good evening, Miss Gardner.”
Ethan bowed to the young ladies. “Miss Gardner; Miss Stanton.”
Emily watched the men with keen interest. Both were in their mid-twenties. Connor had jet-black hair, neatly trimmed at his shirt collar, an engaging smile and amazing intense blue eyes. He looked dashing in his smartly cut jacket. She knew Lady Tisbury’s nephew Ethan from past dinners at her manor, but tonight she looked at him with fresh eyes. Ethan was Connor’s exact opposite. He was nearly as tall as his friend, but had blond hair and deep-brown soulful eyes. He wore a serious countenance, and seemed rather dull next to his gregarious friend.
“Lady Tisbury, thank you for the introductions this evening,” Connor said.
She nodded. “I’ll leave you all now to get better acquainted with each other. Before she turned to leave, she leaned toward her nephew and whispered, “Please speak with me later. It’s Colby again and I need your assistance.”
Ethan nodded. “Yes, of course, Lady Tisbury. I shall find you shortly.”
When Lady Tisbury had departed, Connor turned his attention to Mia. “Miss Gardner, I believe it is our turn to dance the quadrille. Shall we?”
“Yes, uh, of course, Mr. Preston,” Mia stammered, suddenly flustered by the handsome young man’s attention.
“Miss Stanton, may I have the pleasure of signing your dance card?” Ethan asked.
Emily nodded, took out her dance card and handed it to Ethan. “Thank you, Mr. Richardson. I would enjoy that.”
Ethan signed his name for the next quadrille dance. Before he had a chance to give it back to Emily, Connor reached for it.
“My turn,” Connor said, with a wink and a twinkle in his eye. He signed the dance card for the last quadrille of the evening before handing it back to her. He turned his attention back to Mia and offered her his arm. “Shall we, Miss Gardner?”
Mia took Connor’s arm and he led her out to the dance floor.
Emily watched them as they walked away. Something about Connor filled her with warmth and made her insides flu
tter. He was so handsome and words seemed to flow off his tongue. She could hardly wait for her turn to dance with him.
***
It wasn’t hard to miss Emily’s focus of attention as the couple walked out to the dance floor. Connor had that affect on women. Ethan had seen it over and over again, but so far, no young lady had caught Connor’s attention long enough to garner a marriage proposal from him. Would Emily be the first?
“Miss Stanton, I shall return shortly for our dance. Good evening until then,” he said with a quick bow.
“I look forward to our dance, Mr. Richardson.” She said and curtsied.
Ethan walked to the far corner of the ballroom where he guided another young lady onto the dance floor.
When the music ended and the couples parted Ethan walked his partner back to her parents. He saw Mia came rushing back to Emily and overhead her excited conversation. “Oh my, that was wonderful. Mr. Connor is an excellent dancer.”
“Indeed. You looked like you were enjoying yourself.”
“I did. It was lovely.”
“Shall we get some punch?”
Mia nodded and they headed off toward the refreshments.
Ethan was pleased that Emily had shown no undue excitement over Mia’s statement. As the next dance was announced he went to his next partner.
“Miss Beckwith, I believe this is my dance,” he said to the tall thing blonde.
She gave him her prettiest smile, “I would be delighted.”
He escorted her out to the dance floor all the while waiting patiently until it was his turn to dance with Emily.
Emily had no shortage of partners and Ethan watched her as she glided around the floor. Soon it would be his turn to hold her in his arms. Before long, he returned to her side. “Miss Stanton, shall we dance?”
Emily gave him a welcoming smile. “I would love to. Thank you, Mr. Richardson.”
He offered his arm, and they walked to the dance floor. As luck would have it, they stood opposite Connor and Miss Elizabeth Curry. When all of the couples had lined up, the quadrille was announced and the music started. The women curtsied, and the men bowed.
Emily’s hand met Ethan’s and they circled one another. “Don’t you just love to dance, Mr. Richardson?” she asked.
He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could answer her question, they parted once again.
As the dance continued, Emily and Elizabeth crossed paths and Emily was now paired with Connor. Ethan saw his friend wink at her and her eyes widened in surprise. He guessed that it was the first time a gentleman had winked at her, at least in a flirty way.
Connor leaned toward Emily. “You look most amazing tonight. Your beauty puts the brightest stars in the sky to shame.”
A wide smile split her face as she returned to Ethan.
“Yes,” he said.
“What?” she asked.
“You asked if I loved to dance. The answer is yes.”
Emily nodded and the couples parted again.
Ethan tried to think of something witty to say, but try as he might, nothing came to him. Connor, however, had no trouble making her smile. When the dance ended, the men bowed to the ladies and Emily curtsied.
Connor escorted Miss Curry off the floor, but said over his shoulder. “Miss Stanton, I’m looking forward to our dance.”
“Thank you, Mr. Preston,” Emily said. She gave Ethan a quick curtsy and rushed back to Mia without waiting for him to escort her off the floor.
***
“He said that?” Mia asked.
“Yes, can you believe it? It was the most perfect thing anyone has ever said to me,” Emily said.
“Indeed.”
“Are you having a good time, Mia?”
“Yes, it’s been lovely so far and even my parents seem to be enjoying themselves.”
“Good, I’m glad for it. I can’t wait for my dance with Mr. Preston.”
For the rest of the evening, she could think of nothing except the dashing Mr. Preston. Her dance card had filled quickly and she had no lack of partners dancing nearly every dance. When her dance with Mr. Preston was finally announced, she was not disappointed. He was charming and witty, and she floated around the dance floor with a smile that lit up her beautiful face. She never noticed Ethan Richardson stealing glances at her.
When the dancing ended, she found her parents and they all said their goodbyes to Lord and Lady Tisbury.
“Thank you for such a lovely night. It was magical,” Emily said with a curtsy.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” Lady Tisbury turned to Catherine. “Shall we have tea soon?”
“That would be lovely,” Catherine said.
Later that evening, Emily recounted her time at the dance with Nesmith. “Oh, Nesmith, you should have seen the room. It was so beautiful with all the flowers and the candles lit up the room. Mia and I danced almost every dance.”
“Who did you dance with?” Nesmith asked, helping Emily out of her dress.
“With almost every gentleman in attendance, but I danced twice with Mr. Connor Preston. He’s so handsome and quite dashing. I think he likes me.”
Nesmith hung up the dress in the wardrobe before she began to take the pins out of Emily’s hair. “Really? Did he say anything to indicate that he liked you?”
“He winked at me, and told me I put the stars to shame. We danced two dances together.” Emily didn’t bother to tell Nesmith that one of the dances was the quadrille and Connor’s partner was actually Elizabeth Curry. Nor did she tell her the thrill that went through her when their hands touched.
“I see. Miss Emily, don’t get your hopes up. It might not mean what you think it means. Men love dancing with pretty girls. When he comes to see your father, then you’ll know he’s serious.”
“Oh, Nesmith, don’t be so harsh. You weren’t there. It was wonderful and I just know he likes me.”
“If you say so,” Nesmith said, a frown creasing her face. The older woman combed out Emily’s hair and braided it before helping her into her nightdress. “There you go. Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you, Nesmith. Good night.”
“Good night, Miss Emily.” Nesmith left the room, closing the door behind her and hurried down the hall to attend to Mrs. Stanton.
Emily grabbed her evening reticule. She brought the candle from the vanity over to the small table next to her bed. She climbed into bed and snuggled into the soft feather pillows. She opened her reticule and pulled out her dance card to look at Connor’s name again when a slip of paper fell out. “What’s this?”
She unfolded the note and inhaled sharply as she read it.
I have eyes for only one
In the sea of colorful silks
With eyes of blue
And a smile that
Gladdens my heart
You are my Bright Star
“The stars again! Such a beautiful letter. Oh, Mr. Preston, I knew you liked me,” she said hugging the slip of paper to her breast.
She got out of bed and walked to the vanity. She traced the words of the letter with her finger before she slipped the note into the beautiful carved box. Tonight she’d had her first dance with Mr. Preston and had received her first love letter. She couldn’t have asked for anything more. It was indeed a wonderful and magical night.
She climbed back in bed and thought of Mr. Preston until sleep came to claim her.
Chapter 3
“Miss Stanton, you have visitors,” the housekeeper announced.
Emily set her embroidery hoop down in her lap. “Mrs. Jannell, who comes to call?” she asked.
“Mr. Preston and Mr. Richardson. They’re waiting in the front parlor with Mrs. Stanton.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
Mr. Preston is here!
She stood, smoothed her blue cotton day dress, and pushed a wispy curl that had escaped its pins off her face. “I knew it,” she whispered as she followed Mrs. Jannell down the hall to the front of
the house.
Connor and Ethan both gave Emily a slight bow when she entered the parlor.
Connor was the first to speak. “Miss Stanton, we were in the area and would be remiss if we didn’t stop in and pay our respects to you and your lovely mother. How are you on this fine day?”
Emily curtsied. “I am well, thank you kindly. I’m so very pleased to see you both.” She thought about Connor’s love note and a slight blush washed over her cheeks.
“Gentlemen, please sit and make yourself comfortable.” Mrs. Stanton said.
Emily sat next to her mother on the couch and Connor and Ethan took chairs opposite them. Emily folded her hands in her lap and waited with nervous anticipation. She’d never had gentlemen callers before and deferred to her mother to carry the conversation.
Ethan spoke first to Catherine. “How is Mr. Stanton?”
“He is well, but off on an errand, I’m afraid. He’ll be sorry that he missed your visit,” she replied.
“Please give him my regards.”
“Of course.”
An awkward silence filled the room. Emily found it hard to bear and she had to speak. She really wanted to talk only with Connor, but she could not be rude to Mr. Richardson. “And your parents, Mr. Richardson?”
“They are well, thank…” Ethan started.
Connor stood suddenly, interrupting his friend in mid-sentence. “Well, we must be going. Thank you for seeing us, Mrs. Stanton, Miss Stanton. Have a pleasant day.”
Emily was startled by Connor’s sudden movement and stood immediately. She didn’t understand what had happened. Had she said something wrong? Why was he leaving so soon? She hadn’t even directed a single question to him. He’d been in her company for mere moments and now he was leaving and she could find no reason to prolong the visit. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Preston. Please do come again.” She turned toward Ethan. “Both of you, of course, Mr. Richardson.”
“Yes, we’d love to see you again,” Catherine chimed in. “And, perhaps stay for tea next time.”
Age of Innocence Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Page 2