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She placed the illicit magazine back in its hiding place.
She was too excited to read more. For she was at the Ashford Estate once again, where the first ball of the season, complete with a house party at the estate, would commence soon, before next month, April, when the events of the season would move to London.
It would be Tricia’s first ball.
Not only her first ball, but a ball hosted by the Earl of Ashford himself. The man of Tricia’s dreams—Thomas Jameson. Lord Ashford and his mother were hosting the ball to signify the end of their year of mourning.
The young earl would be looking for a wife.
And Tricia hoped beyond all her wildest dreams that it could be her.
So often, she reminisced about the kiss they’d shared next to his father’s gravesite. A bit macabre, to be certain, but the kiss had been anything but. It was a vivid sound in the symphony of her memories, a resonant note that echoed louder than all else. Amid the cold gray stones and an overcast sky, it had been a moment of color stolen from grief’s oppressive grip, a moment so warm and intimate it left an indelible mark on her soul.
The kiss had been unexpected—a spontaneous collision of lips that tasted bittersweet, tinged both with the chill of loss and the warmth of affection. It was as fleeting as it was intense, leaving her gasping for breath, her heart pounding.
But it only made the truth that much clearer. She was completely and utterly infatuated with Thomas Jameson. Consumed by desire. No other man could ever compare.
In the days that followed, she dared not speak of it. If Cameron ever found out…
Oh! It would be a disgrace, and he’d force Thomas to marry her.
Which wouldn’t be a horrid thing, but she wanted more than a marriage of obligation.
As she entered the lavish ballroom next to her mother, Tricia widened her eyes in awe at the spectacle before her. The room, a grand cathedral of wealth and refinement, buzzed with the excitement of the season’s inaugural ball. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the assembly of nobility gathered below. They caught the light and scattered it across the walls, which were adorned with silk draperies and masterful paintings depicting exquisite scenes from Greek mythology.
The air was filled with the lush fragrance of thousands of fresh flowers arranged in intricate bouquets that adorned every surface and corner and infused the space with the scent of roses, lilies, and exotic blooms imported from the far reaches of the empire. The floor, a polished expanse of gleaming marble, reflected the shimmering lights and the colorful array of gowns worn by the ladies in attendance, creating a kaleidoscope of movement and color.
Ornate tables lined the edges of the room decorated with silver candelabras and an array of refreshments. Delicate pastries, sumptuous meats, and an assortment of fruits and cheeses were displayed alongside crystal decanters filled with fine wines and champagnes.
The string quartet, positioned at one end of the ballroom, filled the air with the strains of a lilting waltz. Many attendees had already taken to the floor to partake in the dance. Tricia, her heart beating with anticipation and wonder, felt as though she had stepped into a living dream, a world of splendor and celebration where every detail had been crafted to perfection.
And then she saw him.
Thomas made a striking entrance into the ballroom of his grand estate, his brown hair impeccably styled, catching the soft glow of the crystal chandeliers overhead. Dressed in a tailored evening suit that accentuated his muscled frame, he exuded a natural, understated grace. Every detail, from the silk lapels to the subtle glint of cufflinks at his wrists to his polished black boots, only served to heighten the natural beauty of his face and body.
As he moved through the crowd, his presence commanded attention. His smile, when he offered it, was genuine and warm, bridging the gap between his noble stature and the gathered guests. The murmurs in the room crescendoed as he passed, with many an admiring glance cast in his direction, marking his arrival as the highlight of the evening’s commencement.
Tricia’s gown, a masterpiece of silk and lace that matched the deep blue of her eyes, rustled softly as she shifted her weight from one slippered foot to the other. She mustn’t stare. She absolutely mustn’t.
Lord Victor Polk, whom she had met briefly at the funeral as he was a good friend of the Duke of Lybrook, approached her and nodded to her mother.
“Lady Patricia,” he began, his voice smooth as the velvety night, “you illuminate this room. May I be so bold as to request the pleasure of this dance?”
Tricia, her heart fluttering like a caged bird, managed a smile. “My lord, I am honored. Yes, I would like that very much.” She shifted her gaze from one end of the ballroom to the other, feeling a slight quiver in her breast. “I must admit, though, this is all quite new to me.”
His laugh was light and dispelled some of her apprehension. “I understand completely. But fear not, my lady. Think of the dance as merely a conversation between our steps.”
Her laughter joined his, a sound more nervous than she intended. “In that case, I hope not to converse too clumsily on your feet, my lord.” Now why had she said that? Why would she draw attention to her clumsiness? She would now surely fumble.
Lord Victor responded with a dazzling smile. “Should such a misstep occur, Lady Patricia, it will only serve to make the evening more memorable. Besides, the true joy of the dance lies in the company, not the perfection of the steps.”
Lord Victor’s lively banter helped sooth the knots of her nervousness. “Then I look forward to our conversation, my lord.”
They moved to the dance floor, the music enveloping them. As they began to dance, Tricia’s initial trepidation melted away under the guidance of Victor’s assured steps.
She cast glances at Thomas, hoping he might pay her some attention, but for now he stayed at his mother’s side as young lady after young lady was introduced to him.
No one would introduce Tricia to Thomas. They already knew each other. Their circles ran quite close to each other, especially after Rose and Cameron were married.
