Page 58 of Courting the Vicar’s Daughter

Harry’s grin appeared somewhat crookedly. “I hope so.”

§

With Daisy on his arm, Harry entered the ballroom, immediately searching out his sisters. They were all here, at his request, with their husbands. It did not take long to spot their group in the crowd. His sisters, all mothers and seasoned wives, were beautiful. And two of the three husbands were quite tall.

He led Daisy to his family’s corner of the room, hardly stopping to greet anyone else. His heart pounded in his chest, with anxiety and pride both, as he introduced her. “Miss Ames, might I introduce my family to you? Some of them you know, of course. This is the Earl of Ivyford, Lord Christian Hundley, and his countess.”

Christian bowed and Rebecca offered a grinning curtsy, despite her large middle.

“And Doctor Nathaniel Hastings, husband to my sister, Mrs. Julia Hastings.”

Nathaniel offered his bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Ames.”

“And you know Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert, of course,” Harry added.

“Quite well.” Daisy curtsied prettily to the entire group, not betraying any of the nervousness Harry knew she must feel. “I am delighted to meet everyone.”

The music was playing, and Harry was about to ask Daisy for her first dance of the evening when Christian stepped forward.

“Miss Ames, would you do me the honor of standing up with me?” he asked, his expression all seriousness.

Daisy blinked, as though startled, but agreed. “Of course, my lord.” Before Harry could utter a word of protest, Nathaniel stepped forward.

“Might I have the next, Miss Ames?” he asked, his eyes darting from hers to Harry’s, a glitter of mischief present.

Oh, no. Harry opened his mouth, but Thomas spoke next.

“And then I must have the honor of the next dance,” he said, not even bothering to hide his grin.

Harry stood at his full height, pulling Daisy a little closer. “Now see here, what sort of brothers—”

“Are we all claiming Miss Ames’s dances?” a new voice asked. Harry turned to see Lucas Calvert, the earl and a cousin to the family by marriage, standing over his shoulder and grinning. “How far have we made it?”

“If you wish it, you may be my fourth dance this evening, my lord,” Daisy said, her dimple appearing. “I confess, I have never been so popular at a ball before.”

“An absolute shame.” Lucas tsked. “And yes. I will happily take the fourth dance, Miss Ames.”

Daisy gave Harry’s arm a gentle squeeze. “I will see you in an hour or so, Mr. Devon.” She released him and took Christian’s arm, while Harry watched incredulously.

Nathaniel and Thomas stepped forward, standing on either side of Harry. He looked from one to the other, deeply suspicious.

“Are you all trying to ruin my evening?” he asked. “You know very well what I have planned.”

“They have to have their fun,” Christine said from behind him.

“And it isn’t our fault,” Nathaniel added, “that you neglected to secure the first set with her.”

Lucas grinned. “You best be quick about it, Harry. You still haven’t asked her to dance. My brother Marcus is across the room. I think I’ll see if he is interested in being the fifth—”

“You wouldn’t,” Harry said, almost panicked. At this rate, she would dance with everyone but him. “Lucas, I’m proposing this evening.”

Julia gasped and pushed between her husband and Harry. “Really, Harry? Oh, that is wonderful!” Then she gave her husband a narrow-eyed look. “And you knew this when you asked Miss Ames to dance? I thought you were only teasing Harry.”

“Of course I am teasing him,” Nathaniel said, putting an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “And we have a plan, my dear.”

“Really?” Harry threw up his hands. “And what is it, exactly? Keep her too busy for me to get a dance, much less a word, with her?”

“Not at all. We are making certain you have the waltz,” Thomas said, slapping Harry on the shoulder. “And the right moment.”