room to delicately frame the crystal chandelier that hung from the middle of the room. Paper and silk lanterns added drama and warmth to the room. Tables laden with finger foods and crystal bowls of red punch were on theme, as were the paper heart cut-outs that covered every surface. Florence was surprised the servers were not attired as mini-cupids, and she smiled as one appeared in front of her offering her a refreshment. She nodded her thanks, accepting the small glass and took a sip before letting out an appreciative hum at the sweet taste.
“That’s love’s arrow,” Mrs. Rosemary told her, nodding at the glass. “A little like a gin blossom, but with a touch of amaro.”
Florence raised an eyebrow, taking in the ruby-colored drink. “How much of a splash?” She asked, taking another sip.
Mrs. Rosemary waved a hand and plucked a cup from the server’s tray for herself. “Oh, measurements are such a dreadfully droll thing. You can never have too much amaro. Royalty drinks it, you know. It must be good for one’s constitution.”
Florence giggled and nodded. “Sound logic as any that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.” She sipped her drink and Mrs. Rosemary stepped closer to her, a hand going to Florence’s arm.
“Now, Flo, you were commenting on romance and men and,” she raised her eyebrows and inclined her head. “I am not one to let that conversation slip away. What were you saying?”
“I was commenting on the lack of pairs that I can…” She bit her lip, remembering her mother’s words, “ask for a place in.”
“A place, you say? I could think of a pair of suitors who might be...amenable to such an arrangement.”
Florence nearly spit her drink out. She whirled towards Mrs. Rosemary, nearly spilling her cocktail. “Do you mean that? Truly?”
Mrs. Rosemary smiled and gave a tiny dip of her chin in a nod. “I do.”
“Where? Who? Are they in attendance tonight?”
“They are, but you might find it a bit difficult to get them to admit what they are searching for.”
“But why?” The incredulity in Florence’s question was palatable, and a few bystanders looked towards them in confusion.
Mrs. Rosemary gave a little laugh and looked at Florence then. “Not everyone was raised to be as outspoken in their preferences, nor did they have the kind of home life you did or have the gift of growing up in a town such as Gold Sky.”
“Ah, you do have a point there.” Florence forced herself to be calmer. It was true that she was blessed to have been given this place as a home. She turned, scanning the dance floor, hoping to be able to spot the men Mrs. Rosemary meant. Surely she should be able to find them on her own.
“I see you straining your eyes, Flo. Look to the left corner by the silk lamps. The pair of young men there are very much in love, but have it in their mind to find wives when I’m quite sure they would do well with just one.”
Florence’s mouth went dry. She saw them. “They’re beautiful.” A pair of men in fine suits, cut just right and no doubt the work of Mrs. Rosemary’s hand. Florence could spot the other woman’s touches anywhere and saw it now in the matching charcoal suits they wore. One was red-haired, his hair pulled back in a fashionable knot, and fair-skinned. She wondered if he wore his hair loose and what it might feel like under her fingers. The other, a brunette with hair as dark as night. She suspected him to be of Mexican descent from the warm brown tone of his skin. He turned toward her, and Florence nearly dropped her drink. High cheekbones, full lips, and dark brown eyes met hers from across the room.
“Oh,” Florence breathed when he smiled at her. The man beside him turned at a slight nudge and he too smiled in her direction, green eyes lighting up when they met her shocked gaze. She had thought she would be able to withstand the attention of two men, but here she was nearly melting like a candle from warmth in these two men’s smile.
“Come with me.” Mrs. Rosemary took her elbow and began forward startling Florence out of her smile induced stupor.
“What are you doing?”
“Introducing you. Every proper lady needs an introduction when there are eligible men to be considered.”
“But--” Florence made to dig her feet in and found out that Mrs. Rosemary was surprisingly strong.
“But nothing. You wished