hair, and it was richly embroidered with silk burgundy thread all around its lowcut neckline. Apart from the embroidery the dress was perfectly plain and she wore no jewellery whatsoever, which only seemed to add to the stunning effect.
Deeply embarrassed at the way they were staring at her, Amy flushed. ‘It’s very good of you to come round and stay with Gran, Toby,’ she told him sincerely. ‘I hope that Annie didn’t mind.’
It was Toby’s turn to flush now as he dragged his eyes away from her to stare at the copper pans that were gleaming in the firelight. ‘I weren’t seein’ her tonight anyway as it happens,’ he mumbled.
Now that Amy came to think of it she realised that she hadn’t seen Annie around for some time. She was just about to comment on the fact when they all heard the sound of the carriage approaching and she dashed away to get her cloak and her evening bag from her room.
Toby was waiting by the door when she came back downstairs and he held her cloak for her while she ran to plant a gentle kiss on Molly’s thinning hair.
‘Goodnight, Gran. Don’t get waiting up for me, I shall likely be late in.’
‘Well, just be sure an’ have a good time,’ Molly said, flapping her hand at her. ‘Now get yourself away, gel, an’ leave an old woman in peace, eh?’
Amy stood as Toby draped her cloak about her shoulders and just for an instant their eyes met and she found herself thinking how incredibly blue his were … But then the moment was lost as the coachman rapped sharply on the door, and flustered, Amy turned away from him, her heart racing. With a final wave she was gone and Toby felt as if his heart was breaking.
All was in readiness for the ball and Mr Forrester, who was in his study with François, grinned at the poor young man’s discomfort as he shuffled from foot to foot. After pouring them both a generous measure of whisky from a sparkling crystal decanter, he pressed a glass into François’ hand and smiled.
‘Come along then,’ he teased. ‘Spit it out, man. Whatever it is you wish to ask me must be important, but our guests will be arriving shortly so I suggest you begin.’
François took a great gulp of his whisky, then, raising his eyes to his host’s he smiled nervously. ‘The thing is, monsieur, as I am sure you will have guessed … I have grown extremely fond of your granddaughter. I am, I assure you, in the fortunate position to be able to offer her the best of everything, and as you are her nearest male relative I wondered …’ He gulped again as he tugged at his stiff white collar. ‘I er … I have come to ask if you would give me permission to ask for her hand in marriage.’
Staring at Mr Forrester he held his breath as he waited for his reaction, and when the man smiled he visibly relaxed.
‘I cannot pretend that this has come as a surprise,’ his host stated kindly, hoping to put the young man out of his misery. ‘And I thank you for the respect you have shown in coming to me first. I have no objections at all to you proposing to Amy, and I suspect that your proposal will be accepted as I happen to know that she is very fond of you too.’
François beamed before shaking Mr Forrester’s hand until the man feared it would drop off. ‘Thank you, monsieur. I shall ask her this very night and should she accept, you could perhaps make an official announcement at the ball?’
‘It would be my pleasure,’ Mr Forrester assured him. ‘And a most fitting conclusion to your visit. To be honest, your father had already hinted to me of your intentions and I think, like myself, he would be delighted to see the two families united.’
François clicked his heels together and bowed respectfully. ‘Thank you again, monsieur. And now with your permission I shall go and await Amy’s arrival.’ And under Mr Forrester’s watchful eye he dashed from the room.
Soon after, the Forresters took up their positions at the front door with their guests of honour at their sides, and as the guests began to arrive they formally introduced them. The young women who arrived with their parents flushed and giggled as they were introduced to the handsome young Frenchman, but he simply smiled at them politely, oblivious