What a Spinster Wants - Rebecca Connolly Page 0,84

looking around. “Perhaps we should adjourn to a more private room? This is not exactly a conversation for a corridor.”

As one, the group moved to the nearest available private space, the library.

Within its walls, Edith could only think of Graham. Of his kisses, of his scent, of his embrace…

And now she had to speak of him to her friends. By way of explanation, if nothing else.

But what to share? Graham had given her no indication of his intentions or of his feelings. He had said nothing of the sort, but she could easily sense an admiration and a degree of desire, but should it be called love on his part?

She did not dare to hope.

But she had to tell them something, so she told them all, apart from her feelings, and was very cautious regarding Molly. Despite her attachment, the girl was not her child, and it was not her story to tell.

The general outcry was as she had expected.

“You have tamed the earl,” Charlotte crowed, clapping her hands.

Georgie rolled her eyes. “Charlotte, for heaven’s sake, do try to show some decorum.”

“I knew it,” Amelia breathed, collapsing against the nearest chair. “I knew there was something between you. I knew he could not look at you so for nothing.”

“I dare not assume…” Edith protested as she shook her head. “That is, he hasna said…”

Grace reached out and put a hand on hers. “Of course, he’s said. You’re only thinking of words, Edith.”

She stared at Grace in shock, words failing her. Had he shown her? Had she missed it?

“Aubrey told me something last night,” Grace went on, still smiling. “He said he is coming to know Radcliffe rather well throughout this party, as well as in caring for you in London. I think, based on what he said, that you can be assured of feelings on Radcliffe’s part, that those feelings are stronger than what he can express, and that you need only be patient.” Her smile spread, crinkling the corners of her eyes. “He will make it perfectly plain.”

Edith felt her heart pound with a fervency that stole her breath, spreading warmth throughout her body with every beat. Emotions swirled and built within her, near to choking her as the truth made itself known.

“I love him,” Edith confessed breathlessly, tears clogging her throat and filling her eyes.

Grace grinned and leaned back. “I know, Edith. I can see it. We all can, and we see the way he looks at you, as well.”

“Indeed,” Georgie agreed. “And I, for one, think you are in very great danger.”

“Danger?” Edith cried with a laugh. “How can I be in danger from Graham?”

Georgie quirked a brow at the use of his given name and smirked. “The best kind of danger, my dear. The very best.”

Again came the sound of the gong, and Charlotte clapped her hands. “Excellent. Time to dress for the ball, and to see just what sort of display Radcliffe will have for our dear Edith.”

“Charlotte!” Izzy scolded, eyes wide.

Edith could only laugh. She wondered the same thing.

Only an hour later, wreathed in shades of lavender, in fabric too fine for her finances, Edith made her way down the stairs, her fingers grazing the railing in her borrowed and pristine gloves. She had spent too long at the looking glass, fussing over attempted perfection, wanting to be more than she had ever managed to be in her life.

Hoping he saw beauty where she saw flaws.

Had her hair curled as well as she’d wished? Were the ribbons and pearl combs going to improve her looks or take away from them? Did the shade of her gown complement her eyes?

Did any of this matter?

It was all a distraction, this fussing and preening. Graham had seen her with her hair tossed and down, windblown while on horseback, and he’d kissed her then. He had seen her in a plain day dress, hair in a simple chignon, and he had kissed her with passion.

He had held her in his arms without seeing what she was wearing and kissed her hair all the while.

Nèamh pray he might love her half as much as she loved him.

Heart thudding in her throat, Edith made her way to the ballroom, smiling as she caught sight of others milling about, the music not having begun. What in the world could anybody be waiting for?

There was as much glory in the ballroom as there had been the first ball of the party, but somehow, more magic. Every lady was dressed in somehow finer