gowns than before, and every gentleman looked pristine in stark eveningwear. Candles were everywhere, and the gold detailing of the ceiling and walls positively sparkled.
It was enough to make one breathless in mere appreciation.
Edith looked around for something else she wished to appreciate, more specifically someone, but he was nowhere to be seen. He was the host, so he would be in attendance soon, and in the meantime, she could settle her nerves with her friends.
She smiled at other guests as she moved to Charlotte and Grace, both of whom praised her appearance enough to settle her.
Amelia looked forlorn as she stood apart from them, her attention on her gloves, though the rose-colored gown did lend her cheeks more color than they had in them naturally. Edith sighed as she watched her friend, noticing that she brightened the moment someone spoke to her, in an attempt to disguise her hurt. Somehow, it seemed wrong to be so full of hope, love, and joy when Amelia was feeling the loss of them.
Grace and Charlotte suddenly grew silent, their eyes widening.
Edith frowned at them. “What is it?”
Charlotte clamped down on her lips, giggling softly, and indicated Edith turn around.
Edith did so, her breath catching, heart pounding. As she had hoped, Graham stood there, more elegant, refined, and handsome than any other man in heaven or on earth. His eyes raked slowly down the length of her, then back up, and anyone looking at him would know his regard for Edith.
There was no mistaking it now.
He bowed, holding out his hand, and murmured, “Will you take the waltz with me, Lady Edith?”
A few people nearby gasped, no doubt from his suggesting the waltz, and others that he would open the ball with her, of all ladies.
Edith could have professed her love for him then and there, but for the sudden impulse to tease him.
She tilted her head in an almost coy fashion. “A waltz, my lord? Do ye no’ find the waltz rather distasteful?”
Grace snickered next to her, and Amelia grinned beside her.
Graham, however, continued to look only at Edith, his hand still outstretched. “I do, Lady Edith, under usual circumstances. But it is my personal opinion that the right sort of partner could make the waltz a glorious thing. If I am proven right in this, I shall have no qualms about dancing every waltz at every event with that precise partner.”
More gasps echoed, and Edith’s cheeks flamed in embarrassed pleasure. It was nearly a proposal, and there was no mistaking it.
Her knees quivered, but she had promised to tease him, and she aimed to do so. “And you are under the impression that I could be such a partner for you, my lord?” she inquired, unable to keep the smile from her face.
His mouth curved into a dangerous half-smile. “I am quite assured of your suitability, Lady Edith. I will have no other. Now, will you waltz with me?”
Heart fluttering, Edith put her hand in his and let him lead her out into the middle of the room.
“Now, Edith,” he murmured as he took her waist in hand, raising their arms over their heads, “we will waltz.” He paused, tilting his head from side to side. “Again,” he added.
“Without me pushing you,” she reminded him as she placed her hand on his back, her fingers rubbing the fabric.
Graham smiled at her and dipped just a bit closer. “Yet you did render me without words once more. A pattern, I think, is being established.” He exhaled softly, shaking his head as the music began. “A full waltz with you, Edith. I can think of nothing so close to perfection.”
Edith sighed and was swept into the movements of the waltz, Graham’s steps sure and his hold strong. She couldn’t look anywhere but his eyes, couldn’t believe she had lived any moment before this.
He smiled then, as if he knew something amusing that she did not.
“Tell us your secrets, then,” Edith encouraged, delighted by such a smile.
“I was thinking,” he mused in a low voice, “that I just might find myself becoming a dancer after this.”
Edith laughed at the image that presented. “Graham, why have you only ever danced with two other women before me? You do it so well.”
He seemed to shrug as they turned in a great swell with the music. “I never found any other reason to. If I was to make a fool of myself, it had better have been worth my while.”
“And this is?” she asked with an impertinent