Page 57 of Dropping the Ball

“It’s magnificent,” Minerva commented by her side. “And you know I do not give such praise easily or lightly.”

“I do know,” Bernadette laughed, continuing forward, toward the tent where the orchestra she’d hired was tuning.

“I have attended events you have arranged in the past,” Kat said, glancing around in wonder. Even Napoleon seemed impressed as he looked out from his basket. “But this is by far the most magnificent.”

“One can scarcely tell where the terrarium ends and the garden begins,” Muriel noted.

“That was my aim,” Bernadette said, surveying the effect with deep satisfaction. The fact that night had already fallen added to the illusion.

Bernadette continued to lead her friends around the various parts of the exotic world she and the staff of Lyndhurst Grove had created. She truly was pleased with the efforts of everyone involved. Better still, Alden’s guests seemed to appreciate the magic as well.

“I had my doubts,” Lady Laura said, approaching Bernadette near the refreshment tent, which was piled with cakes decoratedto look like the fruits Alden had described from his travels, even if such fruits had been impossible to obtain on such short notice, “but this is absolutely magnificent.”

It must have been. Lady Laura did not so much as flinch when Egbert flickered his tongue at her from Bernadette’s shoulder.

“You were so clever to invite so many fine young gentlemen,” Lady Bronwyn whispered to Bernadette once she’d moved on to the side of the dance floor where many of the young ladies had gathered to whisper and giggle and gaze in awe at their surroundings. “One weekend is far too short to settle any matches, but my Glenda has caught the eye of none other than Lord Nathan Gatwick, who has already accepted my request that he call on us when we are in London.”

“I am so very happy for you, Lady Bronwyn,” Bernadette said with a bright smile.

She was happy, too. Not only because Lady Glenda had a suitor, but because that suitor was not Alden.

In fact, as more of the guests made their appearance on the lawn, it became clear to Bernadette that, in terms of matchmaking, Alden’s ball would be hailed as a great success. The musicians could not begin playing fast enough for the forming couples, all of whom were eager to engage with each other through the art of dancing. The mamas were in heaven as the young bucks circulated among their daughters, bowing politely and smiling as they invited the young ladies out into the starry night to dance.

That alone would have been beautiful enough for Bernadette to consider the night a success, but then Alden appeared at the top of the garden, flanked by his cousins.

Bernadette caught her breath. Alden was astoundingly handsome in his expertly tailored suit. His jacket was midnight blue, and his neckcloth a dazzling green that would have made Egbert jealous. He was groomed to pminxerfection as well, andeven though Bernadette liked him a bit disheveled and careless of his appearance, as any good explorer should be, she could not help raking her gaze over his form as he singled her out with a smile and approached her.

“Do you like what you see, Lady Bernadette?” Alden asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

“What is not to like?” Bernadette replied with a fiery, coquettish look.

That made Alden smile even wider, which fired Bernadette’s blood all the more.

It would be absolutely worth every trouble the two of them had to go through if she could figure out how to bring the two of them together. All of her heartache, every bit of uncertainty, and all the effort she had expended to make his ball a success would be worth it if–

“My, my, Lord Alden. Aren’t you looking delicious tonight?” Lady Gladys asked as she walked directly up to Alden and took his arm.

She then turned a pointed, icy smile on Bernadette, as if to warn her to stay away.

“Lady Gladys,” Alden nodded to the woman.

Bernadette’s smile vanished. There was something guilty and worrying in Alden’s deference to Lady Gladys. Enough so that Bernadette found herself wondering if something had happened during the day that had spoiled everything she’d resolved herself to do.

“Has something happened?” she asked, glancing between Alden and Lady Gladys. She had to resist pressing her hand to her stomach to stop the butterflies that had gathered there.

Lady Gladys laughed low in her throat. “Why don’t you have a dance with your lovely ball organizer, Alden, dear?” she said. “Tell her all about what we discussed this morning.”

Bernadette felt as though her world had tipped sideways. The only thing that prevented her from sinking to the grass in despair was Alden’s firm response of, “Yes, I think that would be a wise idea. Lady Bernadette?” He stepped away from Lady Gladys and offered Bernadette his arm.

Bernadette took it at once. She was eager to know what was going on.

Fortunately, Alden began his explanation before she needed to ask.

“First off,” he said as they walked towards the couples forming on the dance floor, “it is not what you think.”

“I should hope not,” Bernadette said. “Because it looked as though Lady Gladys is convinced she’s won.”

Alden made a frustrated sound and frowned. “She does think she’s won,” he said. Bernadette widened her eyes at him, uncertain whether she should be alarmed or angry. Before she could say anything, Alden swept her into his arms in the new form of the waltz and went on with, “But she has not won anything yet.”

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