Page 5 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
At that moment, Cameron noticed two giggling debutantes headed in their direction. With great reluctance, he released her hand. “Someone approaches. You must go, sweet Isabelle.”
He knew the moment she left his side by the feeling of loss that assailed him as her gracious presence departed. He could only be thankful she had recalled the rules of public assembly, the answers to his prayers. With so much time spent away from England, the thought had not occurred to him. If everything went to plan, he would hold her in his arms while they danced the length of Pearler House’s ballroom, and he would soak up every breathtaking moment of it to treasure before seeking permission to court her.
CHAPTER 3
NOVEMBER 18, 1820
The day of the ball, Isabelle found her excitement—and trepidation—mounting. Tonight, Cameron would be formally introduced, first to the countess and—heaven prevailing—then to her. Her insides were knotted in nervous anticipation as she ruthlessly sought a distraction from her thoughts.
Her nephew, Ethan, contemplated the chess set between them with his chubby little face screwed up in concentration while she waited in patient silence. The little chap loved to play, and daily, he would request a game from each family member in turn. Finally, he picked up the white queen and moved it into place.
“Checkmate!” His emerald eyes, a Balfour family trait, glowed in triumph.
Isabelle smiled. “Oh my, you have me cornered with nowhere to go.”
His small chest swelled with pride as he beamed from ear to ear. “I finally beat you!”
“So you did. Well played, Master Balfour.”
The little boy stood and gave an adorable bow. “Thank you, Miss Isabelle Evans. It was a pleasure to play with you.” He whipped his head around to ensure no one could overhear him. “And thank you for showing me how to win,” he whispered.
Isabelle stood to dip into a curtsy. “You are welcome. It was a pleasure, as always.”
He beamed up at her before running off. Ethan well knew his governess would be seeking him after he had snuck off to find Isabelle.
Left to her own thoughts, she returned to her bedchamber. Walking over to the carved walnut closet, she opened the door to stare at the emerald ball gown hanging inside while her pulse beat out a nervous rhythm. Her imagination had been interrupting her several times a day with visions of courtship and a wedding ceremony, followed by establishing their bookshop together. She had even gone so far as to envision a healthy babe bouncing on her hip with Cameron’s blond curls. If they had a child together, would he or she have her green eyes or his brown hue?
Tonight, I finally meet Cameron. He will take me in his arms, and we will dance a waltz together.
* * *
Cameron knewit was unfashionable to arrive too early, but he had been waiting to meet Isabelle for an entire week. The green-eyed beauty who preoccupied his thoughts would arrive at the Grand Mistletoe Assembly at any time, and the sooner he was there, the sooner he could meet her.
Checking for the hundredth time that the ticket was still in his pocket, he pulled at the cuffs of his black evening tailcoat, fiddled with his pristine white cravat, and inspected his appearance in the mirror once more before donning his overcoat and beaver, pushing the hat to a jaunty angle before resolutely leaving his rooms.
Outside, the streetlamps cast a glow through the thick early evening fog cloaking the busy London streets. Noting the heavy traffic of horsemen and carriages clogging the roadway, Cameron decided to walk the few blocks to Pearler House rather than hire a hackney. His mind made up, he made his way over the cobblestones of St. James’s Street.
Not long after, he reached St. James’s Place to approach Pearler House, carefully avoiding the line of carriages delivering the early arrivals to the evening’s event. He knew it was unlikely that the earl and his family would arrive early, but he wanted to seek out the Master of Ceremonies and introduce himself in good time to arrange his meeting with Lord and Lady Saunton as early as possible.
* * *
Isabelle stoodin front of the mirror. Fussing with her hair, she noted how her eyes shone. She was excited to wear a flattering gown and to attend a fashionable ball because Cameron would be there waiting for her.
He was wonderful. Charming, well-read, respectful, and ever so handsome, with his broad shoulders and bronzed skin. She had made a point of studying him as thoroughly as she dared under the circumstances of the night of their first meeting.
She had not expected to meet such an intriguing gentleman in London, but now that she had, he occupied her thoughts. The idea of the courtship they planned filled her stomach with the elated quiver of butterflies taking flight. She could not help but imagine that one day they might run his bookshop side by side and attend Sunday dinners at her parents’ home.Will he wish to live in Saunton?
She recalled that he planned to open his shop somewhere in the south of England. Surely, she could persuade him to consider Saunton, a bustling town with a strong sense of community.
“You look ravishing, Isabelle. That color is very becoming on you.”
She turned to smile at the counte—Sophia—drat!She needed to learn to call these fine new family members by their first names. “Thank you for your help selecting it, Lady—” Seeing the slight frown mar her chaperone’s face, Isabelle corrected herself. “Thank you … Sophia.”
The countess smiled, her blue eyes sparkling despite the subdued lighting. “You seem more eager than usual.”
Isabelle sought for an explanation. She was still getting to know this family she had only recently joined, and she was uncertain how receptive they would be to the fact that she had met a gentleman in an improper manner. “It is our final social event in London, and I have heard the Pearler House is very”—she grasped for a word before finishing weakly—“elegant.”
“I am so glad to see you finally enter the spirit of things. I know this transition from tutor’s daughter to an earl’s … relation … must be difficult, but you will grow accustomed to it. And Richard is gratified to be hosting you, Isabelle. Family is very important to us, and after what the late earl did”—the countess shook her head—“well, Richard is just so grateful to have the opportunity to make it up to you.”
