Page 33 of Snowbound with the Earl
Eva laughed. “No, I cannot control the weather, though I think the time indoors might have contributed to a few romances. Did you see Miss Halifax and Lord Jersey dancing?”
“I did. Lord Foster just asked Miss Edmonton if he could write to her.”
Eva clasped her hands. “This warms my heart! If only I could find a match for you. I thought Lord Evergreen—”
“Eva. I don’t want anyone to matchmake for me. I’m quite enjoying being an independent woman.”
“I know, but I did think I saw something between you two.”
Noelle glanced at the longcase clock nearby. Nearly a half hour had passed since she’d asked Graham to join her. His time was up. “You must be mistaken,” she told Eva. “In fact, I think I will go up...” Her words died on her tongue as Graham stepped into the ballroom. He wore a dark blue coat of superfine, dark breeches, and a white waistcoat. His starched white shirt boasted a perfectly tied cravat. His eyes roamed the room then settled on her. He smiled and started toward her.
Eva said something, but Noelle could not hear her. She couldn’t even hear the orchestra as it began to play another piece. Her heart beat in her throat and all the air whooshed out of her lungs. For a moment, she thought she imagined the handsome man crossing the floor to claim her. He looked almost too perfect with the dimples in his cheeks and those beautiful eyes locked on her.
He stopped before her and Eva and bowed. “Good evening, Lady Dorsey. Lady Bonneville,” he said.
“Recovered from your cough?” Eva asked.
He smiled, his gaze never leaving Noelle’s face. “Quite. In fact, I feel well enough to ask Lady Bonneville for this dance. Waltz with me, my lady?”
Noelle stared into his lapis blue eyes. She remembered how they had darkened with pleasure last night. She held out her trembling hand, and he took it, leading her to the center of the floor. The other couples moved aside, dancing around them as Graham pulled her into his arms and began to lead her in the steps. He was not graceful. He was little more than competent, but Noelle felt as though she were flying. She did not believe her feet even touched the floor. She couldn’t look away from his lovely eyes. In his gaze, she saw desire and need and love. So much love.
“Y-you love me,” she murmured.
“I never stopped,” he said, turning her so quickly her head spun. “Do you love me?”
“I never stopped.”
His hand on her waist tightened. “This time we will find a way to be together. If you aren’t ready to marry me, we’ll find another solution. All I want is to be with you.”
That was all she wanted as well. Yes, marrying again was a gamble, but for love, she was willing to risk it. “Then I think we shall both be very happy,” she said with a smile. “Because the answer to your earlier question is yes. Yes, Graham, I will marry you.”
He inhaled sharply then his face broke out into an enormous grin. “Do you think we will shock everyone if I kiss you right now?”
“Yes,” she said. “But do it anyway.”
He dipped her back and kissed her, right in the middle of the ballroom. Noelle had no idea whether the other guests gasped or cheered or ignored them completely. All she knew was that she never would have expected her life to come full circle or that she could be so perfectly happy.
What Eva always said was true—anything was possible at Christmastime.
