Page 44 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
Lord Grayhill took one look around the large hall and shrugged. “Only at every ball I have ever attended.”
She rolled her eyes. “Seasonal Balls, yes. But this is not the same. There is just something so magical about a Christmas event. It is somehow both quaint and transcendent at the same time.”
Lord Grayhill frowned at her. “You are teasing me, surely?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because…” He gestured to the hall as if that was enough. “It is rather drab. And that is a nice way of saying it.”
She flashed her eyes at him. “All part of the allure, Lord Grayhill. It is not how it looks but what one does with it. And besides…” Then she winked. “A little imagination goes a long way. Just think of how much fun everyone else is having. Look at their faces. Tell me that does not stir something inside of you.”
“I assure you, it does not.”
“Well, the night is still young,” she said with a mischievous grin. “Perhaps by the end of the evening, you will change your mind.”
“Do not hold your breath.”
Alison laughed at how grumpy Lord Grayhill was behaving. It seemed purposeful to her, as if he had his mind set on being dismissive and nothing would change that. But she could see too his eyes wandering over the hall, curiosity brimming, and she knew without question that he wanted his mind changed.
The fact that he had agreed to this in the first place suggested as much.That is how I plan on seeing it.
Despite how eager and enthusiastic Alison was behaving, the Winter Ball was indeed as Lord Grayhill said. It was being held in the town hall, which itself was a rather mundane space lacking in the type of opulence and extravagance that she was used to. The walls were decorated with cheap streamers and colorful banners and wreaths and baubles. And the gowns and suits the villagers wore were, of course, nothing compared to what Alison was used to.
But the atmosphere was what took her breath away.
There were hundreds of villagers crammed into the hall. They were dressed colorfully and for warmth. They laughed and cried out among themselves. They streamed this way and that, dancing all the while, singing to the music, having such fun because they did not need to worry themselves with appearances.
And best of all, Alison and Lord Grayhill were taken little real notice of. This was not about them. Nobody was watching and judging. There were no expectations attached to their attendance. Tonight was about having fun, and Alison very much intended on making it count.
“Come.” She took Lord Grayhill by the arm and dragged him into the hall.
“Where are we going?” he sighed.
“To get a drink,” she laughed. “And then a dance, I think. It is cold and I need to move.”
He scoffed. “I do not think so…”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Are you always this morose?”
“Always? No. Mostly? Yes.”
Alison was surprised when Lord Grayhill agreed to attend the ball. All but certain he was going to deny the mayor’s invitation, that he agreed caught her by complete surprise.
And while Alison had wanted to attend, there was that part of her that wondered if it was such a smart idea. How could she possibly avoid the Earl if they were to go out together like this? But she also reasoned that over the course of the next two weeks, it would be all but impossible to avoid one another, so why bother committing to that mode of operation?
Rather, Alison had come up with a new plan.
She needed to stop fighting with Lord Grayhill at every turn. She needed to stop pushing him on purpose. If they were to survive the following two weeks, they would have to treat one another with respect and kindness. She was committed to this idea… and she hoped that he was of the same mind.
And it all started with tonight’s festivities.
“Lord Grayhill!” Mayor Pritchard hurried toward them. He was dressed colorfully, his motley suit a smattering of various materials. “You made it!”
“I said I would come,” Lord Grayhill said, looking uncomfortable at how congenially the mayor was treating him.
“Tell me true.” The mayor laughed as he spoke. “Is this not wonderful? Oh, I do love this time of year.”
“He is having the best of times,” Alison cut in. “He told me just now.”
