Page 101 of Positively, Penelope

“I said Ididn’t”—he raised a brow and offered his hand—“notcan’t. But don’t expect anything close to Matt’s skill. I learned well enough to appease my mother, and even taught a few classes, but I’m no award winner.”

She slid her hand in his and he drew her to the dance floor.

“You really are the belle of the ball tonight, Penelope Edgewood. Everyone’s talking about you.”

“It’s the hair color.” She nodded with a grin. “People always talk about troublesome redheads.”

“You know it’s much more than that.” He chuckled. “I still can’t believe all you’ve managed to do in such a short time. And Grandfather said you have one more miracle to reveal tomorrow in an interview with the local news.”

“I do.” She squeezed her shoulders up with excitement. “They’d asked for an interview about the return of the Darling House ball anyway, but Grandpa Gray and I decided it would be an excellent time to get the news out about a surprise, upcoming Christmas performance.”

He stared at her, brows raised, and then his jaw slacked. “You didn’t.”

She gave a little squeal. “I did.”

“The Sound of Music? How? That’s utterly impossible.”

“You keep using that word.” She dipped her chin. “I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Her quote fromThePrincess Bridetook much too long to inspirehis smile. “Then this calls for a definite celebration. As I said before, you deserve something remarkable as a thank-you for all you’ve done.”

“I was just doing my job, Alec. And it was a pure delight. Loving what I do and having the opportunity to fall in love with the people here has been the biggest celebration for me.”

“No additional recognition?” His tone almost mocked. “No reward?”

“Is that why you do what you do? For the recognition?” she challenged him. “There’s something much bigger than that. You have a family who loves you so well. You have a history built on such beautiful people like your mother and grandmother.” She leaned closer. “There are bigger and more beautiful things worth fighting for than the bottom line, the spotlight, and the rich connections.”

“Very laudable, MissEdgewood, but in reality, the rich connections make the world go round.”

“The right connections make the world go round, Mr.Gray.Richis a relative term—one which, if you define it the wrong way, may very well leave you alone and sad in the long run.”

He stared at her as the song ended, his eyebrows so drawn, he actually looked a lot like Matthias when she’d first met him. Impressive eyebrows must run in the Gray family.

With a tip of his head, he released her and moved back into the crowd. Poor man! How had he gotten so lost in the glitter that he didn’t even see the treasure he already had?

She paused on the thought. Had she been the same way?

“The night’s coming to a close, MissEdgewood, and I’m here to claim my dance.”

Penelope turned to find Matthias at her side, his mask discarded, his hand outstretched. Her heart flip-flopped for a solid five seconds, this moment somehow solidifying itself in her mind for all eternity.

“Oh, I’m so glad you returned to the party after putting Iris to bed.” She placed her hand in his, allowing every sensation an extraspot in her memory. Her fingers slid over the grooves of his palm until his fingers tightened around hers. “I thought I’d missed my opportunity.”

“I couldn’t let the evening pass without at least one dance”—he brought her toward him—“with you. The one who reminded me how much I love to dance.”

And off they went, the rhythm, the synchrony, the fit. Everything paired together in a perfect match. If... if he cared for her as more than a friend, then she’d give up her negative view of long-distance relationships and fight to the finish to make this work.

So how did she uncover his feelings? Did she just ask outright?

She swallowed the growing lump in her throat.

“There’s a very good chance that The Darling House would be up for sale by now if it hadn’t been for you.”

Her gaze went to his. “I knew it was bad, but I didn’t know how bad.” She shook her head and searched his face. “And what would have happened to your family then?”

“Us?” He shrugged and stared down at her, the look so gentle. “I suppose I would have sought out an accounting job somewhere. Alec has his own business, so I don’t expect his life would have changed a great deal. Grandfather likely would have been able to live off of his investments and what portion of the theater sale went to him. I suppose Gwynn would have been the most impacted by it all.”

“Gwynn?”

---