Duke of a Gilded Age (46 page)

With her father on one side and her grandfather on the other, Belle sailed through the entrance to Caisteal Park. Even from the courtyard, she could hear the sounds of an orchestra playing chamber music. Anticipation lent energy to her steps.

“This is my first real ball,” she said. “I’m very excited.”

“You’re quite the beauty,” Mr. Oakhurst said.

“Thank you, Papa! I expect no other girl has two distinguished escorts like I have.”

“You flatter me, Annabelle,” Mr. Heathcliff said. “But I would prefer you cover your bodice with your fan at all times.”

“Oh, Grandpapa! Aunt Meg picked this gown out for me, and I intend to do it justice.”

Belle’s pearl-encrusted gown was fashioned of ice-blue tarlatan and satin, with a pointed waist and low square neckline. A small Napoleonic ruff drew the eye toward her décolleté, which was barely covered by a modesty piece of gathered tulle. The slightly puffed sleeves, trimmed with satin ribbons, ended just above the elbow. Long white gloves covered her hands and lower arms, and a simple pearl choker completed her jewelry.

A footman escorted the trio to the ballroom, where Wesley and Lady Frederic were receiving their guests. When Belle caught sight of Wesley, her heart soared.
He possesses not only the demeanor of a gentleman, but also the appearance of a prince. I’ve never seen anyone look more handsome.

Wesley took her hand in his. “Welcome, Miss Oakhurst.”

She dipped down into a low curtsy. “Thank you for inviting me, Your Grace.”

He didn’t release her hand right away. “Please save the promenade and first waltz for me.”

“Gladly.”

Wesley greeted Mr. Oakhurst and Mr. Heathcliff, and Belle turned to Lady Frederic. Wesley’s mother wore a black and pink striped gown with a pointed bodice and full, puffed sleeves made of chiffon. A generous number of jet beads and sequins on the fabric sparkled under the lights.

“Good Evening, milady,” Belle said. “You look lovely.”

“As do you, Miss Oakhurst. Thank you for helping me with the guest list. I’m so pleased with all my new acquaintances.”

As soon as Belle entered the ballroom, Louise hastened over. She wore a gorgeous white broché voile fabric gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline that made the most of her pale complexion and smooth skin.

“It’s so good to see you, Annabelle,” Louise exclaimed. “I thought my gown was pretty, but now that I see
yours,
I feel like a mouse.”

“Nobody could possibly mistake you for a mouse, Louise. You’re splendid.”

“Oh, you’re so nice. I got your letter about Sir Errol, and you’ll have to tell me all the details! But first come say hello to everyone! We came by train from London today, and it was a very merry journey.”

She pulled Belle over to greet Stephen, Carl, Horatio, Stacy, and Eva, and the next few minutes were lost to greetings and animated conversation. Stephen finally maneuvered Belle to one side. “I heard you broke off your engagement,” he said. “Does that mean I’ve got a chance with you now?”

His question was asked in a light-hearted manner, so Belle had no qualms about responding in the negative. “I’m no longer engaged, Mr. Van Eyck, but my affections are still focused elsewhere.”

“Pity. Then perhaps you’d do me the honor of introducing me to that girl over there…the one in the pale green gown?”

Belle stifled a laugh. Stephen was staring at pretty Maureen Crane, who was the mayor’s daughter—and the unabashed town flirt.

“Yes, I think you and Miss Crane will get on well together,” Belle said.
In fact, Maureen just may wrap Stephen around her little finger.

Just then, Eva gasped. “Is that
Cavendish?”

Wesley had escorted James into the ballroom, and was introducing him to his guests. The former valet was impeccably attired in evening wear, much the same as the other gentlemen, but he had a certain graceful swagger in his step that attracted admiring glances from several Mansbury society ladies. His mustache and goatee were gone, and his clean-shaven appearance revealed his extreme good looks.

“Wesley explained how he was Lord Overton now and everything, but he looks so different,” Stacy said.

“Lord Overton is devilishly handsome, isn’t he?” Louise murmured. “And a baron, to boot!”

“I’m a bit shocked,” Belle replied. “He could almost be mistaken for a rake!”

“My heavens, Mother has gone all red in the face,” Stephen whispered. “I’ve never seen her do
that
before.”

Horatio snorted. “Grandmama is fluttering her fan like a pigeon.”

“Mind your tongue, Horatio,” Carl said. “It’s more like a hummingbird.”

Stacy sighed. “I hope Lord Overton asks me to dance tonight. I’ve never danced better than I do with him.”

Eva cast an impatient look toward the orchestra in the corner. “I wish they’d start the dancing now. I’d love to see who he asks first.”

“It won’t be
you
, if that’s what you mean,” Stacy said.

Eva pouted. “It won’t be
you
, either.”

As Wesley chatted with James, Mayor Dougherty, and his wife, he kept one eye on the ballroom entrance. At last, Mr. Ley appeared in the doorway, along with a handsome older woman dressed in a beautiful gown.

“Lord Overton, two special guests have just arrived,” Wesley said. “Will you help me receive them?”

“It would be a pleasure, sir.”

James accompanied Wesley toward the ballroom entrance, but when he caught sight of Mr. Ley’s companion, he blanched and stopped dead in his tracks.

“It’s Esmé! Wesley, I can’t do this,” he murmured. “And I can’t believe you broke your word to me.”

“I only promised not to speak of her to you, and I haven’t. As it happens, I met with Miss Christianson again before I left London and she insisted on seeing you. I could hardly withhold an invitation in those circumstances, and so asked Mr. Ley to escort her tonight.”

“Nevertheless—”

“Give her a chance, James, so you’ll have no regrets. Judging from the admiring glances you’re receiving from the ladies tonight, I expect Miss Christianson will have nothing to regret either.”

As James’s eyes rested on his former fiancée, his expression softened. “She’s absolutely breathtaking.”

“You can do it, James. Stiff upper lip,” Wesley said.

“Right you are.”

James threw his shoulders back, strode up to Miss Christianson and bowed. “It’s extraordinarily good to see you again, Esmé.”

Even as her eyes sparkled with emotion, a coquettish smile lifted the corners of Miss Christianson’s lips. She curtsied and gave James her hand.

“I’ve been waiting for your return,” she said.

Delicious shivers spread throughout Belle’s body when Wesley murmured an invitation into her ear. “Come for a walk with me.”

Unnoticed, they slipped from the ballroom and into the garden, where the sounds of polka music could still be heard. Wesley led her into a small gazebo, which was barely illuminated by the lights from the ballroom.

“The ball is a smashing success,” Belle said. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, but I can’t believe your grandfather insisted on dancing the first waltz with you!” Wesley groused. “I couldn’t convince him to yield, despite the fact my name was written on your dance card.”

Belle giggled. “I’m afraid he’s not a man to be gainsaid easily.”

“Neither am I.”

Wesley took her into his arms, and Belle could scarcely breathe for happiness. His kisses pressed gently against her forehead, then her cheek, and finally hovered over her lips. “Miss Belle Oakhurst, do you know how much I adore you?”

“Show me.”

As they kissed, Belle knew she could never get enough of this man…this American duke who’d stolen her heart. She kissed him over and over again, as if trying to memorize the curves of his mouth and the sweetness of his lips. Her senses were overwhelmed with the taste and smell of him and the sensation of his body pressed against hers. Too soon, he leaned back and frowned.

“Miss Oakhurst, this is entirely improper, wouldn’t you say?”

With pent-up ardor, Belle kissed the frown from his face. “Not at all, Your Grace.”

Wesley’s voice grew increasingly husky. “What of your reputation?”

She slid her hands up his back, enjoying the feel of his muscles. “Hang my reputation.”

“You’ve made me into a gentleman, Belle, and unfortunately I’ve become quite chivalrous. We’ll just have to marry.”

Belle froze.

“That is, if you’ll have me,” he added.

Wesley fished a ring out of his pocket. The center stone was a fiery opal, flanked by two mine cut diamonds. He sank to one knee.

“Will you marry me?”

“Oh yes, I’ll marry you, Wesley, a thousand times over.”

He slipped the ring onto Belle’s finger, rose, and gathered her into his arms. “You’ve made me very happy, but the way you look in that dress and under the moonlight, is giving me some extremely romantic ideas. Let’s go in and announce our engagement before my guests think I brought you into the garden to take liberties.”

She pouted. “I was really rather hoping you had.”

Belle pulled him into a passionate kiss.

The End

Excerpt from
The Ice Captain’s Daughter

Chapter One

An Unexpected Encounter

J
ILLIAN
R
ORING
G
AZED
at the passing Cotswolds scenery through the carriage window. Although the rain-drenched English countryside was lovely, the dreary weather had slackened the horses’ pace. Hidden by voluminous skirts and petticoats, Jillian’s toes tapped the carriage floor. Her maid looked up from her knitting.

“Are ye troubled about something, Miss Roring?”

“I’ve never been quite so impatient to get somewhere in my whole life. At this pace, we’ll most certainly miss the three o’clock train to London. Have you ever been to town, Betsy?”

“Me and my brother George was born there, in the East End.”