Tabitha turned in front of the mirror. Her pale green ball gown billowing about her ankles. She’d not been so excited for a ball since…well, ever. Tonight she’d waltz with Andrew, even if she had to ask him herself. It would be bold to do so, but not as bold as insisting on more kisses.
Two bright spots appeared on her cheeks as her face heated. Goodness, what must he think of her. She had not behaved at all the way a well-bred miss should, yet with Andrew, she simply couldn’t help herself.
“Tabitha, do come along,” Sarah cried from the entry. “We are going to miss all of the fun.”
That was unlikely since the ball had only just begun. However, as Sarah had never attended a ball before, she was overly excited.
“Oh, bother!” Her sister blew out a breath. “Why are you and Deborah taking so long? I don’t want to wait and go down with Mother. She’ll never let me be free of her.”
At least Sarah made an excuse that Tabitha sympathized with. She’d spent far too many balls practically glued to her mother’s side as she decided whom Tabitha or her sisters could dance with.
“Tabitha,” Sarah whined.
“Oh, very well.” She picked her fan up from the bed, then checked her appearance one last time.
“Come on,” Sarah urged.
“Coming, Dear,” she responded and followed Sarah down to the ballroom, where her sister finally paused to take in the sight. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
The servants had certainly outdone themselves with the decorations of greenery and ribbons. There was even mistletoe in several doorways and alcoves, though Tabitha found it difficult to believe that Danby would order such and she couldn’t remember if there had been any last year.
“There’s even an orchestra!”
“Of course there is an orchestra. This is a ball, after all.” Then Tabitha leaned close to her sister. “You may wish to temper your excitement or others may believe you still belong in the schoolroom.”
At that, Sarah straightened and carefully schooled her features. “We mustn’t have that.”
Tabitha laughed as they stepped into the grand room beginning to fill with relatives and guests of Danby.
Andrew couldn’t recall if he’d ever looked forward to a ball before. He had enjoyed the entertainment when younger, and he had a duty, which forced him to attend on occasion when older, but he couldn’t recall actually looking forward to such an event. Then again, he’d not met Lady Tabitha and was confident that she’d be in attendance as well.
After checking his appearance one last time, Andrew headed to the ballroom, anxious to find the woman who had captivated him for nearly a year. The one he’d be denied. However, it was Christmas Eve and perhaps he could believe, at least for tonight, that miracles could happen. However, if Andrew truly believed in miracles, he’d approach Danby and request permission to court Tabitha. As he already knew the answer, Andrew wasn’t about to ruin a promising evening.
As he paused at the entrance, Andrew gazed down at the throng of people milling about until he located Tabitha. She stood not far away, clothed in a lovely green gown that complimented her emerald eyes. Her chestnut curls shone in the candlelight and color was high in her cheeks. However, during the few moments Andrew stood admiring her, a number of gentlemen approached and requested her dance card. If he didn’t make his way to her side immediately, he might not gain the waltz he coveted.
Andrew crossed and took his place behind the last gentleman, wishing he could simply push the rest out of the way and claim Tabitha as he own.
“You should request a dance from my sister, Lady Sarah, instead,” Andrew overheard her say.
Was Tabitha declining requests? Would she deny his?
As the gentleman moved on, he finally stood before her. “Lady Tabitha, might I pencil my name beside a dance.”
Her cheeks brightened as she held it up to him. Andrew glanced at the blank card and frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t wish to accept any until I knew if you’d ask.” The hue of her cheeks grew darker. “I wished for you to have the first choice.”
His eyes met hers, touched by the honor she’d bestowed upon him, then penciled his name in beside the supper dance to ensure that he’d have her company throughout the meal. And, as he was already being bold, he chose a second waltz for later in the evening. “I look forward to later.”
“As do I.”