Matthew took her hand and swept her out onto the ballroom floor. All of the townsfolk had been transported by carriage up to the great Levinstone Estate to enjoy the ball. Those of nobility who had traveled here for the annual Christmas ball did not seem to mind that this year the common folk of their local village mixed, talked, and celebrated with them yuletide.
Heidi could not wipe the smile on her face and knew that she doubted she ever would again. So much happiness ran through every part of her body, and she could not help but think a Christmas miracle had occurred.
She was back in the arms of the man she loved and who loved her in return. They were engaged and, within a month, would be husband and wife.
"Happy, my darling?" he asked, spinning her quickly through the waltz.
She threw back her head and laughed, beyond happy. There did not seem to be a word that could encompass how she felt at this moment.
Euphoric, thrilled, delirious, too many annotations to mention.
"You know that I am," she said, playing with the hair at his nape. For so long, she had been parted from him and had not been able to even speak to the man whose friendship she had cherished most in her life. But no longer. Now they were engaged, and he was hers forever more.
The hive of activity about them dimmed as she watched him, perfectly content to spend the evening in his arms, and his arms only. To forget that they were both hosts this evening and remain in the delightful, loving bubble they had created.
"And you? Are you happy, my lord?" she asked, grinning.
He pulled her closer, and her heart kicked up a beat at his touch. "You know that I am. I will forever be thankful for storms from this day forward, for without keeping you here with me, we may never have repaired our friendship otherwise. May never have been given a second chance."
"I'm glad that I came to berate you." She chuckled at the memory of her ire and all the hurtful things she had thrown at his head. Not that he did not deserve such a set down, but she was glad all of that was behind them now, and they could start anew. "And I'm glad that you kissed me.”
"I'm glad I kissed you, too," he whispered, his eyes heavy with desire.
Heat licked along her spine, and she wondered how she had gone several years without seeing him. She doubted she could go a day now without being near him in some way. Of kissing him, holding him, having him as a woman enjoyed a man.
Laughter filled the ballroom, Christmas cheer and the clinking of glasses as their guests partook in the evening fare. Matthew waltzed her with a skill she hadn’t known he possessed before stopping at the top of the ballroom floor.
She met his eyes and noted the amusement that sparkled in his blue depths. "What are you laughing at?" she queried, looking about to see if there was anything funny she had missed.
He looked up, and she followed his line of sight to see a sprig of mistletoe hanging from a chandelier. "We're under the mistletoe, Miss Lewis. You do know what that means, do you not?" he asked, wiggling his brows.
She smiled, heat kissing her cheeks. "You would not dare kiss me so publicly," she asked, not quite certain what his answer would be.
"It is tradition, and we do not want to break such rules. What if we're plagued by bad luck if we do not?" He grinned, slipping his arms about her waist and holding her close. "Kiss me, Heidi."
She shook her head, certain that no matter the rules around mistletoe, they should not be kissing so publicly, especially when they were not married yet. Even if their guests had been informed of their betrothal, kissing in public was improper. "We cannot," she argued.
"Kiss me," he said again, dipping his head toward hers. "Kiss me," he taunted once more.
She studied his handsome face, lifting her hands to cup his cheeks. Desire swirled in his eyes and lit the fire within her, and she closed the space between them and kissed him. He pulled her close, his hands wrapping her in his warmth and love. His kiss morphed into a delicious temptation of what tonight would bring. Of what their future held.
Gasps surrounded them, along with jibes and claps, no doubt from their village friends.
Heidi laughed, unable to comprehend how happy, how perfect this Christmas had become.
"I love you," he said, loud enough for all to hear.
Her sigh mixed with many who watched them. "I love you too," she returned before he kissed her again, which was only right since they remained under the mistletoe. Rules were rules, after all.