“No, of course not,” Mari said with a grin. “It’s just you look so—” She looked at Mena with a considering eye. “Different.”
“Is that a good thing?” Mena asked.
“It’s a very good thing.”
Her son-in-law reached for her gloved hand, bringing the green silk to his lips for a light kiss. “I believe what my wife is trying to say is that you look lovely, Lady Lipscomb.”
Mena smiled at the man who had stolen her daughter’s heart. With his light blond hair and suave manner, she could certainly understand his appeal. He was a wonderful husband to her daughter, who would soon make an equally wonderful father “Thank you, Robert.”
He held out his arm to her. “Shall we?” With Marigold on his other side, he led the way to his waiting carriage. “I daresay I shall be the luckiest man at the ball to enter with two such adornments.”
He offered them both a wink, to which they replied with a pleasant laugh.
After a brief ride through the London streets, they arrived at the Norrington residence. Outside the white Palladian structure, evergreen swirled around the massive pillars, and the entire, three-story abode was lit up with candles in every window. The décor inside was equally stunning, with more evergreen and holly surrounding the massive staircase leading to the grand, gold ballroom. Mena had been here once before and recalled the lovely black and white swirled marble floor, but now it was so crowded that the splendor was nearly eclipsed with so many people milling about.
About that time, a rather buxom matron jarred Mena. “It’s a terrible crush, is it not?” she muttered, the ostrich plume in her yellow turban falling forward somewhat precariously. Mena was quite sure that the feather would be sacrificed before night’s end.
About thirty minutes later, they finally made their way to the front of the receiving line. After greeting their host and hostess, looking quite festive in their respective silver attire, the butler announced the trio, but his voice was quite drowned out by the din of the audience before him.
By the time they reached the bottom step, Mari put a hand to her forehead. “Is something wrong, dear?” her husband asked in concern.
“Just a little warm.”
He smiled gently. “No doubt our child is not used to such a demanding presence. Come, let’s get a breath of fresh air.” He threaded Mari’s arm through his. “Would you like to join us?” he asked Mena.
She waved them away. “I’ll be perfectly fine. Just take care of my daughter and future grandchild.”
Robert smiled, before he led his wife away.
Mena took a deep breath before decided that a bit of refreshment was in order, as she was already starting to feel the stifling effects of the crowd herself.
She made her way to the table set up with several treats, but her focus was on the eggnog. Originally a posset drink consisting of milk and spices used as certain remedies for the ill, it had turned into a popular Christmas beverage over the years.
Mena quickly procured a glass, but instantly coughed when the overwhelming presence of brandy nearly took her breath.
“Not used to strong spirits?” a deep voice asked from behind her.
Instantly, Mena took another bracing sip. She needed the liquid courage for the man she was about to face. Slowly, she turned to Julian. “It has been awhile, I admit, but I’m sure I will grow accustomed to the taste before long.”
He winked behind his simple black domino mask. “Some things just come back naturally.”
Mena took a larger sip. Something told her that he wasn’t speaking of alcohol any longer. God, he looks entirely sinful tonight. Her greedy gaze took in every firm inch of him. He was dressed entirely in black except for his snow-white cravat and an emerald green waistcoat in a damask pattern. His dark blond hair was brushed back from his forehead, giving him a rakish air. And if that wasn’t enough to tempt her, his strong jawline and chiseled lips were enough to make any woman sigh with admiration.
“Another gift from your admirer?” He gestured to her neck, where the heavy stones sat just above the curve of her breasts.
Mena reached up and touched the necklace with the tips of her fingers, almost guiltily, before she forced her hand back down. “As a matter of fact.”
“Quite an extravagant fellow, isn’t he?” he drawled.
Mena smirked. She couldn’t resist the urge to tease him a bit. “Oh, I don’t know. Does love really have a price?”
He gave a snort. “Be careful. You don’t want to fall into this man’s trap. You don’t know what his intentions are.”
Mena took another sip of her eggnog. Once the brandy had started to settle in her belly, she felt a bit more courageous. “Like I know yours?”
“Mena—”
Unfortunately, she didn’t know what Julian had been about to say, for Lord Grantley suddenly loomed before her. She instantly stilled, for he was one of the men on her possible list of admirers. “My lady, you are the most amazing creature in the room. Might I have the pleasure of the next dance?”
Mena didn’t know why, but she glanced at Julian. While his hypnotic green gaze was upon her, he stubbornly didn’t interfere. So, after draining her glass, she calmly set it aside and held out her hand to Lord Grantley. “I’d be honored, my lord.”
She ignored Julian as she allowed her partner to sweep her up into a waltz. While Lord Grantley nearly tripped over himself to pay her every compliment known to man, she heard little of what he was saying. Her thoughts were on one man, and one alone. But since he obviously didn’t mind sharing her with somebody else, she was determined to push him out of her mind and enjoy the rest of her evening.
As it turned out, it wasn’t a particularly difficult task, for she never lacked for partners. As soon as Lord Grantley relinquished her hand, another gentleman came to take his place. Within the first hour, she had danced with all but one of the prospective suitors on her list, so her plan to draw her admirer out of hiding was working rather well.
But still, Julian didn’t come forward to claim her, even though she would glance up and see him hovering about the edge of the ballroom, that glittering gaze firmly fixated on her. It was as if he was keeping a silent vigil over her, while maintaining his distance.
When two more hours passed, she felt her patience starting to wear to the breaking point. But nothing could have cut her to the quick as much as when Julian finally joined the group of dancers — with another woman in his arms.
Because of Mena’s inattentiveness to her partner, she ended up treading upon his feet. “Oh, I do apologize, sir.” She couldn’t even recall his name at the moment her brain was so befuddled. “Perhaps I need to rest a bit.”
“Of course. Shall I get a drink for you?”
Mena thought of the heavily laced eggnog and nodded. “Yes, I think that shall help.”
Once she had a glass in her grasp, the gentleman bowed and took his leave. On the fringes of the ballroom, Mena headed for the balcony. She couldn’t stand there and watch Julian flirt with another woman while her heart bled at the sight. Granted, she had been attempting to capture his attention by making him jealous, but her efforts had been for naught.
The moment she stepped out of doors, the brisk December wind nearly caught her off guard, but the cold helped to clear her mind. She reached up and undid the ribbon tying her mask in place. Once it was off, she exhaled heavily, her breath turning into a white cloud before her. She nearly undid the pins and freed her dark tresses, the need for freedom almost overwhelming. It was nearly one o’clock, still early by ton standards, but perhaps it was time for her to depart.
