The Valentine's Day Ball

by Julia Parks

  b

  Jane agonized on how to wear her hair, finally deciding to tuck the long, heavy locks into a red net snood. Then she stepped into the dark red gown. The silk shimmered in the candlelight. When Tucker finished fastening the tiny row of buttons in back, Jane bit her lower lip, hesitating before she went to stand in front of the cheval glass.

  The old Jane, the Jane of last year’s ball, wouldn’t have dared to wear this gown. But Jane failed to be either shocked or embarrassed as she scrutinized her appearance in the glass. Instead, she grew warm at the mere thought of Drew’s reaction to the ivory expanse of uncovered flesh. It was tasteful and certainly not as daring as many of the ladies wore. She nodded to Tucker, who had remained silent.

  Jane glided down the stairs for one last inspection of the ballroom. Just as she was pleased with the red dress, she was also happy that she had chosen red and white roses for the decorations this year. For once in her life, she would truly feel like the belle of the ball, if all went well in the summerhouse. The phrase repeated itself in her mind, keeping time with the ticking of the clock. If all went well…if all went well…

  And then it was time. Jane arranged her shawl, and like a soldier leaving for war, she squared her shoulders and let herself out onto the balcony. This time she walked around to the stairs. She wanted to run, but she forced her stride to remain slow and steady. She opened the door.

  Stepping inside, she stopped to let her eyes adjust to the gloom of the single candle. There he was, studying her, his expression hooded, impossible to read. Jane felt breathless; she had forgotten how handsome he was, especially in his black evening clothes.

  “I’m glad you decided to come, Jane. I wasn’t at all certain you would.”

  “I couldn’t stay away, Drew.”

  “I meant to write you, to tell you that Havelock had been persuaded to leave the country, but I doubted you would believe me.”

  “I would have, but I already knew. My aunt, Roland’s mother, wrote me. He hadn’t told her why he was leaving, only that he was.”

  “So, now you know I was telling the truth?”

  “I have known that almost since I…shot you,” said Jane, dropping her gaze. This was going all wrong. They were speaking like strangers—where was the fire, the passion?

  “I didn’t blame you. It was rather stupid of me. Did Pipkin or Tucker tell you about our plan to protect you?”

  “Plan?” asked Jane, her voice rising. “No, perhaps you should tell me.”

  “Some other time,” said Drew, beginning to relax.

  But Jane would have none of it. If he hadn’t asked her to meet him in the summerhouse to make love to her, then she might as well argue about the past.

  “I don’t appreciate the idea of you and my servants conspiring and scheming behind my back.”

  “Come now, Jane, our only scheme was to ensure your safety. Be reasonable,” he said, frowning.

  Jane turned her back on him. “Hmph!”

  “Now, see here, Jane. I didn’t ask you to join me out here just so you could treat me to another of your shrewish scolds. The last time you nearly killed me!”

  “You’ll never forgive me for that, will you?”

  Drew stepped up behind her and handed her his handkerchief “Please, Jane, I didn’t mean to upset you. Don’t cry,” he said, tenderly turning her to face him.

  Jane looked out from behind the serviceable handkerchief and grinned up at him. His brows came together, and he grabbed her, shaking her heartily. “You minx! You jade! Making me think you were upset…” he complained. “I should shake you till your teeth rattle!”

  Jane’s grin faded as she touched his smooth jaw. “I would much prefer to be kissed, my lord.”

  His hands slipped down her arms, and he pulled her closer, bending his head for a lingering kiss.

  Abruptly, he released her. Jane staggered, and he put out a hand to steady her. Leading her to the sofa, he sat down beside her but made no attempt to embrace her again. Jane held her breath, frightened by his silence.

  “Jane, I am proud and arrogant,” he began.

  She smiled again and teased, “You have been talking to your mother.”

  He allowed a slight smile before continuing seriously, “I am often overbearing. I am forever forgetting to ask what other people’s wishes are; I make the decisions for them.”

  “I have known that since the last Valentine’s ball, Drew. It didn’t stop me from falling in love with you.”

  “Yes, but I nearly destroyed that love with my peremptory manner.”

  “Drew, if you are going to continue in this manner very much longer, I’m afraid I will be forced to leave you here. I have guests arriving in forty-five minutes,” said Jane in her usual, straightforward fashion. “And if you expect me to confess my many faults, you will have an even longer wait.”

  He turned his charming grin on her. “That is certainly true.”

  Jane laughed, taking no offence at his quip. “So?” she said, cocking her head to one side as she waited.

  “Very well, if you won’t let me unburden myself, I shall simply continue as I am accustomed to doing. Jane, you will marry me without any further delay. I have already spoken to your Rector Hall, and he has agreed reluctantly to perform the ceremony this very evening.”

  “But the banns?”

  “I took the precaution of securing a special license before coming here this evening.”

  “And if I would prefer a lavish church wedding, Lord Cheswick?”

  “I had thought of that. We can always have it in the little chapel beyond the garden,” he said.

  “Oh, no! You’ll not lure me back out there with the ghosts and ghoulies!”

  “Then it is settled?” he demanded.

  “Yes, Drew.”

  Finally, he took her into his arms and kissed her mouth passionately. Jane locked her arms behind his neck, her fingers twisting his dark hair. He lifted his face and looked deep into her eyes.

  “I love you, my one and only valentine.”

  “And I love you, dearest Drew, but please, don’t stop kissing me,” whispered Jane.

  He laughed—a short, snuggly sound as he lowered his head against her luscious breasts. His lips returned to her mouth while his hands began to stroke and explore. Jane slipped down until she reclined on the sofa. Drew stopped kissing her and got to his feet, walking gingerly about the room.

  “Cramp in my leg,” he explained.

  Jane sat up, grinning at him “Your rheumatism?” she asked solicitously, not bothering to conceal her giggles.

  “Very possibly, after driving over a hundred miles in the past two days,” he snapped. “Most of it, I might add, in the freezing cold.”

  Drew straightened up and raised a brow. He approached her slowly, his smile holding a promise and a threat.

  “Shrew!” he taunted.

  “Overbearing cad!” she returned, rising to meet him.

  His hand shot out, but he clasped only air as Jane sidestepped him. He reached for her again, but this time Jane entered his embrace willingly.

  “We should go in,” she breathed into his hair after several minutes.

  “Forever worried about what the world will think,” said Drew between kisses.

  “Drew, the guests will be here soon. Do you really think I’m in any condition to greet them?” He tasted her lips one last time before holding her away from him and saying honestly, “The only thing you are fit for at this moment is bed—my bed.”

  “Oh, Drew, I am ruined! My hair…my dress…”

  “You look beautiful. Your colour is high, your lips a rosy shade of red. Tucker will set your hair to rights in no time. Come on, my love, let’s go inside. It is time for our ball, and for you to shine.”

  She paused before leaving the summerhouse and said, “You really didn’t need to use quotations from She Stoops to Conquer, Drew. You are quite poetic.”

  “Ah, but the story of the taming of a shrew seemed so appropri
ate.”

  “I would take offence, but I know how like the domineering Marlow you are,” said Jane, clinging to his arm as they wandered toward the house.

  b

  When they entered the ballroom, Pipkin came forward, an unaccustomed smile on his face. He made a deep bow to Jane and said, “Miss Jane, on behalf of the staff, I have been asked to give you our best wishes.”

  “Thank you, Pipkin. Thank you all,” she added as she realized every servant was assembled in the ballroom, smiling on her and Drew.

  “Thank you,” said Drew.

  “Nana?” asked Jane, her voice trembling from the shock of seeing her old nurse out of the nursery. She took one gnarled hand in hers and said, “Why?”

  “Ye didn’t think I’d let ye marry without me, child. Now, where is this man who’s goin’ t’ be yer husband?”

  Drew joined Jane and smiled at the old woman. Jane held her breath, praying Nana wouldn’t take one look at Drew and start screaming about piskies and faeries.

  “Well, do I meet your approval?” he asked.

  “Hmph! What did yer ol’ nurse tell ye last year on th’ night o’ the ball?”

  “I’m not sure I remember,” said Jane.

  “I told ye ’e would steal yer heart, I did.” The old woman laughed. “Let’s get on wi’ it. I can’t be stayin’ out all night.”

  “Rector Hall is waiting in the library, Miss Jane. Shall I bring him in here?” asked Pipkin.

  “Yes,” said Jane, looking around the gaily-decorated ballroom with its cupids looking down from the ceiling.

  As they waited for the parson, Jane said softly, “There is only one thing missing.”

  “That is?”

  “One of my fondest memories of the ball was watching Grandfather place the Heartland pendant around Grandmothers neck.”

  “I would do so, but you have the pendant, remember?”

  Jane signalled to Tucker to bring the velvet box. Standing in front of a gilt-framed mirror, Jane watched as Drew fastened the heavy pendant around her neck. Then he turned her, and Jane said, “I love you, Drew.”

  “And I love you, my one and only valentine.”