by Clare Revell
Jeremiah raised an eyebrow. “If you say so. You’ve done this kind of thing before, I haven’t.”
Ty grinned and handed over his coat at the cloakroom window, pocketing the receipt. He dipped his hand into the offered silver bowl and plucked out a ticket. “Your turn, Jeremiah.”
Taking a deep breath, Jeremiah unbuttoned his coat. He felt like he was going to an execution, rather than a Christmas ball, though he somehow doubted executions were accompanied by an orchestra playing Christmas carols.
****
Meredith shook the snow from the hem of her dress as she entered the great hall of the sprawling manor house. She’d often passed the place, but never been inside.
A huge tree covered in lights, tinsel, and baubles stood at the foot of the staircase. It was easily twelve foot tall if not higher. Decorations hung everywhere and carols filled the air. Joy and the wonder of the season filled her, tamping down her nerves for a moment.
Her mind sang the words to the carol the orchestra played. Joy to the world, the Lord is come. “Wow,” she whispered, turning around on the spot. “It puts my efforts to shame.”
Caitlyn smiled. “Wait ’til you have a place of your own. Knowing you, you’ll have those Christmas decorations up twenty-four-seven, three hundred and sixty-five days a year.” She nudged Meredith. “See the mistletoe over the doorway?”
Meredith shook her head. She glanced at Caitlyn. “Then you go out the front, I’ll sneak out the back and meet you by the car.” She winked. “What if the duke wants to talk to me? What if I get drawn to spend the evening with him?”
“I don’t think that’s likely to happen. Like your grannie and grandad know full well, once people are a couple they come to the ball as a couple. But if he comes over or you get presented to him and the Duchess, just curtsey, smile and call him ‘Your Grace.’ Oh, and don’t forget it’s mar’m as in farm, not ma’am as in ham. Should you need it, but you won’t.” Caitlyn shed her coat and handed it over to the cloakroom attendant. She tucked the receipt in her purse and reached into the gold bowl. Then she sighed. “Twenty-seven.”
Meredith handed over the full length black coat Annabelle had made to go with the dress, and closed her eyes as she reached into the bowl. She reached to the bottom, swirling the pieces of paper before she picked one. “Five.”
Caitlyn giggled. “At least you won’t be the last one paired up.”
“True. Oh, thank you.” She accepted the gold tinsel corsage and rather than pining it onto her dress, tucked it into her hair instead. “Mine’s prettier than yours,” she teased.
Caitlyn laughed and followed suit. She linked her arm through Meredith’s. “Now the point of this is to have fun, no matter who you sit with.” She made a beeline for one of the waiters. “Hi, could you make sure that my friend and I sit at the same table, please? It’s her first time and she’s a little nervous. It’s five and twenty-seven.”
The waiter nodded. “I’ll see what I can do, ma’am.”
Meredith raised an eyebrow, stifling a giggle at the thought of anyone calling Caitlyn, or herself, ma’am. “And do you honestly think that will work?”
Caitlyn shrugged. “No harm in trying. Like my mother always says ‘them that don’t ask don’t get.’”
Meredith giggled. “And them that don’t ask don’t want.”
“You know my mother too well, girl.” Caitlyn took two drinks from the tray and shoved one into Meredith’s hands. “Here.”
Filled with nerves, Meredith raised the glass to her lips, swallowing half of the contents. Despite her concern, she and Caitlyn had simply picked up where they’d left off at school. Best mates. She smoothed down her dress. “Do I look all right? It’s not over the top, is it?”
“You look fine. That shade of red suits you and complements your skin tone. As your sister knew all too well when she made it for you. You’re probably the only woman here tonight in a bespoke dress.” Caitlyn elbowed Meredith. “Don’t look now, but we’re being watched.”
“Where?” Meredith looked around. As if she didn’t have enough worries tonight with royalty being present, she had someone watching her as well?
Caitlyn sighed. “I said, don’t look. Study them like this if you must.” She held the glass to her mouth and spoke quietly. “They’re standing against the far wall under the coat of arms.”
Meredith glanced over the top of the glass and then looked away, her cheeks burning as recognition rushed through her. “I know him.”
“Really? Which one?” Caitlyn sounded more than interested. “The blond one or the hunky one?”
She turned her back on the two men whose interest in them was obvious. “They’re both hunky, but the one on the right with the dark hair.”
“The really hunky one. Where did you meet him?”
“In the forest this afternoon, on my way home from Grannie’s house. I kind of fell at his feet.”
“I see.” Caitlyn nudged her.
“No, you don’t. It’s nothing like what you’re implying. I literally fell.” She filled in the gaps quickly. “He didn’t even tell me his name.”
“Did you give him yours?”
“He didn’t ask.” Meredith glanced over at the two men. Her mystery man looked quite different in a tux and tie than he had earlier in a green waterproof jacket. And there was something about a white shirt that always set her pulse racing.
“You might get your mystery rescuer.”
“In my dreams maybe. In real life, I’m more likely to get your uncle.”
“Not going to happen as he isn’t here tonight. You know what they say about glass-half-empty people. Besides, all you have to do is talk to whomever you’re paired with. It’s not like it’s a lifetime commitment or anything, which might be a great pity and missed opportunity.” Caitlyn sighed wistfully. “Now shush and listen. They’re pairing us off with our partners.”
“OK, ladies and gentlemen. When I call your number, please move to the door of the dining room. There you hand over your numbered ticket, meet your partner, and take your seats.”
Meredith swallowed hard as her stomach flipped. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“You only live once.”
“Five,” the man with the mic said.
Meredith jumped. That’s me. She took a deep breath and took a step forward, or did Caitlyn push her? She wasn’t sure which. Somehow, with her heart pounding, she made her way to the door and held out her number.
“Hello, again.”
Meredith glanced up at the man standing next to her. He was the man from the forest who’d helped her earlier, the same one she’d been admiring from across the hall. She really should have asked his name. Now she’d have to ask or call him Mr. Man-from-the-forest all night. “Oh…hello.”
2
Jeremiah took the arm of the dark haired woman beside him. Rather than hanging loose down her back like earlier, her hair was tied up in some elaborate style with flowers and beads; or were they pearls? Whatever they were, it was enchanting. As was the way she’d tucked her tinsel corsage into her hair.
He’d watched the previous four couples carefully to see what the protocol for this was, as he had no idea what to do. Ty had helpfully told him nothing. “Shall we?”
Was she trembling? Surely he wasn’t that frightening.
“Yes.” She walked with him as they followed a waiter to their table.
Jeremiah held her chair as she sat and tucked her in. He glanced at the other number on the table and was relieved as he recognized it as Ty’s. At least he wouldn’t be with complete strangers all evening. He sat and then realized the waiter had asked him something. “I’m sorry…”
“I’ll have fruit juice,” his companion said.
“The same.” Jeremiah wished he’d asked her name earlier, that way it wouldn’t look strange that he knew who she was. Maybe he should now. “I’ve never done this before,” he said as the waiter vanished. “My cousin kind of roped me into this ball a
measly three hours ago. Just long enough to hire this suit.”
“My grandmother normally comes, but she wanted me to represent her at the last minute. I have no idea what I ought to be doing.”
“Well, fancy this.” Ty’s voice broke into the conversation. “I guess we’re joining you.”
Jeremiah smiled. “How did you manage that, Ty?”
Ty’s partner grinned as she sat down. “I just used my charm on the waiter and asked to sit with Meredith.” She stuck out a hand. “I’m Caitlyn Hosier.”
Jeremiah looked from one woman to the other. “You two know each other?”
“Have done for years. We went to school together.” The blonde grinned across the table at them. “See, told you you’d do all right. She was afraid she’d get my uncle, despite the fact he isn’t coming tonight.”
His partner for the evening blushed.
“Have you asked his name yet?” Caitlyn persisted. “You can’t go all evening without knowing it.”
The woman beside him groaned. She glanced at him. “Meredith Stranraer.”
He smiled. There was, of course, an honest way to explain away his knowledge of her. “Jeremiah Mantle. You must be Matt’s granddaughter.”
Her eyes widened. “You know my grandparents?”
“Yes. They often talk about you.”
Meredith shifted, looking more than a little uncomfortable. “Then you have me at a disadvantage. Ouch.” She winced and glared across the table at her friend. “That was my leg, Caitlyn.”
“Sorry, I thought it was the chair.” Caitlyn apologized. “I’d have kicked harder if I’d known it was you.”
Meredith shook her head.
Jeremiah sighed. That was a great start. He couldn’t tell if they were teasing or sniping. He hoped and prayed it was the former.
Glass chinked from the top table and the conversation died. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I’m William Turner, and it’s my honor to welcome you all to the fifty-fourth annual Paradise Christmas Ball. Tonight we are honored to have with us His Royal Highness, Duke Edgar of Northumberland and his new bride, Duchess Florence. All the money from your tickets and anything else donated tonight will be going to the charity the Duke is patron of—the RSPCA.”
Polite applause rippled around the room.
“OK. As per tradition, there are rules governing tonight’s event.” He ran through them quickly. “So, for the rest of the evening you are paired with your partner. There are cards on the table with questions if you run out of things to say. Right, then I’ll say grace and we can start.”
Meredith sighed as Mr. Turner finished saying grace. She glanced at Jeremiah. “Well, no one warned me about this aspect of the evening.”
“Tell me about it. Ty never said a thing.” The waiters put the starters in front of them and he picked up his fork.
Meredith looked at hers in evident dismay and folded her hands on her lap.
He started eating what had to be the best prawn cocktail he’d ever had. Once again he wondered just how much Ty had paid for the tickets for the evening. He’d almost finished before he became aware of the fact Meredith hadn’t even started hers. Was he the only person eating in the room? A glance across the table assured him otherwise. “Meredith, is there something wrong with the starter?” he asked.
“I’m not a fish person,” she said quietly.
He looked around for a waiter. “Shall I get you something else?”
Meredith shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”
“You have a beautiful smile.” He watched as color touched her cheeks and her gaze lowered. “I should have introduced myself in the forest earlier this afternoon, and I’ve been kicking myself ever since for not doing so.” He held out a hand. “Jeremiah Mantle. Sometimes it gets shortened to Jem. I tend to answer to both.”
Her hand was cool, albeit a little rough against his palm and part of him wanted to keep the contact in an effort to warm her up.
“Meredith Stranraer. I like your name. It’s very Old Testament.”
“I’m the youngest of four and we’re all named after prophets. My brothers are Zechariah, Amos, and Nahum. And you’ve met my cousin, Ty.” He nodded across the table to where Ty and Caitlyn were chatting.
“We saw you watching us before they called the numbers.” Caitlyn’s comment was none too subtle.
It was his turn for burning cheeks. “I apologize for that. You were the prettiest ladies in the room, and I recognized Meredith from the forest earlier. Not to mention you’d both decided the corsages made pretty headdresses. Ty and I were debating if we’d garner the same impression if we tried it.” He turned back to Meredith. “Are your hands all right?”
She held them up. “A little grazed, but nothing I can’t deal with.”
He smiled. “Good.”
“I haven’t seen you around Paradise anywhere.” Meredith pushed her starter away.
He reached over and picked up the dish, setting it on the other side of him. “The nature of my job, means I keep to myself mostly. Aside from church, that is. I usually go on a Sunday and a weeknight, work permitting. Other than that I stay in the forest.”
She shifted on her chair. “Don’t you live in town?”
He shook his head. “I live in a cottage in the woods, well the forest.”
She grinned. “Do you get many rabbits running by, knocking at your door?”
Jeremiah chuckled. “Especially ones crying ‘help me, the hunter’s coming’? Oh, yeah, all the time.”
He leaned back to allow the waiters room to clear away the starters. “What about you? What do you do?” he asked, intrigued by the beautiful woman at his side.
“Nothing.”
He frowned. “Nothing?”
“I’m between jobs,” she said quietly. She worried a long strand of hair that had come loose. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”
“Don’t be. It happens a lot these days,” he said gently.
“But I’m sure my grandparents filled you in already as you said they told you everything about me.”
“No, I said they often talk about you, but they haven’t told me what you do for a living.”
“Oh.” Pink flared briefly in her cheeks before dissipating, leaving her paler than before. “I’m a musician, or I used to be. I had…an incident on stage. I totally lost it mid performance. I got sacked. So it’s my own fault.”
“Sounds a bit harsh.”
She shook her head. “I deserved it. I played as part of a huge orchestra. Lots of important people were there, and I ruined an entire piece of music by Sergei Prokofiev. What good is a performer who can’t play?” Eager to change the subject she forged ahead. “What about you? What do you do?”
“I’m a forest ranger. I live in the ranger’s station full time—hence the cottage in the woods.”
“I didn’t think it was manned overnight. Apart from high season and you can hardly call the middle of December high season.”
“It didn’t used to be, but times change. I’m single and came from out of town, so they suggested I live there. At least for now.”
“It means you’re never off duty.”
Jeremiah shrugged. “I don’t mind. Not everyone knows it’s manned, so if I’m out, like I am now, it doesn’t matter. Although, tonight they did insist on someone being there to cover.” He paused. “That makes it sound as if I have to be back early to let the babysitter go home, which I don’t. He’ll bunk down on the sofa if need be. What about you?”
Meredith looked at him. “I turn into a pumpkin at midnight, so I make sure I’m in bed by eleven.”
He laughed and picked up his glass.
The waiter appeared again. “Chicken or beef for your main course?”
“Beef,” Jeremiah said.
“The same,” Meredith said.
“And for me,” Caitlyn added.
“Chicken,” Ty said.
Jeremiah turned his attention back to Meredith. “What about your family?”
“I have a sister, Annabelle. She lives in France, Paris, actually, and works for one of the big fashion houses. She loves it, even if she hasn’t come home for years. She makes up for it by sending me designer dresses.”
“Did she design the one you’re wearing?”
Meredith lowered her gaze, a delicate shade of rose staining her cheeks. “Yeah. I miss her.”
“Why don’t you go and visit her?”
“No passport. It expired.” She picked up her glass and drained it.
“So renew it,” Caitlyn interrupted. “I’ve been telling you that for weeks. You’re going to need it for work when you go back to the orchestra.”
“I’m not going back, so I don’t need it. Anyway, I haven’t played since…” Her face creased in pain and she winced. “She can visit me.”
Concern filled him, and Jeremiah touched her arm. “Are you all right?”
“I would be if someone didn’t keep kicking me instead of a chair leg.” Meredith leaned over to rub her leg.
“Then maybe someone should stop putting herself down and do something for herself for a change,” Caitlyn muttered. “The only person stopping you from playing is you and this ridiculous fear you have.”
“It’s not ridiculous. Just because you’re not afraid of anything, doesn’t mean the rest of us aren’t either.” Meredith reached down for her clutch bag. “Will you excuse me for a moment?”
Jeremiah rose to his feet as she hurried from the table.
Caitlyn bit her lip. “I’ll be right back, too.”
Jeremiah looked at Ty. He picked up his glass. “So far, so good.”
Ty sipped his wine. “Is Meredith all you thought she would be?”
Jeremiah thought for a moment. “She’s interesting.”
“In a good way or a bad way?” Ty’s face lit with unbridled intrigue.
“Good way,” Jeremiah said.
“Maybe the ice man doesn’t have a heart of pure stone, after all.” Ty grinned. “Did you see the mistletoe over the doorway? Means you’ll get a goodnight kiss if nothing else.”
Jeremiah set his glass down firmly and leaned back as the waiter immediately refilled it. “That would be taking advantage and thus out of the equation.”
