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Jana ~Part 2~

“My car is not worthless!” Jana repeated as Deuce bodily lifted her into his truck. Her hand shot out to keep him from shutting the door and closing her in. He didn’t answer, he simply shrugged and walked around to his side of the car, leaving her door wide open.

His smile as he took his time situating himself had her clenching her hands to keep from smacking him. “So, old friend….” He tilted his head toward her, his arms looking way too fit and tight for his shirt. 

“We are not old friends.” She snapped, cutting him off.

The sparkle twinkling merrily in his eyes deepened as his smile grew wider. “If we aren’t friends, J-Babes, what would you call me? Champion? Hero? Rescuer? Beloved? Best Kisser ever? Dream made real? I’d accept any of them but I think I should reaffirm that kissing one. It’s been a while.”

Since her fists were clenched in her attempts at restraint, she ended up delivering a good solid right hook to his arm instead of a slap. “Deuce!”

“Do I at least get chivalry points?” He laughed, completely unfazed by her hit. “I did stop and pick you up in the middle of nowhere and give you a ride.”

“I would have been fine.” Jana crossed her arms and leaned toward the door. She determinedly peered out the window, praying he would drive faster.

“Now J-babes. Talk to me.” He flicked her hair. “This is going to be a very long drive if we don’t say something.”

She hugged the door tighter.

He slowed down, driving well under the speed limit. Slower and slower until they were practically crawling. 

She glared over at him. “What are you doing? I can walk faster than this.”

He winked. “Getting you to talk to me. And now that you are…” He nodded out the front window. “I might as well point out that I could make this the longest ride down Amaryllis you’ve ever had or we can be friendly and have ourselves a little chat. Sounds like you have a few things you’ve been wanting to tell me.” With how slow he was going he was able to lean over across the cab, hook his arm around her shoulder, and haul her back into the middle of her seat. “That looks more comfortable.”

“You’re a jerk.” She glared.

With a shrug, he shot her an easygoing smile. “You don’t know me, J-babes.”

“You were a jerk. In high school.”

“To you. Yes. I could see how it would come across like that.” His voice lowered and almost sounded serious. “My more gentlemanly attempts at gaining your attention usually were credited to other guys.”
Curiosity had her looking over at him as if she could figure out exactly what that meant. 

His smirk reappeared when he caught her staring.

Finally she gave up searching through memories and huffed. “What things were you supposed to have credit for?”

“And let you know how much of a sap I was? No.” He shook his head but didn’t lose his smile. “Though I will tell you that Bobby Hanson wasn’t nearly as romantic as you thought he was. Neither was Tyler What’s-his-face.”

Jana’s spine straightened. “Tyler Derr?”

“Yeah him!” Deuce chuckled. “Idiot.”

“What do you mean? He was all sorts of nice and sweet. He left me all sorts of surprises in my locker.”

Deuce merely looked at her and her pulse skittered. 

“Huh.” Deuce finally laughed and looked away, letting their speed climb just a little. They were still well under the speed limit. Too bad no one else would be driving this way to hurry him up. He smirked. “That was uncharacteristically sweet of him. Figuring out your favorite candy and flowers and color and stuff. Amazing. Never heard of him doing that for any of the other girls he liked.”

Her mouth dropped open. “No.”

“What?” He glanced over at her, though suddenly he focused on the road as if driving needed his full and undivided attention.

“No!” She grabbed his arm. “No, no, no.”

He flashed her another one of those honey sweet smiles. “Saying no doesn’t change the past. Or the truth.”

“That was you?” She smacked him hard, causing him to chuckle. “He was my first kiss. And I thought it was so romantic because he had just left me the best valentine in my locker.”

He did a double take. “It was that good of a valentine?”

She sat back suddenly and refolded her arms, refusing to look in his direction as she blushed. 

“If I claim it as mine, do I get a kiss too?” His smile notched up past sweet and friendly and on toward smoothly charming. “Better late than never.”

Instead she gave his arm another smack. “Not likely. With everything you pulled in high school? The pranks, the teasing, telling Hunter that I had a crush on him. Do you know that I didn’t go on a single date my senior year because of that little announcement?”

“What?” He seemed genuinely surprised for once.

She nodded. “What did you expect? You told everyone that I had been pining for him for years like a deranged psychotic stalker. You were the star of the school, Mr Popular Senior. Then you left. I could barely show my face.”

“Wait! I didn’t mean to do that. I just didn’t want you dating Hunter.” His hand was soft on her arm, tugging at her.

“You tormented me for years.”

He shrugged. “Only seemed fair…at the time.”

“How so?”

“You tormented me long before I ever thought of getting your attention by acting like a jerk.” 

She punched his arm again, though with less force. “Again, should I remind you of the milk dumping?”

His sudden laughter filled the cab. “That was definitely a lapse in judgement. I didn’t think it through. But I stand by what I said. I got you to notice me.” Then he turned his gaze toward her. “And fair warning J-babes, if you don’t stop hitting me I may have to pull this truck over and kiss you again.”

“You wouldn’t.”

He leaned closer, his hand reaching up and tugging her hair softly. “Would.”

Brietta ~Part 2~

Stalling on the stairs, Brietta took a deep breath before entering the small drawing room where mother insisted they meet after breakfast. 

“Ah, my dear. It has been ages since I have seen you working on your embroidery. Have you finished it?”

“No, Mother. Indeed, I misplaced it and have not been able to locate it just yet. Would you like me to set out and discover where I placed it last?” How many small bits of fabric and thread would she have to secretly burn at night to escape the endless practice of embroidering daintily?

“Yes, yes. Look around.” Lady Davenport did not glance up from where she sat perched at her writing desk. “I am going to return some correspondence before anyone comes to visit. Lady Bristol and Lady Merhume promised to come by before the end of this week. So I expect visits any day now and you must be on your best behavior when they are here, for they both have eligible sons.”

An image of Lord Trenton and their brief conversation in the garden flashed into her thoughts. That short interlude away from her mother, confessing a truth she had hidden for so long, was ingrained into her heart and made her smile every time she thought of it. This time she studiously hid the smile from her mother, not wanting her to think she was eager to meet these two ladies of eligible sons.

Only moments later, as her mother lazily flipped through the mail, Brietta startled at her mother’s squeal of excitement.

“You have a letter from a Lord Trenton. Do I know Lord Trenton? Yes I do.” She tapped Brietta’s letter to her forehead several times as she tried to think of how she knew the name.

“Mother.” Brietta rose from the settee and reached for it. “If I recall correctly, Lord Trenton is Lady…”

“Bristol’s son!” Her mother completed. “Yes yes. Whatever could he be writing to you? How scandalous. His mother and I should be doing the conversing at this stage of a courtship. I haven’t even heard from her to know if he views you as anything more than a mere acquaintance. You haven’t even been formally introduced.”

“We met in our garden just last week, Mother. He stopped by for a moment to see Lady Bristol before he went to a concert or something of the like.”

“That isn’t formal.” She was busy fanning herself as if she were going to faint from the idea of a potential scandal. Lady Davenport sat up straight and thrust the letter at Brietta. “You will read it aloud so that I may insure that no impropriety is involved. Read it now.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Taking the thin letter, she opened it and read.

Miss Davenport,

Forgive my intrusion to whatever it was you were doing when my letter arrived. My mother has insisted I write to inform you of our wish to come by for a visit in 3 days time. Would you please be so kind as to inform us if that would be acceptable to you and your dear mother.

Lord Trenton

Brietta stared at the letter. It lacked the personality he had presented in the garden, so stiffly formal. A part of her was disappointed at its content, yet the larger part of her was more relieved that he had not written more informally since she had been required to read it aloud.

“What a thoughtful boy!” Mother cooed. “You must write to him at once. Tell him what a pleasure it will be to receive him and his mother. I have longed for a good chat with her. Quickly now. We will send it off with your father’s urgent responses.”

“Yes, Mother.” Brietta moved to the nearby table.

She had not begun to form a response when her mother exclaimed again, though not as loudly this time. “My, aren’t you popular. You have another. From Miss Woods? Do I know her?”

The letter landed on the desktop in front of her. She didn’t know of any Miss Woods, yet the handwriting looked familiar. 

Brietta shook her head. “No, I don’t believe you do. She is a newer acquaintance.”

“Hmm.” Her mother was no longer paying attention. “Write Lord Trenton before you read whatever gossip your new little friend wrote.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Brietta quickly wrote out a dull and perfunctory response that would be sure to alleviate any hint of anything more than mere brief acquaintance. Handing it off for her mother to read, she opened the other letter.

Lord Aubrietta,

I apologize for the subterfuge. However, I found myself unable to write anything I would have wanted to in my previous note to you. My mother was looking over my shoulder and practically dictated it word for word to me. So now I am writing to you again with several hopes.

One, you have already read the first letter I sent so that you know who this is and what I have been talking about. Two, that my upcoming visit is not one you are looking towards with distaste and abhorrence because I could not figure out how to arrange a meeting in the woods without it sounding scandalous or that I was proposing we run away. And three, I wanted you to know why my mother insists we both come for a visit.

I didn’t realize that I was but apparently I have brought up your name more than once since our meeting last week and my mother has taken it as a sign that I am in love. Please allow me to apologize for the presumptions and I hope you will not hate me now or after our visit. I must confess, I am looking forward to seeing you again.

Lady Bristol’s son, Lord Trenton

Brietta quickly folded the letter and hid it away so her mother would not be curious. He had been speaking of her to his family?

“Good news from your friend I hope.” Mother asked, not looking up from the letter she was reading.

“Yes, Mother. Good news indeed.” She stood. “I’ll find my embroidery now.”

Brietta curtseyed and fled the room as slowly as she could manage with a smile on her face, already composing in her head what she would write to her new friend Miss Woods.

Deah ~Part 2~

“A pleasure to meet you Lord Dunharein.” Deah Rose took several abrupt steps back, practically dancing away from her tall, newly-acquired fiance, and swept a low curtsy. She was still a little flustered to discover that the man she had run into in the hallway was also the man her father had arranged for her to marry.

“Ah, my lady.” Lord Dunharein nodded, followed by a surprisingly low bow. “And we are to be formal now that we are alone?”

Deah sighed, trying to smile prettily. “You make a fair point. Though I must warn you, we will only have a few moments to ourselves before my father will surely come and demand to introduce his future son to everyone he knows, individually.” She felt a blush beginning to rise. “Given such time constraints, forgive my bluntness. What induced you to accept marriage to a stranger, my Lord? To me? I would feel better knowing if our marriage is nothing more than a mere business arrangement with my father.”

“I prefer Alarik. Especially from you, my future wife. How do you prefer to be called?”

Deah glanced over to find her new fiance smiling over at her. She slumped against the wall and faced him. “I suppose my question was not the best first question in order to become better acquainted with what little time we have. My mother always called me Deah Rose and though I prefer it, my father insists on calling me Deah. Everyone else follows suit. You may get odd looks if you call me Deah Rose.”

Alarik regarded her closely for a moment before approaching her and bending down to kneel before her. “I hope I am not too forward in my proposal to you, Deah Rose. However, I feel that a marriage proposal, no matter its origins, should have much more personal sentiment and feeling behind it than what has happened thus far in our relationship.” He gazed up at her, steadily holding her attention. A smile quirked just a tiny bit in the corner of his mouth. “Our long and lengthy courtship. And so I make you these promises now, at the beginning of our courtship, our relationship, and the rest of our lives.”

“Promises?” Deah breathlessly interrupted. “You make promises now? Should they not wait for our wedding day?”

Alarik stood, taking both of her hands in his own. “I will take our marriage vows on our wedding day and hold true to them forever. The promises I make today are my assurances in my character and hopefully allow you a glimpse into how our marriage can be.”

Deah nodded. “Oh.”

His smile broadened. “Does this mean I have your permission to be so bold as to make promises to you now, though we have just met?”

“I believe the promises you make will give us a wonderful foundation with which to build upon. And how well you uphold and stay true to those promises will bespeak of your honesty, integrity, and commitment. So by all means, I am most curious to hear your proposal.”

“Deah Rose, these promises I make to you on this day, when we have met and become engaged so quickly. I promise to hold your thoughts and opinions in the highest regard, never pushing them aside, though I do not promise we will always agree. I promise to listen. I promise that you will come first. I promise to endeavor to always provide a feeling of safety and security in my home and in my arms. And I promise to respect you, even when you say no. Especially when you say no.”

Deah shook her head slightly. “Where did my father find you? I have never heard a man speak any such promises to a woman, even on their wedding day.”

Alarik rose to his feet and took both her hands in his, gently drawing her to him. “He did not. It is I who found him.”

Tilting her head to the side she gazed up at him with curiosity. “Why would you seek my father out? He has no great reputation that would travel a far distance to tempt a man such as you.”

He chuckled. “You speak as though you know me and my motivations for seeking him out.”

She shook her head. “No, not you in particular. I do know a great many of the men that do business with my father and know of their many different motivations for trade here. And though I have heard awed whispers of your name, none of what I have heard would bring you here. Which brings me back to my first question, why accept marriage to a stranger?”

“You accepted.”

“No. I was told. There was nothing to accept.” Deah sighed. “My father is desperate to make sure that I am protected. There have been rumors that the nearby warlords are beginning to steal women in the night again. My engagement to you is the result. I knew it was coming, though I did not know it would be you who I would be marrying.”

“You wish to say no?” He bowed, stepping back. Formality stiffened his frame. 

Deah took a step toward him. “That is not what I am saying. Indeed I am honored. I merely wish to know what induced you into this arrangement.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Your reputation brought me here.”

“My what?”

“Surely you know that you are beautiful. And men love to remark on beauty.”

She was shaking her head as he spoke. “I know that men love to exaggerate but I do not know why they would talk of me in particular. And at such great distances.” Deah’s hands flew to her chest. “People talk of me?”

“This troubles you?”

A gasp shook through her. “How far away?”

“What?” 

“How far away do they speak such fantasies about me?” She’d grown quite pale.

“I do not know. Though I travelled over a week to arrive here, I do not know how much farther it has spread. You and your beauty are common knowledge there, almost as if you are a myth.”

“You came for me?” Deah gazed incredulously up at him.

As she sank onto a nearby bench, Alarik once again found himself on his knees at her feet. “If it is any consolation, the tales told of your beauty do not lie.”

He did not have a chance to say more as the door leading back out to the great hall burst open, as Deah’s father rushed in. “Ah, Carrington. Come meet some of my friends. They are all anxious to meet you.”

Etta ~Part 2~

Glancing out at the blur of barren landscape passing by her, Etta struggled to make sense of what her rescuer/kidnapper was saying. He kept pointing ahead and saying “Holgen.” 

When it became apparent that she still didn’t understand, Ryk looked as confused as she felt.

“Yi da ultenen?” He asked. “Riesta yi goern?

Etta could tell he was asking her questions but couldn’t guess at the meanings. Shaking her head she fought the urge to cry. “I don’t understand.” She kept shaking her head as he babbled off more incomprehensible questions. 

Looking back, she stared at the billowing sand clouds caused by their rushing speeder. The heat was overwhelming as the suns crept further up into the sky. With no shade, there was no escaping the heat. Even the wind did nothing to cool her.

“Nish yi olnoi Etta. Etta.” 

The repetition of her name drew her attention. Again, she shook her head. “Ryk. I don’t understand what you are saying.” She pointed to her mouth and shook her head.

“Da ultenen?” He nodded. “Da ultenen. Ryk tam yi holgen.”

Etta sighed. They may not know what the other was saying but now at least he wasn’t trying to continue asking questions. By the time they neared the rock he had pointed to earlier, Etta was struggling to breathe. The heat felt like it was searing her throat and nose as she drew in breath.

“Wees holeer.” Ryk’s voice was soft, almost fuzzy. 

She could see him glance over at her but she lacked the strength to do more than breathe shallowly. She couldn’t even manage to choke out the words that she needed water. Her eyes could not summon the moisture to even cry.

“Ta illi holgen. Etta, wees nish holeer.”

With a tiny shake of her head she closed her eyes.

Seconds later a blast of cool air shot into her face and she bolted upright. “Ahhh.” She screamed hoarsely.

Ryk’s arm caught her before she could fall out of the still flying car. “Stul.” His sheepish grin caught her gaze and she was drawn in.

“What was that?” Etta asked in confusion.

“Ta illi holgen.” He repeated. He looked relieved. 

She hadn’t realized how worried he had looked until now, when all the tension was gone. With a jolt, she realized that the overwhelming heat was gone and she was back to breathing normally. Looking around, she could see that the light surrounding her was coming from artificial light and she was completely surrounded by what looked like a gargantuan dome of rock.

Etta plunked down in her seat and gazed up at the gray rock ceiling.

Ryk pointed around him. “Holgen.”

Ryk’s flying car slowed down as they neared what looked like a house shaped like a natural rock formation, except for the door and a hole that could pass for a window.

Stepping out of the car, Ryk hauled her out after him, not even offering his hand first to see if she would come willingly. Etta growled and Ryk looked back at her in surprise. He swooped around and lifted her back off her feet as he had when he caught her.

“Put me down.” She shrieked, she could feel her hysteria bubbling out but couldn’t stop. When he didn’t loosen his hold and continued to walk to the rock house she began to squirm, then wiggled, then outright flailed. Somehow he managed to set her on her feet. 

“Stul.” He commanded with a growl of his own. “Stul hak.”

Whatever he said didn’t matter because she could hear the threat in his tone. She quieted and stood still.

Once again he picked her up and carried her into the house and this time she didn’t protest, aside from quietly grinding her teeth. Once inside, he set her down again. This time however, she practically slid down his body until her feet touched the ground. He held her close, not giving her more than an inch to move. When she pulled back he tightened his grip and she found her face smashed into the fabric of his shirt. 

Doing her best to look around from where she stood plastered to the man holding her, she took in what looked like odd, blue bubble stools.

A tall woman approached them with a bow. “Mylar Ryk. qua de ta?

Back and forth the woman and Ryk talked, speaking faster and faster. It was all noise to Etta as she tried to ease back from Ryk’s strong chest.

“Etta.” Ryk’s voice saying her name once again drew her attention to the pair. “Ta illi Etta. Etta illi Ryk madua.” His voice was stern.

With a long suffering sigh, the woman nodded. “Ti roste Meayan. Coll.”

Etta didn’t move, even though Ryk stepped away.

“Coll.” The woman beckoned. Ryk nudged her toward the woman. They stepped further into the house and into a room filled with ornate dresses. The woman stopped and pointed to Etta.

“Etta.” Then she pointed to herself “Meayan.”

“Meayan? Is that your name? Meayan?” Etta’s focus sharpened. At the woman’s nod, Etta felt relief. If the woman was nodding then she would at least be able to understand when someone was saying yes.

Meayan grabbed a beautiful rust colored dress that almost seemed bright compared to the grey of the rock surrounding them. “Dirfa.” She shook the dress at her. “Dirfa.”

Pointing to the dress, Etta guessed. “This is a dress? Dress? Dirfa?” At Meayan’s delighted nod, Etta felt less on edge. Maybe she would eventually understand enough to figure out where she was and how to get home.

Meayan held the dirfa up against Etta. “Etta marr Ryk. Yi nish Ryk madua.”

“Madua?”

The word seemed important to both Meayan and Ryk but she couldn’t figure out its meaning. After trying on several dirfas, Meayan set one aside and pulled Etta out of the room. Ryk and two other people were standing there, an older man and woman.

Ryk stepped forward. His smile was broad as he opened his arms to her. “Etta. Etta illi madua.”

At that, the older woman did an odd trill with her tongue and rushed forward to hug Etta. When she pulled back, Ryk was looking at the both of them with a pleased smile on his face.

Ryk pointed to the man. “Tamor.” Then he pointed to the woman who had hugged her. “Dansha. Dansha illi Tamor madua.” 

Tamor lifted his hand and Dansha went running back over and snuggled into him. He patted her hip and held her against him.

Ryk repeated slowly to her, commanding Etta’s gaze. “Dansha illi Tamor madua. Etta illi Ryk madua.”

Etta staggered back as Ryk lifted his hand expectantly toward her. He wasn’t telling her that they were a couple, like Dansha and Tamor appeared to be. He couldn’t. Meayan pushed her toward Ryk. Ryk pulled her in close as Tamor had to Dansha. When she didn’t step away Ryk gave her a happy squeeze, patting her hip. 

Ryk gently pulled her over to a large chair and sat her next to him. He nuzzled her and whispered. “Madua.”

She froze.

Paige

“Joey McClure has the formidable reputation of successfully stealing girlfriends and then dumping them as soon as he ‘wins’.” I scoffed at the sight of another sobbing girl desperately clinging to Joey’s tall frame across the school’s large courtyard.

And yet, he simply shrugged the girl off and walked away.

“I’ve heard that guys pay for him to test their girlfriends’ loyalty.” Nina chimed in.

I laughed again. “That’s one way to make a living, I guess. But I doubt he makes many friends in the process, either way.”

Joanna had been silent during the whole conversation, watching Joey walk away. Not for the first time, I wondered if something had happened between the two of them. A month ago I had commented that she seemed starry eyed and she blushed and denied it. A week after that she had steel in her eyes and glares for the infamous Joey McClure.

“No reason to worry about ever dealing with him then.” I crowed. “I refuse to have a boyfriend who would test me like that and I am definitely not the type of girl to start shopping for a new boyfriend while I still have one.”

“Don’t say that too loud.” Nina snarled. “He might take it as a challenge.”

Joanna’s eyes narrowed in on me. I moved closer to her. Maybe she would finally let me in on what was keeping her so silent. The Joanna I knew and loved had been squashed by the always-glaring-at-Joey Joanna. I was sure of it. I missed my friend.

She leaned toward me and whispered, “Prepare yourself to never have a boyfriend. They are all suspicious creeps.”

“What do you mean?” I whispered back.

I watched as she moved away from our circle of oblivious gossipy friends. When she glanced back at me I quickly followed.

“I met a guy.” Joanna said as we slowly walked away. “I thought he was sweet and kind. I fell for him fast.”

Not sure how to respond, I shrugged. “And he made you hate all guys?”

“No. Yes.” She groaned. “Joey came up and said hi to me one day out of nowhere and my almost boyfriend started accusing me of cheating. He even called me a slut. All because stupid Joey McClure said hi to me.”

“And you blame Joey? Is that why you are always glaring at him?”

Joanna stopped and looked over at me. “No, I don’t blame Joey. I blame all guys. I am well aware that it wasn’t Joey’s fault for my new crush being a suspicious jerk.”

Before I could answer her I was pulled away by my arm. I was shocked to see Joey himself connected to that hand on my arm.

“Paige. Just the girl I wanted to see!” Joey declared. And just like that, he used my momentum of being pulled to swing me into his chest and swoop in for a kiss.

To say I was shocked would be a vast understatement. And while I will never ever admit it out loud, especially in Joanna’s hearing, I have to admit it was an amazing kiss. One that lasted way too long and not long enough.

Don’t worry though, with my dignity wrapped around me like a shield, I pulled back and slapped him good and hard.

“Ow.” He chuckled, holding a hand to the cheek I had pinkened.

Stomping around him and back to Joanna I called back to him without looking, “You’re lucky I barely tapped you. Next time you come near me, I’ll make your head spin off your shoulders.”

“What’d I do?”

I shot a glare back at him. “What haven’t you done?”

“I need to talk to you.” He paused. “Paige.”

He caught up to me in seconds, careful to stay far enough away to not touch me, even by accident. Joey glanced over at Joanna before saying in a low voice. “Two minutes.”

“How do you even know my name? I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Ouch.” Joey stepped back but didn’t go away as I’d hoped. He fell into step beside me. After a minute of semi-awkward silence, Joey looked around me and over at Joanna. “Hey Joanna. I hear that Tanner is a jerk. I’m sorry.”

Joanna stopped walking and faced him. It took him a second to pull back.

“Did you do it on purpose?” She nearly shrieked.

Now Joey really did look ready to flee. Maybe he would learn to listen when a girl said to leave.

“Do what on purpose?”

Joanna spoke slowly. “Did you say hi to me to get Tanner to break up with me?”

I don’t think Joanna saw it but I definitely saw him gulp.

“He didn’t deserve you.” He muttered, looking away, anywhere but at her.

With another shriek and a stomp of her foot Joanna was gone, storming off in the direction of her locker.

“Was that necessary?” I rounded on him, whacking his arm.

He shrugged. “I told the truth, necessary or not. And Tanner is a jerk. She would be screaming at him and not me if she’d heard the way he was talking about her.”

“Do you know what he said about her, to her?” I could feel my ire rising but he didn’t back down. Instead he firmly held my gaze.

“Better she hurts a little now than devastated when he turned on her for some other imagined slight later.” He put his hands up. “I didn’t go in looking to hurt her. I figured that maybe I could help her see that Tanner is a self-centered egotistical jerk and she would break up with him.”

“You could have told me and I could have talked to her.”

He laughed. “Because we are the best of friends, right? You were shocked I even knew your name. And why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

I folded my arms, trying to keep both the irritation and the smile off my face.

“Fine. I wouldn’t have listened. And yes, I’m still shocked you know my name because you seem to only notice the super gorgeous girls who are already in relationships. And I don’t have a boyfriend because I don’t need one and I haven’t found a guy that I could put up with for more than 5 minutes.”

“Valid observations. I have known your name when we had homeroom together freshman year with Mrs. Orville where you sat in the front left desk every morning. And may I point out that you have been talking to me for more than five minutes and are still putting up with me if that hint of a smile is any indication.” He paused while I gaped. He flashed a smile at me that knocked me further into a stunned girly stupor. “Does that mean I get to be your boyfriend?”

To read part 2 of Paige’s story: click here.

Zadie

Zadie plopped down on the sand, gazing out into the darkening ocean. It was at this exact spot 2 years ago that she had sat laughing at Emmett as he goofed off among the crashing waves before he had disappeared beneath those same waves and never resurfaced.

The coast guard had searched but they never found his body. Most people on the island didn’t believe her when she had told them what had happened. Over the months-turned-years Zadie had grown used to the looks and scoffs that followed her in their small town.

When he had first disappeared, the police had taken her witnessing him disappearing into the ocean as a serious, time-sensitive matter but less than an hour after the police had arrived on the scene they found a note in his room addressed to his mom saying that he had decided it was time for him to go explore the world and get to know his dad’s family. And at the very bottom it told her not to look for him.

After that, his mom simply gave up looking, stating that he was gone. And since his mother accepted the note and seemed unworried, the police merely nodded and closed the case, assuming he had run off to finish out high school with his dad. Zadie’s parents accepted that the boy who had almost been like their own son had left. Less than 24 hours after his disappearance and no one but her wondered at his sudden absence. And according to everyone in town, her one parents included, she simply couldn’t let go. That she had lost her touch with reality. Some even speculated that drugs were involved.

But she knew she had seen him die.

And no one believed her.

Somehow this same spot became her refuge from the whispers. Here, she stared at the last spot she had seen him, imagining how different life would be if he hadn’t disappeared. How much less lonely she would be.

Evening turned to night and the moon was her only light reflecting off the water. And still she did not move, staring. 

Blinking tiredly, Zadie continued to gaze at the never-ending rolling of the waves crashing against the shore. She stood and wiped the sand off her jeans. When she heard a decidedly non-ocean sound coming from the ocean’s direction she jolted up straight. She squinted her eyes against the darkness. A shiver shot through her when she spotted a dark outline of what looked like a man rising up out of the ocean.

Unfortunately she tripped when she went to move back another step. Her startled cry seemed to amplify across the sand before being drowned out by another large crashing wave.

As she frantically scampered back to her feet she thought she heard her name called. Yet she saw no one else down the beach.

“Zadie?”

Her eyes fixed solidly on the figure moving toward her as tears sprang to her eyes at the familiar voice she never thought she would hear again. “Emmett?”

“What are you doing here?”

 Zadie froze, unable to move as she watched her lost friend walk toward her. Shaking her head she began to cry. “I can’t hallucinate now. Everyone looks at me weird enough already.”

“Zadie, you aren’t hallucinating. I’m right here.”

She threw her hands up in exasperation. “That’s exactly what a hallucination would say.”

“It would?” His surprised expression gave Zadie a second of hesitation.

Sinking to the ground, Zadie sighed and buried her face in her knees. She felt the sand shift as Emmett sat down next to her. 

Softly, Emmett spoke. “Why do you think I’m a hallucination? Why can’t I be real and get that big Zadie hug I’ve missed so much?”

“You died!” Zadie sobbed, looking up at him through tear filled eyes. “I watched you drown. You never resurfaced.”

When he didn’t respond, Zadie slugged him on instinct, as she had so many times before then gasped as her fist actually connected with his shoulder.

He turned to pull her into a hug but stopped short when he saw her face. “With everything that happened, I forgot that you were on the beach with me that day.”

“Forgot?!” She shrieked. “What could possibly have happened to make you forget that your best friend was standing on the beach when you disappeared into the ocean?”

“This guy grabbed me and pulled me under. I freaked out.”

“You were kidnapped?” Zadie interrupted. “I didn’t see anyone.”

His face softened as he smiled. “No. You wouldn’t have seen him. He was underwater. And yes, I guess you could call it kidnapping, though they said they left a note for my mom.”

“Why didn’t I get a note?”

“I didn’t pick who got notes, Zadie. I was only informed that they had left one for my mom to find. Now, did you want to hear what happened or not?”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll try not to interrupt.”

He chuckled and gave her a side hug. “I know how hard that will be.”

“So they left a note. Who are they?”

“I’m getting to that.” Emmett looked back out at the ocean. “Apparently there is a race of humans that evolved to the point that they could breathe underwater.”

“Mermaids?” Zadie shakily stood. “I’m going home.”

Emmett snatched her hand but didn’t move to stand. “Wait. Let me finish.”

“You just told me that you were taken by mythical fantasy creatures. As if it could be that easy to explain away.”

His soft grip on her hand was firm. “Zadie. I came back to find you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.” He chuckled and gently pulled her back down next to him. “Apparently I have the gene that allows me to learn how to breathe underwater. And no, I don’t have fins. They discovered me on a hunting expedition, to find more people to join their kingdom.  After they took me, I was required to complete my training before I was allowed to choose whether to stay or leave.”

“And you chose to leave?”

He shook his head. “I haven’t decided. All I know is that I had to see you before I made that decision.”

“To join the merpeople.”

With a groan, Emmett pulled himself up. She stood after him and crossed her arms. “Zadie, they call themselves the Vand.”

“And now you can breathe underwater.” Zadie stared out at the water over his shoulder. “I’m going home. In the morning I’ll wake up to discover this was a dream.”

Emmett’s hand on her back stopped her. “I’ll prove it.”

“How? Are you going to go disappear in the ocean again and I can come check back in a few years to see if you come out again for a quick visit?”

“No.” He laughed. “Come with me. I’ll show you.”

Eva

Mother said that one day I would get in trouble because of my thoughtless impulsiveness. She didn’t say that I would be accused of stealing and threatened with jail time. Yet here I was, standing in my childhood home, 50 feet away from my sleeping parents, getting whisper-yelled at about the consequences of taking things that weren’t mine by a man not much older than me who I didn’t know. It wasn’t until he brought up calling the authorities that I felt the need to interrupt.

“Who are you?” I blurted. Maybe not the best first opening line but I couldn’t take it back now. I had already said it.

And judging by how he pulled himself ramrod straight to his full height I knew he just had to be someone important. Now that I think about it, he was probably one of dad’s investors who had been offered the guest room for the night in an attempt to get more time with him. Business over breakfast.

The man crossed his arms and stood a little bit more belligerently. “Was I not an anticipated addition to your theft spree?”

As much as I wanted to shrug off his accusations and go get some sleep, I knew I wouldn’t make it far before he stopped me. Yet words kept coming out. “Can we talk about this in the morning? I’m tired.”

He pulled back, incredulous. “You think I will let you leave and just hope you come back here to answer to the authorities? How gullible do you think I am?”

“Listen, it was a long drive to get here and I am tired. I want to get some sleep before I have to talk to you again.”

I didn’t realize I had actually put motion to my thoughts until a warm, almost hot, hand latched onto my arm and pulled me back. I slapped at his hand but he didn’t let go. In my tiredness I even attempted to pull him towards the stairs, as if that would convince him to let go.

He gave a short growly grunt. “I don’t care how long of a drive it was for you to get here. You aren’t going anywhere now. Maybe you thought your looks would buy you entrance for whatever it is you had planned as a backup plan for when you got caught but I am not falling for it.”

“My looks.” I grinned. I think my lack of sleep was beginning to affect my brain cells. “What do my looks have to do with wanting to sleep?”

His eyes narrowed. “I am not going to sleep with you.”

“Good.” I glared. “I wasn’t planning on sleeping with you. I am not a thief. And I am going to bed. IN MY ROOM.”

Instantly his face lightened and an odd strained smile took the place of his scowling. “Are you lost? Maybe I can assist you in finding the correct house.”

I groaned.

He immediately pulled me into a hug and stroked my hair as if he were trying to sooth me. In a soft low voice he murmured into my ear. “Don’t worry. We’ll sort this out and then you can be home and you can pretend this was all just a scary dream.”

“I’m not lost or mental.” I ground out as I pushed him away from me. “Mother! Are you home?”

Immediately, the man who refused to give me his name clamped his hand over my mouth. I struggled, trying to free myself. His hold finally loosened when I managed to stomp on his foot.

“Are you insane?” I yelled. “Who are you? Are you the thief? Don’t want to get caught?” I moved towards the stairs. “Mother!”

I finally heard soft footsteps on the landing above me. “Eva?”

With a sigh, I stepped further out of the shadows and smiled up at her. “Surprise, Mom. I came home for the weekend.”

“Why are you yelling for me?” Her voice weary with sleep and apparently she was too groggy to notice the man standing behind me.

I laughed and shook my head. “Sorry, Momma. Go back to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She nodded but before she turned back to her room she leaned over to whisper. “We have a guest in the guest room so be sure to be quiet.”

I glared at the man who was now eyeing me with wary concern. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to be rude to our guest.”

Seconds later I heard the door to my parent’s room close. I turned to fully face the stranger and strode over to him with my hand held out.

“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced. I am Eva Romy Black.” I didn’t try to hide my smug smile. However, I did give him my prissiest fake curtsey.

Eventually he gave me a formal bow before taking my hand in his. “Zane Deveaux, the guest. Please allow me to escort you to your room.”

I whispered up into his ear. “Wouldn’t want me making off with the family china while you aren’t looking.”

“I don’t suppose a mere apology would be acceptable at this point.”

“You accused me of being a thief.”

He nodded.

“And threatened to call the police.”

Again, he nodded.

“You assumed I would sleep with you in order to get a warm bed and escape all my troubles.”

His face flamed.

“You thought I was a lost lunatic.”

His hands went up. “I have no defense for my actions.”

“By the way, if I had been a real thief I probably wouldn’t have stood around arguing with you.” My hands tried to go to my hips but he hooked my arm in his, nudging me back toward the stairs.

“Valid point.” As we climbed the stairs he shot a stunning smile my way. “What brought you home this weekend?”

“My parents have been bugging me the past few weeks to come home for a visit. Apparently I don’t come home often enough.”

“Well, despite my gargantuan misunderstanding, it has been a pleasure to meet you. Your parents truly do love to tell stories about you over dinner.”

“Dinner? Who are you?”

He simply smiled as he gestured to my closed door. “Pleasant dreams, Eva.”

I muttered under my breath. “Breakfast is going to be interesting.” I hadn’t meant for him to overhear but he chuckled.

“Indeed it will.”

Emberlee

I guess now is the time to confess that I haven’t given much thought to Hunter Dawson Hayes since I left for college. In fact, I had made it a point to never ever mention him at all, even in my thoughts. But that is how much I have wanted to forget his entire existence. Sure, he lurks in almost all of my childhood memories as the one always pulling me down, figuratively and sometimes literally.

So why was it that I was able to recognize him the instant he stepped into the party I was currently reveling in?

“No.” I blurted.

A nearby freshman stuttered his apologies and moved away. I was too distracted to take the time to reassure him that I hadn’t been talking to him.

How in the world had he found me? After 3 years of a blissful, Hunter-free life he was not going to ruin this party for me.

Setting down my soda, I stormed over to the front door.

“What are you doing here?” I blocked him from getting any further into the house than he already was.

His slow perusal and equally steady grin burned my insides to the point where I was ready to punch him. And I would have too, if my roommate and best friend, Shay, hadn’t popped up next to me with an overly cheery smile.

He didn’t seem to notice her though as he drawled, “Emberlee Kellmann.”

“You know him?” Shay chimed in eagerly. “Introduce me, Em.”

I couldn’t form the words. He couldn’t come in and insinuate himself into my life as easily as this. Through my silence Shay’s smile didn’t waver as she swooped in front of me, dragging me closer than I preferred to be to him. “Hey there stranger. I’m Shay, Em’s roomie. It is an absolute pleasure to meet you. How do you know Em?”

And as quickly as she had appeared, Shay was pulling him to the back where a table was holding up a vast array of junk food, chatting the whole way over. He only glanced back at me once, with a smirk on his way too handsome face.

I stared. He had to go. There was no way he could stay. 

Realizing that I had lost the battle of keeping him out of the party I again stormed across the room, stepped right in front of him leaving no space between us, and crossed my arms. Yes, I fiercely ignored the shivers shooting through me as I practically threw myself into his ridiculously hard chest. With a gulp, I struggled to scowl.

He didn’t look down at me immediately though his hands found my waist, settling there as if he thought they belonged there. When he did meet my glare it was more like a casual acceptance, as if he had been expecting me to be there, in his space, all along.

“Yes, Emberlee?” His low chuckling voice was at odds with the serious look he gave me as he ignored Shay.

“Get out.” I growled quietly. I stood my ground, even when he smiled his uber-charming smile my way. Even after I felt his hands slide around my waist, pulling me even closer to him. After a lifetime of seeing that smile and its influence I knew I wouldn’t fall under the spell of it. Though maybe I had lost some of my immunity as my knees wobbled slightly.

“Now, why would I leave? I only just got here.”

Shay grabbed at my arm for my attention. “Why would you kick him out when we were just getting to know each other?” She pouted and I had to resist the urge of shaking her off too.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Shay. She is an amazing roommate and an even better friend. She was just way too distracting right now when I needed all of my attention to corral Hunter and keep him out of my current life.

I switched tactics, forcing my voice to go sickly sweet. Shay did a double take beside me. “Maybe we could step outside for a minute and catch up, Hunter. It’s been so long and you have definitely grown since the last time I saw you.”

His chest swelled even as his eyes narrowed on me. “With a request like that, how can a man refuse?”

Gritting my teeth I allowed him to take my hand and slowly lead me out the back door and onto the less crowded patio. We may have weaved through the crowd a little more than necessary but I wasn’t going to blow my chance to get him in a corner and pound some sense into his head.

I don’t know how he managed it but as soon as the door closed he was spinning me into a deep, strong hug. I couldn’t put any distance between us.

“What are you doing here, Hunter?”

Hunter didn’t look up, his arms tight around me. His smile lit up his eyes. “It’s been a long time, Emberlee. You haven’t come home. And there are some things I’ve been waiting quite a while to say to you.”

“Like what? My hair is the wrong length? My shoes look stupid? My face offends you?” I could feel my irritation rising even though he appeared unaffected.

He shook his head. “No.”

“Then what?” I was shaking and I didn’t know why because it wasn’t cold out.

“Now?” He looked a little surprised.

“When else am I ever going to see you again?”

His smile bloomed once again. “Actually I was planning on staying in town for a bit.”

“A bit? How long? Why?”

He leaned in, touching his forehead to mine. I don’t know why on earth I let him do that but I did. “I meant what I said, Emberlee. I want to catch up.”

I resisted the urge to stomp my foot. “You want to catch up? How did you know where I was? What did you come here to say? Why won’t you answer my questions?”

His arms stayed locked firmly around my waist as he pulled back just enough to look firmly into my face. “Emberlee, I’ve been answering your questions. Looking back on the years we spent growing up together I realized I seemed very much like a bully. And I want you to know that I wasn’t out to hurt you or make you feel bad. I liked you. I thought I was protecting you and keeping you safe from other guys. Now I know how wrong I was and I want to apologize. I want you to get to know the real me.”

“You treated me like you did because you liked me?” I could feel the heat fueling my ire begin to subside.

He nodded.

Backing away I shook my head. He was too handsome to be near with that kind of knowledge.

I whispered as I retreated. “And you still like me?”

“I haven’t seen you in a few years but I’d like to venture to say that I do. Give me a chance to show you that I am not the boy you knew.”

“There’s going to be a lot of proving before I believe you are different. We need to become friends if you ever want me to consider more. You made my life miserable.” I warned as I poked him in the chest. “Now I’m going inside, friend. Enjoy the party.”

Sela

Stepping out into the arena Sela rolled her shoulders and slid her sword into the sheath on her back. Twenty five of the potential competitors were already out stretching, sparring, and posturing. A title and an invitation to the annual royal ball was a high prize and large motivation for many. Sela included. Everyone knew the benefits of being able to attend that ball. Deals were struck, alliances forged, and people discovered.

As she strode out over the field to where a large array of weapons were on display, she wished for more of her own gear. They had allowed her the sword but nothing more. Only one personal weapon per competitor.

She scanned the large dirt field, taking note of the several odd shaped mounds off to one side.

More competitors arrived and joined the rest. The first few days of competition would hopefully narrow down the numbers at least a little. It all depended on if the royals were looking to extend and prolong the competition itself or get it over with.

“Sizing them up?” A lithe, fluidly graceful man sauntered up to stand next to her, a born swordsman by the looks of him. And he looked to be no more than five years older than her.

Sela didn’t answer. Why share what she knew with the competition?

“Not much of a talker?” He smiled.

She slowly turned to face him, maintaining a carefully neutral expression. He remained unguarded, not even moving back. Instead, his smile grew. 

“Hello.” 

She fought to not smile back. A horn sounded and echoed through the arena. Immediately the contestants started moving to where the stage was set up at the far end of the field.

The man beside her didn’t move to follow the rest. She paused and looked back at him, trying to figure out what his angle was. He stood still, watching as all the other people passed him without so much as a glance at any of them. A few of them nodded his way, one even bowed respectfully towards him and Sela’s eyes narrowed. His gaze stayed trained on her. When he saw her quizzical stare, he folded his arms. 

Sela didn’t move. Her senses went on high alert and her guard up. She didn’t really want to let someone as casually confident as this man be behind her where she couldn’t see him. His smile widened even further when she didn’t look away.

“You heading over?” He tilted his head to the side.

“Are you?”

“You speak!” The elation on his face had her fighting to keep her concentration on her surroundings.  “That’s wonderful. And your voice is beautiful, almost melodic. Maybe don’t speak while you’re competing because then they might mistake your interaction for a date.”

“My sword coming at their face might give it away that it’s not. And I could be competing against a woman when I chose to speak.” She eyed a large lumbering man who slowed to leer at her. 

He nodded. “Fair point. I still stand by my warning though.”

Soon Sela noticed that there weren’t any people passing them anymore. All the other competitors were behind her but this man. And yet, she was more willing to have all of them behind her, out of sight, than the man standing in front of her now.

“You’ve been left behind.” He pointed behind her.

She gave a slow nod but didn’t look away. Another horn sounded and he gave her a slight bow.

“A pleasure having such a deep and insightful conversation with you. We must do it again sometime.” He turned and began walking away, the opposite way of the rest of the competition.

“Where are you going?” She took a step to follow him.

He didn’t stop walking but looked back at her, striding backward with as much ease as he had walking forward. “I have to go up in the stands. My father is probably freaking out enough as it is.”

“Why would he be freaking out?”

“I really hope you win. I would enjoy talking to you more. However, I doubt I can sneak away again after the competition actually begins. I think my father even made it a rule that you don’t get to talk to anyone outside of the other competitors so you can’t get any outside help.” He flashed another smile her way. “Though maybe I can be an exception. I’ll work something out.”

“You are talking as if you are not competing.”

He nodded cheerily. “I’m not.

“Who are you?”

His delighted grin caught her. “You don’t know me? I thought you knew, since you gave me your full attention.”

Sela shook her head, trying to figure out why she should be able to recognize him by sight. He did look familiar and now that she was truly looking at him and not only sizing him up as competition, she felt that she should know who he was. It didn’t come to her.

“You really don’t?” He smiled and gave her a courtly bow. “I look forward to calling you milady and watching you attempt your first noble curtsey.”

She held back a groan. “You’re a noble.”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing. How many nobles do you know?” He stopped his very slow departure.

It was her turn to smile. “You sir, do not know me either.”

“Indeed?” He started walking back to her. “What is your name?”

“I would need a very good reason to share that with someone who is obviously unwilling to share their own. Besides, the officials might start to consider requiring me to leave and not enter the competition if I take too long.” It was her turn to face away from him, though all her instincts told her not to.

He caught up to her easily enough, walking beside her as if they were on a stroll in a private garden. “You aren’t going to tell me?”

Sela motioned up to where the audience was still cheering. “If all goes to plan, I am going to be announced and you will know who I am. You are going to walk away and there is a likelihood that I would never find out who you are. “

“Fair point.” He took hold of her arms and she fought to not tense. “I guess you will just have to win and get to that ball. If it helps, I am now rooting for you.”

She hesitated a moment, debating, before she flashed him a cheery smile. “I am too.”

Lovisa

Lovisa smoothed the skirt of her dress once more as she sat perched elegantly on the edge of the forest green velvet settee.

Practice is essential for womanly improvement.  Her mother’s voice repeated in her head.

And so she sat, perfectly poised to attract the type of suitor her parents expected of her, in the middle of their empty-except-for-her-mother sitting room.

She fought back a yawn, knowing her mother would immediately spot it and lecture from her very comfortable chair by the fire. Hours of sitting would be followed by unnecessary practice of walking and tilting her head just the right sort of way to be flirtatious without being provocative.

Scandal was not to be tolerated. Gossip was inelegant. Slouching was unladylike.

From the time she turned eight Lovisa had begun training. At first, it had been boring but not intolerable; a little posture improvement here and some style tips there.

Now, as she neared her social debut, her entire day was devoted to training; etiquette, form, elocution, poise, and more. Whatever her mother deemed necessary. Her father had long since disappeared into his study to ‘deal with financial matters’ as he did every day.

“Lovisa.” Lady Treston’s voice was laced with disapproval. “Your attention has wandered and your posture is slumping most inappropriately. You will never catch a proper husband if you do not take the time now.”

“Yes, Mother.” Lovisa quickly corrected her already perfect posture and tried to look as if she were paying attention. She still hadn’t quite figured out how to pay attention when no one was talking and nothing was happening to pay attention to. Yet her mother was adamant she learned. 

Lady Treston had given her quite the set down the last time she had asked why. Apparently it was good practice for when she was in conversation with a man who was a wealthy bore. Her mother hadn’t actually said those words because she would not insult anyone by making such a broad claim but the heavy implication was there.

“As you know, Father has made arrangements for your debut this evening.” Lady Treston stood. “Come. It is time to make you ready to present yourself to society. Such details cannot be left to the last minute.”

Lovisa inwardly wilted, having hoped that they might have a small respite before getting ready for the evening. However, it appeared that food was the lowest priority of the day.

“Yes, Mother.” Lovisa glided across the room to follow her mother.

Hours of poking, primping, hair pulling, and more happened before Lady Treston was satisfied with the results.

“You’ll do.” Was her final compliment to her only daughter.

The pale empire-waisted gown and corset was tight but that was nothing new to Lovisa. In fact, it was slightly looser than her mother usually insisted upon, saying she would need to be able to breathe more when she dancing.

Descending down the stairs, an excited thrill shot through her. Surely she would be able to have some fun tonight. At the bottom of the stairs her father stood there, looking bored.

“Now Lovisa, your mother has assured me that you have memorized the list of men deemed suitable to your station and rank.” Lord Treston addressed his daughter without bothering to do more than nod in greeting.

“Yes, Father.”

 Better to be meek and unassuming than endure a 15 minute tirade while standing in heels and formal wear.

The carriage ride was quick and relatively painful. Lovisa spent the ride making sure her appearance was perfect, her posture did not waver, and her parents did not feel the need to chastise her.

Stepping out of the carriage her mother didn’t give her a chance to arrange her skirts, moving in and immediately setting Lovisa to rights. Once satisfied, she slipped her hand into her husband’s arm and walked up the steps.

Lovisa silently followed.

In mere minutes her mother had not only maneuvered them to a very prominent spot next to the dance floor but had also filled her dance card with the eligible men her father would approve of. Her only empty slots were the waltzes, since Lady Treston considered them far too provocative for a new debutante.

The whispers going on around her hushed suddenly as a man in a spotless black evening coat and starched white necktie casually sauntered their way. He bowed to Lovisa’s mother first.

“Lady Treston. A pleasure to see you here.” His voice sounded bored as his gaze turned to Lovisa.

She dropped her eyes to the floor.

And for the first time in her life she heard her mother giggle. “Oh Lord Wharton. I am stunned to see you here. It has been far too long. May I introduce you to my daughter, Miss Lovisa Treston.”

His bow was elegant and Lovisa struggled to maintain the pleasant and mildly flirtatious smile that had been drilled into her head for years. Anything more would be simply mortifying

“Miss Treston. An honor, to be sure.”

He turned back to Lady Treston. “Is there a dance free for Miss Treston this evening?”

Lovisa watched as her mother coyly shook her head. “I’m afraid not, my Lord.”

“Nothing?” His eyebrow arched. “Surely a vacancy can be found for an old friend.”

“Only a waltz, my Lord.” Again, Lovisa was stunned as she watched her mother give a low curtsey to match his bow before tapping himcoyly on the arm.

He hesitated as he glanced at Lady Treston’s hand. “Indeed. Then I find I must beg you to allow me to claim one of those waltzes.”

At her mother’s nod Lovisa gave a small shocked smile.

With another bow Lord Wharton sauntered off.

Instantly her mother turned to her. “Lord Wharton is to be considered an utmost priority. Your father will be thrilled to hear that you were able to dance with one so prestigious. Usually he is so aloof and distant when at these sort of events. Do not mess this up.” That last part was delivered in an urgent whisper.

“Yes, Mother.” And for the first time she didn’t mind agreeing, for she was intrigued to learn more of this Lord Wharton. After all, he had easily provoked my mother to a fit of giggles.

And he wasn’t even on her much-vaunted list.