The whispered confession sent her heart soaring. “I’m so happy you didn’t.”
“I don’t want to cause gossip but watching you this evening is slowly driving me crazed.”
“Truly?” She could hardly believe he felt so strongly. Did she dare hope his feelings for her were growing?
“Truly. The only thing keeping me sane is the realization that I can call on you come morning and spend as much time as I’d like with you.”
“Yes, you can,” she said with a smile and no small amount of breathlessness. “Will you?” His absence in the past two days had concerned her.
“What time do you rise? I shall arrive in time for breakfast.”
“I look forward to it.” She chuckled.
“You think I’m jesting, but I’m not.” He kissed her briefly once more then guided her out of the alcove, blending in with the crowd as they made their way to Caroline.
“Caroline, I’m inviting myself to breakfast in the morning, if you don’t mind,” Daniel advised, his gaze holding on Beatrice.
“Not at all.” She beamed as she looked back and forth at them. “I’ll make sure the cook makes extra coffee.”
“Thank you.” Daniel lifted Beatrice’s gloved hand once more and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I’ll see you soon.” Then he took his leave.
Beatrice watched him with a sigh before glancing at Caroline, noting she looked tired. “Surely it’s time for us to return home,” she suggested.
“Already?” Caroline didn’t quite hide her eagerness.
“I am ready, too.” Lady Granger followed Beatrice’s gaze and studied Caroline as well. “I have no doubt my husband will be eager to depart.”
With one glance from Caroline at Aberland, who stood a short distance away visiting with Granger, they were soon thanking their hosts and bidding them goodbye.
As Beatrice settled in the carriage with Aberland and Caroline, she realized she already missed Daniel. Now more than ever, she eagerly awaited the announcement of their betrothal and marriage. Her feelings for him grew each time they were together. Hopefully come the morning, he would suggest they make the announcement and set a date. Happiness glowed deep within her as she held tight to the thought.
DANIEL WAITED IN THE dining room of Aberland House the next morning, true to his word, though no one had yet arrived. He only hoped Beatrice soon joined him. He had so many things he wanted to say to her. But most of all, he just wanted to be with her. To look at her without the weight of several dozen people’s regard.
The footman poured him a cup of steaming coffee, the aromatic fragrance welcome, but Daniel promptly forgot it as Beatrice entered the room.
“You are here.” Her smile lit his own.
“I am. Good morning.” He rose to greet her, placing a kiss on the back of her hand then another on her open palm, appreciating her bare skin.
Her breath caught at the intimacy, her eyes widening in surprise. Or was that desire?
“How did you sleep?” he asked, easily able to imagine her in bed—his bed—her golden tresses spread across the pillow.
“I was asleep the moment I closed my eyes. I didn’t realize balls were so exhausting.”
“They are when you’re the one everyone wants to meet.” He released her hand and gestured toward the seat next to his.
“Caroline outdid herself with the number of introductions.” She sat, smiling at the footman as he set warm chocolate before her. “The challenge now is in remembering their names.”
Daniel waved a hand in dismissal. “You will soon enough. The important thing is that they remember yours.” Would she want to delay their betrothal now that she realized the interest she’d garnered?
“It meant so much to me to have you there.” She touched his hand where it rested on the table. The small contact warmed him from the inside out.
He turned his hand to hold hers, unable to resist. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It was a pleasure to watch you shine. Did you enjoy yourself?”
He sipped his coffee as she shared her impressions of the evening, realizing how entertaining it was to see the ball through her eyes.
The butler served their breakfast as they spoke of some of the people she’d met who’d mentioned one need or another.
“Tell me more of your plan for the introduction agency,” he requested.
Her eyes lit up as she shared the various ideas she had as well as the ones she was still considering.
He offered advice when she asked, though she seemed to have the matter well in hand.
Daniel was impressed by the thoroughness of her plans. She’d already considered the various pitfalls that could be encountered. Her determination to treat the potential workers with respect, along with the employers, was admirable.
The topic shifted to other issues, but Daniel couldn’t get the question of their betrothal from his mind. At last, he could stand it no more. Why not simply ask and be done with it instead of worrying?
“Beatrice, I must ask if the evening changed your mind.” He held her gaze, certain he’d see the answer in her eyes. “About us.”
“How do you mean?” Her brow wrinkled in concern.
“There are other gentlemen eager to call on you.” He couldn’t bring himself to mention Chivington’s name. “The evening must’ve shown you that.”
She stiffened, her gaze dropping to her empty plate and hiding her thoughts. “Please know I would never hold you to our betrothal if you wished to break it.” Her lips tightened briefly. “My circumstances are not easy, and I appreciate that they might be more than you would prefer to have in a wife.”
“Not at all. That’s not what I meant.” He reached out to briefly brush her arm, wanting to reassure her, even as he searched for the right way to explain himself. “I don’t want you to feel pressured by my proposal. Perhaps I should’ve waited to ask for your hand until you’d had the chance to attend a few social events so you had a
