Two Months Later

“We appreciate your attendance,” Ariella said for what felt like the hundredth time. She kept the smile on her face and waited for the guest to move along before she breathed a heavy sigh. “Remind me why I allowed Mother to convince me to have such a grand wedding ceremony?” she asked.

Daniel slid his arm around her waist, bringing her close to his side. Even after all this time, she still had butterflies when he touched her like that. He leaned close to her ear, knowing very well what that did to her, “I recall you saying that you were looking forward to throwing a ball in honour of your wedding. Have you changed your mind?”

Her toes curled in her slippers. She shot him a look, to which he gave her an innocent grin. “I recall no such thing.”

“Hmm.” The simple purr was making her body hot with desire. Suddenly, Ariella hated the fact that she stuck here welcoming guests to the ball. She wanted to be alone with Daniel, to let him do the things to her that he’d done two months ago.

“If you keep that up, Daniel,” she said lowly, feigning nonchalance in case anyone happened to look their way. “I do not think we will be able to make it to the end of this ball.”

“Perhaps that is exactly what I want.”

She looked up at him to see that he was utterly serious. Since the ball was being held at Croydon Manor, it would be no great feat to sneak away for a short while. The more she considered the thought, the more tempting it became and when she felt his fingers tightened against her waist, she knew that he was thinking the very same thing.

Before they had the chance to act, however, they were approached by yet another guest.

“Look out, dear cousin,” said the man with the wide smile who came up to them. “You two are not as discreet as you think you are.”

Ariella blushed furiously at those words, but Daniel only shook his head with a soft smile. “It seems you have not yet learned the art of keeping what should not be said to yourself, Lord Burham.”

“Now where is the fun in that?” Lord Burham turned his attention to Ariella. He had the brightest blue eyes Ariella had ever seen, much like the sky on a summer day, and it was greatly accentuated by his head of dark hair and his neatly trimmed beard. His eyes were alight with humour and intrigue as he said, “and how do you do, Lady Croydon? I must congratulate you on your nuptials. It seems my cousin as grown quite lucky to have married a beautiful lady such as yourself.”

Daniel sighed. “Allow me to introduce my cousin, Lord Nigel Dunley, the Viscount of Burham.”

Ariella’s brows rose. “You are quite the charmer, Lord Burham. It is certainly a pleasure to meet you.”

“Ah, a compliment coming from such beauty transcends beauty itself,” he sighed. Then he grew a little more serious when he said, “And please, allow me to extend my congratulations on the success of your joint tea business. I am surprised to see how it has grown over a matter of months.”

“Yes, well, I should give all the praise of the business insights of my dear wife,” Daniel said as he drew her closer to her. Ariella instantly smiled.

“He is being too modest,” she said. “It is not a joint business for no reason, I’m sure you’re aware.”

“I am sure you both have your wonderful strengths to bring to the fore,” Lord Burham said with a chuckle. “Though, I cannot say I was not surprised to learn that it was beginning to rival Fortnum and Mason. Quite an impressive feat.”

“You flatter us, My Lord,” Ariella said with a smile. She did not intend to show how difficult getting to such a position had been, though she’d enjoyed every moment of it with Daniel by her side. They truly were a force to reckon with.

Lord Burham smiled, turning his attention to the rest of the ball. “Ah, this ballroom is simply brimming with such wonderful ladies. It must go ahead and—oh! And who is that beauty?”

Ariella looked in the direction he was turned to, surprised to see Gloria standing off to the side by the refreshments table, Macy by her side.

“Such an ethereal beauty, she is,” he marvelled. “Alone she stands and yet she captures the attention of every gentleman in attendance. I must learn her name.”

“Oh, that happens to be…”

Lord Burham had already walked off, his shoulders set with determination. Ariella watched him go, unable to contain her humour. She glanced at David. “Has your cousin always been such an interesting character?”

“He certainly has a way of catching your eye, doesn’t he?” Daniel said, sounding amused himself.

“I wonder how Gloria will fare under his attention.” Since the start of the Season nearly a month ago, and Gloria’s debut, she’d been showered with attention from prospective suitors. But Ariella, now that she’d met Lord Burham, wondered if Gloria did not have to go through the Season after all.

“Come,” Daniel said, drawing her attention. “Let us have a dance.”

“But what of the other guests?” she asked, even as he led her out amongst the other dancers.

“I am certain they will be able to find their way around. How could I possibly stand by your side for the entire ball without having at least one dance?”

Ariella chuckled. As he pulled her close, she rested her head on his chest. “It feels so right being in your arms like this.”

“I feel the same way, Ariella,” he said softly.

She lifted her head to peer up at him. “So…when do you think we should inform Gloria and Mother of our news?”

“I reckon if you tell them too soon, they might faint out of happiness.”

“That would not be so bad, would it?” she chuckled.

“Perhaps not,” David said, his smile evident in his voice. “Though I do believe if we wait too long, they will see the evidence of it long before they hear you say it.”

“It sounds to me as if you wish for me to tell them tomorrow,” she said.

“Tomorrow, then. It matters not to me. I only want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.” She knew he would accept her words, but she wanted to express it in a much different way. When they were alone.

“As am I, Ariella,” he said softly. “And I believe I will be even happier when our child is born.”

Slowly, Daniel ran his hand over the slight bump of her bell. It was hidden well under dress, but she knew that, soon enough, he would be far too large to hide.

Only they knew the truth, one they wished to keep hidden until after they were married. Now that they were, Ariella had no problem telling her family the good news. But for now, she savoured the secret that was just between them. To think that their love would produce a child was more happiness than she could handle.

She didn’t think of the future, nor of the past. She only let him lead her though this dance, wanting only to be here in the present.

Because here she knew that, after all they’d been through together their love could only prevail.

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