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With each step, James found himself drawn deeper into the enchantment of the moment, his heart quickening at the sight of Penelope’s radiant smile. She was a vision of beauty in his arms, her laughter like music to his ears as they moved together in perfect harmony.

“You must have a serious objective this evening, my dear,” he said as he swirled her to the rhythm of the music.

“A serious objective?” she echoed, amused.

“Yes,” he nodded, purposefully not smiling. “You are trying to outshine the stars.”

Her cheeks flushed with amusement at his jest, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she shot back a quick and unexpected retort. “Oh, James, you know I can’t help it if I outshine even the brightest constellations,” she quipped, her tone filled with mock arrogance which in turn made him chuckle.

“Yes, I like that,” he whispered into her ear when she came close enough.

Their playful banter continued as they danced, each teasing remark met with a playful rejoinder. With each twirl and dip, they seemed to grow more animated, their laughter ringing out like a symphony of joy. James couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection welling within him as he watched Penelope’s eyes light up with laughter. She was his equal in every way, her quick wit and playful spirit a constant source of delight.

Then suddenly, he noticed that she became sad. “Is everything all right?” he wondered. “I didn’t step on your toe, did I?”

“No,” she said with that sad smile he wanted to erase from those beautiful lips. “It’s not that.”

He had to wait to ask his question because he had to swirl her away from himself, waiting for the music to bring her back into his arms again.

“What is it then?” he asked.

“I don’t know anyone here,” she admitted. “I wish that Adeline was able to attend.”

“Yes, I was going to ask about your parents,” he murmured.

“She told me that Father is prevented from attending by some urgent business, so she and Mother would stay home,” Penelope divulged. “I would have felt a little better if she were here.”

“I’m here,” he reminded her, hoping that he would be enough.

She smiled as she gazed at him. “But you can’t stay by my side during the entire evening. You have to… mingle with the gentlemen, so I can mingle with the ladies.”

“You don’t want to mingle?” he teased.

She frowned playfully. “Not really.”

“All right then,” he replied reassuringly. “I promise not to take too long when the men retire to the parlor for a smoke and a drink. I just need to speak to Lord Ravenscroft quickly then I promise that I will find an excuse, and we shall leave. How does that sound?”

“You will feign a headache then?” she teased him. “So, I don’t have to?”

“Yes,” he chuckled. “See what I am ready to do for you?”

“I see,” she replied as the music slowly stopped.

Looking at her so vulnerable and delicate, he wanted to take her into his arms and return home with her. He didn’t need these people around. In fact, he loathed every single one of them, because he knew what they thought of him. He knew that they had the worst opinion of him, that they had believed in the lies about him all of his life, without giving him the benefit of the doubt. He had stopped valuing their opinion a long time ago.

But now, he had someone whose opinion mattered. He thought that being married would be difficult, that the lady in question would be just like one of the ladies of the ton. Not in a million years could he have dreamed that he would be graced by someone such as Penelope. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, and he knew how precious and unique she was.

He intended to keep his promise. He needed to speak to Lord Ravenscroft regarding some business matters, and he planned on making that conversation as short as possible. Then, he would take Penelope home and make true on his other promise. The thought of having her in his arms again titillated him. It drove him mad with desire. This time, he would not stop at just one kiss, just one touch. This time, he wanted it all.

At that moment, Lord Ravenscroft announced that the gentlemen would be retiring to the parlor. A murmur of approval exploded all round, and a tidal wave of men headed in the aforementioned direction.

“I will be back soon, all right?” James told Penelope, cupping her chin tenderly. “And remember something very important… if you don’t want to, you don’t have to talk to anyone.”

She thought about it for a moment. “But… they’ll think I’m rude.”

He leaned closer to her to whisper right into her ear. “Their opinion doesn’t matter, my dear. Only mine and yours do.”

He kissed her gently on the forehead and left, anticipating their return home with much eagerness.