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T he ball was very well attended. People were jammed into the ballroom where jewels worn by beautifully gowned ladies glittered in the candlelight. Everyone wanted to be seen. She couldn’t care less about being seen, because she loved the way Julian saw her. She couldn’t wait to tell him what she’d done.

Serena sipped a second glass of punch because she deserved it. She’d written her first article for the Times . Before leaving for the ball, she’d dispatched a servant to deliver it, with threats of serious consequences if the boy revealed where he had been dispatched from. Now all she had to do was wait to see if Mr. Walter published it.

The other reason for her lightheadedness was that Julian was by her side, where he’d been most of the night, looking like a handsome prince from a fairy tale. Tall, dark and with eyes that could melt snow with their sparkling warmth, she counted herself lucky that she’d woken up to his appeal before any other lady got her claws into him.

Like Lady Penelope, who had been casting him ‘come to bed’ stares. Thankfully, he’d not danced with said lady all night. But he’d danced with Serena twice. Still, he had not given any indication of attraction or desire for her. She drank some more punch, trying to get up the courage to suggest a turn on the terrace.

Whether it was because of the heat of the ballroom, or the heady punch, she had to wave her fan in front of her face. Luckily, Julian noticed.

“It is rather stuffy tonight. Perhaps a stroll on the terrace for some air would be welcome.”

Julian really was perfect, she thought wistfully. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

He held out his arm, she slipped her hand over his forearm and a jolt of awareness slid over her.

There were a few other couples on the terrace, which disappointed Serena. She could hardly try to get him to kiss her in full view of everyone. They walked to the shadowy edge of the terrace and she leaned against the rail.

“It’s a lovely mild night for so late in winter.”

That sort of conversation was not Julian. Normally, he would have teased her about her hair or her gown or talked about politics. When she noticed him swallow hard, it suddenly dawned on her that he was nervous.

“Really? The weather?” she uttered with raised eyebrows.

He laughed and some of the tension eased. “What would you like to talk about?”

“Anything but the weather. I can talk to anyone about the weather.”

He rested his arm on the rail and leaned closer. “Shall we talk about how pretty you look tonight?”

Her heart beat triumphantly in her chest. This was it. This was him declaring his intentions. “That sounds like a topic of conversation I’d enjoy,” she teased back.

“You look beautiful. But then you always look beautiful to me,” he whispered softly.

She sucked in a breath, hypnotized by the emotion in his eyes. He loved her. She was sure of it. He leaned closer still. He’s going to kiss me. Her eyelids lowered when a voice announced, “Lord Julian, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Julian jumped back as Lord Grenville approached with Lady Penelope on his arm. “Good evening, my lord, Lady Penelope. May I present Miss Serena Fancot.” Serena bowed her head in greeting and smiled to show she wasn’t threatened by the smug look on Lady Penelope’s face.

“Vale’s sister, hmmm.” That was all she got from the Prime Minister, obviously not important enough to warrant any further thought, because he pushed Lady Penelope forward and said, “Lady Penelope was just saying she needs some fresh air. I’m too old to escort such a beautiful young lady. Since you are here, I thought you could do it. I’ll escort Miss Fancot back inside.”

Only Serena noted the tightening of Julian’s jaw and the firming of his lips. He was angry at having been placed in such an awkward position. One did not annoy Lord Grenville if one wanted a career in politics. Serena did the only thing she could for the man she intended to marry.

“Thank you, Lord Grenville. I think I’ve had enough fresh air for tonight. I shall look forward to our dance later this evening, Lord Julian,” she said, then took the arm Lord Grenville held out for her. She would not jeopardize his career. Now was not the time to challenge Lord Grenville. She trusted Julian and knew he was not at all interested in Lady Penelope.

Back inside the ballroom, she turned to take her leave of Lord Grenville, but he held her hand. “I have big plans for Lord Julian. Unfortunately, my dear, you do not figure in those plans. So do not set your sights on him or you will be sorely disappointed.”

With that, he strolled off as if he had not just destroyed her world. She thought Julian loved her. But was it enough, if loving her would ruin his career? He lived for politics. As a second son, he threw himself into working for their country. How could she stand in the way of his dreams? Because they were also her dreams. Becoming his wife would be the closest she’d ever get to being in politics.

“What did Lord Grenville want with you?” Claire asked as Tiffany and Courtney joined them.

“He didn’t want me. He wanted Julian. Lord Grenville appears to be taking a role in selecting a wife for Julian and he’s made it perfectly plain it’s not me.” With a will of iron, she held back her tears.

“Where is Julian?” Tiffany asked, looking around the ballroom.

“On the terrace with Lady Penelope,” Serena answered through clenched teeth.

“Oh,” said Courtney. “My brother does not wish to marry Lady Penelope. You know that.” But the worried look on Courtney’s face told Serena she knew her brother was in a tricky position.

“Let’s talk about something else.” She spotted Ivy on the dance floor with her brother, Axton. “Isn’t Ivy’s gown gorgeous? I must ask her who made it for her.”

*

Julian walked down the corridor of parliament with his stomach churning. For a new minister like him, being summoned to the Prime Minister’s office first thing in the morning was not good. He’d wracked his brain trying to think of what might have caused such a summons. Surely it couldn’t be about the incident last night at the ball?

He was so thankful that Serena was level-headed and had not made the awkward situation worse. By the end of their stroll, he’d made Lady Penelope understand he was not the man for her. She took it rather well, almost as if she’d come to the same conclusion.

As Julian was shown into Lord Grenville’s office, his deep-seated fear was that Grenville did not like that response to his obvious matchmaking plan.

“Ah, Montague, do come in. Coffee? Brandy?” Grenville asked.

“Coffee, my lord. Late night last night.” He smiled, hoping to lighten the mood. It fell flat.

“Do you know why I’ve summoned you?”

Julian crossed his knee over his leg. “Is it about last night, at the ball?”

Grenville frowned. “Last night? The ball? No. It’s about this.” He slid the paper across the desk.

Julian leaned forward and picked up the Times . There on the front page was an article entitled Slave Act Passed–Not Far Enough. He read the article and had to admit it was well-written and supported many of his own beliefs. Wondering about the writer’s identity, he skipped to the end. The author had merely signed it with a flourishing V. He looked at Grenville. “Anonymous journalist. Strange.”

“Was it you?”

He almost laughed, thinking Grenville was joking. But from the look on his face, he was deadly serious. He leaned forward. “No. Definitely not.”

“I had to ask, as these words seem very similar to what I have heard you say in chambers.”

Julian looked down at the paper and read it again. It sounded like him—or—Oh, dear God, worse…Serena. A terrible thought entered his head. She wouldn’t have. Would she? “All I can say is I am not this V. I talk politics with my party and follow my Prime Minister. I’d never do anything to embarrass this party.”

The Prime Minister sat looking at him for quite some time. Finally, he said, “And about last night. I hope I’ve made my direction very clear. Lady Penelope would be an asset to you. I have big plans for you, Montague. Don’t disappoint me.” With that, he picked up his mail. It was obvious Julian had been dismissed.

As he walked back to his office, his mind whirled. He needed to talk to Serena and also his father. Lord Lorne would know what to do about the Lady Penelope situation. His father liked Serena and knew Julian’s intentions. Surely Lord Lorne, being a Marquess, would help manage Lord Grenville.

*

Serena had strolled to the Lorne town house to see Courtney, and Axton had given her a letter to give to Julian. Who was she fooling? She’d actually wanted to speak with Julian, however, he was at parliament and Courtney was just finishing dressing.

So, she made her way to Julian’s study and slipped inside to leave the letter on his desk. She really didn’t plan to pry, but when she saw a ministerial missive laying open upon his desk, she happened to glance at it. She really wished she hadn’t when the one line she read made her blood boil. Soon she was round the other side of the desk reading the missive the right way up.

Ten minutes later, she hurried from the Lorne house, her meeting with Courtney forgotten. She had another article to write and an important one. The government wasn’t being honest about the Slave Trade Act and all other implications. But she would tell the people. They deserved to know.

She would forgo the opera tonight to write the best article she’d ever written, and she’d make Julian proud.