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C lara listened to sparrow song from her bedroom window. The morning was considerably warmer than the previous day, and all windows had been flung open.

Mrs. Ramshaw knocked as she opened the door. “You have a visitor, Clara.”

Lucy’s gush of words and the rustle of her gown fell by her knees. “You’ll never guess. I’ve convinced Mother to let you go! She sent along a message for Ramshaw. She is to escort you to the ball for a full hour. How do you like that?”

Lucy sounded so pleased with herself. But no young lady in the whole of Harrodsburg or Lexington for that matter, wanted wrinkled Mrs. Ramshaw as an escort.

“Here, I’ve brought your gown.”

“Thank you, Lucy.” A large box landed in her lap. “You are a true sister to me.”

“You do have such a cozy room. I rather like it. Did you sleep well last night?”

“No, I didn’t. A cricket chirped all night long. The little pest will put a hole in my stockings, no doubt.” She’d have to ask Mrs. Ramshaw to find him.

Lucy laughed. “I’ll be looking for you tomorrow night. When you come, I’ll take your arm and leave Ramshaw to the other gossips that line the room. ”

“A single hour, Mother says?” She couldn’t hide the disappointment.

“Between you and me, Mother paid Mrs. McPherson a visit and she asked particularly for you to come, that good music would certainly liven you up. I told Mother it would be an embarrassment to go against her wishes. I hope I did the right thing?”

Clara nodded. “But, Lucy, what of my hair?”

“I brought you my curling rolls. Now if you keep your hair in a simple bun like you have it, simply take these pieces from the side and one from the back and roll them, you’ll be very elegant. Your dress will be complemented with a simple hairstyle.”

“Perfect.” Doubt quickly crept in. The change in plan felt rather like impending doom.

“I’ve brought you my garnet necklace. A row of red will set off the blue silk. Christian will have only regrets when he sees you.”

Clara’s heart fluttered at the sound of his name. That he should still find her beautiful would certainly satisfy. She felt like Cinderella, cursed with a time-restraint. If only when the clock struck midnight, she’d return to her former self. If only she had until midnight.

“Mother waits in the carriage. I’m sorry to leave you—you must be lonely.”

“Not as lonely now as before. Thank you for coming, Lucy.” Clara stood and embraced her, barely surprised that her own mother didn’t want to come in for a moment.

DANIEL NICKED HIS LEFT cheek with his razor. Soap mixed into the wound and stung. “Darn it, cat. Another cut.”

The kitten rubbed against his leg and leapt to the wide windowsill. The runt didn’t look like it was going to expire any time soon, and favored his bedroom as well as the kitchen. He bent to scratch behind its ears .

“Francine will call me soft when she sees you.” He wanted her to come, but was glad she wasn’t here to see him make a fool of himself at the ball. His dancing skills were wanting. His spirits lacked fervor for such gatherings. A place for feminine entrapments, balls.

He rubbed the soap away with a towel, now dotted with blood, and practiced an air waltz.

“Should I get Mrs. Kilgore to help me, cat? Or should you go help her for a change?” The kitten leapt to catch and pounce his dancing feet.

“Oh no you don’t. Out you go.” He gently shoved the creature out of his room with his foot and firmly shut the door.

The McPherson ball he’d been pressured into attending began at 6:30. He checked his pocket watch. Another twenty minutes and he’d be there shaking hands and God forbid, dancing.

He donned evening attire, and tried his best clerical face in the mirror.

Rotten piety no matter the expression, he must be an honest man with honest features.

Neither God nor a minister should be a person to fear.

Well, maybe one should fear God. Truly, the unrepentant ought to fear Him a great deal. But Daniel wasn’t God.

A thought made him stand stock still, even as he still debated with himself in the echo of his mirror. Miss Gray, the beautiful. The lass perchance would be there. His heart knocked against his chest. Such an opportunity. He wiped his face with cool water.

Then again, the night might not be so bad. A perfect opportunity to show her that he was a true gentleman who didn’t always stupidly stare when presented with a pie. He just might go calling on her. “Why not!” He said aloud.

“Yes, Mr. Merrick?” His cook called from below.

“Just preaching myself a sermon, pay me no mind!”

The ballroom heat settled about him, his dinner jacket hardly helped. Fine thing to sweat when one wanted to woo. The thought made him dizzy. Daniel bowed over a parishioner’s hand. “Delighted to see you on this fine evening. ”

The event filled Graham Springs Hotel to the brim. The music hadn’t started yet, thank goodness. He wanted the chance to discover Miss Gray. Surely, the entire town was here! And more. The resort seemed to house and entertain many southern families making their grand escape before winter set in.

Tension drew up his neck, voices bounced from the ceiling and drummed into his head. He was surrounded but alone.

“Rev. Merrick, let me show you where the unwanted men are to lounge.” A gray bearded parishioner, Mr. Fitch, led him down a long hall into a cigar-smoke filled room.

Unwanted? Did they think of him that way? Did they think a spiritual guide devoid of a romantic heart? Yet a mission might be found anywhere.

“Here is the real party, with real punch. I daresay you don’t object?”

Daniel held his hands wide open. “I withhold no pleasure from you.”

“Well, if anyone gets drunk, I’ll have a bucket of well water tossed on him.”

“Aha.” A minister such as himself couldn’t imbibe without raising eyebrows.

“I’m staying here. Join in if you like.”

“I think perhaps I shall, in a bit.” Real parties as he considered them—where could one be found?

On the dance floor or with the drinking gentlemen?

He doubted either. His most satisfying gatherings came while he attended seminary.

When professors and their wives invited him and others over for dinner and fireside discussion.

Times of heartfelt prayer unlike any he’d been able to offer from the pulpit.

He wished upon wish to experience this kind of gathering again.

The man chuckled. “Enjoy your look at the ladies. When you’re married you gotta stop. ”

“I beg your pardon?”

The man boisterously laughed as he clapped another man on the shoulder and took a glass of wine from a servant.

Daniel meandered back down the hall to the ballroom. His first sight at the entry was indeed Miss Gray. One of the young slave girls took her wrap and bonnet. Peach silk fit neatly about her. Red hair arranged in a stunning fashion. A flower well-worth his attention.

The palms of his hands broke out in a sweat. He wiped them on his pant legs and shoved on his white gloves. He was about to greet her when a young man came protectively behind her. Held her elbow, no less. This was not their first meeting.

Her face turned and beamed at the young man who smiled back. The gentleman fairly glistened with pomade.

Daniel greeted them anyway. All’s fair in love and war. Not that he loved anyone yet. “How do you do, Miss Gray? I trust your aunt is well?”

“All of my aunts are hale and hearty, I thank you.” She offered a wide smile. “May I introduce you to Henry Childers?”

Childers nodded.

“He’s an expert horseman. Perhaps you two should talk.”

Of all the...Daniel’s face grew hot and sweat trickled down his scalp. A merry twinkle flashed in her eyes. He smiled past embarrassment. “I’m afraid Miss Gray must have noticed my need for training.”

Mr. Childers threw his comment with his chin, “You can’t live in Kentucky and not know how to ride a horse. It’s a man’s duty.”

“Indeed.” He bowed and excused himself. He walked clear across the room to the punch table. Far and away from the realm of patronization and embarrassment. To think he entertained the thought of wooing her! Posh.

He picked up a dainty cup of punch and swallowed it back with a gulp.

Good heavens, there was the blind girl, Miss Stanton.

Odd that she should be here. What was the point?

Her blue gown that draped to the floor reminded him of tropical flowers he’d seen in a famous New York greenhouse.

Her simple beauty, no one would find wanting.

Mrs. Ramshaw encircled her arm about Miss Stanton, leading her to the back of the room. Such a strange pair.

The young lady held herself erect, her expression daring anyone to talk to her.

Perhaps this was his time to do some good. He stepped forward. “Mrs. Ramshaw, I didn’t know you were coming. Excellent.”

“I don’t approve of dancing and such, but I don’t mind a good party. Have you met Clara?”

“I have not had that pleasure.”

“Clara, this is Reverend Daniel Merrick, the new minister. You’ve heard him preach.”

She offered her hand and he took it. “Pleasure to finally meet you. How long have you been in our town?”

Her countenance pinched like the edge of a blade. Like a woman, scorned. Beautiful, for certain, but sharp. “A few weeks at the most.” He squeezed her hand, a sign of release.

“Clara! There you are.” Her sister rushed to her side and linked arms.

“Lucy. Please excuse us, Mrs. Ramshaw. Reverend, I am sure we will meet again.” She dipped in a curtsey and allowed Lucy to steer her away. The two joined a larger circle of girls their own age.

Daniel offered his arm to Mrs. Ramshaw, no doubt as reluctant to be here as he. “How does Miss Stanton get on? I’ve heard she will never regain her sight.”

“I don’t know yet. She’s been rather private about the whole situation. She’ll be under my wing for these several months to come. I consider myself fortunate. She needs me.”

“Under your wing? ”