Page 35 of One Naughty Christmas Night

Her mother turned to her father, who handed her a small velvet bag.

“Here you are, my dear Victoria,” she said, handing Victoria the bag.

Victoria tried to control the trembling of her hands, but she couldn’t.

Heath stood and held out his hand so she could turn the bag over, emptying its contents into his hand.

“Oh, Mama,” she said, tears welling up. “Are these Gram’s earrings?”

She held the emerald earrings up, staring at them in the candlelight.

Her Gram’s earrings were large, emerald cut emeralds, surrounded by small pearls, making it a perfect match for her brooch.

“They’re beautiful,” she whispered, trying to keep the tears from falling.

Her father grabbed his handkerchief and handed it to her, Victoria passing the earrings off to Heath to free her hands to dab her eyes.

“Thank you, both,” she said, reaching out to hug them.

“You’re welcome, dear. And they go so well with that beautiful brooch,” her mother said, looking at it once more. She kissed Victoria on the cheek, and they turned to the door when the butler arrived, announcing that it was time for the ball.

Heath stood in the hallway leading to the ballroom, Victoria’s hand in his.

Her Gram’s earrings hung from her ears, shining brightly with his grandmother’s brooch.

“Are you excited for this evening?” he asked.

“I am. I can’t wait to dance.”

“My mother has instructed me not to let you fill my dance card for the evening, as I must dance with others.” A pout plumped her lips. “I’ll be sure that there are onlya fewothers.”

He didn’t want to dance with anyone else anyway.

“I’ll be able to satisfy my mother’s obligation that I dance with others at the same time, then we can come back together and consider our responsibility fulfilled.”

Their attention was drawn to the doorway as his parents were announced, entering the ballroom to loud applause.

Victoria’s parents were next, then Quinn and Valentina, and then it was their turn.

“Ready?” he asked, stepping into the doorway.

“I am,” she replied, smoothing her dress.

They were announced and walked into the ballroom, Victoria’s gasp reaching his ears.

The large chandelier shone brightly in the middle of the room, the diamonds casting light throughout the ballroom.

Garland hung from every free space, berries and holly and pinecones adorning each one. His mother had a large tree brought in and placed in the corner by one of the tables, decorated festively with the same garland covering the ballroom, and more of her popcorn garland.

“I heard Mimi complaining about the popcorn again,” he whispered, pointing at the tree.

Smothering her giggle with a hand, many people looked their way.

Leading her on, James and Ophelia Bastion blocked their path.

“Good evening, Lady Murray,” he said with a curt bow. “Lord Wellington.”

“Lord Bastion,” Victoria replied with a deep curtsy. She turned to Ophelia. “Lady Bastion.”