"Are you well, darling? You look so pensive."
She stared at his face, so handsome, yet that of a stranger in some ways. "I'm just so startled by all of this. I had not expected Thomas to give in to me on the question of marriage. And falling in love with you, well, it has truly been so sudden. I've never experienced anything like it before."
"Neither have I," he said truthfully, all thoughts of his former wife having resolved themselves. It had been a painful time in his life, but could in no way be compared to what he had known ever since he had first laid eyes on Elizabeth coming up the beach toward him that bright yet stormy summer's day.
"But I know it was meant to be. The cave can be our secret, special place, but our love can now come out into the open at last."
He rose from the sofa and took her arm, helping her to her feet. She took one more sip of the wine, and asked him to kiss her once more. There it was again…. Far too thrilling to resist….
"Come, Elizabeth, we must meet Thomas now, before I forget I'm a gentleman and make love to you on this carpet with no thought for his anger or your embarrassment."
She blushed as red as a peony, and allowed herself to be led from the room.
Thomas was waiting for them as promised, and gave them a long look. Then he grinned.
"We need that special licence for sure, the sooner the better. I ought to be horrified that my little sister is so in love, shall we say, but really, I couldn't be more pleased."
They entered the ballroom together then, and Thomas signalled to the musicians to stop playing.
They did so, all eyes turning to the Duke. Everyone had taken off their masks and cloaks, and she saw a sea of friendly faces admiring her lovely gown.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have a few things I would like to say. Firstly, thank you all for coming. It has been a most enjoyable evening, and my sister and I look forward to many more such evenings as this in the near future.
"Secondly, don't forget to hand in your guesses as to the identity of each of the guests with a number this evening, and we shall make sure the prizes are distributed tomorrow.
"Finally, and most importantly, I have the unexpected pleasure of announcing that I have just given my consent for my sister to be wed. The servants are coming around with glasses of champagne, but for the moment, I want us all to give our warmest congratulations to the happy couple.
"I give you Lady Elizabeth, and none other than Colonel Wilfred Joyce."
Chapter Eighteen
After making the announcement about their engagement, the Duke of Ellesmere took his sister's hand and Will's and put them together.
The happy and stunned couple both smiled at each other, feeling as if they were floating on air.
The announcement certainly took quite a few people by surprise, not least Marcus Fitzsimmons, whose beaming smile of joy became a black scowl of fury.
He made a choking sound which could be heard half way across the room.
Elizabeth ignored his livid response and smiled up at Will.
His appearance had altered so materially that she could not believe he was the same man. His eyes sparkled like a sun-kissed sea and his even white teeth nearly blinded her with his dazzling smile.
"Thank you for making me the happiest of men," he said softly, kissing her hand.
"I shall try to make you the happiest husband, I promise."
"You don't need to try, my love. One kiss and you had all of me, heart and soul. I only hope you feel the same."
She nodded, and said honestly. "Yes, I do. It's been very sudden, but I do."
"Save those words for our wedding day, my darling."
Will kissed her on the lips, nearly knocking the breath from her body even though it was only the lightest peck.
There was warm applause from all of their friends. Some of the others in the company like the Lynches grumbled in discontent, while the Teague brothers elected to leave the ball. As far as they were concerned, the Duke and his sister had shown their true colours, and were simply too dangerous or undesirable to know. A convicted traitor and a Radical politician's sister were just not the sort of people they could afford to be associated with.
Elizabeth remained blissfully unaware of the tension and undercurrents in the ballroom and gazed up at Will as if she were afraid he would vanish again if she took her eyes off him for one second.
Thomas and Stewart now both stood side by side and together the two stunning dark-haired men proposed the toast.
"To the happy couple."
"The happy couple," everyone echoed.
"To my darling sister, long life and happiness, with Will by her side always."