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“Who could possibly think badly of you?” Valeria asked. She knew that people had lost respect for her because of her brother’s crimes, but to think badly of Thomas—that didn’t make any sense to her. He had always been such a gentleman. There was nothing about him with which she could find fault.

“Well, you know these people are always looking for something to criticize,” Thomas said. “And I’m sure they don’t like me because of my title, or because they know I’ve inherited my father’s debts.” He smiled wryly. “Or simply because they didn’t like my father. I’ve told you all about him, so you won’t be surprised to hear that he wasn’t a very popular gentleman among the ton.”

“I suppose that doesn’t surprise me,” Valeria agreed. “Nobody liked Richard very much either, although it took me a while to realize the truth about him.”

“You’re nothing like your brother,” Thomas said. “Having met him, I can say that with certainty. It’s as if he didn’t get any kindness or decency, and you got double the amount. You got his share.”

Valeria smiled. “I may take you up on your offer of a walk in the garden,” she said. “I’m not feeling anxious at all… but it might be nice to get away on our own anyway.”

“The offer stands,” Thomas said. “Whenever you would like me to take you away, I’ll happily do so. And remember, this ismyhome, so I know all the secret exits. I know all the places to go where others won’t be able to find us.”

Valeria felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of what that might portend. If she could have, she would have walked away from this party right now to spend the night alone with Thomas. She would have loved to find a quiet room where they could sit together, just talking about what their future would look like, losing themselves in the sweet kisses that they had both longed for throughout their courtship but had so often restrained themselves from stealing.

He’s mine at last. After tonight, there’s nothing at all to stand between us.

She could wait one more night. She could last through one more party.

At last, the trickle of guests ceased, and Valeria and Thomas turned and followed them into the ballroom. There would be an hour of dancing before dinner was served, followed by more dancing. It looked to be a long night, but for once, that didn’t make Valeria unhappy. It didn’t matter what happened, as long as Thomas was by her side—as long as they were going through it together.

“Have I told you,” he said as he walked her into the ballroom, “how lovely you look tonight?”

She smiled. “You have, as a matter of fact. You said it when I first came down the stairs—”

“You took my breath away,” he said. “I didn’t think your beauty could surprise me, but it did.”

“And you told me again when you took me aside before we went into the foyer to greet our guests.”

“I had to say something to you alone,” he said. “I knew that once our guests started arriving, I would be hard-pressed to get a quiet moment with you.”

“And you’re telling me again right now,” she said, laughing.

“Well, perhaps it’s just that I think you can’t hear it enough,” he said, laughing with her.

“It’s the gown,” she said. “My aunt chose it.”

Thomas shook his head. “It isn’t the gown,” he said. “Don’t mistake me—it’s a lovely gown. The color brings out your eyes.” He took the fabric of her sleeve between his fingers, admiring the deep green color. “It makes them look even more blue than they already did, somehow.”

“That’s what Aunt Alberta said,” Valeria said.

“But that’s not what’s making you look so lovely today,” Thomas said. “To be honest, I don’t know exactly what it is. I just know that you look—radiant. Happier than I’ve ever seen you. And that expression on your face makes you impossibly beautiful to me.”

“I feel happier than I’ve ever been,” Valeria said, leaning into his touch. “This is the happiest day of my life, Thomas. I can’t believe it’s finally here.”

They had reached the dance floor now, and he pulled her into his arms and into a slow dance around the perimeter of the room. Valeria could feel the eyes of the guests upon them as they turned.

“Everyone is watching us,” she said.

“Of course,” Thomas said. “They’ve never seen anything as beautiful as you.”

She laughed. “I think you’re a bit biased,” she said. “You think I’m beautiful because you’re in love with me.”

“Oh, no,” he said “I’m able to see you clearly, despite the fact that my feelings for you are so vast. Believe me. If you could see a painting of yourself, you would see what I see.”

“I saw myself in the looking glass before I came down!”

“No glass could ever capture such beauty.”

“Oh, you’re teasing me.”