“Amelia?”

Harmonia walked into Amelia’s room at the sound of her voice, seeing her sit at the dressing table as the maid finished with her hair.

“You look wonderful,” Amelia smiled, as Harmonia stood in the middle of the room. “I am quite sure that Lord Newford will be very appreciative of the effort you have gone to.”

Harmonia blushed, looking down at her cream gown that seemed to sparkle with a silver sheen. It was a new gown bought specifically for this occasion and she hoped that what her sister said was true.

“A sparkling jewel,” Amelia said again, as Harmonia pulled on her gloves. “You are truly lovely, Harmonia. I mean it.”

“I thank you,” Harmonia replied, as Amelia rose. “However, before we go, might I speak to you for a moment?”

Amelia frowned and quickly dismissed the maid. “Of course. Is something the matter?”

Harmonia paused. “No, nothing is wrong. I was hoping our paths would cross earlier today so I could talk to you, but since they did not I thought it best I seek you out to tell you what I learned last night.”

Amelia relaxed slightly realizing that some of her worst fears were not what her sister had come to speak to her about. Nonetheless, she knew what was going to come next was important.

“I should inform you that Lord Newford called last evening,” Harmonia said to her calmly.

Amelia sat down in a chair by the fire, gesturing for Harmonia to take the other. “You did not allow him in, I hope?”

Harmonia flushed, waving her sister’s concerns away. “The butler was reluctant as well, Amelia, but Lord Newford insisted that he speak to me on an urgent matter and so, with the door wide open, I saw him in the library.”

“Harmonia!” Amelia exclaimed, looking both horrified and astonished. “What were you thinking? Your reputation, your –”

“Amelia, let me finish please,” Harmonia interrupted, firmly. “Once I tell you of what Lord Newford came to say, I am sure you will understand.” She watched as Amelia frowned but closed her mouth, clearly willing to listen to whatever Harmonia had to say.

“Thank you,” Harmonia murmured, sitting down carefully. “Lord Newford came to speak to me about Luke.”

“Luke?”

Harmonia nodded, trying not to be irritated by her sister’s interruption. “He told me of what has recently been discovered about Luke’s less than stellar habits. He is deep in debt, it seems.”

Amelia’s eyes widened, her face regaining a little of its color. “In debt? From what?”

“Lord Newford said mostly gambling but I believe he is also spending his coin on other nightly activities,” Harmonia replied, aware of the blush that rose to her cheeks. “Lord Newford did not say specifically but he made that suggestion carefully so that I would understand.”

There was a short silence as Amelia stared at Harmonia, clearly as taken aback as Harmonia had been the previous evening.

“He has kept all this from us, from society as a whole, but Lord Newford believes it will all come out soon enough. Luke wishes to wed me since I am the only lady of his acquaintance with a rather large dowry,” Harmonia continued, with a sad smile. “Lord Newford came to warn me about him, telling me that, in light of all this, he does not know if Luke will give up as easily as we might have hoped.”

“Goodness,” Amelia breathed, looking completely stunned. “Have you spoken to father about this?”

Harmonia shook her head. “No, I thought it best to wait until I spoke to you first. I was not quite sure what papa’s reaction would be and thought that now might not be the right time. It would come as quite a shock, I believe.”

Amelia nodded slowly. “I believe you are right. Thank you for telling me, Harmonia. Whilst I cannot condone that you were alone with Lord Newford at such a late hour, I can understand his urgency to see you.”

Relieved, Harmonia smiled. “I am glad you understand. Now, shall we go to the ball?”

Amelia shook her head, her expression still one of shock. “I cannot quite take it all in, Harmonia. Luke, our cousin, the one we thought we knew so well.”

“We must simply be careful of him, I think,” Harmonia replied, trying her best to be practical and unafraid. “If Lord Newford is correct in what he says, then Luke might still try to coerce me into matrimony. It is, after all, the only way to secure freedom from his debts.” She rose to her feet and smiled. “Come now, we must go. I do not particularly want to be late.”

Aware that Amelia was still completely shocked, Harmonia tried to encourage her sister to rise from her chair, wondering if she had done the right thing in telling her just before they were due to leave for Lord Newford’s ball. Thankfully, after a few minutes, Amelia gave herself a slight shake and followed Harmonia from the room and down towards the carriage. However, even as they drove to Lord Newford’s ball, the shock still lingered on Amelia’s face.

“Have you your mask?” Harmonia asked, as the carriage drew nearer.

Amelia nodded and, within a few minutes, both sister’s faces were covered. Harmonia wore a small white mask with a few graceful feathers on one side and glittering jewels on the other. She did not think that it hid her appearance too well but for that she was quite glad. She wanted Lord Newford to be able to find her.

The moment they stepped into the ballroom, Harmonia felt her heart lift free of all the concerns and worries she had over Luke. Amelia too, it seemed, forgot about the matter entirely and began to exclaim over the ballroom, the décor, the orchestra and almost everything else she could see. Given that it was a masquerade, there were no introductions to be made, and initials only were signed on Harmonia’s dance card.

Worried that she would not find Lord Newford before her dance card was filled, Harmonia glanced around the room but saw nothing but masked guests, unable to tell one from the other. Gentlemen greeted her, nodding or bowing, complimenting her on her appearance and her mask but still Harmonia could not seem to find Lord Newford.

“I do hope I have found you in time,” said a low voice in her ear and, with an immediate smile, Harmonia turned towards the masked gentleman she knew to be Lord Newford.

“I believe you are in luck, my lord,” she murmured, looking up at him and finding his simple black mask to be rather more intriguing than some of the other more ornate masks that others wore. “I have a waltz left as well as the supper dance.”

He smiled at her and Harmonia felt her stomach flip, a rush of heat spreading right to her very fingertips.

“I shall put my name down for both, then,” he murmured, writing his initials down. “I am already looking forward to it.”

“And thank you for what you said to me previously,” Harmonia continued, trying her best to be as discreet as possible. “I spoke to my sister of it and, together, we hope to ensure that our family detaches from the man in question as best we can.”

His eyes flickered. “Does your father know?”

Harmonia shook her head. “Not yet, but he will. Once he has regained his strength, for I know that this will, in fact, come as something of a shock.”

“Of course,” he murmured, inclining his head. “I am glad that you do not think ill of me.”

Realizing that he might mean more than just the conversation they had shared about Luke, Harmonia shook her head and, discreetly, touched his sleeve. “No, not in the least, my lord. There was nothing to be upset about. I felt quite the opposite, I assure you.”

His smile was brilliant, her inner core melting as she recalled with a sudden intensity what it had been like to have him kiss her so gently and yet with such passion.

He must have felt it too for, somewhat abruptly, he cleared his throat and gave her a short bow. “I had better return to the rest of my guests,” he said, quickly. “I look forward to our dances, Lady Harmonia. Good evening.”

“Good evening,” Harmonia whispered, watching him walk away. With a happy sigh, she turned back to Amelia who was in deep discussion with another of her acquaintances, casting Harmonia a quick look as she turned back to face them.

The ball went wonderfully well. Harmonia danced with each gentleman in turn and, when it came to Lord Newford’s dance, felt as though she were dancing on air. He was kind and generous, smiling at her as they danced and pretending, for the most part, that he had very little idea of who she was. She laughed at that and shook her head, enjoying his teasing and jest very much. The more she danced with him, the more she spent time with him, the more she was sure that there was something real between them both.

“Might I ask you a question?” he asked, softly, as their waltz came to an end. “I know that it is a strange place to discuss something so serious with you, but I feel I should have said something long before now.”

“Goodness,” Harmonia replied, sounding a little surprised. “I do hope you are not ill or the like?”

He laughed and shook his head. “Nothing so grave,” he replied, with a smile. “Might we step outside to the balcony for a moment? Your sister is welcome to join us.”

Harmonia murmured quickly to Amelia, who shook her head and waved her off, telling her that so long as she remained within sight of the other gentlemen and ladies out walking in the gardens, there was no particular danger to her reputation – especially when they were all masked. Harmonia, of course, promised that she would do just as Amelia asked and retuned to Lord Newford at once.

“I am glad your sister has such a trust in me,” Lord Newford commented, as they walked alongside each other, stepping out in the cool evening air.

“Of course, she does,” Harmonia replied, with a warm glance in his direction. “She knows I have nothing to fear from you.”

Lord Newford smiled, his eyes glad. “It means a great deal to me.” Walking in silence for a few minutes, he then offered her his arm which she took without hesitation. It was fairly dark, and the paths were lit by beautiful lanterns, which Harmonia couldn’t help but admire.

“You have done a wonderful job of hosting the ball, Lord Newford,” she commented, softly. “I am very glad to have been invited.”

“It is my pleasure to have had your company here,” he replied, at once. “Lady Harmonia, I know this is perhaps a little too late in the asking, and I know, of course, that I will need to approach your father – in fact, perhaps I should have done that first, but –” He stopped and looked at her, ensuring they were at a quiet spot. “Might I have permission to court you?”

Harmonia felt her heart soar into the heavens. “My dear Lord Newford,” she laughed, her eyes dancing. “You need not look so afraid, for surely you cannot imagine that I would refuse you!”

Seeing the relief etched on his features, highlighted by the lantern’s light, Harmonia shook her head and laughed again. “Of course, Lord Newford, I would be delighted to accept your court.”

He did not say anything for a moment, simply patted her hand with his and then began to walk again, turning them back towards the house. “I am delighted to hear it, Lady Harmonia. You cannot imagine the torment that has gone on in my mind over this moment.”

“Torment?” Harmonia enquired, a little surprised to hear him say such a thing. “I am sorry for that.”

Shaking his head, he pressed her hand for a moment. “I thought I might have overstepped.”

“No, indeed,” Harmonia replied, softly, suddenly very glad for the mask she had on her face which hid her blush. “You did not, I promise you. If there has been any impropriety let me assure you that we are both to blame.”

“Then,” he said, quietly, as they came to the door that led back into the ballroom, “can I be assured of your father’s agreement, should I ask him permission to court you?”

“I doubt you will even manage to get the words out before he consents,” Harmonia promised, thinking that she had never felt as happy as she did at that very moment. “You need have no concerns in that regard, Lord Newford, although I shall have to accept your courtship all over again once he consents, since that is the expected way. My father knows my feelings towards you.”

Without saying a word, he took her hand from his arm and bent over it, pressing the briefest of kisses to it. The action took her breath away, the sensation of his lips on her skin sending gooseflesh up her arm.

“And I hope you have no doubt of my feelings towards you, my lady,” he said, softly, before stepping aside so that she might return to Amelia.

“May I say that you are practically glowing,” Amelia commented quietly as Harmonia approached with as much decorum as she could. “I take it your walk was a pleasant one?”

Harmonia grasped her sister’s arm and, together, they walked to find a quieter spot in the ballroom where they might not be overheard.

“Amelia, he has asked to court me!” Harmonia whispered, breathlessly, her fingers digging into her sister’s arm. “Can you believe it?”

Amelia laughed softly and took Harmonia’s fingers away from her arm. “I can see that you had no doubt about accepting him, then?”

“No, indeed,” Harmonia replied, her eyes bright. “I told him that father would agree, of course.”

“Of course,” Amelia agreed, her face alight with happiness for her sister. “You know papa only wants the best for you, and I am quite sure he no longer thinks that Luke would be a suitable match for you.”

Harmonia nodded slowly. “I will speak to him first, before Lord Newford speaks to him, so that he is quite clear about my wishes. The last thing I want is for papa to send him away without his agreement!”

“And we must speak to him about Luke,” Amelia reminded her, softly. “Mayhap tomorrow, after we have broken our fast.”

Feeling as though she wanted to spin around the dance floor in delight, Harmonia clasped her hands together tightly and tried not to smile too brightly. However, the happiness and joy she felt was almost too much to be contained, especially when she knew that the supper dance with Lord Newford would soon be approaching.

“Now, do try and keep such news to yourself for a time, Harmonia,” Amelia laughed, putting her arm around Harmonia’s waist and turning her back to the guests. “At least until papa has had the opportunity to give his consent. Then you and Lord Newford can tell as many people as you wish that you are courting – although I doubt very many will be surprised. A wedding by the end of the Season will be on the cards, I think.”

Harmonia blushed and shook her head. “I am trying not to think too far ahead, Amelia, although I confess that my thoughts have been going in that direction of late. It is ridiculous, I know.”

“I do not think that he will turn away from you, nor you from him,” Amelia replied, calmly. “This courtship will lead to only one thing, and I am truly happy for you. Take the time to get to know him, to understand him and, in time, a proposal will be made, and I know you will accept. Remember I stand before you as one who has been in love and one who still is in a union of love and affection. I can tell by the way that you look at him, the way you speak of him, that there is a root of love already growing in your heart. And, as for him, I know that he would not have come to speak to you about Luke in such a flurry of haste and dismay if he did not have a strong affection for you. There is longevity in this, Harmonia, I am quite sure of it. Enjoy the time you have together. It is only the start of your path.”

Harmonia drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, her heart filling with a new understanding of the feelings she had for Lord Newford. She loved him with a deep, abiding love, one that would not be pushed away or forgotten about. This was what it felt like to be so caught up with another, to have your mind and heart so filled with them that you could think of nothing else. It would be a love that would endure should they find their way together. Nothing could take her away from him, and even now she was ready to commit to him should he ask it of her. It was all so wonderful that Harmonia wanted to laugh and cry in the same moment, already looking forward to speaking with her father so that she might accept Lord Newford’s courtship without hesitation. Soon, the ton would know that they had an attachment – as would Luke. It would prove to Luke once and for all, at least, that she had no intention of agreeing to his courtship for she was still quite sure that he had not given up in his attempts, although he had been rather absent of late.

“Here comes your next partner, Harmonia,” Amelia murmured, as she grasped Harmonia’s elbow and led her out back into the crowd. “I know he is not Lord Newford but do try your best to engage in some conversation. It will be the supper dance before you know it.”

“And I can hardly wait,” Harmonia murmured, before taking the arm of her next dance partner.