“Aren’t you a vision,” my great-grandmother said as I walked down the stairs in my ballgown. The dress was just a tad lighter than royal blue, with a white lacy overlay that reminded me of snowflakes. It was snowing outside, which made it all perfect.

I noticed that Grandmother was still in her afternoon dress from earlier. “Aren’t you going to the town social?” I asked.

She shook her head and kissed my cheek. “Not tonight, my dear. With Andrew gone, I’d rather stay here. If he comes back, I want to be here.”

“Are you sure? You can come with me and William.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said, snickering. “Helen and Jonathan will be there to keep you company. Besides, I’d just be in the way. You and William need some time to get to know each other.”

I hugged her tight. “So do we. You’re my grandmother.” Even if it was just a dream, I wished I could have more time with everyone.

With a heavy sigh, she patted my back and let me go. “I think I hear your beau coming now.” The thumping sound of the horse and the clanking of the carriage echoed in the air. The horse’s steps reminded me of thunder. A few seconds later, William approached the front door and my great-grandmother opened it. His eyes widened when he saw me in my gown, with my blonde hair pulled up into an intricate roll at the base of my neck.

“Good evening, Mr. Blair,” my great-grandmother greeted him.

He smiled at her and nodded, but his focus stayed on me. No other man had looked at me like that. I’d never felt more beautiful in my life. William walked up to me, raking his gaze up and down my body. “Adeline, you look,” his eyes met mine, “stunning.”

“Thank you,” I replied. “You’re rather handsome yourself.” His chestnut brown hair was combed neatly, and my fingers ached to run my hands through it. Not to mention, he looked sexy in his black pants and white button down, covered with a black tail coat. He held out his hand and I took it, shivering at the feel of his skin against mine.

My great-grandmother smiled and handed me a thick, wool shawl. “Be safe, but more importantly, have fun.”

William squeezed my hand and led me out to his carriage. The coachman opened the door and bowed his head as I got in. William shook the man’s hand. “Thank you, Frederick.”

The coachman beamed. “You’re welcome, sir.” Frederick climbed up in front and we were on our way.

I leaned in close to William. “I could’ve ridden a horse. You didn’t need to bring a carriage.”

He burst out laughing. “But Frederick is paid well, so I know he’s happy to take us.” His focus landed on my dress and I could see the heat building. “Also, I wouldn’t want you to ruin that dress of yours. I’m sure you would’ve worn a pair of pants, if it were allowed.”

I scoffed. “I’m not scared to wear pants in public. Don’t get me wrong, I like them better than dresses, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to wear this,” I said, gazing down at the blue gown, poofed out by the layers upon layers of crinoline underneath.

“I’m glad you did,” he said, holding my hand up to his mouth. Keeping his gaze on mine, his lips touched my skin, creating a zing of warmth to shoot up my arm. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What?” My heart stopped for a split second. Judging by the tension in his shoulders, it couldn’t be good.

The carriage came to a halt in front of the town hall and Frederick opened the door.

William sighed and kept hold of my hand. “I’ll tell you later.” He got out first and then helped me, which I was grateful for, as it took some finagling to get my skirt through the door. The 1860s were not playing around with the enormity of the dresses—they were beautiful, but not practical in the least.

Other townsfolk ventured into the town hall, wearing their fancy dresses. A lot of the women stopped and stared at me, their eyes lit with wonder.

“I think I’m going to make a lot of men jealous tonight,” William murmured, wrapping my arm around his. He held me close as we walked up the stairs.

When we got inside, I hung up my shawl, only to receive a couple of evil glares from some of the women. “I could say the same for the women,” I muttered quietly.

I’d always believed people were nicer back in the day, but it didn’t look like that was so. The same pettiness and jealousy were there, no matter what era. Don’t get me wrong, I loved a good competition, but I would never intentionally hurt someone. There was no reason to be that way. It was easier to be nice than mean.

“Adeline,” Hannah called.

William and I turned around to see her and Fred, arm in arm. She looked positively radiant in her green and gold dress. “Hello, Hannah. Mr. Simmons.” I bowed my head in greeting.

Smile wide, she hurried over and hugged me, while Fred shook William’s hand. “You look amazing in that dress,” she murmured.

“Thank you. So do you. Stunning.” I leaned in close. “Looks like you and Fred are getting along well.”

She giggled. “We are. We spent the entire night talking. He’s going to introduce me to his family.”

I hugged her again. “Oh, that’s wonderful news.”

Fred nodded at me and smiled before taking her away. Meeting parents was something I’d never done. I never got close enough to someone to have to do that. I spotted Helen across the room with another couple and waved at her. She waved back and smiled.

William guided me over to a group of three men who were in deep conversation. The tallest one had light brown hair and the same gray eyes as William. He watched us approach and reached for my hand, bowing his head as he kissed it.

“Ms. Adeline Hamilton, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” He lifted his head and let go of my hand.

William cleared his throat. “Miss Adeline, this is my uncle, Mr. Philip Blair.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said sweetly. Philip wasn’t very old, probably in his early forties. His nose was on the longer side and a little crooked, but all in all, he had that typical Blair charm. He stared at me curiously. Then again, I was different from all the other women there.

“I take it she’s accompanying you this evening?” Philip asked.

William’s jaw tensed. “Yes. I asked her to be my date.”

Philip huffed, then forced a smile. “Carry on then.”

Squeezing William’s arm, I nodded toward the dance floor. “Would you like to dance?” I asked, hoping it’d get us away from his uncle. I didn’t know how to do the fancy line dance the townsfolk were doing, but I was a fast learner.

William led me away from his uncle and I breathed a sigh of relief, especially when the line dance was over, and everyone grabbed their partners. There were three men in the corner who stood with their violins, and as soon as they started playing, I melted against William.

He held me close, his lips just a breath away. “What would you do if I kissed you, right here and now?”

Our bodies moved around the dance floor. It was as if no one else existed. “I dare say, I might not be able to control myself.”

His deep chuckle was music to my ears. I could feel the heat from his skin seeping into my body as he held my waist. “Neither would I.” I was lost in his gray gaze, that is, until I could feel the weight of someone’s stare. I looked over at his uncle, who still hadn’t taken his eyes off us.

Brows furrowed, William clasped my chin. “Everything okay?”

“Your uncle doesn’t seem to like me very much. I don’t remember meeting him last night.”

William looked back at his uncle and anger flashed in in his eyes. With a heavy sigh, he guided me off the dance floor to a private corner. “He was there,” he said, sounding frustrated.

“Why do you say it like that?”

He huffed. “Remember in the carriage, when I said I had something to tell you?”

“Yeah,” I replied nervously.

Before he could respond, James sauntered up to us and held out his hand. “Ms. Adeline Hamilton, you promised me a dance tonight, and I’m here to collect.”

I held up a hand. “Can you give us a minute, please? Mr. Blair and I are having a discussion. I promise I’ll find you.”

James’s grin widened. “Sorry, but that’s not going to do.”

William’s jaw clenched and the tension between them skyrocketed. He started to advance, but I stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Don’t,” I warned, keeping my voice low. “He’s just trying to get a rise out of you. The sooner I get this dance over with, the better. It won’t take long.”

“Go.” He growled, his rage-filled gaze on James.

About that time, James’s sister hurried up to William. Elizabeth looked to be a couple of years younger than me. It was obvious she came from wealth with her fancy red dress, expensive jewelry, and her golden blonde hair in an elegant up-do. She grabbed William’s arm, pressing her body against his. “Dance with me, Mr. William Blair?” she asked in a fake, sweet voice.

William looked at me, then back to her, sighing. “Okay.”

James pulled me away to the dance floor, but I kept my focus on William. The violins started to play, and we moved slowly around the floor, turning this way and that. “Her name is Elizabeth,” he informed me.

I shrugged. “That matters to me why?” I already knew who she was. Hannah had told me all about her.

James tilted his head, so I’d have to look at him. “It should, because she’s soon to be Mr. Blair’s wife. Didn’t he tell you?”

“What?” I gasped, eyes wide. My steps faltered, and I bumped into another couple. My heart sank, and it felt like I’d been punched in the gut. “When did this happen?”

By the grin on his face, he seemed much too pleased to be giving me the information. “Elizabeth is my sister. Our father approached William and his uncle just this morning.”

I wanted to cry, but all I could feel was anger. William should’ve told me before I opened my heart to him. Letting James go, I walked past him and grabbed my shawl, before rushing to the door.

“Adeline, wait!” James shouted.

Once out the doors, I sucked in a ragged breath, and surrounded myself with fog as I blew it out in the cold air.

The doors burst open and James rushed out. “I’m sorry for being the one to tell you. I thought you should know.”

“Something tells me you aren’t sorry at all,” I snapped. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I pinched my arm, expecting to wake up. The dream was quickly turning out to be a nightmare.

James ignored my request and walked down the rest of the steps toward me. “Do you want me to take you home?”

The doors opened, and William stormed onto the porch. “What’s going on out here?”

James stood close beside me. “I told her the truth about you and Elizabeth; how you’re going to get married.”

William’s face darkened and his fists clenched, but when he looked at me, I could see the turmoil in his gaze. “Adeline, you must let me explain.”

Holding up my hands, I backed away. “No thank you. I’d rather be alone right now. Go back inside to your fiancée. You’re being rude.” Turning on my heel, I hurried down the road, holding the shawl tight around my shoulders to seal out the cold.

“Adeline!” William shouted. He called for his carriage and I had no doubt he’d catch up to me.

I was so angry, I wanted to cry. My eyes burned, and it was the first time I’d ever felt truly heartbroken over a man. The roads were different than in my time, and once I got past the lamp posts, it was difficult to see. Thankfully, the moonlight reflected off the snow and helped illuminate the ground.

My house was only about two miles from the town hall, but I knew there was a shortcut through the woods. I’d had dreams before where I could fly. Having that ability now was exactly what I needed, only it didn’t feel like one of those dreams. The snow crunched under my feet and I looked back at my footprints. It wasn’t going to take William long to find me, even if I was in the woods.

A part of me wanted him to find me, but I was too disappointed in him. There had to be something wrong with me. In my dreams, I couldn’t even find happiness. I was starting to believe I was cursed. The thunderous sound of a horse’s gallop grew louder, until it stopped just outside the tree line.

“Adeline!” I ignored William’s shout and continued on my way. He wasn’t far behind me, but I could see my house through the trees. The candles in the windows were my guide. “Adeline, wait!”

Once out of the woods, I picked up my pace going down the driveway, until I got to the front porch. I looked back, and William was just a few yards away, his breaths frantic as he raced toward me. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stood my ground and glared at him. “What do you have to say, William? I’m tired and I’m ready to go inside.”

He marched up the stairs, eyes blazing. “If you’d have given me a chance to explain, you’d know that I have no intentions of marrying Elizabeth.”

“Why did James say you were?”

William scoffed. “You should know by now; he wants you for himself. When their father came to me this morning, he asked if I’d marry his daughter. When I said no, my uncle intervened and tried to make me change my mind. After the way he observed you this evening, now I know why he wanted to push the marriage.”

Shivers ran down my spine and I shook my head. “I’m not into older men like that.”

His lips tilted slyly. “I’m older than you.”

“You are, but not by much. I’m at least attracted to you.”

Closing the distance, he grasped my arms and pulled me to him. “Is that your way of saying you like me?” He slid his hands down my arms and wrapped them around my waist. His muscles flexed as I held onto him.

I looked up at his face and smiled. “I would think that’s pretty obvious. However, I am curious to know what your uncle said to try and change your mind about the marriage.”

Huffing, his jaw tensed. “He said you won’t come with as much wealth as Elizabeth. With your parents being gone, you’re left with nothing until Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton pass on.”

“Wow,” I said with a laugh. “What a bastard.”

“That he is,” he added, peering down at my mouth. “And there you go again, behaving differently than the other women around here. I love it.”

I shrugged. “I have a mind of my own. Soon, the men of this world will have to get used to it.”

He brushed a thumb across my lips. “They will, won’t they?” Cupping my cheek, his warmth seeped into my skin. “I think tomorrow we should make things between us public.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I want everyone to know you’re mine; that no one can have you but me.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Yes,” he murmured, his voice deep and sensual. “Is it what you want? That’s of the utmost importance.”

I looked above his head at a wreath that hadn’t been there before. Wrapped around the ribbons was the same mistletoe that Margaret had worn on her jacket at the rehearsal, and the same mistletoe inside my locket.

William followed my line of sight and smiled. “Mistletoe. You know what that means, don’t you?”

I bit my lip. “Why don’t you tell me.”

He brought his other hand to my face. “How about I show you.”

Time seemed to stand still as I waited for his lips to touch mine. When they did, it was as if everything inside me was brought to life. Ending the kiss before I was ready, he pressed his forehead to mine, breathing me in.

“I’ve been dying to do that since the first moment I met you. With the mistletoe, I had an excuse.”

Letting his arms go, I reached for my locket and opened it. His eyes widened when he saw what was inside. “You could’ve kissed me then too.”

“I’ll remember that tomorrow,” he said, chuckling. “Do you always walk around with mistletoe in your locket?”

I shrugged. “Not usually. I was told certain kinds of mistletoe can bring you happiness. I’m beginning to think that’s true.”

William kissed me again and I melted in his arms. “Do me a favor and don’t tell anyone you have that in your locket. I’m afraid of what I’ll do if I see another man kissing you.”

“You have nothing to worry about.”

“Good. I’ll be here tomorrow morning to pick you up. There’s somewhere I want to take you.”

This time, I kissed him. “Can’t wait.”

He stepped back, his hungered gaze raking down my body. “As much as I love seeing you this way, I need you to pack some pants tomorrow. Can you do that?”

“What are you up to, Mr. Blair?” I asked, narrowing my gaze at him.

Chuckling, he shook his head. “You’ll see. Sweet dreams, Miss Adeline.”

I was having sweet dreams, and I wasn’t close to wanting to wake up. All I wanted was more time.