“Thank you.” She followed him to the waiting carriage. “That makes me feel better. William said I was dressed like a lightskirt,” she admitted in a small voice. Then she remembered she’d forgotten her fan. “Perhaps I should go back inside and grab something to cover myself. I’m showing too much décolletage—”
“No.” So much authority rode in that one word that a shiver went down her spine. As Brand handed her into the carriage, he said, “Your brother is, quite frankly, a nodcock of the first order. He wouldn’t know a good thing if she came up and smacked him.” Seconds later, he came around and then climbed into the vehicle beside her. The close confines of the carriage meant his shoulder and leg brushed hers as he settled on the bench. “Why would you wish to cover such a wonderful form? If God has indeed given you those looks, be proud of them. You’re going to make the other ladies jealous.”
A queer little tremble went through her heart. “Hush, you.” Heat infused her cheeks as he set the horse into motion. She kept her hands tightly clasped in her lap. “I appreciate your regard all the same.”
“I’m only speaking the truth.” He took one of her hands and brought it to his lips, kissing her middle knuckle. Emotion clouded his eye that she couldn’t quite read. “Any man who tells you something differently tonight is a bald-faced liar and doesn’t deserve your time.”
“I’m so nervous. I’ve never been in society before.”
“Stick close to me and you’ll be fine.”
The excitement William’s comment had stolen came rushing back. “Is this your carriage?” She could barely sit still as they rattled along the cobblestone street toward the wealthy section of Ipswich nestled in the hills.
“Not at all.” He chuckled, and the sound resonated within her chest. “I borrowed it from the innkeeper. Traded a case of brandy for the privilege of bringing you to the admiral’s ball in style.” He glanced at her and shot her a grin that brimmed with wickedness. “After all, how often does a simple sailor have the opportunity to squire such a beautiful woman about?”
“I suspect you’re not a simple anything, Brand Storme.” More heat infused her cheeks. “Such flattery.”
“Again, the truth.” Confusion lined his expression. His mouth worked, but then he shook his head. “However, my friend John will put my sloop in the harbor on that side of town should we wish for a sail afterward. He’ll return the carriage to its owner, so I won’t need to in the middle of the night after escorting you home.” He guided the horse to one side of the road and then tugged on the reins.
“What are you doing?” Elizabeth frowned. Had he changed his mind in bringing her to such an exclusive society event?
“Your toilette is not yet finished,” he whispered and delved a hand into the interior pocket of his jacket.
“I don’t understand.” Had she forgotten something essential due to ignorance?
“A neck as graceful and elegant as your needs to be adorned.” He withdrew a necklace of fine silver filagree. The glimmer of opals winked in the setting sunlight. Eight in total, they were no more than half an inch in diameter, but they glowed with a life of their own. “I bought this for you a few days ago in anticipation of an appropriate time to gift it to you.”
“I couldn’t.”
“I wish you would.”
Tentatively, she touched a gloved fingertip to one of the stones. Thin veins of blue, green, and pink crossed through the milky interior. “You’ve already given me so much.”
“It’s not nearly enough, I suspect.” A certain fondness reflected in his eye that had hope blooming in her chest. “Let me do this. Turn.” When she twisted on the bench, a shuddering sigh left his throat. With gentle fingers, he settled the piece around her neck and fumbled with the fastening at her nape. The warmth of his breath on her skin sent awareness shivering through her. “Opals have always been associated with love and passion. Wearing one of these stones is said to bring loyalty and faithfulness.”
Joy danced in her heart. “You’ve certainly been that since I’ve met you.” She turned back around and found his gaze. “I couldn’t be more thrilled you’re with me.” Would that she had a mirror to see how the bauble looked on her.
Guilt and despair fought for dominance in his expression, gone when he shook his head. “You deserve every good thing in life, Lizzy. Never forget that.” He bussed her cheek and then took up the reins once more. “God, I’m so damned fortunate tonight.” The surprise and shock in his tones gave her pause. Was it possible he was truly seeing her as a woman he might need in his life for the first time?
Tamping on her hope and excitement, Elizabeth smiled. “Oh, Brand.” A tiny piece of her heart flew into his keeping. “There is no one quite like you in this world, and I’m glad of that.”
*
Two hours passedat Lord and Lady Nelson’s grand townhouse in next to no time. Elizabeth hadn’t a moment to catch her breath, for she’d been introduced to so many people she couldn’t remember their names. Brand was as charming as she’d ever seen him, and many of the men knew of him, either from the Navy or from his life in London and his family connections. The buzz of conversation and the laughter filling the rooms was so foreign to her that she couldn’t decide where to look or what to pay attention to.
Never had she seen such wealth. From the décor filling the townhouse to the clothing and jewels each lady had donned to the champagne circulating through the rooms on silver trays by servants in satin livery, everywhere she looked excess and luxury met her eyes. It was certainly a far cry from her humble beginnings and even how she lived now.
And it made her exceedingly uncomfortable. As much as she adored the feel of her new clothes against her skin and the coolness of the silver around her neck, this wasn’t her life. William’s words rang in her ears. Should she attempt to minister to these people, tell them the trappings that money bought wouldn’t insure a path to heaven?
Then Brand was there, concern etched on his brow. “I can almost hear you thinking, and it’s not my words you’re ruminating upon.”
“No, they’re not. William wants me to minister to these people.”
“Then he can come do the work. You are here to dance and have fun.”
“Perhaps.” Elizabeth pasted on a smile but didn’t know how successful it appeared. Pangs of guilt bounced through her gut. Was it fair that she ignored his entreaty when calling people to the Lord had been her life since before she could remember? “I can’t help it. This,” she gestured to encompass the large ballroom she currently stood in, “is all so… lavish. It’s a bit intimidating.”
“It is, rather.” He nodded and lifted a hand in greeting to a gentleman who called his name. A woman blatantly winked as she passed him. Clearly, Brand was no stranger to society life. “I can understand your wariness. It’s not how I would choose to live either, even if a little extra coin does make one’s existence that much easier.”