Hope was agitated the entire next day. When she wasn't fretting about the upcoming ball that evening and the dancing that she would be required to do, she was busy trying not to think of Pierce and the unsettling feelings she had for him. The day drug on in endless monotony; while the men gallivanted around participating in such endeavors as archery, shooting, and riding, the women found their entertainment in what Hope found to be extremely dull and tedious pastimes—embroidery and gossiping. She had no idea who lady such and such with the dreadfully long teeth was, nor lady so and so who had a penchant for slurping when she took her tea, so to dull the boredom she sat back and daydreamed about her writings that she had been severely neglecting since arriving at Ridgecrest Manor.
She was relieved when it was announced that it was time to begin preparations for the ball. She was also greatly relieved to have gone the whole day without a single glimpse of Pierce. She knew tonight she would have to fake like she enjoyed his company, or at least tolerated it, long enough for the engagement to be announced and the congratulations given. She wondered to herself how long she would have to be there before she could politely make her excuses and leave. She hoped that she would find some way to be able to escape the ball early.
The dress she was to wear to the ball was exquisite; its ivory skirts were overlaid with gold silk, the bodice and sleeves being made of the same shimmering gold silk as well. It hugged her every curve, just as if it had been made for her, not Noelle. She knew immediately when she had chosen to wear it, that the amber necklace Pierce had given her would match it perfectly. She had a strong desire to wear the gift, knowing it would complete her ensemble, but her pride prevented her from putting it on. The last thing she wanted to do was give him the pleasure. Instead, she opted for the simple ruby pendant of her mother's, hoping it would prove her point.
And indeed, it did just that. When Pierce arrived at her door to pick her up, the first thing he did was look down at the offending necklace and snarled, "Why in the heavens are you wearing that?"
"You don't like my dress?" Hope asked innocently.
"It'snot that. Your dress is beautiful. Why aren't you wearing the necklace I gave you? It would go perfectly with that gown."
She reached up and clasped the ruby in her hand. "I suppose I just thought this would look better."
"Perhaps you are just trying to incense me," he pointed out.
"Why would my choice of jewelry cause you any concern?"
"It'snot your jewelry that concerns me, it's your attitude. Now hurry up and go put my necklace on. We must not keep everyone waiting."
"I am perfectly capable of deciding what jewelry I would like to wear."
He turned her around and lightly tapped her on the rear end, shocking her. She turned to him and gasped, "Are you always so controlling?"
"Are you always so uncontrollable?"
"I think, Your Grace, that you are the only one who has a hard time managing me. Maybe you should rethink this arrangement."
"Noton your life. Now be quick."
By the time Hope returned, the sparkling amber teardrop necklace in place on her delicate throat, Pierce was anxious to put their fight behind them and to enjoy the evening. He could hardly wait to hold her in his arms, to dance with her as he looked into her captivating eyes that so perfectly matched the stones hanging from her throat.
But he should have known the little hellcat would endeavor to make the evening anything but enjoyable. The minute she stepped into the ballroom, all heads turned to stare. He noticed the look of interest that crossed many gentlemen's faces, and he couldn't say he blamed them. Noelle was by far the most beautiful girl in attendance. He watched as her eyes widened with wonder as she took in the elegant scene before her.
This was the first ball Hope had ever attended, and she was fascinated by the sight of so many beautifully dressed people amid such beautiful surroundings. She stood in the entrance to the grand ballroom and took it all in, from its walls hung with shimmering oriental fabric in red and gold, to the ornate wood columns, and the decorative plaster on the ceiling. That combined with the soft glow from the candles, created an almost magical ambiance.
Pierce watched her in awe, her excitement surprising and delighting him. Surely she had attended many balls and should have grown bored of such opulence by now, but with her, it was as if she was seeing the world for the first time and taking it all in. And he soon noticed that he wasn't the only one charmed by her.
LordTerrance had edged his way to where they were standing and bowed slightly before her. "It is with great honor that I stand before you, Milady. May I request this next dance?"
Hope looked at him apprehensively before agreeing, allowing him to take her hand and lead her onto the floor. Pierce watched the couple in shock, he had intended to claim her for the first dance and was incensed that the puny Lord Terrance had beat him to the punch.
He sulkily watched the pair perform a country dance and noticed that Noelle wasn't the most graceful dancer, though her beauty distracted anyone from noticing. He briefly wondered if her ankle was still giving her problems and made a mental note to ask her when they danced.
It was with increasing alarm and annoyance that Pierce watched one man after another seek her hand in a dance. He quickly joined in the dancing, hoping to distract himself from the unfamiliar twinges of jealousy that were ever-present in his chest. He had just finished dancing with Lady Smythe when he noticed Elliot step forward to claim Noelle for the next set. He quickly and impolitely turned from lady Smythe and stormed over to Elliot and Noelle, tapping Elliotforcefully on the shoulder.
"Pardon me, but I believe this dance is mine."
"Oh really, is your name on her card?" Elliot asked as he reached to see for himself.
"Wellyours certainly isn't so I suggest you leave so I can dance with myfiancée." Elliot looked at the pair shrewdly before bowing slightly and slowly retreating.
Hope turned wide eyes on him as he pulled her almost forcefully into his strong arms and the musicians struck up a waltz. "That was hardly necessary, Pierce."
"At least you're back to calling me by my given name."
"That'sbeside the point. The point is that you are intruding on the dance I should be enjoying with Lord Martineau."
His powerful arms drew her closer, smashing her chest against his hard one. "Would you rather he be holding you like this right now?"
"You are insufferable and rude and arrogant."
"And you have a gift for flattery. Now stop talking and just dance."
Hope reluctantly did as she was told, but only because if she didn't concentrate she would inevitably trip and make a fool of herself. She tried to focus on counting out the rhythm of the waltz to avoid the overwhelming sensation of being held so tightly in Pierce's arms. His masculine scent surrounded her, reminding her of what it felt like to kiss him, to taste him. She felt herself growing hot at the thought.
"Are you well?"
"What do you mean?" She barely managed to stammer, tripping slightly on his foot in the process.
"You seem to be struggling with the dance, and I was just wondering if your foot was still bothering you."
Hope was grateful for the excuse, though her foot had long ago ceased bothering her, she quipped, "Yes it is bothering me, but not as much as my partner. Maybe I should sit out the remainder of this dance."
Piercewaltzed her in the direction of a far balcony, where the doors were pushed wide open allowing a cool breeze to filter into the ballroom. He smoothly danced her out onto the balcony and into one dark corner before stopping, though his arms never let her go.
"Whatis this about?" she asked, looking up into his handsome face that looked almost frightful in the moonlight, the shadows dancing on his face making his eyes appear even more wicked.
Without saying another word, Pierce dipped his head and placed his hard lips on hers. She fought him at first, refusing to open her mouth to his, but it wasn't long before the feelings she had been fighting for so long resurfaced and, before she knew it, she was kissing him back with abandon. She reached up and placed her arms around his broad shoulders, toying with the dark hair at the base of his neck. His hands were on her neck, cupping her face as he ravenously kissed her with a passion and desperation that was foreign to even him. He felt a lock of her silky hair break free from her pins and fall down to caress his arm. He longed to reach up and unpin the rest, to let it flow down her back in waves of glimmering honey to see what it would look like in the light of the moon. Just as he reached one hand up to do just that, they were interrupted by a loud gasp.
"What the devil is going on here?"
Pierce turned, trying to shield Noelle with his body, but he felt her move to the side to see who had spoken.
"Devon? What are you doing here?" Her voice was weak.
"That what I should be asking you. I myself have only just arrived to surprise you. I figured somebody from the family should be here to support you at your engagement ball. What's your excuse for being out here acting so wantonly with him?" He gestured one hand angrily at Pierce.
Before she had a chance to answer, Lady Tolliver had made her way out to the balcony and was standing just behind Devon with a horrified expression on her face, "What, pray tell, is going on here?" Hope closed her eyes, hoping that when she opened them again, she would find herself in her bed instead of standing here facing this humiliation.
Pierce answered her, "Look, it's not what you think..."
Devoncut him off angrily, "Oh I am pretty sure it is what I think. I saw you both with my own two eyes. I should call you out for your appalling behavior towards my sister. If you hadn't planned on announcing your engagement tonight I wouldn't hesitate to do just that."
Pierce ran a hand through his hair. "An engagement?" Lady Tollivershrilled, "I most certainly would hope so after your scandalous behavior tonight. Your Grace, I am ashamed of you."
"Enough!"Pierce snapped, "We'll go back into the ballroom now and make the announcement immediately."
Devon turned to Noelle, "I suggest you fix your hair before making an appearance or there will only be more talk." He then turned on his heel and disappeared back into the room, Lady Tolliver huffing right behind him.
As soon as they were alone, Pierce turned to her and helped right her hair, "Don't worry, I will take care of all of this."
Hope tried to swallow the emotion that was clogging her throat. She was humiliated that they had been found in such a scandalous manner, and now Lady Tolliver would think they were announcing their engagement just to save her reputation. She didn't say a single word as she allowed Pierce to lead her back into the ballroom to make the dreaded announcement.