“Where is he?” she asked no one in particular. But then she caught sight of him, heading toward the carriage house where his ride no doubt waited.
“Mr. Stallworth!” she shouted, heedless to the attention she was drawing as she chased after him. “Mr. Stallworth!”
He stopped and turned, and...there. There it was. The handsome face, the kind blue eyes. He had not changed a bit. His hair was still light blond and adorably rumpled, his lips full and smiling. His skin was slightly darker than it had been, but other than that, he might as well have walked straight out of her daydreams.
“Lady Sarah.” His voice was filled with warmth, and it was all the encouragement she needed. Racing toward him she did not stop until she was close enough to touch him. She caught herself just in time before she could reach for him, contenting herself with gazing at his handsome features, taking in every last detail of her beloved’s demeanor.
“How wonderful to see you again, Lady Sarah,” he said as he cleared his throat. Was he overwhelmed with emotion too?
She blinked up at him, her smile so broad it hurt her cheeks, but words… She had no words. Where to begin? She’d missed him so. She’d thought of him constantly. And yet, in all that time she’d never given any thought of what her first words would be when she finally saw him.
She saw the error of that lack of foresight now as she gaped wordlessly.
His gaze raked over her, taking in her green morning gown, the dark locks that were piled high atop her head.
“My, you have grown into quite the beauty.” His eyes were filled with such warmth she thought she might weep.
She didn’t. She thought about it, but she held in the emotion.
“Mr. Stallworth, you’re back.” She could have bit her tongue for her idiocy. All these months and her first words were to state the obvious.
“Indeed.” He beamed at her as though her words hadn’t been tragically prosaic. “I have so many tales to tell you about my journey. Stories you wouldn’t believe.”
Laughter bubbled up inside of her. “Yes, I should like that very much,” she said.
“Your mother was kind enough to invite me to attend the festivities surrounding your brother’s wedding,” he said.
Her heart soared. “Wonderful. That is...wonderful.”
Drat. What had happened to her vocabulary? This morning she had been well acquainted with the English language, and now…? Now she couldn’t express all this joy and excitement she was feeling if she had all the words in the world at her disposal.
He gave her a regretful grimace as he nodded toward the carriage house. “I really should be—”
“Wait, don’t go. Not yet.” Was that desperation in her voice? Oh dear. She cleared her throat, hating Mr. Stallworth’s sudden unease, his gaze darting left and then right to ensure they were not causing a spectacle.
That she was not causing a scene.
She forced some dignity into her tone as she added, “I merely meant, I will look forward to seeing you again soon.”
He visibly relaxed and she felt a surge of pride. Of course he liked her best when she was pleasant and cordial, sweet and smiling. What man wouldn’t? Besides, hadn’t he told her once, just last year, that it was the sparkle of joy in her eyes that made her the most beautiful lady in all the land?
The memory of those words, of that night...it had her lips curving up with a smile meant only for him. “I’m sure we have much to discuss.”
He blinked. “Er, yes. Of course.” He cleared his throat. “Lady Sarah, I—”
“Yes?” she prompted when he hesitated. Her heart felt as though it might melt in her chest. The dear man. So discomfited with nerves at seeing her again. So clearly overwhelmed with emotion.
I am too, she ached to say. She glanced around at the activity going on just behind her. But not here. Not now. For now she would have to settle for this.
He took a step toward her and her heart leapt. Shuffling through the snow, she ignored the cold wet that soaked through her slippers and stockings. She bit her teeth against a cold wind.
“Lady Sarah, there is much we need to discuss,” he started.
She grinned up at him. Oh yes. They had a whole life to plan. She leaned in closer, hoping to savor his warmth and inhale his scent. She would have to wait to feel his arms wrapped around her, but perhaps they would be waltzing together soon enough. “You will be attending the ball tomorrow evening, will you not?”
“The ball? Er, yes. Yes, of course. I look forward to seeing you there.” He shifted closer, those blue eyes sparkling with mischief and delight. “And Sarah…”
“Yes?” she breathed.
He would kiss her. She was certain of it. With servants around or not, he must have been just as tempted as she. Her eyes fluttered closed as her lips parted in breathless expectation.
“Sarah!” A low voice bit out her name, the sound so sharp it made her jump.
She whipped around to see that dreadful Everly approaching. Stalking toward her with murder in his eyes. An answering anger flared to life inside her as it always seemed to do when she was forced to be anywhere near the Earl of Everly.
Granted, she didn’t see him often. She hadn’t seen him once since Max had returned. The last time she’d had to bear his company had been at her father’s funeral.
The memory cast another prick of pain in that lovely bubbling happiness she’d felt upon seeing Mr. Stallworth. She cast a quick look back in his direction. Had he heard about her father’s passing?
She assumed not since he’d been away. If he’d known, surely he would have written to her. Perhaps even hastened his journey home.
But now was not the time to discuss it because he was backing away. Her brows came down as she half turned to watch him scrambling backward in the snow as though he would flee from the giant ogre named Everly who was marching toward them.
“You do not have to rush off,” she assured him under her breath.
But Mr. Stallworth was not looking at her, his gaze was fixed on Everly as he gave a nod and mumbled his greetings.
Everly ignored the other man. Of course he did. The abominable snob that he was, Everly likely refused to acknowledge anyone who did not have an ancient title attached to his name.
“Lady Sarah,” Mr. Stallworth said. “It was a pleasure.”
She turned, ignoring Everly as he’d ignored Mr. Stallworth. “Yes, indeed, Mr. Stallworth. I look forward to dancing with you tomorrow evening.”
Mr. Stallworth’s grin was sudden and adorably triumphant.
Was it brazen of her to suggest a dance? Perhaps. Everly would certainly think so.
She felt his large, overbearing presence at her back.
But his censure made her all the more glad that she’d been forward. He might have stood in her way the last time she’d hoped to unite with her love, but there was no way she’d let him ruin an opportunity for her again.
She waited until Mr. Stallworth had given one last wave and hurried into the carriage house before turning to face Everly, the smile melting off her face. “I suppose you’re pleased with yourself, running him off like that.”
“Hello, Sarah,” he said, that irritating smirk aimed at her with the full force of his conceit. “Lovely to see you again as well.”