Olivia couldn’t stop her laughter as she twirled with Damien around the room. “Has anyone ever told you you’re incorrigible?” “It would have been infinitely more intolerable to suffer through a quadrille when that particular dance wouldn’t allow me to hold you in my arms.” “It’s not acceptable to bribe the orchestra, Lord Iversley.” “I know.”ĭamien arched his brows in a look of feigned innocence. “They’re playing a waltz,” she said in surprise.ĭamien pulled her into his arms and held her close.
Olivia came to a halt when the music started. He led her onto the crowded dance floor and turned her toward him. “I know.” Olivia gave her father a loving kiss on the cheek followed by a quick hug, then went with Damien as his hand wrapped around her waist. Your mother would have been elated, Olivia.” The two of you are considered quite the match. “I don’t think there was an invitation turned down for tonight. “I think it’s time the two of you joined our guests on the dance floor before you can’t find room,” Olivia’s father said, motioning to the crowded ballroom with a proud look on his face. The elegant woman recovered quickly, however, giving them another of her most regal smiles before walking into the crowd with her husband following absently behind her. She wondered how many ladies here tonight lived in loveless marriages and envied her for the love she and Damien shared. She wondered if Lady Pottingjay had been as happy as she was tonight, then watched that joy dim until the light died. Olivia wondered if Lady Pottingjay had once had dreams of a love-filled marriage. Olivia noticed a flash of regret in the countess’s eyes when she glanced at her husband. “I dare say, they don’t know what they are missing.” He lowered his gaze to catch Olivia’s and held it. “That’s most unfortunate,” Damien answered, twining his fingers with hers. It happens so seldom among those of our acquaintance, you know.” “It’s lovely to see true love in a couple just starting their lives together. “I would like to think so, Lady Pottingjay. “I assume you are responsible for the glow on Lady Olivia’s face, my lord.”ĭamien bowed then looked at Olivia with an expression of extreme satisfaction. “Lady Olivia,” the countess said, reaching for Olivia’s hand and squeezing it tightly. She tried to control her exuberance as she accepted the Countess of Pottingjay’s greeting. Olivia’s father’s voice interrupted her thoughts and forced her to turn her attention back to her guests. A few more months and she’d be Damien’s wife. Just a few more months and she’d be the Countess of Iversley. There wasn’t another female in all of London who was as blessed as she to be the woman he’d picked to be his bride. There wasn’t another man in all of London who was nearly as handsome. The gleam in his eyes made his rugged good looks even more breathtaking. How could he say something so intimate when there was no chance of escaping the nearly five hundred people who’d come for their betrothal celebration? When all she wanted to do was throw her arms around his neck and kiss him?Īs if he knew what she was thinking, he tipped back his head and laughed-a deep, rich, caressing sound that wrapped around her heart and held it. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.Ī shiver ran the length of her body, warming her in the most surprising places. His full lips parted just enough to expose a set of beautiful white teeth, and she felt an even more intense stab of desire. Oh, how she wished he’d kiss her like he had the last time they were together.Īs if he’d read her thoughts, he smiled and the two creases that dented either side of his mouth deepened.
Oh, how she wished she and Damien could go somewhere private. She knew it must be sinful to feel this way, but she couldn’t help it.
It was this way every time she was near him. Olivia felt a searing heat spread through her body. It’s not possible for me to be happier.”ĭamien reached for her hand and held it, then gave her fingers an affectionate squeeze. “Are you happy, Liv?” Damien smiled down at her and his midnight-blue eyes sparkled with affection. Damien’s mother, Lady Iversley, stood blissfully beside her son. Lady Olivia Sheridan knew without a doubt that she was the luckiest person on earth as she stood in the receiving line with her beaming father, the Marquess of Pellingsworth, on one side and her fiancé, Damien Bedford, Earl of Iversley, on the other.