Free 03 - The Wicked Lady by Brenda Jernigan

the young girl. "It's nice tae meet ye." She smiled at Elizabeth, feeling very sorry for the girl who seemed to have an overbearing mother.
    "Yes," Mrs. Clayton commented, then added in a haughty tone, "Isn't this a bit sudden?" Her expression held a touch of mockery.
    Trevor raised a brow. "You know what they say about true love." He pressed gently on Kristen's waist, and they moved away from the nosey old woman and on to another group.
    Kristen smiled and listened, all the while thinking how shallow and boring these people were . . . and most were snobs.
    How could Trevor like any of them?  They were such phonies and much too busy trying to impress everyone.  That left very few who were truly themselves.
    Kristen gazed out across the ballroom and marveled at the beautiful dresses in every color imaginable. For just a moment, she could see another ballroom with a lady who looked just like herself dancing with a very distinguished gentleman. They were a fine looking couple, gazing lovingly into each others' eyes. Then a child of no more than three or four ran up to them and the couple swung her up into their arms.
    She shivered and blinked several times. Why did she keep slipping back into this imaginary world she had created for herself--and at the most unexpected times? She had done it since she was a child. She could understand creating an escape world when she was on the streets.  But now things were different, and the vision was happening more often. Perhaps she was a little touched in the head.
    "Are you all right?"  Trevor's expression showed his concern.
    "Aye," she murmured and followed him to a secluded nook of the ballroom.
    Finally, when they were alone, Kristen whispered to Trevor. "Do you really like these people?"
    He shrugged. "Perhaps a few. Why do you ask?"
    "They are so bumptious." She knew her face must be very pink because she could feel the heat in her cheeks, but that didn't stop her from continuing. "If this is all ye have tae call friends, no wonder ye came looking for me."
    Trevor chuckled. "I dinna come looking for you." He mocked her accent, and Kristen frowned at him. "If you recall, you found me."
    " 'Tis true."  She smiled. "Must have been fate. But yer the one who decided tae keep me."
    He looked deep into her eyes. All the humor had left his expression. "It's a decision that I haven't yet regretted." He lowered his head as if he was going to kiss her.
    "We'll have none of that," Rodney said, walking up behind them. "It's bad enough you've shown up at the Cranford ball when you've not attended another function in the last six months. That, in itself, is enough to set the tongues wagging, but then you make an appearance with your future wife, which--" Rodney chuckled, then continued, "--has sent many a young woman crying to her mother. And now you have the audacity to show everyone that you might care for this woman by kissing her in public and crushing what little hope the mothers had that Kristen was merely a passing fling." Rodney took a deep breath. "Just where is your decency?" 
    "Rodney, did anyone ever tell you that you talk far too much?" Trevor asked.
    "Yes."  Rodney grinned, adding, "On occasion."
    "Good, because I didn't want to be the first." Trevor grinned. "Who are you here with?"
    "No one," Rodney replied offhandedly, then reached over and grabbed Kristen's hand. "This way, I can be the first to dance with your lovely lady."
    Kristen tried to suppress a giggle as Rodney led her onto the dance floor.  She hadn't uttered a sound, but once they were in the middle of the crowd she found her voice.  "I canna dance."
    Rodney peered at her for a long minute. "You're serious, aren't you?"
    "Very."  She nodded her head.
    "Then, I shall teach you," he simply said. "Here. Put your hand on my shoulder and the other goes here." He took her hand in his. "Now don't be so stiff and watch me. Move when I move, and don't look down." He cautioned. "There is nothing to it."
    Kristen