Free Mischief by Moonlight by Emily Greenwood Page A

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    At a party near the end of their second week, Edwina caught the attention of one gentleman in particular, Lord Mappleton. Josie had never seen her sister smile so much as she did when he lingered talking with her, though Josie couldn’t see that there was so much to smile about: Mappleton was wealthy and titled, but he didn’t seem to have an original thought in his head, and there was something almost too agreeable about him.
    There were, Josie was dismayed to acknowledge noticing, many finer men on whom to set one’s sights. London gentlemen were…fascinating. She was beginning to see how being kept apart from society, even the small society of Upperton, had closed down her view of the world, so that coming to London made her feel like a child in a sweetshop.
    She was enjoying herself far too much, and she was ashamed to realize that she’d gone whole days without thinking once about Nicholas. This was terrible, as was the sense she kept having that marrying would mean giving up so much potential , which was greedy and also ridiculous, because marrying Nicholas wouldn’t mean giving up parties and balls—as his wife, she’d likely attend far more. He had a family house in London as well as one in the country, and marrying him would be the beginning of wonderful things.
    So why had her impending marriage started to seem like an ending? She loved him, didn’t she? He was handsome and charming and so much fun.
    He’d told her he loved her.
    So why was she so peevish and unsettled?
    Oh where was Colin? They’d been in London for over two weeks, and still they hadn’t seen him. It was almost as though he were avoiding them.
    ***
    When Colin finally appeared at Maria’s house at the beginning of the following week to escort the ladies to their first ball, Josie was so happy to see his familiar face that she almost rushed forward to hug him, though she knew that would be excessive.
    He wore a black tailcoat and a snowy white shirt, and though she’d certainly seen him in black before, tonight there was something about him that whispered midnight things to her. Black hair, black coat, yes, but it was more to do with something dark and remote in his manner and a shuttered quality in his silver-green eyes.
    His greeting, while friendly, was detached—he merely nodded to her with a polite smile, then moved on to greet Edwina. He was preoccupied, or subdued, but whatever it was, he was far more reserved than usual. He might be that way with other people, but he’d never been like that with her. She tried to catch his eyes, but his gaze was always elsewhere.
    As the other ladies were adjusting their wraps, she moved closer to him and said, “Colin, I haven’t gotten a chance to thank you properly for asking Maria to sponsor Edwina and sending your coach for us. It was so very good of you.”
    â€œThink nothing of it.”
    â€œHow can I, when I know it must have been some trouble to you?” She smiled, wanting to encourage him not to be so remote, but he only gave another of those detached smiles.
    She reminded herself of how reserved he was and put extra warmth in her voice. “I know very well that the world of debutantes is not your realm. You did something extra for us, and especially for Edwina.”
    He inclined his head courteously in reply then looked away and told Maria they had best be on their way. As he escorted them out the door, never once did he show by any word or glance that it made any difference to him that she, Josie, was there.
    She felt a little crushed.
    On the way to his gleaming black carriage with its golden family crest, he enthused politely over their gowns and said what a fine evening it was for a ball. Josie was wearing one of the new gowns Maria had bought for her, a white silk with a bluebell-colored sash tied under her bosom and a matching bandeau in her hair. Her new blue satin slippers made her feet want to