Free Mischief by Moonlight by Emily Greenwood Page B

skip across a dance floor. She felt pretty and gay, and she thought Colin might say something particular about how she looked tonight, but he didn’t.
    He handed them deftly into the carriage and sat next to Edwina and opposite Josie, wearing a pleasant smile that suddenly seemed out of place paired with the bold jutting of his large nose and the black slashes of his brows.
    He asked after their family and the news from Upperton. The conversation was polite and general, and it could hardly be otherwise, as they were not alone. Nor would they be; this was London, not the back garden at Jasmine House, she told herself.
    But where was the subtle warmth she usually felt from Colin?
    She began to wonder if something had changed, if in coming to London they now might not be as they’d been in Upperton. Perhaps he’d left Greenbrier so abruptly because there were important things here she knew nothing about that required his attention.
    But she acknowledged how much she was used to being one of the things on which he liked to spend his attention, and she didn’t want it to be any other way. Where was the man who’d told her such diverting tales of his historical investigations in small villages? Who’d shown her his childhood journal wherein he’d carefully recorded all the minute doings in his household over the course of an entire month?
    This new Colin, with his eyes that sought other views and his air of command, was someone she didn’t quite know. She needed his friendship…didn’t he need hers?
    They arrived at Lord Worthing’s manor, where the ball was to be held, and he got out to hand them down. When it was Josie’s turn, she gave his hand a friendly little squeeze, but he didn’t squeeze hers back. When she realized that she felt a little rejected, she told herself she was being silly and too sensitive. Surely he was just preoccupied. Or was something perhaps amiss?
    Or was it her— was he in fact being cool to her for some reason?
    She examined her conduct on the last occasions they’d been together, but she couldn’t see why he would be.
    Unless—she thought guiltily of poor Mr. Botsford and his bouquet—he’d seen her put the love potion in his drink. But surely Colin would have said something at the time, demanded to know what she was doing? Unfortunately, she could hardly come right out and ask him.
    â€œI wonder if Mappleton has arrived yet,” Edwina said as they paused a moment before the grand, lit-up manor. Lively music could be heard, and even as they stood there groups of people were going inside. Maria looked on with the impassive air of a general approaching a good position on a battlefield.
    Josie wanted a moment with Colin, to ask him if all was well, but when they entered the grand foyer, a footman announced the arrival of the Earl of Ivorwood, and their hostess, Lady Worthing, rushed forward to welcome them.
    Colin presented Josie and Edwina to her. “The Cardworthy family are some of my oldest and dearest friends,” he said, sounding quite as usual.
    Josie gave herself a sort of internal shake and told herself she ought not to scrutinize him so. But thoughts about Colin’s mood were quickly replaced by wonder as they moved into the enormous ballroom.
    â€œWhy, it’s amazing,” Josie said, gazing at the beautifully dressed people dancing beneath the chandelier glow of hundreds of candles. Flowers decorated every surface, and the introductory notes of a fiddle floated through the room, filling her senses.
    â€œSoftly,” Maria whispered wryly, “lest you seem too pleased. The fashionable people will think you a rube.”
    â€œThen I shall be glad to be considered so, for to be in such a glorious place and not be amazed would be wrong. It’s pure magic.”
    â€œJosie,” Edwina said with a hint of exasperation, “you are far too inclined to like things. Why, listen to that