Free Rebellious Bride by Donna Fletcher

and let’s see what we can do.”
    Lil obliged Holly, although she would have preferred to return to the doctor’s office to see if she was needed. But she supposed one night of acting the lady wouldn’t hurt.
    A thought hit Lil as she followed Holly up the stairs. “Did my father ask you to speak to me about this?”
    “He spoke to me of his concern, but never once did he request that I discuss the matter with you. I did so because of all the gossiping tongues, especially Mary Beth Hodges.”
    “She still has her sights set on Lord Sherborn?”
    “She hasn’t taken her eyes off him. She’s hoping tonight she can pique his interest in her and that he will begin to court her.”
    “I wish them both well. They deserve each other. Mary Beth would make the perfect obedient wife, while the lord would revel in his dominant nature.”
    Holly shook her head. “Sometimes I think you’re too independent for your own good.”
    “I don’t,” Lil corrected. “And about my hair, I think leaving it loose for the evening is more to my liking.”
    ~~~
    Lil stood with her father and Holly outside the square marked off for dancing. Planks had been laid on the ground to form a dance floor, and tall torches bordered the area. The fiddlers were tuning up nearby. Long tables heavy with mouth-watering food were lined up to the right while tables and chairs sprang up wherever there was room. More tall torches were being readied for the moment when darkness fell completely. No one wanted this event to end early.
    Everyone was prepared to dance the evening away.
    Lil searched the crowd, convincing herself she was curious about the other women’s dresses. She refused to recognize the possibility that she was actually dying to catch a glimpse of Lord Sherborn.
    Several women passed by and commented on how lovely she looked. She attributed the sincere compliment to mere politeness, never thinking they actually meant it. She hadn’t even taken her father seriously when he had seen her and told her she looked absolutely beautiful. After all, he was her father, and fathers occasionally paid such compliments to their daughters.
    She never once imagined that she looked breathtaking.
    To Lil her pale yellow dress trimmed with white lace and ribbons was no different from all the other stylish dresses present. It didn’t matter that hers accented her small waist and enhanced her full breasts, or that the modest neckline highlighted her slim neck. It also didn’t dawn on her that by choosing to leave her hair down, she only managed to add to her beauty. The strawberry blond color resembled wildfire, especially in the light of the flickering torches. Her hair appeared sparked by the flames, igniting further its already rare color.
    Holly tugged on Sam’s arm. “Come on and try some of my venison stew.”
    Sam looked at his daughter. “Want to join us?”
    Lil caught the conspiratorial wink Holly sent her from behind Sam. “No, thanks. Go and enjoy yourselves. I’ll catch up with you two later.” Lil wondered if her father would ever realize just how much Holly cared for him. It was time he married again. He’d been alone too long, and Holly was perfect for him.
    In minutes she was surrounded by young men asking her to dance or offering to fetch a drink. She soon stood with a glass of apple cider in her hand, conversing with Hank Slatter.
    A buzz of laughter and chatter coming from the other end of the dance floor caught Lil’s attention.
    “That Lord Sherborn sends all the ladies’ hearts a fluttering,” Hank commented, obviously in awe of the gentleman.
    Lil felt her breath catch for just a second, and her heart started to race. The strange reaction disturbed her. She turned her attention to Hank, then caught sight of Rolfe out of the corner of her eye. She couldn’t help herself. She stared at him.
    He stood at least a head taller than most of the men there. His attire was out of place, yet it looked fitting on him. He wore a dusky