“
For once in his life, Charles didn't care what anyone thought of his behavior. He marched straight up to Perry, tapped him on the shoulder, and jerked his thumb to indicate that Perry had better relinquish Amy to him. Now. Perry, grinning, bowed and backed off. At the same time, Amy turned her head and saw Charles, her face breaking into such an expression of joy that he was nearly undone. "Charles!" she cried, and he knew then that if they weren't in the middle of a crowded ballroom, with everyone staring at them, she would've thrown herself straight into his arms. As it was, she stumbled such that he had to catch her and set her on her feet, a move that he managed to carry off such that she barely missed a step. "Oh, Charles, I've been waiting all evening for you to arrive! Where have you been?" "Looking for you." He stared at her. "Amy, you look . . . ravishing," he said, and it was all he could do not to claim those smiling, carmine-rouged lips and kiss her senseless. "For once in my life, I actually feel ravishing! Oh, Charles — will you look at all these powdered heads, the jewels and silks and satins, everyone having such a good time! Isn't it just wonderful? Isn't this just the most magical place on earth?" He swung her through the steps. "Amy, I do not wish to spoil your enjoyment, but exactly what are you doing?" "I'm dancing!" she said, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling as he led her through the steps. "Oh, Charles, this is such fun! Your brother was so kind to give me this night . . . I feel like Cinderella!" "What?" "Lucien! He was so grateful for what I did for you back in America that he gave me this night, this gown, a new identity, and . . . and, even these diamonds at my ears! Well, he didn't actually give them to me, I understand that they belonged to your grandmother but he said that only someone with my coloring would be able to carry them off. . . ." She blushed. "Charles, you don't think everyone's staring at me because I'm the only one here with unpowdered hair, do you? Lucien said that I really should leave it natural, and —" "No, Amy," he said tightly, realizing that everyone was staring at her, and it had nothing to do with her hair. It was because she was the most strikingly beautiful woman in the room and one couldn't help but stare at her. "Charles, are you angry?" "Yes, Amy, I am angry, quietly furious, in fact, but not with you." "Then with who? Certainly, not Perry I hope, because he's now dancing with your sister — she has a tendre for him, you know." "And where did you learn that word, Amy?" "Oh, Nerissa taught it to me. I understand it is quite the thing to know some French. Oh, Charles, please don't be angry with Perry, he did nothing wrong —" "It's not Perry I'm angry with, it's Lucien." The dance ended. "And by God, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind." His
”
”