When Two Rivers Meet (Regency Romance) by Deborah M. Hathaway

Author:Deborah M. Hathaway [Hathaway, Deborah M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty
Publisher: Draft Horse Publishing
Published: 2015-02-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Mixed feelings arose within Lilyanna when she saw Elijah approaching her a few evenings later in the Upper Rooms' ballroom. She was delighted to see him, but her mother's words echoed in the recesses of her mind, causing her heart to fill with dread.

"Remember what I told you, Lilyanna," Mrs. Crosgrove had said earlier that evening as Lilyanna prepared to attend the ball, "I do not want you to speak with Mr. Bainbridge."

Lilyanna had not responded, simply stared blankly off in the other direction, but Mrs. Crosgrove had apparently taken Lilyanna's silence as an acceptance to her wish.

And as Elijah came ever closer to her that evening, Lilyanna felt relief at her mother's absence, due to a sudden weak constitution.

Lilyanna excused herself from Charlotte Rosebury's company just before Elijah reached her. With a smile and a bow, he said, "Miss Crosgrove, you look beautiful."

"Thank you, Mr. Bainbridge," she sputtered out, clearing her throat of emotion.

"Is something wrong?" Elijah asked, his frown appearing almost instantly.

"No, indeed," she replied, though she knew he had seen her frantically attempt to blink away her tears.

He continued to eye her warily, even when the Bainbridges appeared behind Elijah, smiles stretching across their faces.

"Good evening, Miss Crosgrove," Mrs. Bainbridge said. "You look quite fetching tonight, and what a beautiful gown. It is almost as lovely as your stunning hair."

Lilyanna mustered a smile and curtsied, but she remained silent, afraid her quivering voice would betray her. She wondered where all her emotion had come from, for she had thought she had very nearly cried away all her tears the previous nights.

"Why, Miss Crosgrove," Mrs. Bainbridge said, her voice lowering and her eyes filling with concern, "is everything all right? You look quite pale."

Lilyanna nodded her head but remained unable to speak. She looked helplessly to Elijah, and he acted immediately.

"You will have to excuse us, Mother, Father," Elijah said, holding out his hand to Lilyanna. "I have made Miss Crosgrove promise to be my partner for the first dance, and I see they are nearly ready to begin."

"Oh, all right, if you must," Mrs. Bainbridge said, her voice back to its normal jolliness. "But do return as soon as possible. I need to speak with Miss Crosgrove about our dinner party plans. Oh, and we must converse about who makes your splendid dresses."

Lilyanna returned Mrs. Bainbridge's smile, albeit weakly, before she allowed Elijah to escort her to the dance floor.

Only a few moments had passed when Elijah placed a gloved hand over Lilyanna's, slowing their step. "I do not wish to pressure you, Miss Crosgrove," he began, "but if you need someone to speak with, I would like you to know I am always here to listen."

Lilyanna nodded, swallowing the lump forming in her throat. "Thank you, Mr. Bainbridge," she said. "I would appreciate a moment of your time."

He immediately stopped, looking down at her with concern.

"But…" she hesitated, looking around, "perhaps we may speak after this dance."

The dance they shared was the first one Lilyanna

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