She smoothed the gossamer layer of her gown with her hands gloved in silver—another of his gifts. He’d taken her to the best modiste in London who insisted she choose only certain fabrics—ones that would move and shift and float with each turn. And tonight, when James had presented her with the uniquely French silver gloves he’d ordered from Paris, she had simply melted. At first glance, they were a glistening white, but a second look showed the cleverly woven silver threads that caught the light in magical ways.
But it was the tiara that transformed her—the tiara that had been in his family for generations. It sat perfectly among her curls. When she looked in the mirror she scarcely saw herself, because the tiara drew her eye upward. She prayed it would do the same for others, drawing every eye away from her and upward toward its crowning glory.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy this first time back mixing with the ton.
“But, what if—”
“There are no ‘what ifs’ Nella. You dance as well as you play the piano, and paint landscapes. You’re as proficient at dancing as you are at being a mother.”
Nella clenched her hands in her lap. “How I wish I was home with Eliza right now.”
“You will be soon. We’ll leave for Colworth Abbey at the end of the week. After tonight there’s the concert and the opera, and then we shall wend our way home.”
“It’s been a wonderful three weeks, James. I can’t thank you enough. I truly missed the music and the excitement of London.”
“And the shopping?”
“Oh, yes. And the shopping. And the teas I was invited to. And seeing Patricia and Rosamonde again. It was nearly like it used to be.”
“And just remember. We will have to return in three months’ time for Rosamonde’s wedding to Candleton, and Patricia’s wedding to Pomeroy. Whoever would have thought our marriage could bring our friends together, too?”
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” Nella said.
“Now, get ready,” James advised. “We’re here.”
“Oh, James.”
“You’ll be fine, Nella. I’m right here with you. Just be ready. I promised you a night of dancing.” He skimmed a finger beneath her chin. “And you promised me the same.”
Just as Nella was about to tell her husband he was free to dance with anyone he pleased, he leaned down and kissed her. “Remember, my love. My eyes are for you alone.”
Nella felt a tear spill down her cheek. His dear declaration moved her more than any words he could have chosen. The feeling so overwhelmed her that she was certain she would shatter into a million sparkling pieces.
But at that moment the carriage stopped. James dismounted and took her by the hand to help her alight. Then without hesitation, he escorted her into the ballroom.
Everything was as she remembered, except for the memory of being ignored by the members of the ton. Tonight all eyes were focused on her. Conversation stopped the second their names were announced as everyone turned in her direction. Perhaps their focus was on James, and how unfortunate it was that the most handsome man in the world was tied to a frumpy, overweight wife.
She paused, nearly missing a step, but James kept her secure and leaned close to her ear.
“They’re quite taken aback, my love,” he whispered.
“By what?” In truth, she was ready to flee.
“By your transformation, of course.”
He smiled and gave her the wink she’d never seen him share with another. She searched his face and found her heart soaring as she realized his sincerity.
If there had been a transformation, it was all his doing, and she loved him wildly for it. Transformation at his hands had given her the courage to step into her role as wife, to step into motherhood, to step into this room. She loved him all the more for it.
Rosamonde and Patricia, along with their fellows, made their way to greet them.
“Together again!”
The four greeted Nella and James with all the enthusiasm she would have expected.
“Let’s find a glass of champagne for you, shall we?”
“I’m afraid it will have to wait,” James said. “They’re playing a waltz and I promised my wife we would dance every dance.”
Nella blushed. Dancing away with the love of her life was exactly what she wished to do, and she was quite afraid that her face showed it.
James led her into the dancing melee and turned her into his arms. They went through the steps as masterfully as if they’d been born waltzing. With each turn, the gossamer layers of her gown stretched and flowed, clinging to her ankles then whisking away in graceful swirls. She had never felt more lovely.
They twirled across the floor and nothing could make her believe they were not floating on air.
“Do you see the looks of admiration, my love?”
Nella smiled. “Those are looks of envy, James. Can’t you tell the difference? Every female here is envious because your arms are around me instead of them.”
“I think not. I do believe they’re astonished because no one realized how wonderfully you danced until now.”
“And I have you to thank for it. Without you, I would be sitting along the wall.”
“And I would have missed being blessed with the most perfect wife any man could ever hope for. I love you, Nella.”
He loved her.
Nella could not contain her smile. To think she might have missed this glorious night!
James leaned in and touched his forehead to hers. And then, without warning, he kissed her. Sweetly. Lovingly.
Before the whole world.
And neither of them missed a single step.
A half million pages of Laura Landon books are read each month.
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Read Laura Landon Victorian Romance!
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SEASONS
Winter’s Cold Heart
Spring’s Tender Heart
Summer’s Distant Heart
Autumn’s Wild Heart
About Laura Landon
Laura Landon enjoyed ten years as a high school teacher and nine years making sundaes and malts in her very own ice cream shop, but once she penned her first novel, she closed up shop to spend every free minute writing. Now she enjoys creating her very own heroes and heroines, and making sure they find their happily ever after.
A vital member of her rural community, Laura directed the town’s Quasquicentennial, organized funding for an exercise center for the town, and serves on the hospital board.
Laura lives in the Midwest, surrounded by her family and friends. She has written thirty Victorian historical romances, all of which are selling worldwide in English, one in Japanese, and several in German. Two are Scottish historicals.
Always beautifully set and with a mysterious twist or bit of suspense, Laura’s books average a million pages a month read by her loyal readers.
LAURA LANDON IS A PRAIRIE MUSE PLATINUM,
KINDLE PRESS, AND AMAZON MONTLAKE AUTHOR
WWW.LAURALANDON.COM
Other Books by Laura Landon
Published by Prairie Muse Publishing
SHATTERED DREAMS
WHEN LOVE IS ENOUGH
BROKEN PROMISE
A MATTER OF CHOICE
MORE THAN WILLING
NOT MINE TO GIVE
LOVE UNBIDDEN
KEEPER OF MY HEART
THE DARK DUKE
CAST IN SHADOWS
CAST IN RUIN
CAST IN ICE
JADED MOON
THE DEVIL’S GIFT
ONE MYSTICAL MOMENT
BEWARE THE RICH MAN
BEWITCHED BY THE POOR MAN
BETRAYED BY THE BEGGAR MAN
&n
bsp; BEHOLD THE THIEF
WINTER’S COLD HEART
Published by Montlake Romance
SILENT REVENGE
INTIMATE SURRENDER
INTIMATE DECEPTION
THE MOST TO LOSE
A RISK WORTH TAKING
BETRAYED BY YOUR KISS
RANSOMED JEWELS
Published by Kindle Press
THE SECRET ROSE
DARK RUBY
DECEPTION IN EMERALDS
THE TRAITOR’S CLUB
WHERE THE WOMAN BELONGS
NOVELLA
Published by Dragonblade
A VOICE ON THE WIND
See all of Laura’s books at Amazon.com
COMPANION BOOKS (series)
by Laura Landon
THE BROTHERHOOD
When Love is Enough | Broken Promise
RANSOMED JEWELS
Ransomed Jewels | Jaded Moon
Dark Ruby | Deception in Emeralds
THE REDEEMED
The Most to Lose | The Dark Duke
CAST IN SCANDAL
Cast in Shadows | Cast in Ruin
Cast in Ice | Cast in Scandal
THE TRAITOR’S CLUB
Ford | Hugh | Jeb | Caleb
RICH MAN | POOR MAN | BEGGAR MAN | THIEF
Beware the Rich Man
Bewitched by the Poor Man
Betrayed by the Beggar Man
Behold the Thief
SEASONS
90-Minute Reads
Winter’s Cold Heart
Spring’s Tender Heart
Summer’s Distant Heart
Autumn’s Wild Heart
All of Laura Landon’s books on Amazon
Visit Laura at www.lauralandon.com
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, places, and incidents
either are the product of the author’s imagination
or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to
actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be used in another work, with the
exception of critical reviews, copied in whole or in part,
or stored physically or electronically without having been
purchased from the publisher or having gained
permission from the publisher.
AUTUMN’S WILD HEART
ISBN 978-1-952911-05-7
Seasons Book Four
Copyright © 2020 by Laura Landon
Lincoln, Nebraska