Conveyances snarled the streets as guests made their way to the torch-lined drive of the Hudson Ball. Footmen, dressed in tailored livery, rode on back of the black lacquer coaches prepared to help their Lord and Lady alight the carriage. Servants stood at the entry taking wraps from the arriving peerage, which made their way to the small dais to be announced before greeting their hosts.

No sooner had the Baron of Staffordshire's family greeted the host, that Gabriella's entourage of admirers approached inviting her to join them. The first dance she accepted was with the Earl of Bentley, a rather good looking gentleman who had paid her court the night before. He had sandy blond hair, a straight nose, a strong jaw, and striking green eyes, but in them, she detected a conniving, manipulative soul.

Her papa once told her to be cordial but mind-numbingly tiresome towards such men. So despite her distaste of the gentleman, she permitted the dance but used the opportunity to search for Edward.

"You look lovely this evening, Miss Barrington."

His compliment jerked her attention away from her hunt. She forced a smile and returned the compliment, as per her mother's strict teachings. "You look quite dashing yourself in your green brocade jacket, Milord. It brings out the color of your eyes."

Amusement lit his face. "Last evening you said the same thing only complimenting the color of my silver vest, along with an admiring comment about my dancing abilities." He twirled her around once again enjoying the way she easily followed him. "Is it your habit to compliment all the gentlemen?"

"Only when they deserve it, Milord." When they didn't, she found something else to boost their ego.

He lowered his head regally in acknowledgment of her compliment. "That is most gracious of you. Tell me, do you ride?"

"Yes." She said nothing further. Most men detested such behavior, but instead, his eyes lit with interest.

"Excellent. The Earl of Stranton has invited me to his country estate in two weeks' time for a fox hunt. Have you ever ridden in one? Perhaps, I can see to an invitation."

"I find the hunt distasteful. Chasing after a beautiful fox for the sport of watching dogs tear it to pieces is vile." She regretted her outburst of passion at once. His steps slowed as he stared at her. "However, the obstacles of the chase are quite invigorating."

"Perhaps your father would..."

She shook her head. "Papa does not ride in fox hunts anymore, Milord. He enjoys conversations concerning debates within the House of Lords."

The Earl responded as if she teased him, yet most of the peerage knew of her father's vast interest as well as his brilliant investments. She considered that perhaps Lord Bentley sought the opportunity to sit and speak with him.

"Miss Barrington, I am sure you would enjoy the hunt. Stranton's stables are well known for his fine horses and there will be other ladies in attendance."

"I am sure the Earl is a fine host. I fear I have not heard of his stables since I am unacquainted with him." She sincerely wished he would drop the topic.

"That's understandable. By what I have heard, this is your first season. I was also told your father's townhouse is seldom used during the season. I would think his business would keep him here in London."

To have such a conversation with her, instead of her father, would be considered invasive thus improper. Because he had done so, she wondered why he was out to gain such information. "You should speak to my father concerning his business."

"His counsel could be helpful. My family title goes back for generations and the lands with it."

The elite often bent her father's ear to gain advice. His mention of it could also mean he was in financial debt.

The music ended and he offered his arm to escort her back to her entourage. He bowed low and murmured his gratitude for the dance and then departed her company. She knew he had been annoyed by her refusal to answer his question, but also concluded his interest may not be only towards her father. Her dowry would fatten his coffers.

Gabriella watched him strut away and shivered at the feelings crawling up her spine. He was a snobbish bore with a revolting ego. Turning toward her father she whispered, "If the Earl of Bentley requests permission to call upon me please turn him down. I do not find anything about him acceptable."

Her father glanced at the man's back and nodded—mentally taking him off the list. "Has he offended you in some way?"

"His kind is offensive, Papa. I will explain later." He nodded and looked beyond her shoulder and then gently drew her attention to the person he was greeting.

"Lord Grey, a pleasure to see you. May I present my wife Lynette and my daughter, Gabriella." Grey bowed low smiling at the surprise on Gabriella's lovely face. "And this, my dears, is Edward Howard, Marquess of Greystone."

They both curtsied with a slight bend of the knee and a bow of the head. Gabriella tried not to demonstrate her giddy pleasure to see him, but the gleam in his eyes told her she had failed to hide it. They stared for a long moment before he nodded and turned his attention to her mother.

"A pleasure to meet you both," Edward said, and then he directed his gaze to Gabriella. "Are you enjoying the season, Miss Barrington?" Instead of Gabriella answering him, her mother did.

"It has been a delightful change from our country-life. Has it not, Gabriella?"

Gabby suddenly felt as if she were a child again hearing the prompting in her mother's voice. Though, in all honesty, her mother likely feared she would admit to finding all the pomp and splendor overdone. But only Edward had heard her shamefully admit the truth. A cough from her father brought her eyes to him, but he stood firmly staring at her mother.

Edward forced his lips into the facsimile of a smile as he responded to John's wife. "The gatherings can be quite entertaining for some." His eyes swung to Gabriella. "I hope your dance card has room for one more name, Miss Barrington."

"Of course, Milord." He offered his hand and guided her onto the dance floor. He posed his arms as before, causing her to smile as she stepped into them. He smoothly began leading her around the dance floor to a waltz. "Would you find me too forward, Milord, if I admit I was glad to see you?"

He stared warmly into her dark eyes. "I would be disappointed, my dear, if you were not."

She studied his face to see assess his sincerity. "I quite enjoyed our dance the other eve, Milord."

"If you continue to use that form of address, I will believe you have forgotten my name."

"I'm afraid the lack of moonlight must have hindered my memory... Milord."

He hid his desire to grin at her prompting. "In that case, perhaps I can persuade you to join me for a walk in the garden. The moonlight may refresh your memory."

"The garden would require a chaperone. Are you suggesting joining another couple perchance?"

A small corner of his mouth dimpled into just a hint of a smile. She knew as well as he did he wouldn't dream of letting anyone else interfere in his plans. "I believe that would be an encumbrance, my dear. But the garden is surely filled with people on a night such as this."

He tugged her closer steadily dancing towards the patio doors. Once there, he discreetly led her into the night air moving towards a darkened corner of the patio. As the music faded, he placed her hand on his forearm to guide her to the darkened path. "Would you accompany me on a stroll?"

"If we are chastised, you must, of course, accept all blame."

He chuckled due to their misbehavior before. "Of course. Last eve's faux pas, was entirely my error of judgment, as I found myself overcome by such beauty under the glow of the moon, which I yearn to see once more."

Her gaze slid to his and saw that he barely contained his humor. "You have a tongue of romance and the spirit of daring. I find I enjoy the daring side of you, Edward."

His eyes widened just before the sound of his mirth escaped. "Do you? Is that perchance something you find exciting?"

"Perhaps."

"Ah, encouragement to demonstrate my daring." They slowly walked along the pebbled path. "I have looked forward to seeing you tonight. The day lengthened with my great anticipation that you would grant me this opportunity of more time to speak with you."

Mischief glinted in her laughing eyes as she admitted, "I believe my father would desire that as well. He was quite pleased to have your attention directed towards me."

He laughed with delight. "And what of you, my dear, were you just as pleased?"

"Not exactly. He also praised your success and, by doing so, made you sound old enough to be my father." Edward threw back his head and laughed at her candor, but she continued. "If he had mentioned your name, then by all means, I would have been overjoyed. However, he only informed me that the Marquess of Greystone wished for an introduction."

"Did you not anticipate it would be me? I thought you trusted my word to gain his acceptance."

She stopped in front of a bare rose bush. "Yes, of course. But did you not question that other honorable men would do the same? My father had multiple requests last eve, but he assured me the Marquess of Greystone met with his approval. Of course, if I had known at the time that Lord Grey was in fact my mysterious dance partner, I would have agreed with his analysis. It is pleasing to discover my previous assessment of your character agrees with my papa."

He wanted to chuckle at her self-praise while she assured him of her good favor. "He has obviously taught you well. Since you find my character acceptable and I have gained permission to call upon you, would you care to join me for a carriage ride tomorrow in Hyde Park?"

Gabriella knew the Ton enjoyed promenading there in the late afternoon to keep abreast of who was escorting whom, as well as wishing to be seen, but she found the routine of such activity to be disappointing from one claiming to be such an adventurist. Last night he had been daring, breaking tradition shamelessly. She had hoped for something more original than a carriage ride.

"I would enjoy the opportunity to spend time with you again, Edward."

"As will I." He escorted her back inside to stroll through the crowd occasionally stopping to introduce her to his acquaintances. He asked which parties she had been invited to in order to join her. Unlike some, she did not tally such things. Instead, she promised to ask her father. With her promise, they returned to her parents. Another gentleman soon came asking for a dance and Edward excused himself.

A little later she was disappointed to see him dancing with a woman so lovely others paled in comparison. Together, they looked like a matched pair. The adoring looks he sent her, and the returning smiles she blessed him with, proved their relationship extended beyond the simple dance. Then, before the music ended, he led her off the dance floor and, to her horror, they left together.

She could not discern between bitter disappointment and hurt. Had she only been seen as a plaything because of a forbidden dance in the moonlight? Had she been too honest, too eager? The idea of him playing games with her affections stirred her anger.