* * *
“Merciful heavens!” The woman beside Hannah tugged at her arm. Though Hannah had known her all of three minutes, the woman acted as if they’d been friends since girlhood. “Who is that man?”
She pointed across the room, and Hannah’s blood drained from her face. Knees suddenly more weak even than before, she gripped the woman’s arm in return, staring.
Joseph.
When had he arrived? What was he doing here? Though she pleaded with herself to look away, it was impossible to turn her eyes fro
m him as he stood with Higley and the others. His blond hair was fastidiously tied and contrasted perfectly with the dark-gray jacket that seemed to strain against the muscles beneath. Taller than all but Higley, he demanded attention simply from the way he held his broad shoulders and angled his head.
“Have you seen him before?” she asked again.
Hannah could not respond, but only watch him. By the goodness of God he hadn’t looked her way. Or perhaps he had and she hadn’t seen him.
The woman tried again, this time entreating the hostess. “Dottie, dear, who is that dashingly handsome fellow speaking with the major?”
“Oh!” Dottie stepped beside her, face aglow. “My goodness, this is a surprise.” She faced the all-too-enchanted stranger at Hannah’s side. “That is Miss Young’s cousin.”
The woman gasped and pressed a hand to her large bosom. “My dear, do tell me he isn’t married.”
“Virginia!” Dottie’s voice sounded surprised, but her expression was gleeful.
Not at all shamed by her exclamation, Virginia waved her fan. “Is it so sinful for a single woman to be interested in a single man?”
Hannah’s palms grew clammy. “He is…” Keeping a disinterested sound in her voice proved futile. “He is not married.”
“Really!” Virginia leaned in and prodded further. “Spoken for? Courting? I pray not, for I must have my chance at him.”
Hannah clung to the sudden and healthy stream of irritation that buoyed her draining strength. She breathed in deep for the first time all evening. “Nay, neither, but I do think he may have someone in mind.” The last came out with more force than she’d intended.
The overly endowed woman reached for Joseph with her eyes. “Oh, Dottie, do you think you could bring him over here? I crave to know how he dances.”
“Certainly, darling, but first—”
“Mrs. Pitman, are you ready?”
One of the musicians bent forward from his place on the stand, eyes keen and violin in hand.
“Oh, aye, aye.” Dottie waved her hands. “You may begin with the cotillion, Billy.”
He smiled, her flightiness likely known to all from the way he offered a polite and patient nod. “Of course, Mrs. Pitman.”
Over their heads, the violins began singing, and Virginia gripped Hannah’s arm, her pinched whisper spraying into Hannah’s ear. “He comes! He comes!”
Hannah spun around, and her heart stopped.
From across the room, Joseph walked toward her, stride determined, eyes hungry but gentle. Her pulse went from stalled to charging. Virginia’s fingers squeezed and then released as Joseph neared and stopped before them. Virginia curtsied low, but Hannah’s knees wouldn’t bend.
“Hannah.” He bowed at the waist, his gaze holding her like a warm embrace.
Her throat ached. “Joseph.”
Eyes still upon her, he extended his hand. “Will you do me the honor?”
Her mouth was dry, her mind vacant. She couldn’t. Could she? She glanced to Dottie and Virginia, who gazed at Joseph with soft smiles and tilted heads.
Hannah blinked, her heart bound by so many sorrows she could hardly move her lips in response. Unbidden, she reached for him, and instantly his fingers folded over hers.