Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One (32 page)

            "Please don't worry about me. I know I'm
dreadful in the mornings but I'm truly looking forward to the ball tomorrow.
I'm going to be a bundle of nerves but I'm going to make the most of it."
Elise promised as she settled against Gilles' side. "You'd tell me if it
was something more?"

            He sighed and brushed his hands through her
hair.

            "Yes, love. Now try to sleep."            

            Elise remained still and listened until Gilles'
breathing became slow and regular. She felt his face carefully to make sure it
was relaxed. Once she was sure he was peacefully sleeping, she let herself
follow him.

Chapter 51

            Gilles paced as he waited for Elise in
Madeline's private sitting room. He tried to distract himself with little
success. Despite it being a woman's private sitting room, it was remarkably
comfortable for Gilles. For as long as he could remember, Madeline had always
been an amateur scholar and the room was littered with books and illustrations.
She had insisted that all four of the children learn to read and write Ancient
Greek and had taught them herself. Gilles smiled, it had been a tremendous help
in his work.  On any other day, he could have settled into a chair and read for
hours. Not this night. He was immersed in his worry for Elise. How nervous was
she? Would she go through with it? Would it be too much for her?

            His thoughts were interrupted by the door. Anna
opened it wide and Elise walked through. Gilles' heart stopped and his eyes
filled with tears.

            "She's ready, my lord!" Anna said
proudly.

            Elise smiled radiantly and reached for him.
Gilles stumbled forward and took her hands.

            "How do I look?"

            Gilles couldn't speak. He looked at Anna,
dumbfounded.

            "I think he approves, dear." She
chuckled.

            He let his eyes drift over her from head to toe,
trying to memorize every detail. Gilles stepped back and considered her gown.
It was just on the acceptable side of provocative. A very sheer underlay of
transparent cream silk hugged Elise's body and a slit at one side offered a
generous view of her leg. The overlay was silver threaded lace and hugged her
bodice, showcasing her spectacular breasts. In a mirror, Gilles could see that
the back draped shockingly low. The two layers together were just enough to
prevent anyone from making out too much of what lay beneath.

            Elise wore silver gloves and matching slippers,
a long strand of pearls hung from her neck and fell between her cleavage.
Gilles' eyes followed the strands helplessly. Her hair defied the current style
and was loosely pulled up at the sides while the rest of her hair flowed down
her back in silken waves. Simple pearl clips and a few cream roses rested on
her head. Gilles looked from Anna to Elise.

            "I have no words..." His voice broke.
He cleared his throat. "Beautiful seems so inadequate."

            "I wanted them all to see that my lovely
girl didn't have to resort to trickery to win your heart, my lord!" Anna
announced resolutely.

            Gilles nodded and smiled.

            "I fear she may come away with a great many
more hearts tonight." He said as he lifted her hand to his lips. "I
am devastated to have to share you with the world." With that, Anna winked
at Gilles and shut the door. "We have just a few more minutes. How do you
feel?"

            "A little nervous but mostly excited!"
Elise giggled softly and Gilles felt his heart swell. She was so breathtakingly
beautiful and brave, he felt like weeping with joy that she was his.

            Then, like a wave crashing on a shore, he felt
terror fill him. A single thought crystallized in his mind: If I lose her, I
will die. He staggered back, sick and dizzy. His heart began racing as he
blindly reached for the back of a chair.

            "Gilles? What's wrong?" Elise stepped
forward carefully until she found his back. "Are you ill?" She was beginning
to panic. He shook his head violently and forced himself to breathe deeply.

            "I'm fine. It's alright." He stood up
and blinked until his vision cleared.

            "No! You're not fine! Why won't you tell me
what's wrong?" She begged.

            A knock at the door told them it was time.

            "Don't let this ruin your evening, darling.
I just get... worried. That's all. We have to go."

            He lead her into the hallway and down the
stairs.

            "This feels like much more than
worrying." She whispered.

            "I'm fine. Tonight is about you. I want you
to relax and enjoy it." He sounded confidant and sensual, normal again.

            "No. It's about us, Gilles." Elise
said sternly. He knew she was referring to more than the ball.

            Gilles stopped them in front of the ballroom
doors. He raised her hand to his lips for a quick kiss before he nodded to the
footmen. The doors opened and he led Elise forward. Joss smiled and winked.

            "Lord and Lady Cambroke." He announced
proudly.

            The room went silent as every head turned in
their direction. Gilles rested his hand atop Elise's where it rested on his arm
and squeezed reassuringly. They stepped off the top step and she glided down
elegantly. As quickly as the room fell silent, a rush of whispers and
"Oh!'s" and "Ah!'s" filled the room. Jaws fell as they made
their way to the dance floor. Gilles stopped, raised Elise's hand to his lips
and let it linger as the opening of a waltz sounded. Lowering it, Elise
curtsied and he pulled her into his arms and began revolving around the room
with her. She smiled up at him and laughed, caught up in the joy of the music
and spinning around the room.

            Gilles lowered his lips to her ear, breathing in
her scent.

            "The whole room is spellbound, my
love." He knew he was holding her a touch too close but he doubted anyone
would blame him. Elise giggled as he led her through a turn. Gilles scanned the
room and felt his hackles rise at all the appreciative glances from the men
around them. The women craned their necks to get a better view of Elise and her
gown.

            "I'm not sure what they're most fascinated
with. I keep hearing the women say "She's blind!" and "That
dress!". I'm not hearing much from the gentlemen." Elise said softly.

            "Because they have very little to say out
loud that is appropriate." Gilles mumbled.

            They came to a flourishing halt as the song
ended. Gilles led Elise to maman, Mirabelle and Madeline. All three exclaimed
over the dress and declared Elise to be enchanting. Before long, a crowd
gathered and people pushed to be next to be introduced to the new Lady Cambroke.
Just as Elise started to look overwhelmed, Alastair claimed her hand for the
next waltz. Gilles escorted Mirabelle to the floor in their wake. They remained
close and he was relieved to see Elise was relaxed and laughing. Alastair
smiled gently as he watched the room around them. Once the song was over, they
returned to The Mothers and Elise's numerous new admirers.

            Lady Gasden grabbed Gilles' arm as she passed.

            "She has been declared this Season's
Incomparable, my boy. Congratulations."

            Gilles inclined his head and smiled.

            "I could have told them all that weeks
ago."

            Lady Gasden laughed as she made straight for
Mirabelle.

            "Miss Spencer!"

            Gilles turned his attention back to his wife.
Elise was surrounded by young lords and ladies and talking animatedly.
She
did it
, he thought. Every hurdle and test, successfully overcome. He
swelled with pride as he made his way to stand next to her. He placed her hand
on his sleeve and greeted old friends and associates, introducing them to Elise
and accepting their congratulations. Lucien interrupted and claimed Elise for
their waltz. She laughed up at him as he led her away. Gilles bowed to Madeline
and escorted her to the floor.

            "She is an overwhelming success,
Gilles!" Madeline gushed as they turned.

            "Thank you for all of this. For helping
smooth the way and having this ball." Gilles kissed her cheek.

            "Nonsense! We're family and this has been a
pleasure. I'm so proud of you for choosing so well." Madeline smiled and
then sighed as she looked at Lucien.

            "Give him time. He knows he has to marry
but he wants to marry for love. He doesn't want to rush." Gilles assured
her.

            "He's told you this?" She asked
dubiously.

            "Yes. He says he wants what I have."
Gilles' voice softened as he watched Elise laugh and swat Lucien's shoulder. He
smiled.

            "Well, that's encouraging. I just hope he
doesn't feel like he needs to meet every young lady in England before he makes
up his mind." They revolved around the room.

            Just as the waltz was coming to a close, Gilles
scanned the floor for Elise. He couldn't see her. He looked back at where maman
had been sitting. She wasn't there. He pulled away from Madeline and looked
over the crowd. Where was she? He felt his heart start beating wildly.

            "Gilles? What's the matter?" Madeline
asked as he started pushing through the crowd.

            "Where is she?" He asked loudly.
Gilles was shoving past people now as Madeline tried to keep up. "I can't
see her!" He stood in the center of the floor and turned, frantically
searching. Madeline caught up and grabbed his arm.

            "Gilles, look at me!" She ordered.

            He stared at her wildly, trying to hear over the
pounding of his heart.

            "She's there, with Lucien!" She
pointed towards the orchestra. Gilles turned to see Lucien staring at him,
confusion and concern filled his features. Elise stood next to him, relaxed and
smiling. Alastair was with her and was staring at him. "The toast, Gilles.
We need to get over there." She looked at him, her eyes swept his face,
sad and understanding.

            Gilles felt the tension leave him. He apologized
and led Madeline forward. He breathed slowly and smiled as he passed well
wishers. By the time he reached Elise he'd regained control of himself, he
placed her hand on his sleeve as he lowered his lips to her ear. He took a deep
breath and let her fill his senses as he discreetly kissed her throat. She
shivered and whispered his name. Maman and Mirabelle joined them and stood next
Elise

            The room turned it's attention to the group
gathered in front of the orchestra as flutes of champagne were distributed by
an army of footmen. Once everyone had a drink and the room was quiet, Lucien
stepped forward.

            "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for
joining us at Clerendon House. Tonight we celebrate Family. There is much to be
said for being born into a good family." Lucien paused and smiled at
Madeline while the room broke out in laughter. He gave them a moment.
"While you might assume I'm referring to the wealth and privilege, you
would be wrong. While it is certainly a blessing, it is not what matters most
to me. I was born to loving parents that saw me as a beloved child first and an
heir second. For that, I am eternally grateful." Lucien swept his mother
an elegant bow and she smiled at him lovingly. "There is also much to be
said about the family we choose." He turned towards the whole Spencer
family. "All of the cherished moments of my life were shared with these
people. My earliest memory is of chasing Gilles through the halls of Spencer
Place. We may not share the same blood but we have shared our lives and he
could not be more of a brother to me. So, it was one of the greatest joys of my
life to stand next to him when he married his Elise." Lucien looked towards
Elise and bowed his head. Gilles squeezed her hand as he looked at her. She was
smiling and tears stood in her eyes. "Lady Elise Spencer is as
intelligent, kind and brave as she is beautiful and it gives me tremendous
pride to welcome her to our family as a beloved sister. My mother and I invite
you to raise a glass and share in our delight as we congratulate Lord and Lady
Cambroke on their marriage and welcome Lady Elise to our family. To Lord and
Lady Cambroke!" Lucien raised his glass and the room exploded with cheers
as every glass was raised.

            "
A kiss!
" Someone yelled and
eventually the call echoed around the room.

            Gilles smiled rakishly as he placed his finger
under Elise's chin. She raised her lips to his as a blush stained her cheeks.
He lowered his mouth to hers. He'd intended to only touch lips but hers parted
on a gasp and his tongue slid in and caressed hers. Elise leaned into him,
nervous and unsure. Gilles felt his hand curl around her neck as he deepened
the kiss. Cheers and whistles filled the air, Elise pulled back and hid her
face against his chest. He flashed a knowing grin at the crowd. The orchestra
played the opening strains of a waltz. Gilles handed Elise's flute to Mirabelle
who gulped it greedily as he led Elise back to the dance floor.

            "This is our final dance of the night, my
love." He whispered as he  pulled her to him. Elise floated gracefully in
time to the music.

            "What happened?" She asked softly.

            "What do you mean?" Gilles was
starting to feel anxious. He was already undressing her in his mind and was
beginning to plan their exit.

            "Something happened on the floor before
Lucien made his speech. The family, they were all worried. I could feel
it." He could feel Elise listening, feeling him with all of her senses.

            "I lost track of you and got worried."
He tried to sound as if it hadn't been serious. "Don't think on it. Enjoy
our last dance." He felt her stiffen in his arms.

            "If you tell me one more time not to worry
or think on it, I will scream, Gilles. I passed worried days ago and you
shutting me out is starting to hurt." Her voice was low and forceful.
Gilles sighed.

            "You've done it all, Elise. Everything you
were scared of, everything you said you couldn't ever do, you did it. I'm so
proud of you and I'm afraid I'm going to ruin all of it because I'm so damned
terrified." Gilles' voice was a strained whisper.