Beth found her there a short while later, half-obscured by a potted palm.
“Selena, dearest, whatever do you mean, hiding yourself away like this? I counted on you to partner my guests. Indeed, what can the gentlemen be thinking of to allow you to become a wallflower? You are always in such great demand. Never mind,” Beth added, taking the seat beside Selena and arranging the pale, jonquil-colored skirts of her gown. “It will allow us to gossip. I haven’t been able to get away all evening. My ball is a success, do you not think? Are you enjoying yourself?”
Seeing Beth’s shining eyes and eager expression, Selena didn’t have the heart to dampen her enthusiasm. “Indeed, I am,” she dissembled. “And yes, your ball is a great success. I don’t doubt it will be considered the event of the season.”
“Do you truly think so? It was such a coup to have Captain Ramsey attend. Drew was able to persuade him, you know. But really, it is in the captain’s best interest. Coming here tonight provides him with the opportunity to establish himself in the governor’s good graces, and after that incident in St. John’s yesterday— Oh, Selena, I heard what happened.”
When Beth’s declaration was accompanied by a sympathetic look, Selena realized her friend was speaking of Kyle Ramsey’s very public kiss. Again she felt color flood her cheeks.
Beth squeezed her gloved fingers. “No one blames you—at least no one except the cats who have nothing better to do than gossip. I daresay every woman here is pea green with envy. Did Avery cut up stiff about it?”
“He…he hasn’t mentioned it,” Selena murmured, reflecting that she would need to be prepared for a scolding from him.
“Well, perhaps he doesn’t know yet. I doubt anyone will be anxious to tell him. So, what was it like, Selena?”
Not following the rapid shift in Beth’s conversation Selena stared at her blankly. “What was what like?”
“To be kissed by a man like that, of course. Come, you can tell me, your bosom friend.”
Selena was extremely uncomfortable with such a question, yet she knew Beth wouldn’t let up until she had given a satisfactory answer. “It was…” She paused, searching for an adequate description for that shattering kiss, yet one that wouldn’t shock Beth. “Overwhelming,” she finished lamely.
Gazing off into space, Beth gave a dreamy sigh. “I can just imagine. Perhaps it’s fortunate that I’m a staid matron with a loving husband and three adorable children. There Captain Ramsey is now, waltzing with Marie. Isn’t he magnificent, with those splendid shoulders and that rugged-looking face?”
“Beth!”
“Oh, pooh! You know I don’t mean any slight to Drew. And don’t tell me you aren’t attracted to the captain, for I won’t believe it!”
Selena followed her gaze to watch Kyle whirling a petite redhead around the floor. He was magnificent, exuding the kind of strength and masculinity that women found extremely appealing. And he looked as if he had perfected the knack of making a woman feel special; he was bending close to Marie, listening attentively and watching her with those gold-flecked hazel eyes. The same eyes that had smoldered so hotly the previous night.
Selena was discomfited by the warm rush of feeling that accompanied the memory. “What is Captain Ramsey doing here?” she said quickly. “On the island, I mean.” It seemed incredible that she should have to ask such an elementary question after the intimacy she had shared with him, but she really had no idea what had brought him to Antigua. He couldn’t be unloading his ship’s cargo, for the Navigation Acts prevented the islands of the British West Indies to engage in trade with the United States.
“He’s simply visiting, I fancy,” Beth replied. “He comes here frequently, though he doesn’t mingle much with society.”
“But I’ve never seen him at a social gathering before tonight.”
“He attended the Brindell’s rout year before last, but you were in mourning for your father, if I remember. And yes, I know some people—” she gave Selena an arch look “—are saying the captain is a savage. But he must have some claim to gentility, or he wouldn’t be accepted by British society. Drew met Captain Ramsey in London years ago and found him rubbing shoulders with the nobility. He’s the intimate friend of a marquess, I understand.”
“I suppose by ‘some people,’ you mean Avery.”
“Just so. He was complaining to Drew earlier this evening about the ‘riffraff’ we had invited here tonight. I declare! Riffraff! But the unattached ladies, at least, are delighted to welcome the captain. And we are promoting international goodwill. Drew says the governor wants to improve relations with the United States.
“Besides, after that unfortunate incident in St. John’s yesterday, something needed to be done. Americans are barely tolerated in Antigua as it is. That’s why when Captain Ramsey called on us today to renew our acquaintance, Drew persuaded him to come to the ball—so he could soothe troubled waters. And now that Captain Ramsey has made his apologies to the governor for the disturbance, everything is famous. Indeed, the governor seemed to like him. I’m so pleased. It would be a shame if the captain were asked to leave the island.”
Beth paused for breath. “I suppose I should attend to my guests. Do go and dance, Selena. You know the gentlemen will be disappointed if you continue to hide yourself away like this.” When Selena murmured some noncommittal reply, Beth rose. But before she moved off, she spoke again. “Oh, I almost forgot. Avery was searching for you a moment ago. Shall I tell him where to find you?”
“Thank you, no,” Selena said quickly. “I need a moment more to myself.”
When Beth had gone, Selena remained in her chair only an instant longer before slipping through the French doors at the rear of the drawing room and onto the spacious gallery that wound around the house. Bright moonlight was filtering between archways of whitewashed brick to accumulate on the floor in silver pools.
Selena had thought the gallery deserted, so she was startled when she caught a flash of white out of the corner of her eye and heard the soft patter of feet. She turned in time to see a small, white-clad figure disappear down the wrought iron stairway that led to the garden. Having a good idea as to the identity of the apparition, she followed.
She found Beth’s eldest child, five-year-old Colin, dressed in a nightshirt and crouched on the third step. With his crop of dark curls and rosy cheeks, he seemed the im
age of his mother, even down to the vivid facial expressions. Seeing the revealing look of guilt on Colin’s cherubic face, Selena found it hard to repress a smile. He quite obviously had been spying on the company, no doubt attracted by the music and gay laughter and dancers in elegant evening dress.
He peered up at Selena as she stood at the head of the stairs. “You won’t tell?” he said anxiously.
Selena shook her head. “Do you think I would be so shabby?” Colin looked visibly relieved. Selena could see the set of his small shoulders relax. “I suppose you were lonely,” she added as she descended a few steps. “It isn’t at all pleasant to be excluded from all the festivities. I’m lonely, too. Perhaps we should keep each other company.”