1798

I find Charlotte's brother, Daniel, leaning up against the bar cradling a tumbler filled with a dark amber liquid in his hand. His chestnut hair is as rumpled and sloppy as the suit he wears, and it makes me smile. Finally, someone of the male species who doesn't see me as a total buffoon!

Daniel grins when he spots me approaching and takes my hand, pulling me towards him.

"Why, Miss Blackwell, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" His words have a sluggish slur to them as he rests his elbows on the bar behind him and leans back. "Are you having a grand time?" he asks, rolling his eyes before taking a long sip of his drink.

"Honestly?" I break out into a mischievous smile. "Not really."

Daniel cackles loudly, causing some other guests to stop their conversations and stare at us for a moment before going back to their politics and gossip.

"That's what I love about you, Ellie." He swirls what's left of his drink around in his glass and lifts his eyebrows. "You're always honest."

After taking another sip, he puts his glass down on the bar, and turns to me. "Charlotte told me about your... eh, situation."

I frown. Of course, she did, even though I'd been clear about not involving him in any of this.

Daniel straightens up, and takes my hand again, tugging me towards the dance floor. "Come. Dance with me."

It's more of a command than a request, but it's Daniel, so I allow him to navigate me through the other couples and we begin to dance.

You'd think someone so tall and lanky with that much liquor in them wouldn't have much grace, but Daniel glides me around with an elegant ease. He's quiet, lost in his own thoughts as always, so I don't disturb him as we move to the music. Frankly I don't mind the absence of conversation, especially since there's been so much noise in my head all day.

As Daniel slowly spins me around, he gazes down at me, his eyes softening. "Ellie, your father... He's never been the kind of father you—or anyone for that matter—deserves."

My emotions swell, but I manage to pull myself together enough to shake my head. "I don't have it too bad. I mean, I'm pretty lucky when you think about it. I have you and Charlotte in my life. I consider that a blessing."

"But you deserve so much more. Sometimes I don't think you realize how strong you are." His voice is full of admiration as he pulls me flush up against his body. "I'm a fighter too," he whispers. "And I've decided to help you."

The liquor is heavy on his breath, and I determine that he must be drunk. There is no other explanation for this nonsense.

"Daniel, that's not—"

He doesn't let me finish. Twirling me again, a little more carelessly this time, he causes me to trip over my own feet and stumble forward. A set of hands grab onto me, preventing my fall, and there is a moment of awkward confusion as I'm steadied back up onto my feet.

"Thank you" I breathe, glancing up at my rescuer, but I'm overcome with horror to find myself staring into Levi Harrington's amused gray eyes.

"Well, well, it appears I'm drawn to you at the most unfortunate times, Miss Blackwell." He pulls his entertained gaze away from me and extends his hand to Daniel, introducing himself.

Daniel seems to warm considerably as he shakes his hand. "Mr. Harrington, it's good to put a face to the name. I'm Daniel Aberson."

Levi's own face lights with recognition. "Well, Mr. Aberson, it looks like I have you and your family to thank for this wonderful introduction to town." He gestures around the room, but Daniel shakes his head, batting the compliment away.

"The thanks are all owed to my mother. She somehow believes it her civic duty to host a party every time a new set of boots comes town."

Oh no. My mouth drops open in surprise. This party is for him?

"Well, my uncle surely appreciates her efforts." Levi points over to a group near us where a well-dressed man is boisterously holding court, sharing a raucous story in French to an admiring crowd. With his sleek black hair and handsome face, he looks too much like Levi for them not to be related. Of course, his uncle is a little older than him, and has a dark, trimmed goatee.

Levi turns back to Daniel with a gracious smile. "Please don't think me rude, Mr. Aberson, but fate has literally had me bumping into the lovely Miss Blackwell all evening. I think I'd feel remiss if I didn't ask her for a dance. You know: don't want to be tempting fate and all..."

Forget blushing, this time my skin practically radiates with heat. I can't believe how familiar he's being! It's almost inappropriate.

Daniel, however, finds all of it hilarious. He doesn't bother hiding his delight as he places his hand on the small of my back and gives me a gentle shove towards Levi. "Why, that sounds like a marvelous idea."

"Miss Blackwell, will you do me the honor?" Levi bows at the waist and I shoot one last cutting look in Daniel's direction before allowing Levi to take my hand and lead me back onto the dance floor.

I tense when he places his other hand against the curve of my waist and pulls me closer than necessary. He holds me against his body, and I draw in my breath as we start to move to the music. He's a natural, and I quickly try to remember the steps to this particular dance, but can't seem to concentrate on anything other than him.

"Surely you can do better than that?" he murmurs in my ear.

Goosebumps break out across my skin as his words slip down my skin. Somehow, he seems to notice, and it triggers a look of satisfaction in his eyes. He smiles down at me and my face warms again as I turn away.

We dance in silence for a bit, falling into an easy rhythm as he spins me around. Slowly, I feel myself start to become an extension of him; eventually coming as close to feeling graceful as I think I ever will. I relax into it, and even find myself smiling.

"I told Martin I was right," Levi whispers into my ear.

I blink back at him in confusion. "Martin Cissell?" My steps slow as I try to make sense of what he's saying. "Right about what, exactly?"

"I told him I thought you'd be an excellent dancer." He frowns as he tries to get me back into the rhythm, but my feet have stopped cooperating.

Levi chuckles. "I have to say though; you're suddenly making this a difficult point to prove."

Anger rolls inside of me, but I somehow manage the tightest of smiles. "As flattered as I am that you and Mr. Cissell find me interesting enough to discuss—"

Levi stops our dance for a count and interrupts me. "Oh, Miss Blackwell. You underestimate yourself." He holds me there for a moment, staring intently into my eyes. "I believe the word I used was 'fascinating'."

We start dancing again and he tightens his arm around me. His body brushes up against mine, and the warmth of it stirs something to life inside me that I've never quite experienced before. A sensation coils in my stomach and a deep heat simmers right underneath my skin. I'm acutely aware of every inch of me that he's touching, and it's like each spot has its own pulse point, pounding with desire.

Shivering, I raise my chin, only to fall straight into those intense gray eyes of his. I can't seem to look away; I don't even know if I want to. There's something about Levi's eyes that make me believe I could stare into them forever.

The last notes of the song play, but my heart still races. It takes everything I have to gather myself and step away from him, but he doesn't let me get far. He reaches out and takes hold of my elbow, stopping me.

"Would you like to join me for a drink?" he asks, his voice deep and husky.

I've never felt so completely torn. A part of me wants to accept his invitation, but I know I shouldn't. I don't have time for silly fantasies, not with Pa's spring deadline looming over me, and that's all anything with Mr. Harrington would be: a fantasy. A man of his stature would never settle down with a girl like me. The world just doesn't work like that.

I glance around, hoping to find someone to rescue me from making a decision, because for the first time in my life my head and my heart are at odds. I spot Ambrose's son, Tobias, passing by and reach out, desperately grabbing him by the arm. "Oh Tobias, there you are!"

I disregard his befuddled expression and turn back to Levi. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Harrington, but I already promised to save a dance for Mr. Myers here, and as it's getting late..." I let my words trail off.

Levi's smile doesn't falter, but his eyes tinge with disappointment before he finally nods. "Of course. I understand."

He releases me, and my skin stings in protest, already missing the feel of his hand.

"My apologies," he says, giving me a slight bow. "I should have realized your company would be in demand." He flashes a fleeting lopsided grin and nods once at me, before turning and disappearing into the crowd.