Written In Stone

just another guest on the list, not Gavin's date.
    "Of course, madam. I would like nothing more than for you to be at my side all evening," and for the rest of eternity, he added silently.
    "Well," Angie started.
    Gavin immediately dropped to one knee. "If it's pleading, begging, and groveling you wish m' lady, then so be it." He shot her his most charming smile.
    Angela laughed. "All right then, Mr. Stone. I shall be delighted to accompany you to the ball Friday."
    Mrs. Waterston walked into the room with a large tray and even larger smile. "Here we are," she said. She set the tea tray on the table and began serving.
    "Angela has agreed to attend the party with me on Friday," Gavin informed the older woman.
    "Isn't that wonderful," Mrs. Waterston exclaimed, handing him a cup.
    "I will be by with the carriage to pick you both up around eight on Friday night," Gavin apprised them.
    "Oh, dear," Mrs. Waterston apologized. "I'm terribly sorry, but I won't be able to make it. I promised a dear friend I'd stop by for a visit at eight on Friday. She's recently widowed, you see, and just not doing well by herself at all."
    "Mrs. Waterston, you said nothing of this to me," Angie said, looking skeptically at her companion.
    "Well, dear, you said you wouldn't be attending the party, so I made other plans. You will just have to go along with Mr. Stone alone."
    "But Mrs. Waterston," Angie said, looking aghast.
    "I'm certain Mr. Stone will take good care of you, won't you Mr. Stone?"
    "Absolutely, Mrs. Waterston. She will be as safe with me as she is with you," he said with a nod.
    Angie looked at Gavin and then at Mrs. Waterston, almost certain she saw a look pass between them. She narrowed her eyes at Mrs. Waterston, but the older woman merely smiled and handed her a cup of tea.
    "Well then, Gavin," Angie sighed and sipped her tea. "It appears I will be joining you alone on Friday evening. I do hope you'll understand when I'm not wearing my dancing shoes."
    Gavin smiled at the wry look she gave him. "Of course, Angela, but I shall be wearing mine."
    ~ * ~
    Mrs. Waterston never fussed over Angie as much as she did all day today, and Angie was ready to scream. Maybl arranged Angie's hair, and Mrs. Waterston had the girl take it down and rearrange it three different times. Angie wanted to wear the ruby dress, but Mrs. Waterston said it didn't bring out her eyes, so Angie wound up trying on ten different ball gowns before Mrs. Waterston decided the satin ruby dress was perfect after all. Angie bathed in scented water, lathered with scented soap, and smeared on scented lotion. She'd had her lips tinted red, her lashes tinted black, and eleven different pairs of earrings snapped on her lobes, then removed only to snap on another pair. She had so many necklaces draped around her neck and removed she wasn't even sure which one Mrs. Waterston decided on. When it came to shoes, there had been a shouting match when Mrs. Waterston insisted Angie wear dancing shoes. In the end, Angie won that one, wearing the satin shoes that matched the black lace trim on her dress. After everything else that Mrs. Waterston had done that day, Angie felt at least one thing should go her way since she was the one going to the party.
    Promptly at eight, the doorknocker sounded, and Ben invited Gavin inside. He looked resplendent in his tux and tails, with the crisp white linen shirt, the ruby satin cummerbund, and the black bow tie at his throat. Angie gaped at him. How could he have possibly known she would be wearing a ruby satin dress? They looked as if they planned the ensemble between them, down to the last detail.
    "Mrs. Elliott, you are a vision." He bowed and offered her a bouquet of blood red roses.
    "Thank you, Mr. Stone," she said, blushing as she accepted the bouquet. "You look quite stunning yourself."
    " Mrs. Waterston, I shall have your charge home at a decent hour," Gavin assured the older woman, then bowed again and pushed the wheelchair toward the door Ben held open.
    "Oh, no hurry to have her home," Mrs. Waterston called after them.
    "Mrs. Waterston!" Angie turned in her chair to look back at her caregiver, but when she turned back around, she had a broad smile on her face.
    Gavin sat her in the carriage while his driver mounted the wheelchair on the back of the carriage. He climbed into the seat across from her and smiled. The sconces in the coach provided dim light, but Angie could see his beautifully handsome face. They sat smiling at one