Distant Dreams by Tracie Peterson, Judith Pella Page B

the library. Someone else might catch her there, and she might make an even worse fool of herself.
    She followed the other guests from the dining room and up the sweeping staircase to the ballroom, where she quickly made her way to the farthest corner and prayed to fade into the artfully carved woodwork. James entered the room acting for all the world as though nothing were wrong, and Carolina could only conclude that he had not suffered the same effects of their meeting as she had.
    She studied him for a long moment. My, but he is dashing, she thought, noting the wavy darkness of his hair. The snug fit of his coat showed off a wealth of masculine lines, and the set of his jaw was lean and hard. He had grown into a handsome man—much too handsome, Carolina thought, for his own good. He was a far cry from the Jimmy Baldwin who had tormented her as a child. He and York had been great friends, and they had found much amusement in unmercifully teasing her and her sisters. Even back then Carolina had suffered a wide gamut of emotions in regard to Jimmy Baldwin, from anger at his boyish cruelty to starry-eyed admiration of her brother’s best friend.
    She watched now with no less confusion as a bevy of young women suddenly began swimming around him in adoration. She mentally calculated that he must be twenty-two, knowing him to be seven years her senior. Still studying him, she caught her breath when he flashed her a smile. How utterly awful to be caught watching him! Now he not only knew she was watching him, but by the way she felt her face flush, he would know how embarrassed she was at being found out.
    Fully expecting him to torment her further, Carolina made her way to where her father spoke with Leland Baldwin. Surely James wouldn’t attempt to disgrace her in front of his father.
    “Are you having fun, my dear?” her father asked with a wide smile.
    Carolina knew he understood her misgivings about being forced to come to the affair. If they wanted to marry off Virginia, it was all well and fine, but there seemed to be little or no reason to drag her along behind. Seeing Leland Baldwin’s anxious expression, Carolina nodded. “It’s a lovely party.”
    “Now don’t feel shy about dancing, Miss Adams,” Baldwin said. “Even if you are the youngest girl here.”
    Margaret and Edith appeared, and Carolina was forced to endure their scrutiny and suggestions for male companionship that evening.
    “Sarah Armstrong’s brother, Daniel, has been asking after you, Carolina,” her mother said softly. “I believe he would very much enjoy a dance.”
    “He’s a splendid young man,” Edith offered supportively. “He recently graduated from the military academy, and he looks positively handsome in his uniform.”
    Carolina prayed for patience and the ability to endure the driving force of not one mother, but two. Her decision was made for her, however, when she spotted James making his way toward them.
    “If you would introduce us, Mrs. Baldwin, I would be happy to share a dance with him.” Carolina knew she sounded rather flustered, but she had no desire to face James Baldwin again.
    James watched his mother leading Carolina across the ballroom. They had their heads together as if planning a very important strategy, which as far as James could tell from his dealings with women, they probably were. He smiled to himself and was pleasantly interrupted by a feminine voice.
    “Hello, Mr. Baldwin,” Virginia Adams purred.
    James turned and gave a bow. “Another Miss Adams, I see. Good evening.”
    Virginia smiled demurely and used the fan to her advantage to gaze at him coquettishly from over the rim. “I was hoping to congratulate you on your recent graduation.”
    “That’s very kind of you.” James studied Virginia for a moment and found himself comparing her to her sister. He was, in fact, so lost in this comparison that he didn’t hear what Virginia said next.
    “I’m sorry”—he smiled in a way that