THE DEFIANT LADY by Samantha Garman Page B

please,” she said, and then closed her eyes. Cy handed her a glass, and sat down on the bed next to her. When she had her fill, she leaned back and said, “Thank you. Have you been here all night?”
    He nodded. “You had a rough sleep and a high fever.”
    “That would explain the odd dreams,” she said.
    “Dreams?” Cy asked with raised eyebrows.
    Ivy nodded. “Shadows of demons, and a lot of red…”
    “Fever dreams,” Cy concluded. “The doctor came to see you. He does not seem at all concerned. You should be well in a few days. Are you feeling any better?”
    “A bit. I felt fine yesterday afternoon, and then right after we played cards I began to feel ill.”
    Cy stood up. “I will have some hot broth sent up to you. You should drink as much as you can. Doctor’s orders…and mine, too.”
    “Cy…” she said when his hand was on the doorknob. “Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”
    He came back to her and kissed her forehead. “It is my duty to see to your welfare. Rest. I will visit you later.”
      While she recovered, her sister came to visit, and Cy spent a good amount of his time with Ivy. Three days later, Ivy was well enough to travel home. A part of her wanted to stay with him, but she realized she would get her wish soon enough.
    “Do not get caught in any more rainstorms,” the Duchess admonished when Ivy came home.  
    Cy was standing by her side and replied, “On the contrary, she should get caught in them much more often. It was a true pleasure to be able to take care of her.”
    Ivy threw him a look. “You refused to let me move about! One would think I was a bedridden invalid.”
      “It was my right as your fiancé,” Cy said high-handedly. “Besides, it got you out of your lessons for three days!”
    Ivy laughed. “In that case, I should be kissing the ground you walk on!”

    ***

    The announcement of the engagement between the Earl of Stanton and Miss Ivy Sinclair hit The Times , one of England’s most prestigious newspapers, and swept through the ranks of nobility like wildfire.
    Ivy’s status soared. Invitations began to flood the Cavehill country home, arriving in overwhelming amounts from almost every member of high society.
    “Very few people know me! How can they want me to come to their soirées?” Ivy asked, completely perplexed.
    The Duchess smiled with amusement. “They want to see the woman who snatched up one of the most sought after bachelors who has avoided marriage for years.”
    Ivy looked at Willow who laughed gleefully and said, “They want to judge you, Ivy.”
    “She is right,” the Duchess agreed. “Though our neighbors adored you and Willow both, there will be those in London that think you are nothing more than impostors.”
    “Lovely,” Ivy said sarcastically. She touched a thick cream envelope. “This one is from Lady Dashwell.”
    The Duchess smiled joyfully. “You have been officially invited to the Greek Ball. Marvelous!”
    “What is the Greek Ball?” Willow asked.
    “Every year in late June, Lord and Lady Dashwell throw a Greek Ball. Everyone dresses in Greek fashion, dines on Greek dishes, and the ballroom looks like an ancient Greek Temple. It is simply splendid. The night of the ball will be your official entrance into society just as I had planned.”
    Ivy stifled a groan. “Does this mean a new gown?”
    “It does, indeed,” the Duchess said. “Is the Earl of Stanton coming for dinner this evening?”
    Ivy nodded. “Yes, he wants to ensure that I have fully recovered from my cold.”
    “Perfect. Undoubtedly he has received an invitation to the Greek Ball as well, and will be amenable to joining us.”
    Ivy felt a curl of pleasure envelope her. The idea of arriving on Cy’s arm to her first extravagant ball filled her with a sense of longing. It would be her chance to show Cy and the rest of society that he had not made a mistake by asking for her hand in marriage.
    Dinner that evening was a quiet and