Nikolas and Gia looked at each other in astonishment. They were stunned and amused. Nikolas led Gia to the front of the crowd of guests calling her name. “Elizabeth!” Nikolas exclaimed.
Suddenly Gia felt Nikolas slow his stride and
then stop as the crowd parted for the royal pair. Gia looked up and at the base of the staircase stood a tall
muscular blonde man holding out his hand towards Elizabeth.
~~~
Jason was relieved when Isabella had mentioned
Elizabeth. He had been worried that the
Italian pair had seen through their ruse and kidnapped her. Now as Isabella began her announcement,
Jason’s first instinct was to stay in the shadows, but then he felt a nudge
from a nearby servant, eagerly leading him to the front of the ballroom. Finally Jason reluctantly moved to the
bottom of the staircase.
As Jason waited at the base of the steps, his
gaze remained focused upon the smiling couple.
“May I introduce to you,” Isabella smiled and
made a point to catch his eye, which he wondered about.
Jason’s gaze was diverted from Isabella as she
winked coyly at Jason.
“Ms. Elizabeth Webber.”
Elizabeth appeared from behind them and smiled at him. Jason felt his heart stop and his breath catch in his throat.
Her curly chestnut brown hair was pulled back
from her face, pinned up with a string of diamonds and turquoise stones
encircling the crown of her head. Her
face glowed under the soft chandelier lights.
Elizabeth’s lips were a glossy shade of caramel and her cheeks shone a
rosy shade of pink.
As Elizabeth began her descent down the stairs,
Jason noticed the dark sapphire gown that clung to her petite frame. The dress was secured around the nape of her
neck with thin lace straps. Her
neckline dropped slightly low, revealing her creamy alabaster skin. Sapphire and crystal beads had been
intricately woven upon the top of her dress that descended around to the curve
of her back.
Jason was awakened from the reverie as
Elizabeth’s hand rested in his. He felt
her fingers entwine with his.
“And her beau, Mr. Jason Morgan,” Isabella
announced.
Jason vaguely heard the older woman as
Elizabeth’s greyish blue eyes peered into his.
“Do you like it Jason?” Elizabeth whispered.
Jason was speechless. “I…I can’t tell you how much…” His voice trailed off.
He didn’t know how to tell her how many times his
heart skipped a beat just from her smile.
Or how fast his heart raced now.
Jason had never seen her as radiant as she was tonight.
Jason didn’t think much about the dress; it was
something else. It made her glow from
within. She seemed free. Elizabeth was Elizabeth at her purest. Nothing was holding her back.
Elizabeth smiled warmly as he lifted her hand to his warm lips. Again, Jason remembered the things that made him fall in love with her all over again.
“You look beautiful Elizabeth.”