A Visit From Sir Nicholas Read Free Page A

privately again. But she could not forget his kiss or the look in his eyes or the tremulous feelings he'd aroused within her.
    "He's leaving London, you know," Jules said with a casual shrug, as if Nicholas Collingsworth's leaving was of no importance whatsoever.
    "So I have heard." Lizzie's tone was as casual as her sister's, belying the urgency that Nicholas's plans triggered within her. "Jonathon said he's sailing tomorrow. For America, I believe."
    "Well, I for one shan't miss him, although I daresay he'll be here tonight. I can't imagine anyone missing the Effington Christmas Ball."
    "It would be most impolite of him." And disastrous to Lizzie's plans. She had to know if what she felt about him was real or imagined. Simply a momentary lapse in judgment, and nothing at all serious, or lasting and important. And if her feelings were real, did he feel the same?
    "I can't wait for tonight." Excitement sparkled in Jules's eyes. "This will be the very first Effington Christmas Ball that I won't have to watch in secret."
    For as long as Lizzie could remember, the younger Effington children and their cousins had watched the Christmas ball festivities from a hiding place in an unused balcony overlooking the ballroom. Although to say they watched in secret was not entirely accurate, since every year, promptly when the clock struck ten, whatever governess was in residence at the time would fetch them and send them off to bed.
    "I still can't believe Mother is allowing you to attend. She did not allow me to attend until I had come out in society, and you won't do that until spring."
    "But I am nearly seventeen and Mother is not tied down by antiquated conventions. She is a modern woman," Jules said loftily, then grinned. "In truth, though, I think I simply wore her down."
    "I know the rest of us have certainly been worn down," Lizzie said wryly. Jules's campaign to be allowed to attend the grand party had begun in earnest two years earlier, when Lizzie, at age seventeen, had been allowed to attend her first Christmas ball. Jules's unending assault on her mother was a subject of great amusement in the household, if a bit trying.
    "Besides, Lizzie"—Jules leapt to her feet and twirled about the room—"it's Christmas and anything is possible at Christmas. Anything at all."
    "I do hope so," Lizzie murmured.
    Jules stopped abruptly and stared. "Whatever is the matter with you? You've been exceedingly quiet and even thoughtful in recent days. Not at all like your usual self. One would think you had a world of troubles on your mind."
    "Not at all," Lizzie said firmly. "Why, what on earth could possibly trouble the frivolous Lizzie Effington?" She forced her brightest smile. "And you're right, it is Christmastime, and anything is indeed possible at Christmas. Now, shouldn't you be getting ready for tonight?"
    "I most certainly should." Jules nodded and headed toward the door to her room. "I have a scant six hours, and as this is my first Christmas ball, my first ball ever, I want to look my best. Better than my best. I want to look," she tossed her head and cast her sister a wicked look over her shoulder that was far more adult than was seemly for a girl her age, "better than you." Lizzie raised a brow and bit back a grin. "Oh?"
    "You may well be the Effington everyone considers the most fun, but I fully intend to be the one most sought after." Jules grinned, then sobered. "This will be a night I shall remember always, Lizzie. I'm certain of it." She nodded, turned, and swept from the room.
    Lizzie laughed. When Jules set her mind on something, there was no stopping her. If she was indeed determined to become the belle of London, she would succeed. Lizzie had no doubt that Jules would do whatever she wished to do in this life.
    As for Lizzie's own life, she had never once doubted where she was headed and what would become of her. She couldn't remember ever being confused or uncertain.
    Until Nicholas.
    Now, she wasn't certain she knew