The Roskelleys were first, and Julia greeted Adelaide warmly, despite only becoming acquainted at the wedding. Adelaide was polite and gracious, but still seemed stiff to Harrison’s eyes. Whether that was nerves or a natural feeling toward Julia as a person, he couldn’t say. He could not imagine anyone finding fault in Julia, given she was one of his oldest friends and universally adored, but Adelaide was peculiar in her tastes and opinions on people.

John Roskelley, Julia’s husband, was as affable as ever, and was expeditious in sweeping his wife away to allow further guests to greet them.

Suddenly, Adelaide was in her element.

Harrison introduced her to every person entering, but she was the one to converse and set them at ease. She welcomed them with grace and warmth, even humor, and despite every one of these individuals knowing Harrison, in some cases for several years, he was not the Basset they were impressed by.

Adelaide was.

He could see it in every expression that passed him after being so perfectly greeted by her, in every eye that cast on him with new appreciation after Adelaide met them, in every smile that moved away from them.

How in the world had he married a woman so perfect for his life at Trevadden?

He reined in the overwhelming assumption that had taken over his thoughts, forcing it to tuck back into a corner of his mind. She was perfect for this night, for this ball, for these people, but he could hardly consider this as life at Trevadden entirely. She had barely settled into that life, hadn’t even seen the mines, the village, or their tenants. She had been rearranging and redecorating Trevadden, but that could not be considered as truly living in it.

And she despised Emblyn.

Time was what was needed to see how perfect Adelaide was for Trevadden, or for him, far more than one evening.

But the power in this one evening was undeniable, and it was encouraging.

“Basset,” Adelaide hissed, her elbow gently nudging his side.

He focused on the task at hand rather than on his thoughts and smiled easily. “Mr. Bodville. Mine captain at Wheal Lidden, our largest and most prosperous mine. Excellent man, we owe him immensely.”

She nodded once and beamed. “Mr. Bodville, what a pleasure to finally meet you!”

Bodville bowed, smiling warmly. “My lady, the pleasure is mine. You certainly add a note of refinement to Trevadden, if I may say so.”

“You may,” Adelaide quipped, the flattery turning her cheeks a little pink. “I don’t think Basset will argue the point.”

On cue, Harrison shook his head. “I will not, as she most certainly has.”

“Wise man.” Adelaide smiled almost smugly at the statement.

“I am glad you have returned when you have, my lord,” Bodville said, turning his attention to Harrison. “It is my honor to tell you that Miss Jenna Verran has consented to marry me.”