“He enjoys the image, but there’s more to Bennett than that. I thought that the two of you had gotten quite close.”

“Bennett’s very kind.”

“Hannah, don’t disappoint me.” A little tired, Eve sat on the edge of the bed. “He watches you walk out of a room and waits for you to come into one.”

“He does?”

“Yes.” Now she grinned. “He does. With all the anxiety and all the tension of the last weeks, at least I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Bennett fall in love. You do care, don’t you?”

“Yes.” It was almost over. Some deceptions were no longer necessary. “I’ve never known anyone like him.”

“There isn’t anyone like him.”

“Eve, I don’t want you to think, or to hope, for something that isn’t going to happen.”

“I’m entitled to think and hope as I choose.” She lay a hand on the box beside her and patted the lid. “But for now, open your present.”

“Is this a royal command or a request?”

“Whatever it takes to get you to open it. Please, I’m dying to see if you like it.”

“Well, it’s against my principles to open a present before Christmas, but . . .” Giving in, Hannah lifted the lid. She pushed aside the layers of tissue paper, then stood staring.

It glittered like a jewel and shimmered like fire. The dress was the rich, luscious green of emeralds with thousands and thousands of tiny beads that caught the afternoon light.

“Take it out,” Eve insisted, then too impatient for Hannah, drew it out of the box herself.

The silk swayed, whispered and settled. It was cut straight, with a high neck that glistened with its beaded band at the throat. The arms would be bare well onto the shoulders as would the back before the material draped again and followed a long line to the floor. It was a dress made to glitter under chandeliers and shimmer under moonlight.

“Tell me you like it. I’ve driven the dressmaker crazy for a month.”

“It’s beautiful.” Tentatively Hannah reached out. The dress shivered with life at the barest touch. “Eve, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll wear it to the Christmas Ball.” Delighted with herself Eve turned Hannah toward the mirror and held the dress in front of her. “Look what it does to your eyes! I knew it.” Laughing, she pushed the dress into Hannah’s hands so she could step back and take it in. “Yes, I was sure of it. With that skin of yours . . . Oh yes,” she said as she tapped a finger to her lips. “Bennett’s going to take one look and babble like an idiot. I can’t wait to see it.”

“I don’t think I should—”