9
The night was full of magic. Ella couldn’t stop smiling as she left the dancers and returned to the table with Bridget.
Warwick poured them wine from a bottle a barmaid delivered to them. “Well done, ladies, well done.”
The wine was sweet on Ella’s tongue and went straight to her head as she ate dinner. Phillip kept a hand on her waist, so deliciously scandalous, even though they were pretending to be married. She could have floated away without a care in the world.
“Well, it’s getting late. I think we’ll turn in,” Phillip said at last. “It was a pleasure to meet you both.”
Bridget smiled. “As it was for us, my lord.”
Phillip collected his cane, and Ella slipped her arm in his as they headed for the stairs.
“You were stunning tonight,” Phillip said as they climbed the steps togeth
