Chapter Forty Four
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."