as the threat of tears passed , and the lump of emotion in her throat began to dissolve , whitney let her eyes drift back over the rows of guests , past her father , past margaret merryton 's parents ... past lady eubank who was wearing one of her outrageous turbans ... past a very tall , dark-haired man who ... whitney 's heart gave a leap , missed a beat , then began to thump madly as a pair of penetrating gray eyes looked straight into hers .