Purcell's Pairings | ✔

VIII

     THE WAIT WAS atrocious. Annalise hadn't wanted to be one of those young women who eagerly rushed to a man's side for the sake of gaining their never-ending affection. She did not want to be one of those ladies that simply slid by a man's side just so that she could confirm that she spent the night with a handsome face. That screamed desperation, and that word wasn't something that fit snug in Annie's vocabulary. She was sure that standing rigidly against the cold wall most likely did not look any more attractive, but it was enough to calm her thoughts for a moment or two. Every time she connected eyes with an unfamiliar face, she glided closer to a table, for each one was accompanied by a servant. The conversations with her workers were more or less a polite smile before she carried on, but it was better than getting involved in something she didn't want to experience. She was fine solo.

Across the room, Esther had found her partner James. The sturdy man was practically towering over her, even though Esther was on the taller side of things, standing at an exact height of five foot seven. She was leaning towards him, and even from afar, Annalise could practically scope out the diamonds that shone in the depts of her irises. The smile she wore on her face was both charming and goofy, and Annalise could tell her attention was solemnly on him. They made a handsome couple, Annalise would admit to that. His hair was a smidge darker than hers, tied back in a neat bun. Although he was at an awkward angle in the sense that Annie could not get a good glimpse of his eyes, she knew from previous interactions with him that he had deep green eyes, resembling the shade found in the darkest part of a forest. He was a kind man with fine manners. It was evident he had been head-over-heels for Esther from the time he first met her, given the way he addressed her in comparison to Annalise and Maisie, but he was still a true gentleman. Their parents had already approved him, too, so Esther had little to worry about. That lucky duckling. They had always seemed more focused on getting Annie's head out of the clouds and shooing a crowd of men away from Maisie to truly focus on Esther's love life. Esther had said time and time again that she did not mind it, and Annalise eventually came to believe it. Esther didn't like the attention and preferred all things quiet. That being said, she had a good relationship with both their mother and their father, and they all knew that if Esther had something to discuss with them, she would have little issues bringing the topic up. Annie was genuinely happy for her. Unfortunately for her, in a selfish manner, that meant Esther was no longer reliable if Annalise needed to run to her. She didn't even bother looking for Maisie, knowing all-too-well that the girl was off in a crowd of men.

     Sighing a bit too loudly, Annalise reluctantly pushed herself off the wall and took tiny steps towards the middle of the ballroom. Her eyes grazed the visuals the ballroom had to offer- specifically the people. Dress skirts flowed elegantly at ladies' ankles, and the tails on the men's coats swished gracefully behind them. Annie rubbed her ankle with her opposite foot, averting her gaze to the floor. A tap on the shoulder surprised her so much that she nearly jumped out of her skin, and she shied away from the side she was touched. It was none other than Esther, ironically enough, staring expectedly at her with her pretty doe eyes.

     "What happened?" Annalise asked quickly, her eyes automatically shooting over to where she had just previously spotted her sister. "Where is James?"

     "Enough about James," Esther hissed, grabbing her sister's hand. Confused but having let her guard down, Annalise simply let her older sister lead her away. "I just spotted Maisie. She was heading out the door with a man and we cannot let her leave the party."

     It was difficult to hold back an eye-roll, but somehow, Annalise managed. She trailed behind her sister, her steps small and hurried, gaze strictly on the door that led them to the outdoors. She had only just managed to catch sight of one of the doormen closing one side and let out a somewhat irritated sigh. "Leave it to Maisie to bring the scandalous side of things into our party."