Finding Love

Chapter Seven

Then I tried to push him off of me but he would not budge. Before I could make another attempt he was ripped off.

"Mr. Taylor I am positive your mother taught you that this is not the way to treat a lady." Mr. Evengston appeared and held him by the collar as he punched his face. Mr Taylor slumped to the floor unconscious. "Mr. Evengston Thank you." Was all i could get out. I was shaky for I would have never thought that Mr. Taylor was capable of something like this and to think what might have happened if Mr. Evengston had not appeared. I wanted to sit but not so close to Mr Thayer, even if he was unconscious. I began to just walk away.

"Wait miss Alice you are going the wrong way."

"Oh yes of course." I turned and walked the other way.

"Please may I be of assistance."

"I think you did all that is needed."

"No your glove is ripped." He gently took hold of my hand and held it up to examine the rip.

"Oh no I can't walk in there like this."

"It is fine you can give them to me and just say you forgot them on the bench outside."

"Thank you." I said as i took them off and handed them to him. I walked into the building hoping to distract myself from the events that just accrued. I stood once again with my brothers. It had not been my first kiss no I was once kissed Mr. Anderson but compared to what Mr. Taylor had just done. So demanding and cruel. It turned my stomach. For what kind of man takes a women in that sort of way and what made him think that I would enjoy a thing like that. Our last conversation played out in my head, and it only made me very upset. outraged even this twisted man thought he could take advantage of me.

"Alice would you like to dance?" My father asked me.

"Of course father" I set my hand into his and guided me to the dance. My mind trying so hard to push my thoughts out of head and trying desperately to focus solely on my father.

"Your attention seems else where. Are you all right?"

"Oh sorry no just thinking."

"You know you can tell me if something has occurred."

"Of course father" He nodded and we finished our dance and. Mr Brington came for his dance and I was feeling a bit better. Again I was able to focus on what was in front of me. Mr. Brington was a pleasant man a bit to old. He was five years older then John which made him 32. I was not in attention to marry him but he was nice and a bit boring.

The next on my card was Mr. Evengston but I didn't believe he was back from the garden so I was waiting around standing with my brothers when the Duke walked up to us.

"Lord Coves. Gentlemen. I was hoping to have this dance Miss Alice." He said I was about to turn him down when I heard my mothers voice loud and clear.

"Well of course she accepts. She would be honored to dance with you your Grace." She said answering for me. He was tall like his brother you could tell they were brothers same blue eyes but the Dukes hair was a bit lighter in color. You could also tell he was older get a bit wrinkles around his eyes but not from smiling from squinting them i think. I let him guide me to the dance.

"I hope i did not take the place of anyone important on your card."

"Actually your Grace you took the place of your brother."

"I did not know you were acquainted with my brother."

"Yes well we met tonight earlier by the lemon-aid."

"Ah He has a way of making himself known to the most beautiful women in the ton."

"Why thank you your grace."

"Oh please call me Simon." He laughed. I wasn't sure what he was laughing at till he tripped a bit on his own foot. He was drunk. "My apologies i might have indulged in a bit of strong port."

"Brother, Miss Alice I do believe it is my turn of a dance." Mr. Evengston said putting his hand on his brothers shoulder. At first i did believe it was to get his attention but it was to hold his brother steady.

"Yes of course Ezra. I do bid you good night Miss Alice it was lovely to meet you. Ezra I'll wait for you."

"It was nice to meet you to your grace." I curtsied. As he walked away.

"Rest assured you should not ever hear from Mr. Taylor any longer. I hope other then that event you have had a lovely night."

"I am very grateful to you for all that you have done not just tonight."

"There is no thanks needed. Anyone who is a gentleman should have done the same."

"I am beginning to believe you are wrong about that."

"Nonsense you seem to have fair brothers who would be very angry if they were to ever know of the actions of Mr. Taylor."

"Oh they must never know for which they would kill him or worse in my mothers eyes the Ton would find out and I would be ruined." For a moment we were both quiet. dancing in a pair as if we had done it all our lives. He was swift and calm on his feet a perfect dancing partner.

"I am guessing your brothers are the ones responsible for you being in the club the other night."

"I don't know what it is that your referring to Sir." I smiled at my little joke.

"Oh of course not miss Alice I hope to see you again but for now I should bid you a good night." He kissed my hand and walked away. I made my way over to my family.

"I do believe it is time for us to go home." Mother said angrily

"Yes of course but I did Promise Mrs. Edwards we would take Lydia home this night for she took Lavinia home early for she was not feeling good."

"Yes well do get her will you Alice." My father spoke.

After a few minutes I found her. Then we made our way out of the ball and to the front of the house to get into the carriages. Lyidia had no idea her mother and sisters had left the ball. To my surprise father, mother, Joseph and John.

"Where is George?" I asked when I stepped in.

"He left early not in the mood for dancing." Joseph said. After that the ride was quit. That is until We dropped off Lydia at home. Then my mother let me have it.

"How dare you dance with that scandal of a man I told you to dance with the Duke!"

"Which man?"

"You know who, his brother. And how dare you let him kiss your hand. Now the whole ton will be talking about you getting involved with the likes of him."

"I don't think it was that bad Mary just leave it alone." Father said.

"Leave it alone you say! She disobeyed me and ignored the Duke for that Bastard! How could you do this Alice do you want to ruin your life. NO one will want you now. That man has a reputation. Your such a stupid girl! You will be the ruin to us all!"

"ENOUGH MARY" father said rather loudly "now leave Alice alone." After that I looked at my brothers who had never seen mother this way. They believed her to be a quite women meek. That was very far from the truth.