Finding Love

Chapter 13

"We will not leave your side Alice and if he tries to dance with you we will just keep you busy." Joseph whispered to me as we walked to the entrance of The Taylor home. I had worn a dark Maroon Ball gown that was a bit modest to say the least. Mother was disappointed that I had picked this one. But I did not care at this time.

"Thank you" Joseph held my hand and guided me the entire time it took us to walk into the house and into the ball room.

"Lord Coves" A short older man walked up to us confronting my father "Mr Taylor would like to speak with you if you would follow me sir." Father nodded and walked away with him. I turned to look at my brothers for answers and all of them looked mad.

"Boys Put a smile on your faces. Go pick a pretty girl to dance with." Mother said and walked away. Most likely to talk with the mothers.

"Who was that man?" I asked

"That was Mr Taylor's assistant." George said

"They are most likely trying to talk father into letting Alice marry the filth." John commented

"Hello Gentleman" Ezra walked over to our little circle "Hello Miss Coves, May I ask for this dance. I would write my name down but it seems your dancing card is missing."

"Yes well I do not plan on dancing much this night."

"Mr. Evengston," John said "I am sorry it has taken this long but i do want to thank you for taking care of Alice." Did he know Ezra Escorts me home from the club? My heart started pounding.

"For the night she was attached by Mr. Taylor." George finished and the air rushed back into my lungs.

"No need to Thank me Sir. Any Gentlemen would have done the same."

"Not all of them Evengston but you did and we owe you a doubt that can not be repaid." George finished.

"Mr. Evengston about that dance." I said as I held out my hand to him. He took it and lead me to the dance floor.

"I see your brothers are playing guards this night."

"Yes it seems they and my father agreed to it."

"I am surprised to find that you have even made it to the ball"

"Yes well mother doesn't know and we want to keep it that way and we all couldn't play sick tonight so we all had to come."

"I see."he said

"Your brother favors Martha to dance with"

"Yes my brother loves to dance and is particular about dancing partners. He says she doesn't talk and moves well. But he just finished dancing with Marcy.."

"Mercy Morgan?"

"I do believe so"

"She is kind and sweet. She would make any man proud."

"She is beautiful but my brother isn't getting married." I didn't know how to feel about him calling her beautiful. I could not argue but it stung my pride. Here I was dresses in one of the ugliest dresses I could find not to attract thee eyes of Mr Taylor and yet looking like a full in front of him and this was not the worst dress he has laid eyes on me. Not to mention the fact that he has seen me dressed as a man.

We stayed quiet while the songs changed I do believe we were on our third dance now. But I didn't really care. I was calm around his presence and he distracted me from all of the things going on around me.

"Maybe one more dance and then I shall walk you back to your brothers."

"Why? Have I offended you in any matter?"

"No, of course not, but I believe I have offended your mother for every time I am turned in her direction she is staring at us with a scroll on her face."

"There is plenty that offends my mother please do not taking for meaning anything"

"I do believe she is very upset Alice. I would prefer to not anger her any long and take you back to your brothers."

"As you wish Ezra" He was a bit taken back for that was the first time tonight that I had used his name. He looked at me and I noticed his eyes looked deeper pool of blue that earlier as if the blue was darker some how.

Once the dance was done he did as he said and walked me back to my brothers where mother was standing looking very angry.

"Alice I do believe we had talked about you dancing with Mr. Evengston. I forbid it and I no longer want you Mr. Evengston to talk to my daughter!"

"Mother Please"

"Mother Mr. Evemgston is a good man." John said But before this could turn into a discussion. Mrs Taylor walked over to us.

"How exciting! My son informed me this morning that our families shall be united."

"What is it that you mean Mrs. Taylor?" My mother said

"That my son will be marring your daughter In two months time."

"Alice is this true?" Mother turned to me

"You mean you did not know! A love match" She said

"No it is not true and I will never marry Mr. Taylor."

"Girl you should not speak like that. I must talk with my husband" Before mother could ask any questions father appeared red faced and angry. The Duke behind him.

"Let us go from this Disgusting house." He piratically yelling and stormed off. Mother following after him.

"Is there something we could do?" The Duke asked People were starting to stare at the situation.

"Maybe Your Grace if you would not mind coming to our home so that we may speak more privately." John said getting into his 'Lord's voice'

We all walked out of the Taylor house together. We would be tomorrows most popular topic of conversation. No one knowing what really happened the people will be left with there ideas and notions of the strange actions of the Coves family and the Duke and his brother.

We road home in silence. Until the moment that we walked into the house and walked into our sitting room and the Duke and his brother followed.