Midnight Bliss

Chapter 5

The rest of tea had been fine, but I found myself rather exhausted, or embarrassed, after the boat ride was over and excused myself to my chambers. Eloise followed silently and as we walked to the chambers, a young man walked from the other way. His eyes were the first thing I noticed. Just like Barrows, but a deeper shade of green. His hair framed his face in the same way and for a moment time slowed as his eyes admired me and then went back to the objective before him. His destination. Time was suddenly normal then and he passed. I stared back at him and furrowed my brows.

"He looked an awful like Barrows." I pointed out aimlessly as we entered the chambers.

Eloise cleared her throat, "Not that of a lady to discuss a man in private."

I rolled my eyes, "Loosen up, Eloise."

"Barrows is a strange man." She pointed a finger at me.

I knew she was trying to scold me, but I was on cloud nine. I changed into my evening wear, a billowing lavender dress with white shoes, and sat at the table in the dining quarters. Eloise brought me a cup of tea and as I stirred a sugar cube in Mother made her way into the dining area. She admired me for a long moment before Father followed in close behind her with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"Jack Lavenpool has sent these for you. He hopes you shall join him for a stroll later on." Father said with pride in his voice.

I felt a pang of disappointment, but forced a smile and nodded. Jack Lavenpool was one of the few names I had remembered from the ball. He was a shorter fellow, but rich. Mother had made sure to get the scoop of gossip on that. He owned a mining company and had apparently been married once before, but she had died along with their child. He was a sad man, but nice enough.

"I would be honored." I took the flowers and set them on the table, admiring the foreign flower.

Just then another bouquet of flowers came in and I immediately recognized the man as a fellow from Barrows table. He cleared his throat and then spoke nervously,

"Lord Barrows sends these flowers and his regards. He enjoyed himself on your boat ride and wishes to seek your company again tonight." He paused, awaiting my response.

My heart fluttered, but I watched as my Father's eyes flickered between the flowers and then back towards me in anticipation. Mother looked outright furious. I felt a pang of nervousness suddenly and took the flowers reluctantly, not meeting his gaze.

"I must decline his invitation, Sir." I spoke quietly, afraid of my own voice.

Eloise watched painfully as I set the flowers down and excused myself to my bedroom for the rest of the evening.

"How lucky you must feel to be an only child?" Lavenpool inquired at our stroll. Eloise was behind us the entire way.

I shrugged, "It has been an alright life. I did not struggle for anything and my parents have provided plenty."

"Ah, a modest woman." He admired me.

I felt like a trophy to him, but I brushed it off.

"How many siblings do you have, Jack?" I asked.

He counted in his head, "I have... er, eight. They are all well underage besides Clarissa. She joins season next year."

"How nice to have younger siblings." I admired the thought.

He cringed, "Franklin, Todd, and Langly are all 7. Triplets. They get into feisty amount of trouble. Yulia and Julia are 5. Twins. The final three are 3, 2, and newborn."

I blinked at the load of information and as I thought about the future I could have bearing this man sets of twins or triplets, I caught the sight of Nathaniel. He strolled along with a darker haired woman. She spoke to him quietly, but he seemed to be listening. I became distracted from what Jack was saying, but nodded to him as he rattled on about his family. Barrows leaned into this woman and smiled down at her, catching a smile from her mouth. I knew I shouldn't be staring, but suddenly his eyes flickered up to mine and the world around my rattled. Had he been seeing me the entire time staring? Had he noticed I was breathless and anxious as he spoke to this dark haired beauty?

I felt Eloise nudge me and I focused back on Jack. 

"Of course I'd love to have children of my own someday, but I am a wee bit afraid I will cause my poor wife some harm with how many triplets and twins we have in the family." He laughed.

I nodded to him and forced a smile. He had become so boring so fast, but when I looked past him again I felt my world stop. Barrows had his hand on the lady's chin. She was smiling up at him and he rubbed a thumb along her chin tenderly. He looked as if he was going to lean in and then he cracked a smile, eyes steady on her face. I inhaled sharply.

"Something wrong, Nora?" Jack asked suddenly.

This caught Barrows attention and his brows furrowed as I looked away quickly and gathered my things, waving my hand to him.

"I am fine. I am feeling a wee bit ill, Dear." I said in a rush as Eloise led me from the room.