The Lady of the ton

The first ball

Chapter two: The first ball

Adaline

I don't recall ever being as nervous as I was when I was presented Infront of the king and queen. Walking up the aisle under the watchful eye of the entire ton is beyond nerve-racking. With a forced breath I remembered what had been drilled into my head since mothers passing, Keep your head up and shoulders back. Don't let them know you're afraid my tutor would tell me. When I got to the end of the aisle, I lowered my head as my body lowered to the ground in the most elegant manner that I could manage being in a form fitting gown. I keep my head lowered and sucked in a breath as fancy golden shoes appear in my line of sight. I feel a soft but cool hand under my chin, allowing me to rise and look up. I hold my breath as I lock eyes with the queen, whom just a second ago was in her seat.

"My dear," She starts to say to me. "Out of all the ladies presented here today, you're by far the most graceful." She gives me a soft smile and lowers her hand as she turns to go back to her seat. I let out the breath I was holding and go to stand next to my father. I will never forget that for once he held a look of pride towards my presentation. One can only hope that I can manage to keep making him proud.

Four hours go past since meeting the queen. I unfortunately find myself walking into two large great doors on the arm of my father. I can't help but wish that Joffree was still here as if he were it would be him presenting me instead of father. Father pulls me out of my thoughts and takes me to a group of older men.

"Good evening gentleman, may I present my daughter Adaline Corter." He says with a smug look. The men gaze at me as though they have never seen a woman before. I realize that could not be so as this group was my father's age. I give them a small smile and pull at my father's arm to grab his attention.

"Father I am quite parched do you mind if I grab a drink?" I ask him with hope in my eyes that he lets me go. He gives me narrowed eyes but nods his head. I give one last smile to the men and excuse myself from their presence. On my way to the drink and snacks that consists of all sorts of fruits a man close to Joffree's age approaches me.

"Miss Corter, would you do the honor of dancing with me?" the man asks. I smile at him and ask him to give me a moment. I pick up a glass of champagne and take a drink. When I finish, I take his hand, that I can't help but notice is three times the size of mine, and I am led to the middle of the room. The doors to the great hall open as soon as the song starts to play causing everyone to look at the new presences that grace upon us. The gentlemen that steps in have me pulling away from the man who asked for my first dance. I look up at the one man I have known for most of my life. His piercing green eyes pulling me towards him, and I know from that moment on that Bodin Carmichael is back and he means business.

Bodin

I walk behind Derek into the great hall that the ball is being held in. The doors open and I can hear everything stop in the room ahead. Derek stands to the side, having already found a wife, he is only here to support me on this endeavor. I walk up to the banister overlooking the crowd until I sport the reason for me being here, the gorgeous fiery redhead that I have loved since my sister befriended her. Adaline stands in the middle of the room looking up at me with a look of surprise on her face. I see the man standing next to her look at her with determination but what he doesn't know is that she will be mine.

"Derek if you would like you may leave to tend to Carmen." I say to my brother with a look that says I got this. He gives me a smirk and turns and leaves to help his very pregnant wife. I walk down the stairs not taking my eyes off her. I reach her in the middle of the room and hold out my hand.

"Adaline, May I have this dance?" I asked here spearing a side glance at the man next to her. He looks at me shocked but backs away. She hesently places her hand in mine and the music starts and we dance. I have imagined this night for as long as I can remember. An hour goes by when she finally speaks to me.

"When did you return Mr. Carmichael?" she asked me in the most respectful way.

I smiled at her and replied that I returned two days ago. When I imagined this moment, I didn't think that it would be this soon. I go to ask her for another dance, but she pulls away and the sudden loss of contact with her feels wrong. I can tell she feels the loss as well as she looks at her hand that was once in mine. She looks up and catches my eyes.

"Mr. Carmichael I should allow a dance to the other gentleman that have been patiently waiting their turn. After all you did interrupt the first dance I was to have." She tells me quietly and backs away from me even more. I went to take a step towards her when a booming voice is heard.

"Adaline there you are." Her father voices loudly. "I have been looking for you for over an hour. It is time for us to leave and here I find you with men surrounding you like a harlot." People around us gasp at what he says to his daughter. Whispers start around us, but my eyes are on her. The sadness that washes over her face is seen by no one else but me. It takes every ounce of me not to wrap her in my arms but if I were to do so then it would further the rumors that are starting to form. She apologizes to her father and follows him out of the room with her head down.

"Can you believe Lord Carmichael? How could he call his daughter such a thing?" I overhear an older women ask her husband. Their own children happen to be participating in this season with Adi. I start to walk out the door when the man that I had stopped from dancing with Adaline stepped in front of me.

"Mr. Carmichael, may I have a word with you?" he asks. I fix the collar of my suit and nod to him. He turns in his spot and starts to head outside. I follow him curious about what he wishes to say to me.

"Mr. Carmichael, if you get in miss Adaline's and my way again, I will make sure not only you suffer but your family will as well. I will wed that girl and I will not let you get in the middle for I am prince Kendrick of Prussia and I always get what I want." With that he turns around and walks aways from me, leaving me with multiple different feelings, the main one being determined to keep my Adaline away from this so-called Prince Kendrick.