My Clarity

Chapter thirteen

From across the crowded dining room, Rose could see just who was behind the lavish, all black suits. The way his body moved amongst the peers was enough to ensure he stood out. He walked with such a grace, yet it was not quite as straight backed as the other passengers and that combination completely enthralled her.

Her own attire a was another burgundy red, this time with silver details and pearls within her hair.

‘’You’re a treasure; a vision.’’ Cal had whispered to her before escorting her toward the centre of societal universe. Compliment after compliment had been bestowed upon her and she accepted them all. Tonight, she had felt the need to dress for herself, to ensure that others knew that she was her own woman and that was all she would ever be but with Cal at her side, it did still feel as though it was nothing more than a façade.

Her mother had chosen a more modest colour of a glossy green, but one that still ensured that all eyes were upon her, in contrast with her red hair and pale skin.

‘’Oh, Rose, you are a sight.’’ Ruth had crowed with excitement. ‘’That lie down this afternoon did wonders for you.’’

‘’Thank you, mother.’’ Rose nodded, quietly. Turning, she eyed the tall, pretty woman with Cal stood conversing, not a feeling of jealousy stirring at any place within. His eyes flickered over to Rose now and again as though needing to check she was watching him speak to another. If that was his point; to flaunt a beautiful girl right before her, then it would not work. She hid the smirk which threatened the corners of her mouth and instead breathed out steadily.

Ruth raised her chin, finding Cal’s association with another woman, one of which was touching his arm in an intimate fashion to be rather distasteful, but keeping herself quiet, she immersed herself in the chatter at the table before he was to join them again.

Once the courses had been served, and the orchestra had begun a set, in a rush of merriment, several couples were on their feet dancing.  Rose felt her head throb.

‘’Would you dance, darling?’’ Cal extended his hand to her, and she didn’t refuse, knowing just how he disliked it. Her mood should lift, she thought as she made her way to the dance floor, her skirts swishing around her legs and her shoes clacking against the thick wooden floor. Inside, her stomach was awfully still. She had expected some fluttering about to occur as she laid eyes on him. He had spoken at length with another attractive female before dinner. Rose should feel a shudder of something. A flicker.  He was handsome. His beauty was masculine but also very clean. His dinner jacket made of velvet, the material which a woman should want to run her hands over, but Rose didn’t. He held out his hand as he crossed the dance floor to take her dainty hand in his. They were smoother than hers. Not an ounce of labour had he done in his life. And then, they moved, together in such a motion that it was structured from beginning to end. It was a lively dance, one which Rose moved to mechanically, wonderfully and her eyes weren't on her fiancé but on the floor. On the table. To the chandeliers ahead, and then—Mr, Dawson--

‘’Darling, you look flushed, perhaps you have consumed too much champagne?’’

‘’Oh, no, I am just exhausted still.’’

‘’Shall we sit after this dance?’’

‘’Oh, I would like at least another.’’ Anything to distract her from the elephant in the room. Cal held her, his grip strong and guiding. It was as though she was under his tutelage and not his spell.

‘’I forget just how well you dance, Rose.’’

‘Truly? It wasn’t such an age ago that we danced at my cotillion.’’

‘’Yes, and I have claimed every dance from you, since then.’’ His voice was low, supposedly enthralling to any other woman. Who shouldn’t want to share the rest of their lives in the arms of the man they were engaged to be married to? Rose, however, felt her stomach twist.