Ordained

Chapter Fifty-Three

Emmeline loved to dance. Truly. Atticus often took her with him when he and his wife were invited to balls. Baroness Olive often said she was far too old to be spending an evening on the dance floor, and while Atticus stayed dutifully at her side for much of the night, he and Emmeline would dance regularly.

It was a shame, she always thought, Atticus really was a very good dancer, and it was a shame that he couldn't often dance with his wife when he enjoyed it so much. As the music began Emmeline took her position opposite her brother. "Let's show Marcellus just how good you are, shall we?" He teased. Emmeline glanced at where Atticus had gestured, seeing Cassius watching her. Looking back at her brother she nodded, determined. Emmeline let her brother lead, but after a few steps she knew he was showing off. He had her spin and swirl across the floor, the steps fast and demanding, but nothing they hadn't done before. Atticus pushed her skills as the pair of them moved rapidly, she heard Olive call merrily from the edge of the floor where she was sat. Emmeline tried to throw her a smile, but Atticus had her spinning too quickly for her to be sure Olive had seen it.

"Focus." He demanded affectionately, dropping her into a low dip before pulling her back onto her feet. "I want Marcellus to know how talented my sister is." She laughed, feeling freer than she had in weeks.

She was slightly out of breath but blissfully happy as the song ended. Atticus tutted when she moved to leave the floor. "One more?" He asked, his eyes alight with happiness. Grinning, she nodded, throwing herself into another song.

Out of breath, and slightly pink from the heat, she rejected the offer of another dance when a stranger tried to cut in between her and her brother. Atticus bowed deeply, making her smack him playfully. "Thank you, my lady, or should I say your grace?" He said, still bowing, knowing he was embarrassing her. "Enough Atticus." She laughed, tapping her knuckles on the top of his head. Throwing up his hands in surrender he pulled her after him. "Come, Olive will want to see you." Atticus gave her a proud smile.

"You were wonderful!" Olive praised, having watched them, kissing each of her cheeks and ushering her into the seat beside her. Atticus slipped gracefully into the chair next to his wife once he had pushed in Emmeline's chair. "So, Cassius Marcellus eh?" He beamed. "Father almost had a seizure when he found out."

Olive reached forward to grab hold of her hands. "Forgive us for not being at your pairing, I began to feel unwell on our way there and we had to turn back."

Emmeline looked at her brother for a long moment, his absence had hurt the most, more than any of her other family not being there. At least he had a good reason.

Atticus's answering look told her how sorry he was.

Nodding with a smile, she reassured Olive that it didn't matter, knowing she would worry if she didn't.

After finishing off a tall glass of champagne, Emmeline found herself loosening up a little. It felt nice not to be so tense all the time.

Olive was keen to discuss the pairing, just as Ottilie had been, and it wasn't long before there was a small crowd around them, other ladies wishing to know about the mysteries of the ceremony that promised true love. Emmeline tried to keep her answers light, anxiety growing in her stomach once more when she realised she was drawing far too much attention to herself and unsure how to make people leave her alone. She had tried twice to brush off questions, but many interested pairs of eyes bore down into her.

Glancing at what little she could see of the vast room beyond those gathered around her, she searched for Atticus, or Emily, or Lavender, anyone who might be able to rescue her. It was during this desperate search that she saw a tall figure leant against the wall on the opposite side of the hall. Half in shadow, Cassius looked all the more dramatic with his dark hair blending into the lack of light that clung to the edges of the ballroom.