Hollow Grounds

Weight of his scorn 2

The debutant ball continued, a whirlwind of color and music, but Mr. Hemmet's encounter with Mr. Quinn had left him feeling unsettled. He couldn't shake the memory of his cold, calculating gaze, or the venom in his voice as he spoke of his dear sister, Luna.

He watched her walk in gracefully. She immediately caught the attention of the duke's son. As he danced with a young debutante, Mr Hemmet's eyes wandered, searching for Miss Luna in the crowd. He spotted her laughing with a group of admirers, seemingly carefree.

But Philip knew better. She knew the sting of Mr. Quinn's words would linger, like an open wound.

Meanwhile, Mr. Quinn stood at the edge of the ballroom, his eyes fixed on Miss Luna with an intensity that made her skin crawl. He was a man consumed by his own darkness, and Philip feared for his sister's safety.

As the night wore on, the music grew louder, and the laughter more forced with Mr. Quinn's malevolent presence lurking beneath the surface.

Suddenly, Miss Luna appeared at his side, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, brother , I've had the most marvelous idea! Let's slip away and watch the stars!"

He hesitated, unsure if he should encourage her impulsive nature. But something about Mr. Quinn's behavior had left him feeling rebellious. "Why not?" he said, taking Miss Luna's arm. "Let's escape this madness for a while."

Together, they slipped out into the moonlit gardens, the cool night air a welcome respite from the stifling ballroom. They strolled along winding paths, their laughter and whispers carrying on the breeze.

But as they turned a corner, Philip caught sight of Mr. Quinn standing in the shadows, his eyes fixed on them with an unnerving intensity.

"Let's go back," he whispered urgently. "Now." She turned to follow his gaze but he blocked her.
" let's make haste , mother and father might be looking for us." She nodded .

Without another word, they turned and hurried back towards the ballroom, leaving Mr. Quinn to his dark thoughts. But Mr. Hemmet knew this wasn't the end. Mr. Quinn's encounter with Miss Luna was far from over.

As the night wore on, the ballroom grew more crowded, the music louder, and the laughter more forced. Miss Luna, still reeling from her encounter with Mr. Quinn, found herself struggling to maintain a smile. Her parents, oblivious to her distress, beamed with pride as she danced with yet another eligible suitor, a duke.

" she could make a great duchess." Mrs. Hemmet beamed at her friend. She forced a smile at her.

Meanwhile, Mr. Quinn stood at the edge of the ballroom, his eyes fixed on Miss Luna with an intensity that made her skin crawl. She couldn't help but wonder what secrets he hid behind his cold, calculating gaze.

As the clock struck midnight, the music paused, and the guests turned to watch the royal family take to the dance floor. The king, in his finery, smiled warmly at his queen, and they glided across the floor with practiced ease.

Miss Luna's eyes met Mr. Quinn's across the room, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. She felt a shiver run down her spine as he raised his glass in a silent toast. It was a fleeting moment, but it spoke a lot.

The music resumed, and Miss Luna was swept up in a whirlwind of dances and conversations. But her mind kept wandering back to Mr. Quinn, wondering what had driven him to such bitterness and resentment.

As the evening drew to a close, Miss Luna's parents announced their departure. She bid farewell to her friends and acquaintances, her eyes scanning the room for Jasper but he was nowhere to be found.

The night air was crisp and cool as they stepped outside, the sound of laughter and music fading into the distance. Miss Luna felt a sense of relief wash over her, glad to be free from the stifling atmosphere of the ballroom.

As they walked towards their carriage, a figure emerged from the shadows. Mr. Quinn.

"Miss Luna," he said, his voice low and husky. "Might I have a word?"

Her parents exchanged a wary glance, but Miss Luna nodded, her heart pounding in her chest.

"What is it, Mr. Quinn?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Quinn's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with intensity. "I just wanted to say... be careful, Miss Luna. Not everything is as it seems."

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Miss Luna wondering what secrets he hid, and what lay ahead.
*****