The Bartender's Daughter

Chapter 24

ALLI'S POV

The ball was incredible. When I walked down that staircase the first thought running through my mind was to not trip. The second was to smile, and it was easy to do that with Nate next to me. I was nervous when I saw everyone was dressed in dark colors and I was the only one in white, but as soon as Nate introduced me to some of his friends and they began gushing over my dress, I felt more self-confident than I had in my whole life.

Nate was charming to everyone, and never failed to introduce me before he began talking and gush about me. I had filled him in briefly about little stuff and accomplishments about me during our escapade around London city. When Nate's dad came down the staircase, Nate pulled me over to the bottom step to wait.

"Wow, parents on the second evening out? You move fast." I joked, elbowing his side lightly.

Nate laughed and wrapped his arm around my waist. "Well he is the gentleman hosting this whole evening. I have to introduce my father to my esteemed guest."

I nodded and waited nervously, watching him wave as I clapped politely along with everyone else.

"Good evening son! And who is this gorgeous girl you have at your side?" He asked me, smiling. If I thought Nate was imposing, his dad was the empire state building next to a two-story shopping mall. I stood up a little straighter and blushed, looking at Nate to say something.

"This is Alli, my guest for the evening. She's from America but I can assure you she is one of the smartest girls I've ever met." He rattled off some of my college accomplishments and Nate's dad nodded, seemingly impressed.

"Well it makes sense for such a lovely looking young woman to have as many brilliant accomplishments as you do." He smiled and shook his head. "Where are my manners, or my sons'. My name is George, and that's all you need to call me. No last names or "Mister" anything."

I shook his hand, firmly grasping mine, and I relaxed a little. His dad didn't seem too awful. "It's a pleasure George."

He excused himself to go mingle with his guests and Nate pulled me onto the dance floor as they began playing a waltz.

"Nate I'm not sure how good I'm going to be at this. I haven't ballroom danced in years." I said as he lead me out into the middle of the dance floor. He wrapped his arm around my waist tightly and took my hand lightly in his. I saw a few, well more than a few, jealous looks for woman with and without dates standing on the sides. Apparently I was dancing with a much-wanted man.
"Relax love, just follow my lead." He smiled his charming smile, and I couldn't help but smile back as we began moving around the floor to the music. "Nate they're all staring at us." I whispered as he twirled me in a circle and pulled me back into his arms.

"Who wouldn't stare at the two most attractive people in this room, mainly you of course. You are wearing a white dress after all."

I rolled my eyes. "A little cocky aren't we?"

He dipped me at the end of the song and pulled my up quickly, causing me to fall into his arms. "Only sometimes. I have to keep my self-confidence up somehow when standing next to a model."

I blushed and swatted his chest playfully. "Stop with all the compliments Nathanial, I'm getting embarrassed."

Nate placed his hand on my back as he led me off the floor and grabbed two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter. "Darling when you look that good you should never feel embarrassed."

I took a sip and smiled at the bubbles tickling my lips and tongue. I had always enjoyed champagne and the light bubbliness that came with it. It was sweet and fun, like glitter or stars dancing around in your mouth.

"Would you like me to show you around the mansion a little bit? Take you out into the gardens or into the library?" Nate suggested, watching with amusement as I sipped my champagne with a smile on my lips.

"Sure, that sounds lovely." I took his arm again and he lead me out the back doors of the ballroom into a well lit hallway. He pointed out some bedrooms, parlors, sitting rooms; we even passed the huge dining room and then made our way to the library. We didn't stay long, but the tall bookshelves and comfy looking loungue chairs made me want to stay in there for the rest of my life.

"Come Alli, I think you'll really like this room." He pushed up the doors to the last room in the hallway to a big study that left me somewhat speechless in the doorway. It was very professional looking with a big desk and leather chairs and bookcases, and a side table with a globe on it. But what really took my breath away were the windows and doors that were bathing the room in moonlight, looking out over the countryside.

"Do they open?" I asked Nate as I walked towards a set of doors.
"Of course." He walked ahead of me and pushed open the doors, letting in a cool breeze. I stepped out onto the balcony and couldn't help myself as I grinned from ear to ear. I leaned on the railing and felt Nate stand next to me.

"It so stunning, I can't believe I'm actually looking at it." I gestured outwards towards the hills. They weren't quite like the mountains in California, bu they were just as equally beautiful in their own way..
"Yeah, me either." I turned and Nate was staring at me smiling. "I believe I forgot to thank you for accompanying me this evening." He said in a hushed tone, taking my hand.
"Well you did invite me, and it seemed like an invitation I couldn't refuse. It's not every day a California girl gets invited to a ball in London you know." I joked nervously. Was this heading somewhere? What was I doing? Oh god...

Nate smiled. "I'm just glad I ran into you outside that hotel for reasons I cant even begin to explain."
I rolled my eyes and took my hand lightly out of his. "Oh yeah? Try." I challenged.
"I think it might be better if I showed you." He placed his hand on my back and pulled me into him, cupping my cheek and kissing me lightly on the lips. I didn't pull away from him, I didn't push him away, I didn't know what to do. And I kind of regret not pushing him away.

He kissed me with a fiercer intensity and I felt my back press against the stone railing of the balcony. My hands were on his chest as I felt us dipping backwards, and then I felt the strangest sensation in my neck, like I had been pricked.

I pulled away and touched my neck and a spot of blood came away on my finger. "Nate? I think I've been... Poked..." I swayed, falling against the railing and that's when I noticed the small syringe in his hand, empty, and he tucked it into his pocket. "Nate?" I asked, stumbling, fighting to keep my eyes open.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way sweetheart, you just got in the way." He placed his hand on my cheek and before I could swat it away I had fainted in his arms.