Pearls and Roses

5. And There....... You Were

                                                                                                                         ⌠⌠ERIC👑⌡⌡

The desires of all and sundry were insatiable. They latched on to these ambitions like vampires, unwilling to  make fair exchanges for it. In event, others were deprived of their needs, further leading to social unrest or decline. 

     Gluttony will be our downfall. 

The king was kind enough to tolerate their folly. I wouldn't.

I rubbed my temples, pondering what was discussed in the meeting. If you could even call it one.  A gaggle of jesters in suits, they were.

"......you don't have to speak to her if she will be there, but rather, be sure to speak to her family."

I blinked at him, collecting my thoughts. "Yes sir."

"Do not let Kate stay too close to you. You two are joined at the hip at every informal setting, I don't need her following you like a lost puppy and giving the guests a reason to start a rumor. Same goes to you."

My breath hitched as I ticked my jaw. He had caught on.

  I cleared my throat, "Yes sir."

He nodded, a smirk on his face. One that I so badly wanted to fall.

I looked out the phaeton, letting my mind drift elsewhere. The chill from the air was soothing, but for the wheels, it would've been a quiet evening. This peace however, was abruptly interrupted when the gates of Earl Carnarvon's estate came into my view. The closer we got, the shorter my fuse became.

    I planted a smile on my face to acknowledge a few guests  who bowed and curtseyed as we passed by, ignoring the look of surprise and shock on their faces. A young girl was staring at me in awe and when I smiled at her, she blushed, quickly lowering her gaze.

We got through the gates, and were greeted by a towering statue of a man, surrounded by fountains. No doubt that it was of himself, I heard he was a biggety.

I got out and fixed my suit, walking around the phaeton, to meet my father. He nodded at me and we walked in.

   The shift in the atmosphere was tangible as I heard collective gasps and murmurs. Everyone curtseyed and bowed as we passed by them, I took my time to acknowledge them with a smile, a few women tried their luck, peering at me through their lashes and lowering themselves to expose their bosom.

I sighed, searching for Kate among them. Some of my father's acquaintances, after brief greetings, took him away to "discuss matters". I had no inclination to listen to more talks or matters of such, lest I  wanted my ears to bleed.

  🎵    I looked around, taking slow steps so I don't miss Kate, should she appear. My gaze, however, landed on a girl walking in from the door west to this hall. She pulled on her gloves and patted her green dress, before looking around nervously. Her footsteps were faltering, like she was unsure where to go but, she stopped at a pillar and leaned against it, a hand over her stomach.

    Scars peeked from beneath the chunk of dark curls across the left side of her face and she would occasionally tap down on it as though she was trying to hide it. Her eyes met mine but they widened and she quickly lowered her head.

I glanced away, idly looking around but, I found myself unintentionally watching her again as she fidgeted with her hands, her head bowed. She lifted her head and our eyes met once more. This time we held each other's gaze. There was a certain kindness in them that didn't belong here. My gaze drifted to her face, down to her elegant neck; heeding to the paleness of her skin, then back to her eyes. Her cheeks slowly flushed pink, deepening by the minute and she lowered her gaze.