Escape

Chapter 3 Henry Joins the Party

"Well Samuel has certainly outdone himself now hasn't he?" Nan mused as she buttoned up the back of my dress. She had brushed down my hair and tied the silk in my blonde curls. She tied the bow in crook of my back and bent down to fasten my shoes.

"Nan?" I squeaked "Don't fasten my shoes, I'll fasten them for you"

"Well now that would be taking my job, now wouldn't it?"

"Well, you do so much for me and I have been thinking. What if, over the summer, I worked on the plantation with the other field hands? Or maybe in the kitchen? Or the laundry room? I could tend to the horses! And clean the house! And -"Nan held out her hand to stop me from rambling on about how I wanted to help."

"Now, now, now. I don't think that will be necessary. You help me enough, just being so sweet and considerate. I also don't believe your mother would approve of you being a slave for a summer." Nan reasoned as she continued to fasten my shoes. I felt bad, seeing her wait on me hand and foot. Nan did everything for me and all the slaves on Father's plantation worked so hard. It pained me to think that all those innocent, dedicated people did everything for slaves owners and their families, but they were never repaid. Watching Mr. Wrongswoth's slaves climbed into his wagon made me wonder how they would fair, working in a devilish place. The least I could do is lend a hand to the slaves that I might be able to help or see what it feels like to be like them.

In all my deep concentration on the matter, I did not notice that Nan was now guiding me down the stairs towards the main ballroom. I even needed someone to lead me down the hallways on my own home. I felt ashamed, but knew that I must have a pleasant look on my face when entering one of Mother's parties, or I would be questioned to death if I was feeling well or looked distastefully down upon by my critical mother.

The ballroom was spotless. Cleaned so thoroughly that they floored shined so brightly it made the gowns of the guests glow as they promenaded around the dance floor. The drone of conversations was almost overwhelming and I felt incredibly small as Nan left for the back room to join the other waiting slaves. Mother was very particular about who came to the parties and was always mindful that most of her guest would begin to judge quite harshly if they saw a slave among the crowd.

I slipped in and out of the crowd, searching for a familiar face, but found none. The string band that Mother had hired began to play a waltz and people began to couple of or move to the edge of the dancing floor. I felt a hand on my elbow. A little, cold, creepy hand that sent shock waves of nervousness up my spine. I froze as the owner of the hand wound their way around my right side and into my view.

"May I have this dance?" said Edward Wrongsworth Junior. I felt as if I was going to throw up as I looked over his shoulder at the other dancers taking their spots on the floor. On the other side of the room, I saw William, Father, Mother and Mr. and Mrs. Wrongsworth. William and Father shared the same look of confusion and pity as the contemplated how to react to this, but Mother knew exactly how to react. She wanted to earn the approval of Mrs. Wrongsworth and knew that her party would score highly in her book if her son danced with me. Stealing a sideways glanced at the Wrongsworth, who looked proudly at their son, anticipating my next move, she gave me a slight nod, signalling me to except the dance.

"It would be my pleasure." I sighed as I allowed him to lead me onto the floor. We held hands in position and fell into rhythm with the others. Edward had a look of complete victory as he swung me through the motions, gloating his prize for everyone to see, no doubt. He smiled slyly as he spun me around in a quite advanced fashion. I was supposed, for such a disturbed child, he was exceptionally light on his feet.

"You are a very graceful dancer, Susannah." He cooed.

"As are you, Edward." Shocking myself more than him by the fact that a compliment actually slipped out of my mouth. I located William in the mess of dancers, standing off to the side, sporting a face that read "I'm so sorry" and "Him? You're dancing with him?" at the same time. Another reason why I loved my older brother, we were always on the same page and could agree on almost anything. My father wore a face of hate towards Edward for dancing with his little girl, but my mother looked as if she was holding back a squeal of joy towards the fact that I might actually be the link between the Killington family and the Wrongsworth. "As if!" I thought to myself as I rolled my eyes, but so slightly that no one could have seen, except Edward.