Obscene Passion (Sample)

Chapter Two

Even though it had occurred several weeks after what had transpired between Elizabeth and Wade and several months back before the recent unfortunate morning of her tears, Lorraine still remembered every detail almost vividly like it was just the previous night. She also remembered stepping down from the carriage at the ball after her cousins had alighted.

Aunt Veronica had warned her strictly to always let her daughters make the first appearance at every occasion and Lorraine had humbly complied. She had no problem with who stepped down first or last from the carriage or who stepped into the ballroom first as long as she was allowed to also attend the balls. Being the last, however, suited her and she was faring just well.

They had been invited to a ball by the Duchess of Elwich and the first sight Lorraine had been astonished by was the magnificent manor that glowed in all its glory under the light of the full moon. Lorraine had tentatively alighted from the carriage, gaping with awe as she took in the glorifying sight of the grand ballroom which was a building on its own set apart from the manor, and the music that poured out of it almost got her curtsying several times and made her feet itchy to waltz around the dancefloor with some gentleman which would be kind enough to oblige to have a dance with her, while the skirt of her gown whirled around her in harmony. Her imagination was so vivid that it was almost palpable.

Unlike her, her cousins hadn't been awed by the sight of the manor for it was obvious that they had been invited numerous times to the Elwich's castle. "If we had any flies gracing the ball tonight, you'd inevitably end up with one buzzing down your throat," Louise said mockingly when she noticed that Lorraine was still gaping.

"Oh sis, I'm sure that the fireflies would love to pay homage and hers seems just like the perfect place." The youngest, Madeline piped in and the sisters all snickered. Lorraine immediately stopped gaping and smoothed her skirts with her palms to hide her embarrassment. She was two and twenty and older than Elizabeth and Madeline but they derived joy from always poking fun at her every chance they got.

"C'mon already, let's go in," Elizabeth said anxiously as she nervously watched several carriages stopping and several young ladies like herself alighting and gracefully heading for the grand doors of the ball, chatting and giggling. "I don't want to miss being introduced to the Duchess' son, Nathaniel. I heard he arrived from London a fortnight ago."

"You always have your eyes on all the wealthy ones, Liza." Madeline accusingly pointed out with a pout as the coachman rode the carriage away to park somewhere convenient on the grounds of the manor. Obviously, from the displeased and hurt look on the youngest daughter's face, there was no dispute that Madeline had been looking forward to having Nathaniel for herself.

Elizabeth suddenly turned a scornful eye on her younger sister. "The fact that you are allowed to come along with us to balls doesn't imply that you are supposed to mingle with boys. If you don't keep that silly mouth of yours shut, I'll see to it that you are left behind next time!" she threatened.

Madeline grumbled under her breath but didn't utter a word because she knew her sister would make good on the threat. Lorraine only watched. She knew the girls most times acted unruly with the young men whenever their mother was not present to chaperon them at a ball, and tonight was just their lucky night because Aunt Veronica had caught a cold and hadn't been able to come to the ball with them.

As the girls turned and walked towards the entrance, Lorraine followed closely without a word and soon they appeared on the landing of one of the steps that led down into the almost crowded, colourful ballroom. The banister surrounding the round balcony and the stairs which had a red carpet on it were of golden colours.

Everything that made up the ballroom was perfect and portrayed nothing but excellence and Lorraine felt like she could drown just from the sight of them all, especially the tapestries. The circuitous balcony was sparsely occupied by few of the guests while the colourful dancefloor below was more kaleidoscopic because of the bright colours of the different gowns that the female guests were clad in; the men however strictly stuck to blacktail suits.