Narcotic Mask

Chapter I

Georgiana Ashford stood at the side of the ballroom, her eyes raking over the dance floor to find her next target.

She had already danced with many eligible gentlemen this evening, but they were all the same. They all fell at her feet and begged for her to come home with them. Georgiana knew it was highly inappropriate, but she had never cared for the customs and rules of society, especially where they concerned a woman's ways with a man.

Her eyes landed on a tall, handsome man with a mop of dark curls, and a smile slowly spread across her red lips. Pinching her cheeks, she took a deep breath before approaching him. She opened her fan, holding it it an inwards way and fluttering it, looking over the top of it at the gentleman whom she had set her cap on for the night.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as he looked down at her, and a smile crossed his face. The man turned away from his present company, talking a step towards her.

Georgiana curtseyed, modestly averting her eyes from his face. "Good evening, my lord."

"My lady," He replied in a smooth, deep voice like velvet, "I was just about to come over to ask you for a waltz..."

She inwardly rolled her eyes, for she knew full well that the man had had no intention of being the one to approach her. However, Georgiana forced an agreeing smile to her lips, "My lord, I am afraid that I have no room on my dance card." The young woman lied, for she had secretly saved a spot for him. But she was going to make him work for the pleasure of her company. Miss Ashford had men lining up for her, practically falling at her feet for a chance to be gazed at with those dark, seductive hazel eyes of hers, so she was able to choose exactly whom she wished.

"Ah, alas, my lady. I fear I am too late." He said in a dramatic tone, his eyes alight with mischief.

That perked the debutante's interest - he had a sense of humour. Perhaps she could accommodate a dance with him...just one, of course.

Georgiana absently fiddled with a single lock of hair that was loose from her intricate hairstyle, while she pretended to ponder his words. "I could, I suppose, allow time for a waltz with you before supper..." She said, looking up at him innocently, biting her lip.

With satisfaction, she watched the man's eyes darken with desire. "I don't believe I caught your name?" Georgiana asked with a pretty smile, feigning naivety to his expression.

"Sir John Darnley, the third earl of Somerset."

A hint of interest flashed in Georgiana's eyes. This man wasn't just an aristocrat, but a man of nobility. Her quick mind was already imagining what it would be like to be the mistress of an earl.

Though that would all of course depend on how interesting he was.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my lord Darnley." She replied, her tone as calm and cool as usual. Georgiana looked up at the crystal chandelier hanging from the elaborately painted ceiling, admiring the way it glistened and caught the light. "I shall see you soon when it is time for our waltz."

And with that, she opened her fan again, flashing another gentleman a smile as she left, gracefully walking off to join her next partner in the quadrille.

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Thank you so much for reading this far! I'm terribly sorry that it's so short, but I thought it was necessary for you all to get a little glimpse into what Georgiana is like before the real action begins.

I'll try to update this story as soon as possible, but for now, I hope you enjoyed this start. :)

Thanks again,
E