Born Of Roses (Completed) Book 1

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The day of the ball

Rose's POV

My heart raced in my throat as I stood at the top of the stairs in the town hall. I watched as women in variety of colours spinned their beautiful ball gowns with men in dark suits.

All faces were hidden behind a vibrant mask that matched their outfit of choice.

I was wearing a beautiful red gown with a similar colour mask adorning my face. It was the town that decided that a masquerade would be the theme of this year.

It might have been a bit dull because of the many times it has been done before, but it still carried the atmosphere of excitement and mystery.

I took in all the beautiful gown that surrounded the room as I descended the stairs slowly and steadily, careful not to fall. I begged my mother countless of times not to let me come, but she told me that it would be fun and I might even enjoy myself.

The only comfort I had was that Henry would be here soon as his people expected him to make an appearance at this yearly gala. I could already see him in his dashing suit with a mask hiding his handsome face...

I was so distracted with the thought of Henry that I didn't notice the man in front of me causing me to walk straight into him.

The collision into his hard chest immediately made me snap out of my thoughts.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry sir." I said as I took a step back to take a look at the stranger I just bumped into.

"No it is I who should be sorry, are you alright miss?" He asked, concern etching over his voice.

"I'm perfectly fine, but I'm the one at fault. I got distracted and didn't watch where I was going." I apologized.

"Lets just agree it was both our faults." He said with a smile and a small laugh.

The music started to play and the strange man with the rock solid chest offered me a hand.

"May I have this dance? I feel like I owe you an apology after all." He said.

I placed my hand in his,"Yes you may."

With one fluid motion he swept me into his arms as he led us around the dance floor in an intricate dance.

The strange man joked around and I couldn't help but laugh. I couldn't remember who made me laugh so much in one night, except for Henry of course.

"May I fill in the rest of your dance card?" He asked as we swayed to the music.

"Why would you want to do that? I'm a horrible dancer." I replied as I looked up at him. I wasn't lying when I said I was a horrible dancer, for I truly was. When I stared up at him I noticed his crystal blue eyes, somehow they looked awfully familiar.

"On the contrary, I'm afraid I won't find such an exquisite dance partner again." He replied.

He led the dance further along and I couldn't help but laugh at his description of my terrible dancing.

"You're an absolute liar." I said.

"Thank you kind lady for the compliment, even though I feel quite undeserving of it since my father was the one who raised me to be such a fine gentleman." He said with a coy smile. That statement just made me laugh further. Who was this intriguing stranger?

As the music stopped another man approached while I tried to stop my laughing fit. My mother would probably scold me for laughing so unladylike.

My mother wasn't that strict woman, believe me she knew how to enjoy herself, but when it came to social events she always taught me to handle myself properly for she feared I might be scorned by the society ladies.