I run down the stairs and bid my mother farewell. I rush to the park and wait by the lake for Tom. I turn around while he strides up to me, a gentle confidence in his wake.
"Wonderful morning isn't it, Ellie?" Tom asks with a smile. I watch as the lean ginger takes my hand in his.
"Yes quite." I reply. Tom's hazel eyes stare into my caramel ones.
"You're blushing, darling." Tom said. I look away quickly as Tom chuckles. "Ellie," Tom started, his voice grabbing my attention. "There is a ball this evening and I was wondering if you'd come along."
"Who's hosting it?" I asked.
"The Grand Duke." He responded. I gasped. He can't be serious. How can a commoner go to something so elite? "I'm not a commoner," Tom said, reading my expression. "I come from a wealthy family. The day we met, after the play I was in, I couldn't tell you the truth. A lot of my friends used me for my wealth and I couldn't let that happen again. I'm sorry." He looked at his shoes.
"Oh Tom. I'm sorry to hear that." I said. Tom looked up. "I promise that nothing will change between us."
"Really?" Tom asks, his eyes filling with hope.
"Really." I reply. Tom brings me in for a swift hug and starts walking along the shore of the pond. He turns to look at me.
"Well, you coming?"
:///////////////////////:
Tonight was the night of the ball. I wore my favorite baby blue dress and gloves. I had done my hair up in an elegant bun. I was about to put on my earrings when I got distracted by my kitten, Owen. I sat next to it and it got up, stretched, and laid on my lap. My foot restlessly tapped on the floor. I heard a knock on my bedroom door.
"Come in." I said. It was my mother. She came in and sat next to me.
"Sweetheart, you look wonderful." She said. I smiled my thanks. "How'd you managed to get invited to something so elegant anyway?" She asked.
"Tom," I started. "He asked me to come earlier."
"Well you go out here and have fun, but not too much fun." Mother said, wagging a finger at me. I giggled.
"Of course not." I replied. There was a knock on the front door and mother went to see who it was. I stood at the top of the stairs with Owen standing next to me. I hear a familiar voice followed by my mother's laughter.
"Ellie it's Tom!" She shouts. I went down stairs as fast as possible without falling. Sure enough, just as mother said, Tom was standing in the doorway, subtly flirting with her. I managed to catch his attention by fiddling with a pencil I picked up.
"Good evening, fair maiden." Tom said when I stepped to the doorway. He kissed my hand while bowing simultaneously. Needless to say, Tom was quite the charmer.
"Good evening to you, kind gent." I did a curtsy.
"Ready for the night out?" Tom asks, offering me his arm. My heart fluttered against my chest momentarily.
"Yes."
:///////////////////////:
Our carriage arrived to the ball somewhat on schedule and we were greeted by Tom's brother Henry and his date Luke. Henry nervously checked the time on his pocket watch and spotted us. He hastily made his way towards us with Luke trailing behind him.
