Stolen Kisses

Stolen Kisses 1

The ball was already in full swing when Colonel James Reid, second son to the Marquis of Byuntington, arrived. People parted ways and instantly greeted him, while some were murmuring, possibly gossiping about him. James was still as handsome as they remembered him to be and he being presented to the queen for his bravery during the Battle of Waterloo had only made him more appealing, despite being discharged after injuring his leg. The ladies rather fancied him as a war hero and the limp in his step, along with the cane he used to support himself while his leg healed just added to his appeal. James returned the greetings with short-clipped answers or a nod of acknowledgement as he made his way towards his brother, who was next in line to be the Marquis. He found his brother, Tom Reid, conversing with his fiancée, Ashley. James could not help but smile as he saw his love struck expression; after all, it was rare to see his debonair and confident brother in such a state.

"Evening my dear brother, Lady Ashley," James greeted his brother with a teasing smile.

"Evening to you too, Colonel."

"No need for formalities my dear future sister-in-law," James answered as he took Ashley's hand and kissed it lightly.

"Evening to you too." His brother glared at him. "Father has been looking for you. You are two hours late."

"I had some important matters to attend to," James simply answered as he shrugged his shoulder, enjoying angering his brother.

"Go on and find father. He's at the parlor room, playing poker," Tom dismissed his brother.

"Eager to rid of me, I see," James playfully joked.

"Yes. So now go away, as my fiancée and I will be dancing the next set."

"Be at ease brother dear, I am here to congratulate you both on your impending marriage. About time for you to get leg-shackled, you know."

"James..." His brother growled as Lady Ashley giggled at his remark.

"Fine, you old chap! I'm off to find father."

James strode off with much difficulty as he limped his way to find his father.

-----

Lady Nadine was dancing with Lord Joseph when her eyes drew her to the magnificent figure of the gentleman who just entered, causing her to miss a step, and accidentally stepping on Lord Joseph's foot. Lord Joseph slightly groaned in pain, but seeing that Lady Nadine was distracted, he seized the opportunity to pull her a little closer to him, an action that Lady Nadine did not notice as she continued to watch the dashing figure strode purposely towards his brother. She nodded absent-mindedly at what Lord Joseph was saying as her eyes were still trained on the dashing figure known as Colonel James Reid, her childhood neighbour and the person she vowed to marry when she was eight years old. She could still remember clearly how James was the only one who would play with her when James' brother and her own brothers would not let her.

Her eyes narrowed and her grip on Lord Joseph's shoulder tightened, as she got angry when she saw James leaned down and kissed a lady's hand. In her fury, she did not notice that she was stepping too hard, to the point that she was stomping, causing another yelp from Lord Joseph as she yet again stepped on his foot. When the music ended, Lord Joseph and Nadine sighed in relief: Nadine for having an opportunity to talk to James and Lord Joseph for giving his foot a break, as the two parted and headed towards the refreshments table.

Though to say the least, Lady Nadine's mood just turned sourer as the night went by. She expected James to find her like he always did before he left for the military. But he did not even show himself to her. Once James left the party, Lady Nadine faked feeling sick, for all she wanted to do was to curl in bed and cry.