The Ambassador's Daughter

Chapter 20

Two days later, Louise sat in the stylist's chair, or as she'd renamed it, the torture seat. Somehow, the stylist could not be gentle. Louise's hands gripped the chair tightly. But she allowed the stylist to pull and tug at her hair. It would be worth it. After tonight, the torture would be over and it would be so great to see Bucky's reaction to her outfit tonight.

*

The ball room was comfortably crowded, for most people. But for Bucky, all the people made him feel anxious and jumpy. But Bucky had made a promise. He was going to dance with Louise tonight. Nearly all the ambassadors and their families where here. The French ambassador's daughter had been eyeing Bucky since she'd walked into the room. Steve seemed totally at ease, mingling with the party goers like this was the sort of thing he did all day every day.

Finally Steve worked his way across the room to Bucky's corner. "You know," Steve said, leaning against the wall, "I'm pretty sure she wanted you to enjoy the party." Bucky rolled his eyes and turned to face his friend, turning his back on the entrances.

"It's been a long time since I was at an event like this. And you know what happened the last time I was around people." Steve frowned slightly and nodded.

"But this will be different, I promise."

"Give me one reason why it won't be exactly the same." Bucky challenged.

"Well, because..." Suddenly, Steve broke off, gaping at the entrance. Bucky turned, it wasn't very often Steve was rendered speechless.

A man, vaguely familiar and almost as all-American as Steve, was walking down the staircase, a pretty brunette woman on his arm. The woman looked a lot like Louise. Bucky looked up a few steps from the couple and froze. "Wow!"

Louise had paused at the top of the stairs, which provided everyone on the dance floor an excellent view of her. Her chocolate coloured hair was swept to one side and loosely curled as it cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. The right side of her hair, close to her face, was brushed back from her face and pinned under the rest of her hair. The left side was swept over her face to form the illusion of bangs, finishing in a small Victory Curl. She wore a stunning royal blue satin gown. The gown was off her shoulders and long sleeved. It was a snug fit and hugged her body. It had a court train that spread out behind her. The bodice was decorated with silver thread that shimmered slightly in the lights of the ball room. The embroidery spread down the dress a little. She wore a silver drop earrings. Bucky's mouth dropped open and he began to weave his way through the crowd. He reached the bottom of the staircase just as Louise did. Up close he could see that her make-up was forties inspired, right down to the bright red lipstick.

She glanced at him and smiled. "Your mouth is open, Buck." Bucky smiled at her and offered his arm. She took it and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. When she saw Bucky in his tux, with his scruffy beard well-groomed and his hair brushed and tucked behind his ears, Louise's stomach had tied itself into pleasant knots.

The band began to play a slow waltz. Bucky bowed to Louise, "May I have the honour of this dance?"

Louise smiled, "The honour would be mine." Bucky pulled her into his arms, a little closer than was strictly necessary, perhaps, but she really didn't care. He even held her hand against his chest. They twirled around the dance floor oblivious to the room around them. "You look like someone is pulling your teeth." Elise teased as Bucky glanced around at the revelers. "Relax and enjoy yourself, Chéri. This is supposed to be a party."

Bucky smiled crookedly at her. "You look stunning, tonight." He said, choosing to ignore friendly jabs. She blushed and ducked her head. Bucky laughed softly and spurn her around. As he brought her back, and slipped his arm around her again he pulled her closer. He was pleasantly surprised by how good it felt to hold her like this. He knew from his dance with her in the garden that he liked dancing with her, but there was something about being here, actually at the ball, with her that made him feel at ease. Before she had walked in, Bucky had felt tense and trapped. Now that she was here, he felt more at ease, more comfortable. Safe. That was a good word.