Love, Life, and Jewellery

Chapter 6: Dangerous Dancing

Alastair stood at the foot of the marble stairs to the magnificent front doors of the Houston Estate. The doors stood a storey and a half tall and were made of polished, dark brown wood. A giant Christmas wreath hung on each. Reminded by the pinch of a winter evening to his cheeks, Alastair made his way up the stairs and onto the front porch. Silently, the doormen assigned to let in the guests of the Christmas ball pushed open in perfect symmetry the two doors and Alastair took a cautious step into the hall of the Houston Estate. 

The doors had been like the portal to an alternate existence as Alastair now found himself immersed in the merriment of Christmas. The yellow glare of the glittering crystal chandelier that dangled above his head was a stark contrast to the gloom of a winter evening. Crimson, emerald and gold decorated every aspect of the room in a gaudy display of colour. Still adjusting to his surroundings, the shrill voice of Miss Greta forcefully grabbed his attention. 

"Mr Clementine!" She had been conversing with a group of guests that had arrived just before Alastair, and now rushed over to where he stood. Alastair bowed as she approached him. She was wearing a sickly fuchsia pink dress made of satin and silk that ruffled from the hip down. Although her voice was enough to command the attention of even the drowsiest man, the startling colour of the dress drew the eyes of everyone in the room. She pranced around like she was dressed as a princess, but Alastair thought her gown would perhaps befit a bed cover. Her hair was styled into blond curls that stood stiff against her neck. She was wearing black silk gloves to her elbow and on one finger was the sapphire ring that she had bought from his jeweller shop. 

"Welcome to the Christmas ball! I'm so delighted you could attend. Come, I'll show you to the ballroom!" Almost childishly, she grabbed his arm and dragged him in the direction of the action, a move that made Alastair extremely uncomfortable. After traversing down a corridor of lavish paintings, tapestries and carpets, they stepped into the ballroom. Before Alistair was an astoundingly large space. In the centre was the biggest Christmas tree he had ever seen, covered in hundreds of colourful glass baubles and shimmering tinsel. The opposite side of the room opened onto the gardens of the estate. To the left of the room, tables lining the walls held hundreds of dishes of steaming hot food. Many tables and chairs filled this half of the room, and among them sat several guests enjoying the food and chatting with their neighbours. A team of waiters and maids scurried around the room attending to the food and the guests. On the far right side of the room was a small stage and upon this sat a string quintet. The quintet played carols that gave an appropriate sense of festive atmosphere. In between them and the tree was a vast ballroom floor which could accommodate maybe a hundred or so twirling couples. It was however empty as the guests were all seated for the banquet. 

Miss Greta motioned for him to sit at a table and returned to the entrance hall to greet the final guests. In a slight stupor, Alistair made his way towards the multitude of people and socialising on a scale that he had never experienced. Finding a table in the corner of the room and away from the central hub of laughter and chatter, Alistair sat down to observe his surroundings. 

With all the noise and the people he began to wonder if the ball was really worth attending. Several waiters holding silver platters often passed by offering their gourmet foods, but he could not accept them. As he searched each face from his observation point, his anxiety churned his stomach with more intensity. He couldn't see her. Where was Natalia? She wouldn't be expecting him anyway; he had been Miss Greta's guest. Of course she wasn't expecting him. She might have even forgotten him; after all, he hadn't even heard her speak, and they had only met once in his shop. Before he could let his nerves and uneasiness get the better of him, Miss Greta's voice once more pierced his ears. 

"Mr Clementine! Come sit with us!" She gestured to a seat next to her. At the table also sat her father and mother, and some other people who Alistair could only guess were extended family. He did not however see Natalia. Accepting that he had no choice but to oblige to her wishes, he rose from his isolated table and moved to join them.