The Woman Of My Dreams ✔

Chapter 9

Joan swept across the dance floor and allowed herself to sway. Her body felt weirdly good, as it had been a long time since she'd allowed herself to sway. Sir Colin held her nervously, his eyes fluctuating over her shoulder, looking out for someone.

Joan turned behind, followed his gaze and smiled.

He was looking at...

Sophie.

His eyes turned to pools of attraction and love, as he looked at Sophie, and then he bit his lower lip, and forced himself to look at the lady in his arms. He smiled at Joan and turned her to the left, as was necessary. They clasped their hands, twice, and Joan swirled and turned to him, as the music streamed. He bowed once, clapped his hands, put his one hand at the back, and let the other entwine with Joan's.

Joan realized he wasn't completely into the dance, and was trying to gain Sophie's attention.

"It's alright" Joan said to him.

"I beg your pardon?" he said snapping back to attention.

Joan smirked. Smirked until her smile turned smug.

"You don't have to force yourself to dance with me," Joan said and then she motioned to Sophie "when you clearly don't want to."

"I...ah..." he sputtered "no, I mean-"

"It's alright" Joan said and smiled again.

God above, her jaw was already paining due to the smiles.

"Sorry...." he said.

"I don't take any offense, because, we both are peas of a pod" Joan said "I'm currently seeking for someone else too."

Sir Colin grinned and asked "Who?"

"May I confide in you?" Joan asked, a touch too hesitant.

"With all your heart" Colin vowed.

"Lord Hugh Ceevanford" Joan said.

"The Earl of Whitsbury, eh?" Colin queried "a good enough man."

Joan nodded, they turned and entwined their hands together.

Joan swirled, and Colin clapped his hands once.

Joan turned to him with a long swing ,emboldened by the delirious rush that flowed in her body.

Then Joan swirled and turned to the left, then to the right, and then again to the left, and then suddenly....

She got a glimpse of Lord Hugh.

Joan turned behind then to the right, she clasped her hands with Colin, and turned to the left, but Hugh wasn't there. Joan shook her head, and continued to dance.

They steadied their legs for the end part of the dance, clasped their hands, and clapped them together. Joan saw a flash of Hugh again, somewhere in the back of the ballroom. She felt as if he was looking at her.

Colin and Joan, leaned in closer then turned to the left, then to the right, and stopped.

The dance was over. Colin bowed and Joan curtsied.

And after a few hours, when Joan was back in her bed at home, and when she was finally on the verge of falling asleep, she remarked upon how astounding the day was.