Waiting and Awaited

Chapter 7 - In the Dark

Cai's eyes widened in alarm. Surely he didn't mean to come to her. For the Duke to come down from the dais and mingle with the reveling crowd was completely unheard of. But not unlawful. She watched with growing trepidation as he slowly moved toward her. There were a number of citizens who found his move endearing and those were the ones eager to come forward and speak to him as he passed. But those were outnumbered by the intimidated and speechless who could not do any more than gawk as they saw his striking form pass. He did not even pretend to try and engage anyone in a conversation that was longer than a greeting from both ends.

She finally realized that he was going to find her. He was unerringly moving straight towards where she and her parents were standing. How he knew where she was in the huge crowd, she could not even guess. She looked around desperately but she found herself crushed by a curious crowd. Impressed or intimidated, the entire crowd was still eager to get a glimpse of the duke. She started to slink back and did her best to slip back towards the exit but the closer the duke was getting, the tighter the crowd was behind her and she couldn't find an escape. She realized even her parents were moving with the crowd, taking her forward in the direction of the infuriating man.

What is he trying to do now?

His eyes suddenly met hers, glowing a bright emerald and her dread increased. She knew she had somehow triggered him to make this move by not showing up in a gown and indulging his wish to have a seatmate. Well if he wanted to drag her upstage now he was going to have a bigger scene than three years ago for there was no way in high waters that she was joining them tonight.

He was getting close and the surging crowd did not help her. The urge to sit down and crawl her way out was tempting but she was not too far gone to know that was highly dangerous. She could get trampled all because she was scared of an arrogant man. She found her resolve and subconsciously her chin tilted up. She was not slinking away.

Finally he was at an arm's length and he stopped in his purposeful tracks. The crowd did not anticipate that and suddenly stepped back from him giving him a wide berth and Cai found herself right in front of him.

For a few beats he only stared at her as if he was surprised to find her there. All the while she glared at him, daring him to spill anything of their last conversation in front of onlookers whose curiosity was steadily growing. But it was Mrs. Bell who decided to break the sudden silence. She was not so shallow as to miss the fact that of all the citizen the Duke had passed, her daughter was the one he stopped for.

"What a lovely speech that was Sir. Indeed we must all be pleased to inspire you to skip your lovely dinner on the dais and see the revelry from here instead," She breathlessly said, her eyes darting nervously between the Duke and Cai. She did not know what it was that her daughter had refused the duke. Like any mother, she was worried her headstrong Cai might have offended the powerful man, and Cai's baleful glare towards him was not helping. She cleared her throat.

Rone was the first to remember that they had an audience and he flashed Mrs. Bell his most disarming smile.

"Only eager to please Mrs. Bell." He held out his hand to take the woman's fingers to his lips. Everyone in the crowd gasped in surprise. Never, in the Duke's 28 years, was he seen to kiss any woman's hand. Between his smile and the breath of his lips on her knuckles, Mrs. Bell did not stand a chance. Cai's jaw dropped as she watched the man who kept stepping away from her last night, charm her flighty romantic mother. She glanced at her father and felt betrayed when she saw him beaming at them.

The Duke straightened and shook Mr. Bell's hand. "Mr. Bell, I trust you are having a good night?"

"Very good Sir. Wine is good and the banquet is superb, as always. You run a very good manor Sir," her father said, all smiles.