Hidden in the Castle

Part 8

Chapter 7

Annabelle’s nervous fingers tugged at the top of her gown, but as soon as she released it, the neckline dropped back into place.  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.  There were no reasons to worry, she told herself.  Cassandra had invited her to dine with them; the woman had extended the invitation with a warm smile on her face.  Still, as she stood near the doors leading to the dining area, listening to the quiet laughter on the other side, she could feel nervousness creeping up her spine.

Did she simply walk into the area?  She had never attended a dinner without an escort, nor had she ever dined with anyone other than her own family.  Her father had been sure to keep Annabelle out of his business, claiming that a girl did not need to know everything that happened behind closed doors, and the dinners her father had with quests were always behind closed doors.

She shook her head at her thoughts.  Don’t think of it as dining with strangers, she told herself.  Think of it as eating with friends.  Her spine straightened as her hand reached towards the closed door. 

“Pardon.”

Her hand jerked back, and an annoyed expression crossed her face as she turned towards the man behind her.  “What is it, Mr. Dumont?” she asked, while crossing her arms defensively over her stomach.  She did not care if her words sounded harsh.  This man had treated her with no respect, and she did not see the point in pretending otherwise.

Ramsey smiled at her, making her eyes narrow more.  Why could the man not do as she thought he would?  Why couldn’t he simply be offended at her cold tone, at the defensive body language she greeted him with?  “It seems you are without an escort,” he said while holding his elbow out for her.

She stared at the man’s arm, unsure of whether she should accept his invitation.  Not to do so would be rude, something her mother had told her never to be.  Her words earlier could be twisted; she could feign confusion if he called her out for being rude, but if she denied his request, it would be obvious that she did not care for the man. 

“Miss Nicholson,” Ramsey said with a sigh.  “If worries of me tainting your innocence are flying through that pretty little head of yours, you can let them free.  I have no design on you, nor do I wish for you to enjoy my company.  I am simply doing a favor for my cousin.”

Annabelle studied his expression and was relieved when she saw no deception flash in his eyes.  “Fine,” she muttered reluctantly as her hand slipped through his arm, “but if you do not mind me asking, why are you not with them now?”

“I was waiting on you,” he said simply.  Still, he stood there, as if waiting for something, and Annabelle fought the urge to shift uncomfortably on her feet.  After a moment, when they still did not move, she glanced up at his face.  “Patience,” he mumbled.

Her mouth opened to ask what he meant, but before she could voice her words, the doors opened.  Mouth snapping closed; she flushed brightly as anger coursed through her.  The man could have warned her, could have allowed her time to look presentable.  As it was, she had faced a table full of people with her mouth hung open.  By a small chuckle that came from the dining area, she knew that they had found her predicament amusing.