Unperceived Love

Chapter 5

Samantha couldn't help but tap her toes as the first reel started. Dancing had always been her favorite pastime next to reading.

"May I have this dance?" a young gentleman in a brown waistcoat asks.
"Yes you may,sir" she smiles and takes the hand he is offering. She is soon drawn into a mixture of swishing skirts and swift-moving feet. Laughing merrily as the dance proceeds.

"What an evening of great mirth!" the young colonel remarks.
"Yes, it is. You might wish to go claim your dance,boy." Lord Worthington remarks.
"Yes, sir!" And with that he was off to find his partner.

The next dance is a minuet. Sami always danced that one with Ben to get him away from the drones of boring women. Not this time. She watches as he brings a fair,blonde young lady to the dance floor. Sighing she turns around and bumps into he who sought her.
"Colonel Adaams!" she exclaims joyfully.
"Miss Samantha, may I persuade you to dance with me?" He brushes her gloved fingers with a kiss.
"Yes, you may, sir" she replies blushingly.

Out on the dance floor they take their places. The music begins and so does the dance.

"You are a most graceful dancer miss"
"And you are a most articulate liar sir" she replies teasingly.
"I wouldn't lie to the most beautiful maiden in the room, would I ?" he asks
"Now I know you are lying sir."

Her pink cheeks and red lips are too much to bear! He moans inwardly. Such beauty and poise shouldn't be allowed such a tongue! Nor a brain!

"If I were lying then lightning is supposed to strike me. I see no storm ma'am ." he smiles warmly.
"No but the chandelier may fall on top of you and that would be the same thing. " What a cheeky remark!
" Then you'd better stick close to me. For I do not lie." he says.
"I believe I will sir, for it's not everyday you meet an honest man." She says.
Their conversation soon turns into dull polite topics such as the amount of dancers and how the weather has been.

"Milady I shall go fetch us some punch." He says bowing. She nods her consent.

"Miss Pryce enjoys your company." she says excitedly. "You should get her some punch and ask for another dance." she says to Ben who had approached. "She seems to be searching for you!" she smiles teasingly. "Does she own enough brain for you?"
Ben smiles shyly "yes she does and she also dances beautifully." His demeanor changes " I doubt she is looking for me though, she doesn't wish to be associated with an apprentice." he says trying not to laugh.
" Did she really say that?!" he face crinkling with a smile. "It's too bad, for you both seem to be enjoying each other's company." She was laughing now.
" May I ask what is the reason for such merriment?" the colonel asks as he hands he a glass of punch.
"Benjamin here, has just been slighted by a lady of too high of a standing to dance with an apprentice." She tells still giggling.
"It won't happen again will it?" Ben asks taking her hand and bowing.
"I suppose we can't let such a tragedy happen twice." She smiles as she hands he punch not drank to the flabbergasted colonel.

He watched on. She would stare into Benjamin's eyes and he would make a face, she'd try not to laugh but couldn't help herself. Then he would say something and she would flash him a threatening look.

"You couldn't dance seriously if you wanted to" Sami laughed.
"Oh but I'm sure your colonel could." he smiles.
"He did quite well. He said that I danced quite well and that I was the most beautiful maiden here." she taunted.
"Ah I believe my Sami is in love with this little colonel." He looks sternly at her.
She looks at him with contempt "I am not in love with him... yet." she smiles to herself.
"Oh but you will be. And then I'll be hearing about him 'oh the colonel did this, oh he killed that, and did you see the way be looked at me?'" He said mockingly.
"You are the LAST person I would tell about my romantic relations!" she says as she pushes him slightly.
"Besides, I doubt he will wish to pursue me further." she says frowning.
"Oooo and would you be disappointed?" he says tauntingly.
"I am unsure." she says looking perplexed. She sighs "it would be nice if he did."

" If he hurts you, he won't live to see another day." he says looking into her eyes, passion burning under the surface. "It is my job to take care of you, no matter what."
"I know." she says returning the gaze, "besides he is a gentleman even if he is a soldier. One day you'll have to give that job to someone else" she smiles. He just shakes his head, still looking in her eyes, and he can't help but smile.
"I know it'll be nice to be free" he raises his eyebrows and smirks. She wrinkles her nose and purses her lips at him.