Masquerade

Chapter One

"How about Sir Arthur Williams? He's rich, owns most of the land around the Loire and he's such a gentleman." My mother looked over the crowd of people at the ball we were hosting lovingly, especially at the men.

"Mother, he is at least 44 and I'm only 22, twice my age. I will not marry someone who will die at least 20 years before me." I huffed angrily.

My mother has been forcing men onto me for 3 years now. She thinks a girl who is not married by 24 is never going to find a lover. But I myself believe in love and want to marry someone that I choose.

I glance over towards the buffet, filled to the nines with finger sandwiches, dozens of little desserts and bowls of punch and glasses of champagne. Just beside the champagne was a tall man with his back towards me.

His shoulders were hunched forward slightly, like he was staring down at the glasses of fizzy alcohol intensely.

"Have you heard a word I've said dear?"

"Pardon mother?" She stuck up her chin and scowled at me, she always did that when she was 'disappointed'.

"I said I hope for your sake, and for our family's sake, that you marry someone soon."

I turned my attention back to the man, who was now turned facing my direction. He had jet black hair, and was wearing a black masquerade crow's mask. He appeared to be speaking to a lady, but didn't look the slightest bit interested in her at all. The man looked up in my direction, and I gasped and spun around leaning against the balcony railing.

My mother looked in my direction. "Is something wrong dear? You look a little frightened."

"I-I'm fine mother, there is no need for concern. If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go join the dancing."

"Oh goody, make sure you dance with Arthur Williams, it would be good for your social skills." She watches me head for the stairs before muttering "Not that you have any..."

"I heard that." I say back to her, my head still facing forward as I roll my eyes.

I made my way towards the rather mysterious man, but was quickly intercepted by Arthur. He smiled and took up my hand leaning down to kiss it.

"You look positively lovely tonight my Lady. May I ask for this dance?"

"I apologize Sir Arthur, but there is someone who I must speak to. If you'll excuse me, I'm sure I can dance the next."

"Of course my Lady."

I continued on my way towards the man, and when I reached him, he turned to face me. My breathing quickened when I realized how handsome he was. His own beauty was much much better when compared to my mother, or father.

"My Lady, might I say you look rather... ravishing tonight." The man took up my hand, and brought it to his lips beneath his mask, and kissed it delicately.

"Why thank you Sir..?" I said questioningly, remembering I didn't know his name.

"Ah, let us keep that a mystery shall we?" He winks at me, and then puts down his glass of champagne. "Care to dance?" He asks holding out his hand towards me.

"Well... I guess we can discuss it later." I smile slightly while biting my lip, placing my hand in his. "And yes, I would be delighted."

He smiled as he grasped my hand firmly and walked me towards the centre of the dance floor. He placed his hand on my lower back, above the poofy beginning of the skirt of my dress, as he lifts my other hand to about my shoulders. He pushed me forward, pressing our bodies together as a new song began to play.

The song was slow, filling the room gracefully as the orchestra played skillfully, the sound mostly filled with the notes of a violin. His steps were filled with complete and utter care, there was no stepping on my feet, and there were no miss steps. One would say that his movements were fluid, garceful, it was as if he had gone to dancing lessons at a young age, and then had many, many years to practice them.

"You are quite talented." I commented, watching as we twirled and swayed.

"I spent my childhood in a little town in Italy called Polignano a Mare. My mother taught me how to dance like a proper gentleman should, she was of course British, my father Italian."

"Wow, that must've been wonderful. I've spent my entire life here, I've always wanted to go to Italy."

"Italy is certainly a bella place, but you are even more bella than Italy itself." He lifted his arm, and twirled me underneath it before rejoining our embrace.

"Oh." I blush crimson, my mouth forming a smile that could not go away. "You don't mean that."

"Si, I do mean it, you are more bella than the moonlight that falls from the sky and through the window panes into this ball. Need I say more my Lady?" He pulled away from me as the song ended.

"I guess not. And you're no less than handsome either."

The man bowed, "May we meet again someday my Lady." And just like that he was gone, it was like he vanished into thin air, which was nonsense since nobody could do that.

"Who was that man?" My mother asked, coming up to my side causing me to jump.

"Mother! you scared me!" I fiddled with my dress a bit before looking back at where the man was a moment ago. "I don't know mother... I don't know..."