Dark Promises

An Unexpected Introduction

Victoria hated social gatherings like these. The bland melodies of the bored orchestra inspired dancing couples to move in just as monotonous a fashion. It was an event designed for schmoozing and connections, with expensive champagne and well dressed staff to serve.

Victoria herself was extremely well dressed. The expensive party gown her father had insisted on framed her petite figure nicely. The bodice tightened at her hips rather uncomfortably, but she couldn't deny that the elegant flow from there to the hem added a certain sense of grace to her demeanor. The velvety red had also been her father's insistence; to compliment Victoria's faded blonde locks in the hope of attracting a suitor.

She would have personally preferred the usual pastel range of blues and pinks she commonly wore. Simple suited her best, but this was fine.

While the dancing was dull, conversation buzzed throughout the party's patrons. Women giggled to themselves and chatted over fancy men who quietly eyed them from afar. Sometimes the men would wander over to the girls and converse, other times they asked for a dance. Victoria didn't blame the ones who turned down dancing.

She really didn't think much of the orchestra.

"Champagne, miss?" A sultry voice asked, startling Victoria out of her wandering thoughts.

A woman in an elegant black dress held out a platter towards her, smiling knowingly as she watched Victoria recollect herself. She chuckled and wrapped chocolate fingers around the thin stem of a glass before offering it to Victoria, "Don't feel like dancing?"

Victoria didn't drink, but she found herself taking hold of the champagne before she could think better of it, a little taken off guard by the dazzling, honey eyes that seemed to read her like a book.

Victoria shook herself out of her awkward line of thinking and smiled politely, "I'm afraid not. I have a bit of a headache..." she lied, trying not to be rude. It would be rude to insult the orchestra outside of her own head.

The woman smirked, a devious little upturn of her lips that had Victoria pausing to take a second glance, intrigued, "You don't believe me?" she questioned curiously.

Her conversér leaned closer, whispering near her ear just as Victoria thought to take a drink, "I thought it might just be the dreary music. It feels like a funeral in here, not a party."

The champagne almost came out Victoria's nose when she chortled. She urgently brought a hand up to her mouth to avoid anyone seeing her blunder and her compatriot offered her a napkin with an entirely unapologetic grin.

Victoria scoffed, "Thank you for that."

"Of course. You seemed incredibly bored with the festivities. I wouldn't want to let such a beautiful young lady go the whole night without a laugh. It would be a shame." she bowed her head lightly, the corners of her mouth widening when Victoria began to turn pink. "Miss."

Victoria watched her depart. 

She moved with a grace that Victoria admired immensely, drawn in by the sashay of her movements. Her hips swayed with a purpose as she maneuvered through a few conversations, drawing the eye of most of the men as she went and annoying the young ladies they had been previously engaged with. Victoria was slightly stunned.

"Isn't she something?" a new voice questioned, pulling Victoria away from her spying.

"Oh!" She jumped, nearly toppling her drink and spilling the glass all over her dress.

Victoria was clumsy on a good day, accident prone on any worse. Her mother frequently told her that she'd never find a sutor because of it.

She stared up at the man who had spoken bashfully, wondering if he had caught her stumbling with the champagne flute. "Hello," she greeted, tucking one leg behind the other and offering him a small courtesy.