Medice Ceres

Chapter 9

Ceres held up two dresses. "Which do you think suits me best, Waithe?"

He shook his head. "I be hardly one to give advice on high fashion. Your friend would be much wiser of such things."

Sharm pointed. "The blue one. It matches your eyes."

Ceres bounded behind the partition to try it on. He smiled at her glee. What young woman would not want to wear such an elegant gown to a party in her honor?

She emerged and swung around with a broad smile, causing the skirt to flare out and her long blonde hair to shimmer down her back. As protector, Waithe had but two requirements, that it hides the tau mark on her shoulder and that it be not too immodest. The first to shield her from the eyes of those who might hunt the tau. And the other to shield her from the eyes of those who might try to take advantage of such a young maiden, someone much like himself when as a young man.

Sharm put her hands to her face. "Ceres, you are so beautiful! You shall turn the eye of every man."

Waithe nodded and sighed. Modest dress or not, she was going to attract attention. A twang of grief rose within him, would he feel this way if it were his lost daughter that dressed for a ball?

At the appropriate time, Eudus, with his wife Sharm on his arm, arrived to escort Ceres and Waithe to the dinner. He wore a long black silk jacket and she wore a long red gown that accented her curves.

Eudus' eyebrows shot up at the appearance of Ceres. "My Lady Ceres. You be truly a treasure for the eyes." He took her hand and kissed it. "Had my heart not been already taken, I would be smitten with you."

Ceres dipped her head slightly and color came to her cheeks. "Thank you."

Sharm laughed. "My dear husband, do not torture my friend with your endless charm. Forgive me Ceres, but it was my fortune to have already possessed this man's heart well before your arrival." She placed a kiss on her husband's cheek. "Our guests await."

Waithe, wearing a borrowed black jacket similar to that of Eudus, offered his arm to Ceres. They followed their hosts.

Ceres dropped her jaw as they entered the ballroom. Ornately carved wooden columns supported an arched blue ceiling that matched the color of her dress. The setting sun cast colors across the room through stained glass windows. Candles flickered behind cut glass globes, waiting their turn to light the room. The work of many artists adorned the walls. A collection of white cloth-covered tables formed an open-end rectangle that covered much of the room. Servants scurried about the perimeter making last-minute preparations.

Waithe surmised that Ceres had never before seen such opulence. That all this was done in her honor had to be overwhelming to this modest young woman.

Lord Eudus and Lady Sharm were truly in their element. There were perhaps forty guests, and they wandered about the room greeting each personally by name as they introduced Lady Ceres. Waithe chose to stand away and observe the interactions.

Eudus came up to a certain handsome young man and offered one hand for a handshake while patting him on the back with the other. The man stood tall with curly dark hair, a gentle face, and a mischievous smile. A dark fine tailored suit completed the look. Waithe moved closer as Eudus introduced him to Ceres, Cassio was his name. Her mouth parted as her eyes locked on to this dashing man.

The young man bowed deeply and took up Ceres' hand to kiss it. "I was intrigued that Lord Eudus hosts a Lady of the Order, but I never realized she would be so beautiful. If I may, my Lady, I would be honored to later have the pleasure of a dance."

She stammered, her eyes again on his. "Umm, yes... I would be happy to."

Still holding her hand and with a gleam in his eyes, he said, "I look forward to it, my Lady."