Tale of a Vampire

Chapter 23

The next day was occupied with the journey to the Byron's country house and then, once there, there was this frenzy about the party they'd held that night. Most of the things were already set but Diana spent part of her afternoon helping Julia, much to Jack's dismay. Though he didn't like it, he went hunting with Constantine and his father. Part of him was happy though, that party had a purpose and that was to announce his engagement with Diana, to make it official before the society.

They hadn't seen each other that day, until it was time for dinner. Diana arrived after Jack, in a blue dress. He was holding a cup of liquor and was talking to some boy when she got inside the room.

"Lady Davenport." Julia announced as the guests didn't know her.

Jack turned around as he heard her name and their eyes met for the first time since he had left that afternoon to the woods. There must be around 50 people in the room, all aristocracy. Diana bowed and Julia grabbed her arm, meaning she would introduce her to the people one by one. The rules dictated that. When crossing by Jack, he winked at her and smiled. She smiled back.

"These are lady and lord Mitchell." Julia said introducing the old couple near Jack. Jack left his friend and approached them.

"They own most of the lands around here and their woods have the most wonderful grouses." He laughed. Old Mitchell tapped his shoulder feeling proud of the young man's words. He didn't like to grab about it but the surroundings all envied the grouses that grew in his lands.

"Jack, so good to see you growing up." The old man said.

"Mother, I'll take her from now." Jack said giving his arm to Diana.

"You'll do the honors?" Julia asked surprised. Jack hated all the formalities but she found out how proud he was to present his fiancée to the society.

"So tell me Jack..." Old Mitchell scrutinized Diana. "Is this the young lady that is going to end your bachelor days?" Jack laughed loud. He liked the old man as if he was his grandfather and old Mitchell loved him the same way.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Jack asked him. Then he approached the man's ear. "Don't tell anyone. We're going to announce it after dinner."

After having introduced every single soul to Diana, he began to guide her to the table.

"Did you enjoy your time hunting?" She asked him, trying to form a conversation.

"Yes. It's was funny. I don't like hunting that much but well..." Jack laughed and she did too. Then they reached the table and Jack pulled her chair for her to sit.

"Thank you." She smiled at him.

Jack bowed and went to sit right in front of her. Julia, Henry and Constantine watched the young couple from far. They didn't doubt that marriage was going to succeed. More and more they seemed to bond, to create an alliance between them. Julia, as a woman, could see how they already had their subjects to talk, how they looked different when they thought no one was watching them. She felt happy her son was able to find someone to build such a wonderful thing with.

Dinner went delightfully noisy. People were talking and telling jokes. Part of the formality was gone, though there were still some rules that came out automatically. Jack watched Diana every now and they smiled at each other every time their eyes encountered. He wanted to hold her hand so much, but he wasn't allowed to do that, not in public.

"I think it's time..." He whispered at her and she looked at him a bit dazed.

Some chilling crossed down her spine and she felt a little nervous. From that point there was no turning back. She felt a bit dizzy and James came to her mind. A sudden urge to run assaulted her, but she hang in there. Henry got up and she was sure it was time. Even Jack tensed a bit. Diana's heart began to beat franticly and she gasped a little for air. A small lump formed in her throat. That would be it.