TWISTED

18: Slow Dancing

Arthur's mansion at the top ^^^

This chapter is dedicated to Pun_was_intended.

Lord Arthur's mansion in a matter of hours was transformed into a literal paradise for the ball tonight. Everyone's hands were on deck to complete the remaining accessories. Food and drinks were to be in plenty, Arthur would make sure of that.

"Ella, come on, stop chewing yourself up over nothing." Ismat told Ella as she helped her with her outfit that evening. Some other maid was attending to Charity.

Ella peered up into Ismat's doe eyes. "How can't I? It's the first ball I'm attending."

Ismat laughed, coating Ella's lips with a striking red lipstick. Ella quivered a little and her fingers slipped, smudging the sides of Ella's lips.

Ismat pinched Ella on her nose. "Hold still will you?"

"Sorry-"

"And stop talking."

Ella smiled sheepishly and let a grumpy Ismat complete her job on her face and hair.

Minutes passed and soon, Ella was transformed into a stunning young lady.

The red gown hugged her figure at the right places. There was transparent  lace  material at the arms, extending downward to her wrist. The rest of the fabric pooled around her to the floor.

Ella couldn't believe her eyes. "Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed, gracefully spinning  around in admiration of her beautiful image in the mirror.

"Go kill some people, girl." Ismat whispered.

Ella threw her a pointed look. "There's not going to be any people-killing this evening."

Ismat rolled her eyes and started cleaning up the mess she had made in Ella's room.

Soon enough, someone knocked thrice on the door. Arthur.

Ella gasped, eyes meeting Ismat's. "He's here." She mouthed, making an effort to steady her raging heart beat rate. Of course it was only Arthur but Ella still felt overwhelmed and less confident.

This was still her first ball.

Ismat snuck her hand into Ella's. "Relax, nothing bad will happen."

"What if I trip over my feet and-"

Ella got interrupted with a strong glare from Ismat. "Stop doing this." She grumbled, wondering when Ella became so stubborn.

"Alright, alright." Ella laughed when Ismat pushed her all the way to the door,  opened it and shoved her outside the room.

Arthur was grinning ear to ear when she saw him. He looked really handsome in his suit and squeaky clean shoes.

"You know, for a moment, I thought you had run away." He held out his right arm to Ella. She slipped her own arm in, breathing in the fragrance of his cologne.

"Sorry." Ella laughed.

Arthur fixed her a look. "You look glamorous this evening." His eyes raked decently at her frame.

"And you too."

Arthur smiled and led her down the passageway to where the ballroom was at. As they neared the ballroom, Ella's feet were unwilling to move.

Arthur squeezed her hand in reassurance. "Just follow my lead."

"Okay."

"And, one advice. Stay away from the hawks."