One Look

Chapter 11

The debutantes stood in a semi-circle as Nathaniel descended the steps, followed by Oscar. Nathaniel bowed in front of Henrietta and they made their way to the dancefloor, followed my Oscar and Bethany. I glanced at Isabella who pursed her lips but made no further gesture to show that she was jealous.

"I always get nervous when the princes pick who they will dance with", Amelia hissed at me and I laughed lightly. "Oh, here comes your gentleman now", she giggled and turned away when Charles approached me.

"Care to join me for a dance?" he asked as he gave a little bow.

"Of course,", I grinned and placed my hand in his. He led me to the dancefloor, and I noticed that Amelia was still on the side-lines, no one had asked her to dance. "Dance with Amelia after me", I said quickly, and he looked at me confused for a moment.

"Of course, though the rest of my night will be spent with you", he chuckled. Our conversation ceased for a moment as we got lost in the dance. "I heard you were causing trouble for yourself at dinner last night", he muttered after a moment.

"I forgot that the vultures were around", I giggled. "Where were you anyway?" He glanced away quickly, but not before I caught the guilty look in his eyes.

He cleared his throat before looking back at me and stated, "I just got caught up with something". He flashed me a grin before he spun me around, but I could not ignore the panic that had set inside me. But when I looked into his eyes again, it calmed all my fears.

"That better be all", I threatened lightly. He forced a smile on his face as we twirled by Nathaniel and Henrietta who looked like an overstuffed pastry in her big yellow gown with a frilled hem and a big blue ribbon on the back.

I glanced around to see if I could spot Leonard anywhere. His bright orange hair quickly stood out as I realised, he was speaking with Elaine. I would have been suspicious, only Elaine had the most disgusted look on her face and glanced at him as if he was a speck of dirt on her brand new gown.

"....so, what do you think?" Charles was saying and I quickly looked at him and gave him a guilty smile.

"If I am being completely honest, I didn't hear anything you just said", I said tentatively. He shook his head and took a breath.

"I was saying that if it is a nice day tomorrow, we shall go for a walk in the garden", he said slowly, as if I was a child incapable of understanding.

"Thank you for making that clear", I mumbled. "And a walk would be lovely". Though so boring, all we did was walk around the gardens and it was getting a little repetitive.

"Yes, I thought you would enjoy it", he grinned as the song ended and he bowed. He gave my hand a kiss before he walked towards Amelia who had a sour look on her face, I stifled a laugh as I made a beeline towards Leonard.

"Eloise, dance?" Oscar blocked my route and led me to the dancefloor before I could even protest.

"I didn't even want to dance", I hissed, and he laughed lightly as the music started for a polka.

"Ah a nice lively dance", Oscar chuckled, and I tried not to make a face.

"I was on my way to see someone", I hissed. He grinned at me and nodded his head slightly.

"I know that, and Nathaniel asked me to step in. He doesn't want you anywhere near Leonard", he explained, just as our partners switched and I was now face to face with Charles.

"Oh hello", I giggled as we spun around.

"Ah nice meeting you here", he replied as I twirled back into Oscars arms and we took of across the room, the partners twirling around in circles.