The Journey Home

Chapter 28 - A Series of Complicated Dance Steps

Henry Lennox had grown bored with the conversation and allowed himself to look about the room to see if any new young ladies had joined the party. He had observed the dancing in the other room, and saw that the party was setting up for a Mazurka. Although he was not an exceptional dancer, he quite enjoyed the elegance of the Mazurka and excused himself from the conversation in the hopes of locating Edith or Margaret and asking them to dance.

He moved about the edges of the room, making a brief stop to say good evening to Mrs. Shaw, who was clearly upset by what was happening on the dance floor. "Lieutenant Brandt has monopolized Margaret for two dances and it appears that he will keep her for a third! This is not appropriate behavior for a dance." She breathlessly announced to Henry, as she quickly waved her fan. Henry's gaze was directed to the pair, and saw that the two were standing close together as  other couples rearranged themselves into groups of eight to begin the next dance. A failure in  etiquette was not at all like Margaret.  He wondered if Edith had a hand in the whole business. She was a notoriously mischievous match maker, in his opinion. Why, she had attempted to throw he and Margaret together only two days earlier. Now it appeared that Margaret would be engaged in a third dance with the officer, which was clearly beyond acceptable dance etiquette, particularly given what he knew of Mr. Thornton and his recent re acquaintance. "Where is Mr. Levine when you actually need a floor master?" Mrs. Shaw helplessly exclaimed.

Without responding to Mrs. Shaw, Henry quickly made his way onto the dance floor and bowed to Margaret. "May I have the pleasure of this dance, Margaret?" he asked rather abruptly, taking Lieutenant Brandt quite by surprise. Margaret looked to Henry with relief, for she was quite aware of how they must have looked to others. "Yes, of course." she responded, and giving a quick curtsy to Lieutenant Brandt, she took Henry's proffered arm and walked away. "What has gotten into the two of you?" Henry hissed, rather than asked, through a sly smile. "Teddy can't have you all night. It wouldn't be fair to the rest of us." Henry was lightly joking with Margaret in an attempt to set her at ease. Edith watched the exchange with her dance partner, and was quite annoyed with Henry for interfering.

The dance was to be performed as a quadrille, and several couples joined Henry and Margaret as the spirited music began to play. Margaret and Henry hopped and skipped about the room in time to the traditional eastern European music. The dance moved quickly, and Margaret found it difficult to keep time with the steps, as she was flustered and breathless from the implication of Lieutenant Brandt's words. Although not clearly expressed, she was certain that Lieutenant Brandt feelings were more than friendship.

What was worse - the guilt she felt in knowing that she could feel herself wanting to encourage those feelings, if things were different.

Margaret could hardly believe that within the past two days, her dream had turned into reality. John Thornton was real and she loved him with all of her being.  But who was that man, for she knew so little about him, other than a life where they briefly knew each other as a mill owner and his friend's daughter.  So much time had passed, she was unsure.  How would John Thornton and a life in Milton compare to all of this? She found herself settling comfortably into the safe and familiar life of Harley Street, despite her commitment to Nicholas Higgins,  and she despised herself for allowing this to happen. Margaret suddenly felt ill with the duplicity of her actions. 

She saw that Lieutenant Brandt had joined her Aunt and Maria Louise, and the girl's entire being was lit with the love she felt for this very good and gentle man.  Margaret further admonished herself; she had failed Maria Louise by allowing the girl to become so attached to Lieutenant Brandt.

The room was growing warmer and Margaret had made a series of missteps as she weaved her way from partner to partner, until she reached Henry once again. "You are not well." Henry said to her with a look of concern. He held her hand lightly for the purpose of the dance, but felt the chill of her hand through her glove despite the pressing heat of the room. Margaret closed her eyes as the room began to spin, and thought of John, yearning to be with him, for he would make things right for her.  He would stop this confusion in her heart; if only her were here!  She thought to herself as the music began to mix with a dull ringing in her head. "I'm sorry, Henry, but I think I need some air." she said weakly as the repetitive music continued, and the sprightly dancers skipped around and around the room.