Strange Game

Chapter 11

The crowd arrives one by one and Angie watch- from the hidden alcove- the Lanchester greets their guests. Lizzy has long gone to sleep, much to the girl disappointment as she thought she could join the festive, while Viviane happily stood at Henry side, glad that she is allowed to join, which also contribute much to Lizzy disappointment. Angie smile remembering the little girl long pout, dragging her stuff-puppy doll as she retreated to her nursery. Angie guess Lizzy's parent and the rest of Lanchester are going to pay her a great debt for not throwing a tantrum.

Still smiling to the memory of Hughes pained look for the little girl sadness, and Cecil furtive glance to the upper floor, Angie pull herself away from the alcove and went up to check on Lizzy. The six years old girl looks up from her supper and beam happily seeing Angie's face while her nanny incline her head in greeting.

"Lizzy, you're not to sneak into the party." Angie said as she took her seat next to Lizzy. The girl blink innocently while Angie thought there is the gleam of wickedness in the girl's eyes, just like any Lanchester-Lockhart should have.

"How do you know that?" Angie grin at Lizzy's puzzlement, tweaking the girl's nose while Nanny smothers her laughs with a loud cough.

"I happen to be once your age, darling. Promise me you'll listen to Nanny and go to bed early." Lizzy grin, knowing her action has been predicted. Kissing Lizzy's cheek for goodnight wish, Angie left the nursery and almost bump into Rose and Lillian in her way to the ballroom. The mother and daughter were gossiping near a big potted plant, their eyes on the Lanchester-Lockhart. Angie step-brothers are lounging near the border of the dancing couples, lazily sipping their wine and arrogant face clearly drawn to the wallflower. Angie never like Lillian, but at least she didn't hate the nitwit girl just as she hates the nitwit girl's brothers. They are scoundrel lot, hopeless in doing anything of gentleman sport and definitely lazy to help Angie's father.

It is true Angie had secretly injected a bit of her pin money into her father's account, enough to get him out of debtors’ blacklist, but she almost cancel the latest injection because of them.

Even now, Rose and Lillian and Angie's step-brother wear fashionably- oh alright, at least they are wearing proper dress-code to the parties. Then Angie saw one of the two brothers’ approach Viviane and Angie snap.

"Hold it Angie, let Henry settle them. It is his party." Angie turn to see Hughes at her side, his hand clamping under her elbow, keeping her at his side securely and looking like he is having a wonderful time talking to her, when all Angie want is break some bones.

"But Hughes-"

"I like it when you said my name. How about I treat you some lemonade for a gift?" Angie narrowed her eyes, and before she could blink, Henry had Viviane dancing with a young gentleman that seems to have Henry and Hughes approval- and Viviane had the gut to look bored with the arrangement. Hughes chuckle at the defiant gleam in Viviane eyes when their eyes met and almost roar with laughter when he saw the same gleam in Angie's eyes.

Hughes had laid his eyes on Angie the moment she came into the ballroom, presently trying to hide from her step-family. He loves how her sage green dress compliments her green eyes or how it makes her look so regal and charming.

"Hughes this place looks amazing to me. I didn't see how the decoration should look at first -it was lovely- but now everything sparkles, even you look so...dashing." Hughes grins hearing Angie's reluctance to compliment him and he raises her hand to his lip.

"Is that hesitant I hear my lady?"

"It is more to doubt." She quickly quip and Hughes could no longer contain his laugh. They continue to chat amiably, him relying gossips she hadn't heard and her cynical view of the fashion of the guest, especially her step-family. Hughes then realize Angie was looking around, craning her neck trying to see something or someone.