The Journey Home

Chapter 29 - A Waltz

"We who go forth of nights and see without the slightest discomposure our sister and our wife seized on by a strange man and subjected to violent embraces and canterings round a small-sized apartment - the only apparent excuse for such treatment being that it is done to the sound of music - can scarcely realize the horror which greeted the introduction of this wicked dance." - Belgravia Magazine, regarding the Waltz

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"Never have I moved so lightly. I was no longer a human being. To hold the most adorable creature in one's arms and fly around with her like the wind, so that everything around us fades away..." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1834), regarding the Waltz

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Th gentleman found himself stalled behind a crowd of young ladies and their chaperones upon entering the home on Harley Street. The host and an elderly gentleman were overwhelmed with the number of requests for introductions, and it made moving into the reception area a slow business. Word was out that a number of officers were attending a party at the Lennox's home, and a few of the merchant and barrister families were eager to introduce their daughters who had come out during the prior season, but had failed to find husbands. Captain Lennox, as kind as he was, took as much time as needed to welcome each of the families to the party, and expressed his delight in the prospects of introductions to his friends in the regiment. Mr. Levine worked quickly to make several introductions and match up dance partners, for the first waltz of the evening would begin shortly.

As he waited for the host to make himself available for an introduction, the gentleman remained a respectable distance behind the rush of young ladies, to avoid the appearance that he was part of their party, for he was, in fact, very much alone. His impressive height allowed him to view the ball room beyond through a grand set of french doors, where the floor was crowded with an unusual number of men in the close fitted red tunics of her Majesty's army. As he waited, a footman arrived to take his black hat, leather gloves and gray wool scarf. The young footman was not familiar with the gentleman. "Pardon me, but your name, sir?" he asked for purposes of identifying the gentleman's articles. "Thornton." was all he replied.

When at last the host had finished with of all manner of excuses as to why one young lady's request to dance with a clever looking captain should take precedence over another, John approached Captain Lennox and introduced himself. "Captain Lennox, you may recall that we met some years ago. My name is John Thornton." His hand shake was firm and met with an equally strong grasp that grew tighter upon recognition.

"Why, yes! Mr. Thornton! What a long time it has been. You came to dinner, with Henry. Old friends, I say, always welcome in our home!" Captain Lennox vigorously pumped John's up and down. He noted that the years had done little to alter John Thornton, and that age did not define the man as much as his confidence and a strength of character that issued from him.

"I hope you do not mind me being here. I was extended an invitation ..." John attempted to explain his reason for joining the party at so late an hour, for it was nearly midnight, but Captain Lennox was gratious in his refusal to hear of it. "Wonderful to see you again, Thornton.  My very best wishes that business has gone well for you.  You must catch us up, but for now, let's go and find Henry. I'm sure he will be glad to see you, and I need to rescue one of our wallflowers. Do you hear, Mr. Thornton? The waltz is about to begin!" Captain Lennox spoke as his walked with Mr. Thornton, his voice getting dimmer, despite nearly shouting, as the room was crowded and the noise had reached a pitch in anticipation of the next dance.

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Lieutenant Brandt held Maria Louise on his hip with one arm and her hand with another. The music was starting, slowly, and he began to move in small circles about the floor, as he was determined to please the child with a waltz. He had moved into the buffet room, where there were fewer people, and finishing touches were being placed on the midnight meal; tea and coffee, ices, biscuits, cakes, cold ham, fowl and tongue were sliced and arranged on platters, jellies, blanc-mange, trifle, and tipsy cake were for set out to satisfy those with a sweet tooth. Aged ports and dozens of bottles of wine continued to flow through out the evening.