One Look

Chapter 22

I hurried after Oscar who had made his way back over to the food, I grabbed his elbow so he would not be able to walk away from me.

"What?" he snapped. "Are you here to scold me some more?" I ignored the frosty tone in his voice and let out a little sigh.

"I am not here to scold you. I'm here as a friend who cares about you, and cares about your actions. I just think the least you can do is let those two girls know what your intentions are with them, because if you are not careful you are going to lose the both of them". I gave his arm a little squeeze, before I let mine fall to my side.

He looked at me as if he was about to admit something, before he shook his head and replaced it with a scowl.

"Okay", he replied, before he took off again. I turned around and seen him bowing before Bethany and leading her to the dancefloor. All I could do was hope he would try to follow my advice. My own eyes traveled around the room, looking out for Charles but he was nowhere in sight.

A throat being cleared behind me made me jump and I turned quickly to find Edmund with a hard look on his face.

"Will you join me for a dance?" he forced out and I reluctantly accepted.

"It's a lovely evening", I stated, once the music began. He grunted in reply and I forced a gentle smile on my face.

"Why did you have to spread those malicious rumours?" he muttered questioningly but did not wait for my response. "I agree Maria can be a lot to deal with at times, and I know me and you fail to see eye to eye but that does not give you an appropriate reason to spread such awful accusations". I cast my eyes downwards and let the silence envelope us. I may not have personally spread the rumours, but Elaine had only done so because of what I had said the night of the ballet and because of my humiliation. I was as much to blame for this as Elaine.

"I know", I whispered gently. There was no point in even saying it wasn't me.

"I need you to end this rumour, once and for all. You need to admit to everyone in this room that you were the one who started the rumour and that it is a complete and utter lie. I don't think you realise how much a stupid rumour like that can ruin our lives".

"Okay", I said. "By the end of tonight, no one will even have a second thought about that stupid rumour". The music ended again, and I hurried away from Edmund and ran straight into Nathaniel who accidently kissed Henrietta on the lips. Henrietta's eyes flew open and Nathaniel apologised profusely. He turned to face the culprit of the cause of the kiss and his eyes rested on mine.

"Honestly Eloise", he muttered, and I bit my lip apologetically. I glanced at Henrietta who seemed to be glowing but was also trying to force her face into a glare at me.

"I am so sorry", I apologised, and he let out a puff of air.

"You are such a klutz", Isabella grinned but she looked as if she wanted to murder me.

"I would love to stay and discuss my fatalities, but I have something to do", I stated and hurried across the ballroom and over to the musicians. I scrambled onto the extremely low platform and the music cut off. All eyes turned my way to see what the disruption was about. I didn't dare glance up at the King or Queen and risk seeing what lay in their expressions. I made eye contact with Nathaniel though who was watching me as if I had gone mad. I guess my sudden burst of confidence was due to the few glasses of champagne I had already consumed.

"Excuse me everyone, if I could just get your attention for a moment", I called out and the mumble of chatter died down. "It has come to my knowledge that a stupid, untrue joke I made to a few other ladies has turned into a horrid rumour. I made a rash, completely made up comment that I had spotted Maria and Edmund in a position that was not very sibling like, and I did not mean for it to get so out of hand. I was jealous of Maria and wanted to take her out of the run to win Prince Nathaniel's hand and in doing so I made up a rumour that I thought would only reach the prince, I never intended for it to stretch to so many ears. This is my public apology and I truly am sorry Maria and Edmund". I ended my speech and did a little curtsy towards the King and Queen before I hurried off the stage. A hand clasped my wrist and I looked into the angry eyes of Elaine.