Belle stood in the corner of the club. Ruby had dragged her here, saying that it would be fun. As Ruby danced pressed against a sailor who had his hands all over her, Belle was sure Ruby was having a good time. Belle, however, had stood in the corner for half an hour now, slowly sipping a drink and daydreaming about her book at home, just waiting for her on her nightstand.
Just as Belle was getting lost in her thoughts, a man approached her. He was older, obviously older than Ruby's partner. He walked with a cane, yet somehow it seemed less of a handicap and more of a power to him. He stopped in front of Belle and bowed,
"Good evening, Miss. May I have this dance?" Belle opened her mouth, about to turn him down, when she noticed George leering at her. He was well-known among the town's ladies as a handsome sailor, but Belle was always disgusted by him and his objectification of her. Lately, she'd been more and more frightened of him, due to his persistence in seducing her. He wouldn't take 'no' for an answer much longer. As she caught his stare, Belle saw him down his drink and start to make his way over. She set her drink down and said to the older stranger,
"I'd love to." The man smiled and whisked her out to the dance floor just as George approached her. Once she was on the floor, her partner gently held her waist and hand and said,
"I apologize if I surprised you. I'm Ruby's uncle, Captain Gold. She mentioned that George Williams was after you." Belle sighed in relief, accidentally leaning forward and resting her head on Gold's shoulder. "He's…infamous for his less-than-courteous ways, especially among my men." he continued. Belle pulled back from his shoulder and smiled up at the Captain,
"Thank you. That was very kind of you. I'm Belle."
"Belle. A beautiful name for a beautiful lady." he said with a smile. Though Belle had heard it many times before, she still blushed and ducked her head.
"Thank you." They danced in companionable silence for a while before Belle accidentally trod on his good foot, "Sorry! I'm so sorry; I'm not very good at this."
"You're doing fine, dearie. It was a small mistake." he said kindly. Belle shook her head,
"I'm sure you have better things to do than dance with a foolish friend of your niece." she said quietly. Gold laughed and his chest rumbled with the sound.
"We have the floor and you're in my arms," he sup her out from him, "How could I ask for more?" When Belle spun back, she let herself spin a little closer to her dancing knight in uniform armor.