He does not need to see her face to know she is beautiful.
Rather, he can see it her eyes, in the way her pinned-up dark hair and emerald green gown contrast her tan golden skin. He can see it in the softness of her voice, the grace with which she moves, as they twirl around the ballroom floor to the lovely string music playing.
He is enchanted by her. He wants to know her.
"May I ask you name, Miss?" he murmurs gently. She smiles.
"We are not supposed to ask names, Sir. After all, we are at a masquerade ball. We have to keep the air of anonymity, do we not?"
"I cannot see you," he reasons with her. "At least let me know your name."
She shakes her head infinitesimally, a sign that she will not relent to him.
He accepts this; after all, he does not need to know her name to know her soul is beautiful.
Rather, he can feel it in her essence, in the energy she gives off to those around her. He can feel it in the sincerity of her smiles, in her strong character and in the self-respect she has for herself. His mother and step-father had always said that he could judge character better than most; if that was true; than she was one of the most wonderful people he had ever met.
The music changes; it is time to switch partners.
His stomach sinks, and he acts on instinct, taking her hand and slipping out of the crowded room, leading her into an abandoned, dim dining room and closing the door quickly behind them. She gathers up her dress and sits on the long table in the room.
"Come," she calls to him.
He does, walking to her briskly and standing in front of her, bringing his hands to rest around her waist.
She stares at him darkly, licking her lips before moving over making room for him to sit next to her. The air between them crackles with tension.
"Come," she calls again. He sirs, sitting next her, resting his hands in his lap
He can't stop his eyes from flicking between her eyes and her mouth, her think pink lips that rest perfectly against the tan color of her face.
"Kiss me," she whispers.
He moves his head close to her head, hesitates with their lips just barely brushing, before pressing his mouth against hers.
Her lips part; they sigh into each other.