An Enchanted Evening, PART II
Taking as deep a breath as I could against my tightly-laced ribcage, I determined to follow Edward, moving as quickly as I could in my restricting formal attire and high-heeled slippers toward the staircase down which he had disappeared. Using one hand to grip the curved iron banister and the other hand to hold up my skirts, I raced down the tightly-spiraled stairs, afraid to raise my eyes from the curving steps for fear I would lose my tenuous balance.
Breathless, I finally reached level ground and glanced quickly about the gardens laid out in perfect symmetry around me.
Where could he have gone?
Gathering my skirts so that I could keep myself from tripping on the flounced hem, I ran lightly down a side path, well away from the bright lights streaming from the house that would reveal me to the guests above as I (quite improperly) sought Mr. Edward Masen. Chasing after a young man would definitely be unseemly, and to be seen doing so would be disastrous to my reputation.
But catching up with Edward so that I could explain my response was imperative—and well-worth the very real danger of being witnessed by the most influential members of society present at the ball tonight.
Reaching the end of the path, I was grateful for the moonlight that illuminated the extensive gardens and the glimmering lake before me, for without the silvery light, I would never have seen Edward seated on a bench beneath the spreading branches of a weeping willow near the lake's edge. Gathering my skirts again, I raced toward him, ignoring the stitch in my side and the frantic but shallow breaths my corset forced me to take.
Leaning forward on the bench, his head in his hands, Edward Masen was the picture of dejection. My heart nearly broke with the sadness of knowing that I had caused this beautiful man such grief.
He could not have missed the sounds I made as I approached him at a run—the grinding of my high heels on the gravel path, the rustle of my skirts, my loud and unseemly gasps for breath. But he seemed completely removed from his surroundings—as if nothing of this world could matter to him again.
As I drew within a few feet of his slumped figure, I released my skirt to reach toward him, but I promptly caught my high-heeled slipper in one of my flounces. With clumsiness extreme even for me, I catapulted myself right into Edward's arms, landing across his lap on my stomach with a very unladylike "Ooof!"
For a very long moment I could only blink rather stupidly before I fully realized my very embarrassing position. I had fallen prone, the impact of my corseted front against his muscular thighs knocking the wind from me, rendering me incapable of breath and speech as black spots swam before my eyes.
"Miss Swan? Are you all right, Isabella?" Edward's voice was frantic with worry despite my awkward position.
Noisily I gasped in a shallow breath—all the blasted corset would allow—as I tried to remain conscious, fighting the faintness that accompanied the lack of air in my lungs.
Thankfully, Edward carefully turned me over so that I was reclining across his lap in a much more proper (and far less embarrassing) arrangement. At least in this position, I could breathe more freely, the black spots disappearing from my vision after a moment, but a small whirl of dizziness arrived with the realization that his face hovered mere inches above my own.
Finally I drew breath enough to start apologizing in a frantic half-whisper. "I-I-I am s-so sorry—so clumsy—I cannot believe that I—I apologize, Edward—no, I mean, Mr. Masen—I had to—no, I mean—I stumbled—well, obviously—but I—"
A finger pressing into my lips stopped my incoherent babblings before I could embarrass myself further.
So much for my enchanted evening which had started so well; I had now made a complete and utter fool of myself. Despite my longing to weep in frustration, I firmly repressed the tears that demanded free rein in the wake of my utter humiliation.
Watching me closely, Edward removed his finger from my lips only when sanity seemed to return to me. At least I had won the battle against weeping, the only saving grace I had experienced since leaving the balcony.
Looking down at me with an enigmatic expression in his green eyes, Edward repeated in a voice barely above a whisper, "Are you all right?"
I nodded slowly in the affirmative.
"Did you injure yourself, Isabella?"
Shaking my head, I indicated that I was unhurt—at least physically. Well, my ribs might be slightly sore, but it was my self-respect that had been shattered this evening.
And being held in Edward's arms, his gaze steadily fixed on my face as he questioned me so earnestly, his lips so close to mine, was definitely embarrassing enough…not to mention how I came to be in this rather compromising position. Closing my eyes, I felt my face burn as I blushed deeply with shame and contrition.
"That blush," he said softly, tracing my cheekbones with his fingertips. "That blush undoes me…every time."
What could I say to that? Opening my eyes, I noted that his beautiful eyes were tender yet sad—and then I remembered why I had raced after him like a hoyden. Throughout my childhood, Mother had drilled into me lesson after lesson on the Deportment of Young Ladies. And at the top of that list was the fact that Ladies Do Not Run.
Now I knew why. Blasted corsets!
And my own renowned clumsiness, of course.
"I should not have run after you; it was a ridiculous thing to do. I am sorry." My cheeks continued to blaze beneath his fingers, but I had to apologize—for several reasons, obviously. "But I am far more sorry for—"
"No, I must apologize," Edward interrupted. "I should not have left you as I did—without an escort and obviously causing you concern. This incident is my fault entirely," he stated, his eyes anxious yet ever so slightly amused.
The humor in his gaze finally shocked me into an awareness of the extreme impropriety of his holding me so intimately: in his arms while sitting in his lap. "Will you please help me to sit up?" I asked, and, with an expression in his eyes that seemed rather like regret, he politely assisted me to a sitting position on the bench.
Despite the breath being knocked from me and the restrictions of my blasted corset to refilling my lungs properly, my breathing had calmed at last. Edward seated himself beside me, and I also noticed that he did not release my hand after assisting me. Not that I was objecting, mind you….
Taking as deep a breath as my corset allowed, I turned to him. "Mr. Masen, I apologize if my lack of a response a few moments ago upset you. Truly, I was so overcome that I was incapable of replying. I—"
"It is quite all right, Miss Swan," he interrupted me, returning his gaze to the lake before us and refusing to look at me once again. "I apologize for placing you in an awkward position. I should never have presumed—"
Throwing aside all the guidelines for etiquette that had been drilled incessantly into my brain since birth, I dared to interrupt a gentleman, a rude act that a true lady would never, ever presume to commit.
"Look at me, Edward Masen!"
Shocked by both my words and my frustrated tone, his eyes met mine, and I gasped at the sorrow and regret in his expression. Clasping his free hand in both of mine, I continued to meet his gaze as I spoke softly. "I-I was so overcome with joy at the thought of your proposal, Mr. Masen, that I was unable to speak."
Edward blinked, seemingly incapable of believing my words.
Smiling gently, I continued, my soft voice barely audible even to me. "Nothing in the world would make me happier than your approaching my father to discuss our future marriage."
Slowly a matching smile crept across his lips as he saw the joy in my eyes.
"Truly, Miss Swan?"
"Truly, Mr. Masen."
Awww! Aren't they adorable! :) I hope that you're enjoying reading this sweet couple as much as I enjoyed writing them!
Thank you for your lovely response to Part I of this little tale. I enjoyed hearing from you all, and I think I responded to all reviews. Thanks also for all the follows and favorites, too—you all are wonderful! :)
Please let me know what you think of my Austen-ish Isabella and Edward! :)
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Warmly,
Cassandra :)
xxxooo