Isabella's POV
Father and Allen left to go to the ball that Allen's family was hosting for the Sharpe family. I had wanted to go but my father refused to let me leave the house. Allen I could tell felt bad about me not being allowed to leave he wanted me to come. After they left I sat in the living room painting something new that came out of my head after I had met Thomas Sharpe.
After I was done with the sketch of what I wanted to have in this painting I started to paint it with dark colors. I then heard a knock on the front door.
"I'll get it Tilly." I said to our maid who was at the front door.
Tilly walked to the kitchen as I opened the door seeing Thomas Sharpe.
"Hello Sir Thomas, how are you this evening?"
"I am well miss Isabella. I was hoping to catch your father to speak with him." He said urgently.
"Oh well I am sorry but he has already left for the McMichael ball." I said replying to him quickly.
"Isabella shouldn't you be down in the basement." I heard Edith say as she was coming down the stairs.
"Actually Miss Isabella I was hoping that you would let me escort you to the ball. You see the McMichael's would be very upset if you didn't show up." Thomas held my hand telling me with his eyes for me to come with him.
"Isabella is not allowed to go to social gatherings Thomas Sharpe. I for one am allowed if you'll allow me to change I would be honored if you would escort me to the ball." Edith said looking at me then at Thomas.
"On the contrary I have asked Isabella to come with me not you miss Edith." Thomas looked at Edith with disgust.
"It would be my honor to come with you Sir Thomas." I said having already dressed for the ball.
Thomas then took my arms in his as we left the house into his car to the McMichael's home.
Alan's POV
It was shame that Isabella wasn't here. My sister Eunice was not in her right frame of mind at the moment due to Sir Thomas Sharpe not being here. The doors to the ballroom opened and I saw Sir Thomas Sharpe and Isabella come in. Isabella looked stunning. She was wearing a dark navy blue dress that dropped at her shoulders.
Eunice came over to me smiling.
"Well brother if I have my way you will be married to Isabella by the end of the year." Eunice whispered to me smiling.
"You know that I don't love Isabella not in that way, Eunice. I love Edith." I said quickly hoping that my sister and mother would stop saying that.
Eunice then walked back over to mother who smiled when Isabella walked in. Then a few seconds later Edith walked in without an escort. She looked just as beautiful as Isabella. But she looked furious as did Mr. Cushing as Isabella walked passed her father.
Isabella's POV
"Isabella, may I present my sister, Lady Lucille Sharpe." Thomas said looking at me and then his sister.
"Lucille, it's a pleasure to meet you." I said looking at her.
"As it is mine. You were gone awhile brother. Eunice was getting quite worried about you. Are you the woman who painted those two small paintings that my brother bought the other day?" She asked looking back at me.
"Yes it was me who painted those small paintings." I said smiling back at her.
Mrs. McMichael then said that she had an announcement to make. "Everyone Sir Thomas Sharpe will kindly dance for us the waltz European style."
"The waltz requires the perfect partner." Thomas said things about the waltz while holding a candle in his hand. He whispered something to Eunice, she looked surprised and shocked but smiled quickly nodding her head.
Thomas then came over to me as I was sitting by the piano near Lucille. "Would you be mine?" Thomas held his hand for me to take. I was shocked no one ever asked me to dance in a long time.
"Sir Thomas my father does not allow my sister to dance and neither do I." Edith came over still looking furious at me.
"Miss Edith please do not interrupt me when I am speaking to your sister. If there is a problem then I shall consort with your father." Thomas said looking at Edith with furious in his eyes.
Thomas then looked back at me smiling still holding out his hand. I took his hand as we headed to the dance floor.
"You can close your eyes if you want Isabella." He said looking into my eyes.
"I don't want to close my eyes I want to keep them open." I said whispering to him.
We danced the waltz together. I hadn't felt this happy in a long time once the dance was over my hand was entwined with Thomas he pulled me close to him again as I blew out the candle.
"Isabella would it be alright if I call on you tomorrow me and my sister would like to get to see some more of your paintings" Thomas said as he was helping me inside Alan's car as Alan offered to take me home.
I nodded saying yes as Alan started his car to drive me home.