"What!" Halt snapped in a hushed voice pinning Crowley to a wall "you didn't tell me that that was a binding contract I'll kill you."
"Alright, alright I should have told you" Crowley consented finally wiggling free of Halt's grasp "but she looks happy...ish with Sir Rodney right?"
"Have you ever seen a fox dance with a boar? Because that's sort of what it would look like" Halt said indicating the couple.
Pauline had been dragged around the floor by first Sir Nigel who had mumbled incessantly and nervously about some book he had discovered, then by Master Chubb who bragged about the fine feast he had prepared for the festival and what a masterpiece it was, and now by Sir Rodney who because of his size was more than slightly dragging her about the floor with little of the grace he had with sword and lance. Though he was so far the most charming option. When the song broke she almost sighed with relief when Sir Rodney excused himself. She moved over to her parents who were standing nearby observing. She had considered each of the men closely during her time with them and realized she had not one true spark of interest for any of them.
"And which one of these men has stolen my daughters heart?" Her father asked. Pauline gave him quite the dejected look "all suitable and all will be able to provide you the life you deserve" he nodded proudly.
"Yes indeed, quite better than the last fellow, I've heard strange rumors of sorcery and the like and unsuitable option in my opinion" her aunt added ever the opinion giver.
"Yes, strange folk these rangers" her father agreed "your mother seems to find them suitable though."
"I do indeed and you should both respect them more, were it not for the rangers your father would have lost everything you so proudly hold. So you still have one more suitor to dance with" her mother stated.
"Hardly he hasn't even turned up yet" her father said shaking his head.
"not entirely true" Halt said from behind him making him startle slightly luckily the group had been conversing when Crowley had practically shoved him at the group.
"Ranger Halt" Pauline greeted mildly with a slight curtsy Halt bowed his head lightly in return.
The music started again softly "may I have this dance?" Halt said softly, he was admittedly attracted to the woman standing in front of him though still not in agreement with the circumstances.
"You may" Pauline consented easily.
From nearby Crowley stood near the Baron watching.
"Does Halt know how to dance?" The Baron asked.
"I suppose we should have asked that before now" Crowley said.
Halt impressed them both and the Lady Pauline as well, his movements were easy and fluid on the floor not choppy and unbalanced like the others. Halt was on equal height with Pauline so they moved together rather than one dragging the other. They didn't speak but Pauline actually found herself comforted by the silence she took in his appearance his hair was slightly overgrown and brown his eyes gentle yet strict in a lovely brownish green he had a scar across his nose that had obviously been broken at some point his shoulders where strong but his body slim and fit which was accentuated by a new set of tunics courtesy of Crowley or Halt would have worn his standard woolen clothing. He studied her inconspicuously as well she was quite pretty her blond hair framed her face and she had soft brown eyes and a thin elegant frame that slowed eloquently with her movements. When the song ended he gave her a rare smile and bowed as he walked away from her to go join the Baron and Crowley.
Crowley had noted the lack of conversation between the two and imagined it a bad thing "at least you dance well" Crowley said with a hint of support for his friend in anticipation of his rejection for one of the more pronounced suitors.
Halt gave a sort of grunt in reply sinking to a chair near a table his mind reeling he hadn't wanted to be there in the least he had gone to get the Baron and Crowley off his back but this woman, she was burned into his mind now her touch on his shoulder and hand seared into his memory 'what is wrong with me' he thought to himself.
Pauline watched him go a strange fluttering in her chest she knew the least of all about this man but there was something about him. Her mother touched her shoulder breaking her out of her trance.
"Well my dear have you made a choice?" She asked softly a soft smile touching her features.
"Must I really do this?" She asked hopefully but when her mother nodded she knew she would have to choose "may I have a few moments to think?"
Her mother nodded and she made her way to the garden lit with lovely gleaming lanterns for the festival. She thought back over the men she had met that night all had been kind to her and would make fine husbands and would grant her family the status they wanted, except for one. The ranger. And yet her mother had seemed quite adamant about him becoming a suitor, yes Halt held reputation with the king and his honor preceded him but he did not live in the castle nor did he live lavishly as the others did. Why was she dwelling on him? Sir Rodney or Sir Nigel were surely a better fit and yet in the brief amount of time with him the man who had said nothing was the one she remembered best. She took another turn about the garden then returned to the party approaching her parents.
"If you are determined to have me wed I have made my choice" she said.