Chapter 10
Roselynn waited until George got home that evening to tell him what had happened with Alexander. He was understandably upset about the entire situation and that Roselynn let herself fall prey to him. "I don't think we should attend that ball then Rosie, I just don't feel right about it." George sat at the foot of the bed. "It's too late to back out now, we've RSVPed and I doubt Alexander will let my absence go unnoticed." Roselynn said as she sat next to him. "I still have an awful feeling." George held her and Roselynn sighed. "Maybe if I reject him publicly he'll back off?" Roselynn wasn't a hundred percent sure if that would work, but it was worth a shot. "That might work, but I don't want you to leave my side during the evening; we don't need to give him the opportunity to corner you." George tightened his grip on her hand and gazed at her ring.
"I'm sorry I can't give you more right now Rosie, it's killing me." Rosleynn played with a dark lock on his forehead. "George, I'm willing to wait a lifetime if it means you and I stay together." She smiled and George kissed her gently. "We should turn in for the night." With that being said they pulled the blankets over them and settled in for the night.
The week leading up to the ball was anything but exciting, there were no productions to prepare for. Roselynn leaned on the bannister of one of the stair cases and looked towards nothing in particular. "You seem deep in thought." A voice rang out from the shadows and Roselynn jumped. "Good lord, Mr. Destler you've got to stop doing that! You're like a ghost or something!" Roselynn clutched her chest dramatically. "You'd be surprised, anyways I heard through the grapevine you were invited to the de Changys ball tonight?" Erik leaned on the bannister alongside her as she sighed. "Not because I want to, their son… he's just too much for me. But it's too late to cancel." Roselynn bit her lip and sighed again. "Is that boy...I forget his name, George? Is he going with you?" Erik asked as he sent her a side eyed glance. Roselynn nodded and Erik felt relief wash over him. "Well at least you won't be alone, have you picked out your dress?" Roselynns eyes widened with horror. "Oh no! I completely forgot!" Erik smiled warmly. "Not to worry, how about this? I'll give you the money for a new dress, as extravagant as you'd like." Erik may not be able to do much for his daughter right now, but at least he could get her a new dress. "I-I can't accept that, besides the other employees wouldn't like it if they found out you've given me more money for nothing." She started to play with her ring. "Nonsense, if they ask say you've put in extra hours, and I'll give them christmas bonuses. Let me do this for you. You've always done more than you should to make sure the productions are a success. It's the least I can do." Erik began to pull money from his wallet as Roselynn bit her lip.
"I'll pay you back, it feels wrong for me to just take money from you. You've been nothing but kind to me." Roselynn was still hesitant to take the money. Erik finally grew impatient and shoved the money into her hands. "Absolutely not, I won't accept a penny back from you. This is a gift."He smiled and patted her hands as she finally accepted the money. "Thank you Mr. Destler!" She hugged him tightly, to most it would have looked inappropriate for a female employee to hug her boss. But Erik allowed this small moment that had been denied to he and Claudine for so long. He'd often wondered what hugs from his daughter would be like, that last time he was able to just hold her was when she was a baby. "Take the rest of today off, I'll see you monday." Erik smiled, he was trying to conceal his tears and Roselynn smiled. "I won't forget this! Thanks again!" She shouted over her shoulder as she ran towards the exit. It was in the fleeting moment that Erik decided that it was time to tell Claudine.
"You see Miss, this dress is all the rave in Paris. Women just go crazy for the frills and silk brocade!" The saleswoman contiued to gush over the dress but Roselynn tuned her out. She was so uncomfortable in this dress, it was too showy and in your face. "Do you have something a little more...subtle?" She asked as she gazed at her reflection, she'd never felt so gaudy. "Well, I do have a piece from last season, I was never able to sell it. High society women always want the next best thing. The showier the better." The saleswoman walked to the back of the dress parlour. "This is ridiculous!" Roselynn said as she removed the dress and stood before the mirror in her drawers. The corset she was wearing was digging into her ribcage each time she inhaled. She hated having to wear corsets, but the occasion called for it. She refused to let Alexander think she was allowing his access to anything. "Here we are!" The woman returned holding a mass of dark green material. "Now this dress is made of a strong silk, so it'll feel light while you dance and still maintain its shape." She helped Roselynn step into the dress and laced the back up. Almost immediately Roselynn felt her confidence rise, the green complimented her dark hair and made her pale skin look nearly white. The dress had a sweetheart cut and the sleeves were off her shoulders and ended mid-arm.
"You look beautiful!" The woman gushed. "I feel beautiful." Roselynn was breathless, she'd never looked like this before. "Now, because this is an old piece I can throw in some dancing shoes, it'll come out to two hundred even." The woman began to ring up her items as Roselynn stepped out of the dress and began to put her day clothes back on. "That's fine, I'll be paying with cash today." She walked over to the counter and handed her the correct amount of money needed. The woman thanked her for her business and Roselynn made her way home. She was actually starting to let herself feel excited tonight, she allowed herself for this moment to push the feeling of dread to the back of her mind. When she got home George was waiting for her, she greeted him with a kiss. "What do you have there?" He asked as he pointed to her dress bag. "It's for tonight's ball, my boss gave me a bonus and let me have the rest of today off, don't worry it wasn't too expensive." She smiled as she began to undress, they'd taken the curtain down since that night. "How much do you have left over?" George asked as he picked up Roselynns discarded items. "I believe about five hundred?" George stopped what he was doing. "So you mean to tell me that your boss gave you seven hundred dollars as a bonus?" Roselynn nodded and George whistled. "Do you know what that means?" Rosleynn looked over to George and raised her eyebrows. "We have enough to get married and buy a house!" George took Roselynn in his arms and held her close. "Really?" Roselynn smiled up at him. "I've save nearly eight hundred Rosie! I have more than enough to keep you happy!" They embraced. "We should start getting ready George, we need to leave soon it's nearly seven!" Rosleynn scrambled out of his grip and stepped into her hoop skirt. Next she stepped into her dress and shimmied it up her body. "Can you lace me while I do my hair?" George obliged and delicately began to lace her up, but soon enough he began to kiss her shoulders and parts of her exposed back.
"If you keep that up we'll never make it to the ball." Roselynn managed to say through sighs. "I much prefer this anyways." He continued but Roselynn stepped away from him, there would be plenty time for that later. He began to protest but Roselynn sent him a glare and he shut his mouth. "Damn it!" Roselynn exclaimed as she threw her hair down in frustration. "What's wrong?" George walked over to her. "My hair is being defiant, I can't get it to go up!" She began to brush her hair. "Just leave it down then, you're always beautiful with your hair down anyways." He smiled at her reflection and she smiled back. "I've got to at least put it up halfway." She tied half her hair up with a black ribbon, she'd always had a fondness for black ribbons. "Wait right her, I have something for you." George walked over to the otherside of the room and pulled a small box from the drawer. "I know it's not the crown jewels, but I thought of you when I saw it. I couldn't pass on the opportunity." He opened the box and inside laid an oval silver locket, it was plain but Roselynn loved it anyways. "It's beautiful." She breathed as she moved her hair to the side so he could put it on her. "I have another gift for you later, I'll give it to you once the ball concludes." He kissed the top of her head and she smiled. "Get ready and the lets go."
As soon as the arrived they knew that this was going to be unlike anything they'd ever done before. Both felt very out of their element and for a moment Roselynn was thankful she had purchased an appropriate dress. George offered her his arm and Roselynn took it as they made their way up the stairs. At the doors she saw Alexander besides his parents greeting the guests as they entered. Alexander's eyes brightened as soon as his eyes met hers, but just as quick as they brightened they darkened when he say George. George returned the glare as they reached the door. "Roselynn! I'm so glad you could make it to the party! But I was under the impression you were coming unaccompanied." Alexander took Roselynn in his arms and kissed both her cheeks, his lips lingered a little too long. "It stated on the invitation that I was entitled to bring a plus one, I sent the RSVP in nearly a week ago." She managed to smile at him. "George Winters, Roselynn's fiance." George's voice was short and hard as he held his hand out to Alexander. "Charmed." Alexander's voice matched Georges as he took his hand and a power struggle ensued. The entire time Alexander's parents were watching the events unfold. "Perhaps, you should let our guests into the main hall Alex." His mother's soft voice announced.
"Of course how rude of me, please come in." Alexander stepped aside and allowed them to pass. "Oh Roselynn, I hope your fiance will allow me to dance with you at least once this evening, we are close friends after all." Alexanders smile was sadistic. He knew that if he asked her to dance in front of his parents under the pretense of friendship, she couldn't decline. For fear of insulting not only Alexander but her host's as well. "Yes, of course." Her voice was quiet, she refused to look George in the eyes. 'Wonderful! Enjoy the evening!" With that they were ushered into the main hall. "That sly little son of a bitch! Did you see the way he was looking at you? He was practically undressing you with his eyes!" George was raving. "Shhhh, hey its okay. I just need to avoid him. I really don't want to dance with him." Roselynn shivered involuntarily. "I won't let him lay a hand on you Rosie, not while there's still breath in my lungs." He held her hand tightly. "Well I say we start dancing, don't you?" Roselynn smiled trying to brighten the mood. "That sounds like fun!" George took her hand and lead her to the dance floor. The two of them waltzed for what felt like hours, laughing and fully enjoying themselves. It wasn't until George felt a tap on his shoulder was the spell broken.
To their surprise it wasn't Alexander but a tall persian man. "If I may I would like to dance with your lady sir." He bowed courteously and George looked to Roselynn who nodded. "It's okay George, he seems like a gentleman." The man smiled and George stepped away. "I'll just be over there if you need me." He kissed the top of her head and the Persian wasted no time in whisking her away to the next dance. "You dance beautifully." He waltzed with her and Roselynn smiled politely. "My names Roselynn, what do they call you sir?" He smiled. "They call me Nadir, now I must tell you Roselynn. I'm dancing with you because I have a mission." Roselynn looked at him with concern. "You are aware that of the de Changy's son's intentions, correct?" He spoke in hushed whispers as Roselynn nodded. "Stay as far away from him as possible, he's a dangerous man. Under no circumstances are you to trust him, he has little respect for women." Roselynn felt her eyes wander over to where Alexander stood, he'd been watching her intensely.
"How do you know all of this?" She questioned. Nadir shrugged and smiled. "I make it my business to know about all that happens, I even know about you, and your parents." Roselynn's eyes widened. "But they weren't really my parents." She mumbled. "No, I meant your biological parents. They're alive Rosleynn." He smiled and Roselynn felt her world spinning. "Take this, it has an address to where you are meant to meet them. For now I must leave you." He kissed her hand as the music concluded. "I hope things work out for you Rosie." Nadir walked away and left Roselynn standing in the middle of the floor. The images of people rushed by her, she hadn't noticed George had led her out to the balcony. "Rosie, what's wrong? What did that man say to you?" Roselynn shook herself and smiled. "Nothing in particular. Look, I'll tell you when we get home later." George nodded and Roselynn welcomed the chill in the air. "Roselynn, I know I said I'd wait until the end of the ball but I can't." George took yet another box out from his coat pocket. This one was smaller than the first one and Roselynn felt her throat tighten. George slowly got down on one knee and opened the box, inside was his mother's pearl wedding ring. "I promised you a proper proposal." He smiled and Roselynn gasped.
"I thought you sold this? How did you find it?" She felt tears welling in her eyes. "I bought it back, turns out the man I sold it to made his way to New York also and pawned the ring for beer money. Some coincidence huh?" He smiled and Rosleynn laughed. "Roselynn… Rosie, will you marry me? Your days will always be filled with happiness and undying devotion I promise." Roselynn smile. "Of course I will George!" The tears were streaming down her face as George slipped the ring onto her finger. He got up and kissed her deeply and the world melted away. "We should head back inside before we catch our death." George said as he walked them back inside. They danced a little while longer before the music came to a standing halt. Alexanders father walked to the middle of the room. "Ladies and Gentlemen. As you know it is a yearly tradition for the de Changy's to throw a winter ball. We de Changy's have always been about tradition. But this year, my son has brought my attention to a new tradition. He would like all of the ladies, single or taken, young and old to line up. He will select of the ladies to dance the final dance of the evening with him. Good luck to you all." The Vicomte nodded as all of the single women in the room scrambled to line up.
"George…" Roselynn felt panicked. "Don't worry as soon as the last dance is over we'll leave." George was tense as he sent a glare towards Alexander. "Go before you insult our hosts." He said. Roselynn made her way to where the other ladies stood, she tried to make herself as small as possible by shrinking into herself. A silence filled the room as Alexander walked towards the ladies, walking from the left to the right. Roselynn was towards the very end of the right side. It had been clear that Alexander wouldn't choose any of the other ladies, he was headed right towards her. She prayed that he would choose anyone but her, but her prayer went unanswered as he stopped in front of her. "I believe you owe me a dance… Rosie." Roselynn felt sick.
Draaamaaaaa! I had so much fun writing this chapter! I will most likely have part two of the ball out today or tomorrow, so feel free to check back at any time! Don't forget to review! Love ya!
-Kara