Henry walked into his home and smelled lunch upon the stove, moving to stand in the doorway of the kitchen. "Miss Swann, have you seen my wife today? She left before I had awakened this morning," he asked the cook, the older woman wiping her hands on her apron before turning to the master of the house. "Yes, Missus Sturges was not feeling well so I made her some tea before she had Horace take her on a drive around the lake. I believe she stopped by the dressmaker's to pick up her order, but I do know for a fact that she is back now and upstairs in her practice room."

She let her feet carry her across the floor, allowing her entire body to become as light as air as she soared. Laure danced in the lovely shoes that Henry had given her previously, pirouetting effortlessly. But all too soon, the wind was taken from her again- she had found herself becoming more and more tired as of late, becoming prone to losing her breath. Still, she finished her silent routine with a full ponche en pointe, her right leg raised in the air.

Laure allowed herself to relax as Henry made his presence known, panting from her exertion, "You missed a step as you tried to catch your breath, dear."

A nod acknowledged her mistake, the young woman moving to snatch up her towel to pat dry the perspiration at the nape of her neck. "I believe that I am coming down with a simple cold, nothing to worry about," Laure replied as she sat down and began to unlace her shoes.

"I am afraid I worry constantly about you. You seem to disregard how fragile you are- maybe we should not go to the Henderson's dinner party tonight-"

"We have already sent word that we would be there Henry; we are going."

Laure smoothed down her skirts as she and Henry finally settled across from each other in their coach, reaching out to dab some lip stain from his mouth. "Have you messed my hair," she asked nervously, moving to fuss with her mess of curls piled on top of her head.

"You are an image of perfection love," Henry murmured as he moved to do the laces at his waist, tucking his shirt in and running a hand through his own hair.

She settled back with a smile on her face as a result of their tryst- the Henderson party was located just outside of Madison and the cover of night had given rise to the amorous mood they often found themselves in when alone.

The couple soon arrived at the home of Henry's wealthy friends, people Laure had never seen or heard mentioned other than the fact that they would be joining them for a party to celebrate a new business venture. Laure was lifted from the carriage with ease, her husband carrying her to porch before allowing her to on her feet. "Thank you, sweet," she smiled, the door being opened for them not a moment later.

At first thought, Laure thought that the party had been over-attended but upon entering the front room, saw that it was simply the guests trying to get a look at the semi-famous Henry and his beautiful young bride. He held fast to her arm, proud to have Laure as his guest, introducing her to the hosts of the evening. "Henry, we heard tales of her loveliness, but I am afraid they have not done her justice! My, what a marvelous beauty," Mister Henderson said, taking Laure's free hand and kissing it as he bowed. She greeted him before moving forward to kiss his wife's cheek, Henry introducing them all, "Dear, meet my old friend Rodger Henderson and his wife, Missus Isabel Henderson. Friends, I would like you all to meet my beloved, Laurelie Sturges."

"We are so pleased to have you in your home, Missus Sturges- the townswomen have done nothing but talk of your arrival when we received word of your presence here," Isabel said, her kind words making Laure smile. "I thank you so much for your invitation to join you; it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Laure and Henry mingled throughout the party, speaking freely of their happiness with inquiring people, Henry the object of many women's fancies as men found themselves unable to keep their eyes from his wife. There was something about the couple that made people want to gravitate towards them, neither able to be alone for more than a moment. However, before dinner was served, Laure managed to catch her husband in the garden for a kiss, finally stealing a moment to themselves.

"I do not believe I was prepared for our popularity, love," she said as she held his face, her husband seeming intensely amused. Henry only kissed her forehead before claiming her hands in his own, sighing, "And so you feel the burden of my three hundred year curse; I suppose come winter, you will never again want to show your wondrous face to society. Which will be alright, for I will have it all to myself…"

"You are quite selfish for a gentleman Henry."

The guests were called to the table then and Henry and Laure found themselves sitting by their hosts, his hand resting on her thigh underneath the table. "So Henry, have you been keeping up with business after your ill-fated military days," Rodger questioned lightly, Henry unable to ignore the sudden stiffness that had settled into his wife. He still smiled, laughing for a moment, "I am afraid not; the past few months have not left me with a business mind, especially in lieu of my marriage. However, we are comfortable as always, and I have been keeping a careful eye on my investments and stocks, so things are good."

"And how have you been as the mistress of your new home, Laurelie? Enjoying it nicely, I hope," Isabel said, the other women interested in her response. Laure smiled and nodded, reaching out for her cup of wine. "I find myself to enjoy it well- my home is quite lovely and I want for nothing. I spend my days dancing and reading mostly, of course only when not with my Henry," the young woman replied before taking a sip of her drink. It did not agree with her and so she pushed it away, opting for water instead.

The evening was pleasant and Laure found herself more than willing to dance, grasping Henry's hand before pulling him to the center of the floor. "Can you keep up," she asked seductively in his ear, holding his gaze in challenge as she led him in the polite opening dance that all of the guests engaged in.

Henry moved as well as she did, smiling when she quickened her steps or decided to throw in an unfamiliar move. When the song ended, Henry bowed in gentlemanly fashion, kissing her hand, "So how well did I maintain pace with you?" Laure laughed as the musicians began to play again, bringing her arm around her husband's neck and grasping her hand in his. "You did quite well, although that was simply just to tease and enthrall- I know exactly how apt of a dancer you are, my love." The music wove its spell around him and Laure stared at Henry as they danced in a languid fashion, knowing that the waltz could take on a very indecent turn if they allowed it to.

"I do not believe I have ever loved you more than when your body is against my own like this," Laure whispered, the vampire hearing her blood quicken in her veins. Henry wanted to forget the dance and the people around them so as to take her before them all, loving her in only a way he could. "I should ask you to refrain from mentioning such things Laurelie; you know how much of a beast I can be and your words are more of a lure than anything else…"

She smiled and conceded, thankful when they had to move on to group dances. They spent much of the night growing more and more rambunctious, the men becoming rowdy as they indulged in the wine. However, true to her nature, Laure could not be counted out of the fun, moving to the center of a dance circle with her skirts in her hands. She danced as jovially as any man would, taunting the cocky and self-assured men, enduring everyone to her. Henry only clapped as he kept a careful eye on her, knowing that she would undoubtedly wear herself out soon enough. But neither of them- or anyone else for that matter- excepted how quickly Laure's night would come to an end, the young woman ceasing suddenly in her dancing to press her hand over her chest. She felt out of breath and the room was growing fuzzy around the edges, Laure moving to reach out to Henry. At the first sight of something wrong Henry was at her side, supporting her as she fell to one knee. "Laurelie, are you alright sweetheart," he asked quietly, hearing the quick breaths she took to try and fill her lungs.

"I believe… I need a doctor."