A/N: Happy Friday Everyone!
Chapter 25
"So very sorry to interrupt," Mr. Winchester spoke as he finally located the lady he'd previously left, finding her amongst a much larger group than previously.
Anne smiled pleasantly as she saw the distress in his features. "May I introduce Mr. Dean Winchester?" She said softly to her group of friends. "Mr. Winchester this is Mr. and Mrs. Brock, Miss Copperlind, and Miss. Whitcher, oh yes, and the Misters Silver," she motioned to each as she went around the circle and Dean bowed to accept the introductions, trying desperately to regain his shaken composure.
"Was that Miss. Havensworth that you were dancing with?" Miss. Catherine Copperlind asked aiming to begin a conversation with the exciting new acquaintance.
"Indeed," Dean answered shortly.
"And you did not find her agreeable?" Mr. Silver, the younger, asked.
"I'm afraid not, or perhaps it was me that she found disagreeable. I have been known to be just that on many occasions," Dean responded slipping back into his charm with ease and poise; though his mind was determined to grab the lady he'd been seeking and flee with her at once.
"Surely not sir," Miss Annabelle Whitcher giggled.
"You do not strike me as the type," Miss Copperlind added.
"Well, in that case, may I have the honour of the next dance?" he asked.
"I am sorry, Mr. Winchester, but I am already engaged for the next two dances, the next after that is open perhaps," the lady answered after a glance at her dance card.
"Oh Catherine, you will dance and dance with Mr. Conners and it will get you nowhere," Anne commented.
"Perhaps you would like the next," Catherine spoke deliberately to Dean but looked cross with Anne.
"I would indeed," Dean bowed as Mr. Connors came across the room to fetch his prize.
"Mr. Winchester, may I present Mr. William Connors," Miss Catherine jumped to make the introduction despite the looks she was shot from her friends.
"It is a pleasure sir," Mr. Connors said and smiled. "Come Catherine, we have dancing to do, to prove we are the most superior couple in the room." He added suavely and lead away the giggling lady.
"That man is a monster," Anne Westbrook huffed and shook her head.
"He is far from good, but we cannot call him a monster. He has not done anything terribly improper or illegal. He's simply taking advantage of young ladies," Mrs. Alice Brock spoke for the first time.
"And naïve girls like Catherine Copperlind will fall prey to him every time," Miss Annabelle Whitcher shook her head and raised her chin haughtily. "We are not to be fooled."
"No indeed, but I understand that you may be foolish enough to fall for the charms of someone ten times his consequence. Have I mentioned the very great wealth of Mr. Winchester?" Anne Westbrook teased.
"How very great sir?" Annabelle asked.
"I would not take advantage of my wealth among the bright and brilliant ladies of this society, but I have been known to flaunt it elsewhere," Dean played his part and yet remained tight lipped.
"A scoundrel then?" Mrs. Brock asked.
"I'm afraid so, Madame, from time to time," he answered with a wolfish wink.
"For shame!" The ladies cried and giggled while the gentlemen chuckled at the joke.
"But perhaps I have learned the errors of my ways," Dean spoke and there was something like seriousness in his manner.
"Indeed, but Connors has not," Mr. Silver, the elder, commented.
"He seems to have eyes on everyone. Dear Catherine is nothing compared to Miss. Havensworth and she is rumoured to be connected directly to the man though no announcement has been made." Miss Whitcher explained as Dean looked to them for clarifications.
"Is there an understanding between them that Miss. Copperlind does not know about?" Dean asked with concern. "He'll ruin her reputation."
"She is well aware of the connection but she is naïve," Anne responded. "She also fancies herself among the best of friends with Miss Havensworth, and tries desperately to convince us all that friendship is all that the three of them share because she has been told by her father that she will inherit nothing if she aligns herself with those people."
"He is a smart man. I have not known either of them long but I have a tendency to be persuaded by the opinions of others. I have no interest in continuing the acquaintance with them should you tell me of their true characters," Dean commented as he hushed his voice and the suspicion crept into it.
"Did she slight you?" Miss. Westbrook asked with amusement in her eyes.
"Perhaps a little," he confessed. "But if what you all say is true then I have no regrets whatsoever."
"Good for you sir," Mr. Brock said taking his wife's hand. "Perhaps we should dance my love?"
"Indeed, excuse us," the lady spoke and moved away side by side with her husband,
"Catherine is a sweet girl, but not the type for you," Miss. Westbrook said when the rest of her friends had moved on as well.
"No, but now I am concerned for her safety," Dean whispered, his tone harsh and urgent. "Where has she gotten off to?"
"The dance?" Anne asked as they both turned their attention toward the assembly of couples.
"She was to join me but she and Conners, and Havensworth it would seem, have all but disappeared," Dean said and moved frantically in search of the young lady.
"What is the meaning of this?" Miss Westbrook asked as he beckoned her to follow.
"There are things in this world, terrible and destructive, and I fear that your friend may be in dangers now. Where could they go to be alone?"
"The upstairs gallery is relatively quiet," Anne answered as she gasped at the idea of the impropriety of it all.
"Go back to your friends," Dean ordered as he made his way toward the stairs.
"But you should not be wandering in someone else's home. It is improper," the lady protested as they climbed the stairs quickly.
"Miss Copperlind," Dean called into the darkness of the fading candle light. "Are you there?"
"Dean?" Samuel asked as he stepped out of the shadows.
"Samuel, have you seen a young lady, pink muslin gown? She had a gold ribbon in her hair," Dean asked of his brother.
"I did, she was with a lady in red," Samuel answered and motioned into the darkness at the far end of the gallery.
There came a shriek from within the darkness and a cry for help, and out of instinct Dean rushed forward grabbing a sword from a suit of armour as he went.
"Stay," he ordered over his shoulder disappearing into the darkness.