Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Delicate Dance

Major Andre led me to where the other couples were lining up to dance. My heart was pounding relentlessly. In the short debriefing I had with Mr. Sacket and Benjamin, I learned that a Major John Andre was the head of British intelligence. This was as if the fates were mocking me. It felt wonderful and terrifying at the same time. I knew I had to play my part precisely, otherwise I would never ensure my credibility with him, or any others I were to come into contact with that night. I joined the ladies' side of the group, and took my place across from Major Andre and curtsied. The group began the dance and soon everything was in a blurred motion.
"I am afraid I never caught your name, Miss-?" Andre inquired as we danced.
"Allen. Katherine Allen." I replied softly, being careful to present myself cordially. His head went back in a moment of recollection.
"Ah, yes, General Clinton introduced me to your aunt and uncle earlier." He nodded in the direction of the decorated gentleman across the room speaking with Peggy. "Your aunt spoke highly of you." The dread crept up inside me, of course my aunt would pounce on every possible match that caught her eye. Andre continued. "They also mentioned that your father had only just arrived back in the city after a short absence in the country. I'm sure things here feel quite different to you."
"To be forthright, Major, I am much relieved. My father's health is improved and my home is once again under the King's rule." I said keeping my attention on the dance as so not to miss a step.
"I would think that having soldiers marching in the streets would make many citizens quite uncomfortable." He spoke candidly, clearly testing me.
"I'm afraid that it is not so, Major. Everyone I am acquainted with is quite pleased of the King's soldiers." I replied earnestly.
"And what is your opinion, Miss Allen?" He smiled. His eyes were kind. They had a depth to them. There was a purpose behind every word he spoke. I could see that there was something hidden behind his warm expression.
"My opinion is of little concern, Major." I smiled. His eyes searched for something. I could see his gaze wander over to Peggy from time to time. "Most would not support a young lady having political opinions. However, I happen to find the presence of the King's soldiers most welcome reprieve." I spoke with gentility.
"I'm glad to hear it." He replied.
"I trust that you are finding our city accommodating?' I inquired.
"I have thus far, however, I've discovered a severe lack of cultured entertainment outside of the occasional assembly."
"Yes, the Continental Congress banned the theatre and other varied forms of cultural entertainment several years ago deeming it too extravagant and frivolous. " I spoke with an earnest discontent. "I believe that was a grave mistake. Many of those who wished to seek out plays had to venture to New York or further South." Their self-righteousness was one of the things that irritated me about Congress, aside from their occasional incompetence.
"You enjoy the theatre then, Miss Allen?"
"I do, very much so." Our minuet finished and the second dance began. He offered his hand asking to continue our dance. I curtsied and accepted.
"What a fine coincidence? Several other officers, myself included, are hoping to remedy that. We wished to open a theatre and beginning performances as soon as possible." He spoke eagerly.
"That'll be a delight to many, Major. Philadelphia has been too long without cultured activities." I responded enthusiastically. "I assure you, your productions will have an eager audience." We were closer now, as the dance brought us close. I spun. I could feel another's eyes on me. I knew Peggy must have been burning holes into my back as she watched from a far as she danced half-heartedly with General Clinton. I thought to myself, perhaps this was his intention, to insight jealously.
"Which playwrights do you prefer, Miss Allen?" I heard Andre inquire.
"Well, Shakespeare, of course. But I have enjoyed several of Farquhar, Samuel Foote, and David Garrick's works as well." I spoke truthfully as I stepped under his arm.
"Do you prefer Shakespeare's comedies or tragedies?" Andre asked inquisitively.
"That is a difficult question to answer, Major. In times such as these, comedies are popular, as they insight a more cheerful mood. However, tragedies are an honest and frank reflection of the human condition, something that cannot be brushed aside due to melancholy sentiment." When I gave him my answer he smiled.

"I couldn't agree more, Miss Allen." His countenance was warm and gave no sign of malicious intent. I was struck at how recklessly open I was being with this stranger. Andre was difficult to read. I could find no sense of arrogance or dishonesty. All I could see was a strong, cunning intellect. It was something I admired, but it left me in the dark.

He was someone that sparked my curiosity and, in time, possibly my respect. However, I had to put that aside right then and there. He was not my friend; he was my enemy. I could feel myself turn cold, but my face had to maintain its mask of jubilance while I danced. I heard the music cue reach its end just as we concluded our dance. I curtsied as Andre bowed across from me.

"Perhaps we can continue this conversation at a later date." I smiled.
"I am at your service, Miss Allen." He grinned bowing once more. I nodded and curtsied once more. We walked away from each other to seek other dance partners. From the corner of my eye I watched Andre step over to Peggy, who was currently without a partner. He bowed and appeared to ask her for a dance, which she accepted. I continued on my way across the room. The mindless chatter around me buzzed in my ear. I tried to pick up on anything that would be of interest to Washington.
The refreshment table was surrounded by a number of British officers chatting with other guests. I made my way to retrieve a glass of the flowing punch. As I sipped from my glass, I observed the room carefully. I opened my ears to eavesdrop on nearby conversations. All I managed to hear was a nearby Lieutenant brag about their victory at Germantown.
"Ah, there you are Katherine." I heard my aunt's shrill voice call out from behind me. I sighed, rolling my eyes with my back turned to her. "There is someone I would like to introduce you to." She sounded pleased with herself. I put on a smile and turned to face her and her companion. He was tall, his auburn hair was highlighted by the candlelight. There was a scar went down the side of his left cheek. "Katherine, this is Lieutenant Gamble of his Majesty's 26th Regiment" His eyes observed me a few moments before bowing with a sly smile. I suppose he was admiring his potential purchase. I clenched my jaw and curtsied.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lieutenant." I smiled softly offering my hand to Gamble to kiss, which he promptly did.
"The honor is mine, Miss Allen." His words were simple, yet I felt a shudder go down my spine that left me with a sense of dread.

"Do you find Philadelphia agreeable, Lieutenant?" I asked to politely begin a conversation, however reluctant.
"I do. It has its charms. The people have been most welcoming." He acknowledges with a brief nod. "This is the third social event I've attended this week celebrating our arrival."
"I hope you don't believe we're trying too hard." I smirked before taking a sip of punch. Gamble chuckled.
"One would assume as much, however, it has been most pleasant. I cannot recall the last time I beheld such finery and handsome company." He smiled at me with a glimmer of flirtation in his eyes.

From the corner of my eye, I could see my aunt was pleased with herself at the suitor she dug up from the ranks of the King's officers for me to join myself with. I put on a soft smile in reply to Gamble's advance, all the while my stomach twisted in knots with repugnance. I knew I had to play this up for my aunt since she clearly found the gentleman appealing for some reason.

"Lieutenant Gamble is from Scotland, Katherine." My aunt told me as if it was some sort of revelation. His accent had clearly given that away.
"Ah, I see, and from which county do you hail, Lieutenant?" I inquired with an implied sense of curiosity
"Ayrshire, Miss." He seemed pleased that I was supposedly interested.
"I have heard its lovely country." I said.
"It is, from what I can remember. It has been many years since I've been away." He responded with a slightly tone of melancholy.
"Perhaps one day you will return." I said with a soft smile.
"I pray that I may see home again. That we all may see home again." He responded. I certainly prayed that they leave as well. Sooner rather than later, the condition of their departure was in God's hands.
"We pray for the King's men as well." My aunt spoke with a giddy smile. "God willing there is a swift and resounding victory." Gamble appeared pleased by my aunt's pledge of fealty.
"Here, here." I replied before raising my glass to my lips.

A change of song echoed from the main ballroom. Gamble glanced behind him and seemed bolstered by the song. He turned back to me.
"May I have this dance, Miss. Allen." He requested with a bow offering me his hand. I paused and glanced at my aunt he gave an insistent nod. I swallowed, setting my glass aside on the table beside me.
"It would be my pleasure, Lieutenant." I accepted taking his hand and he turned to guide me back to the dancefloor.
He was not as natural and gallant a dancer as Major Andre, but he made up for this by giving me his undivided attention. I could feel his eyes on me with each step. It was quite uncomfortable. I put on a smile and stepped as smoothly and gracefully as my feet would permit. Gamble was quiet, but complimentary in the way his eyes followed me. Part of me was surprisingly beginning to enjoy myself.
"Miss Allen, if I may be so bold, you move with such grace it puts the other ladies in this room to shame." He commented with sincere affirmation. I was not particularly fond of being scrutinized or desiring of admiration from my social peers. I knew was being watched like a hawk by my aunt. What I did not realize at the time was that there were other eyes on me as well.
"Why Lieutenant, you flatter me." I smiled, and bowed my head slightly in thanks for his compliment, even though internally I didn't really give it much thought.
"Would you honor me with the pleasure of a second dance, Miss Allen?" He inquired, a hint of a smirk twitched in the corner of his mouth. I feigned a blush and looked away quickly. I figured that I may as well entertain his advances just to see what potential intelligence I could learn from him through discreet methods of conversation.
"It would be my pleasure, Lieutenant." I curtsied as our first dance came to its conclusion. Before I collect my thoughts a new dance was being requested. An allemande. My head spun at the thought. It was quite an intimate dance. However, I smiled and lined up with the other ladies and began the steps. Gamble eagerly followed. The close contact of the dance was uncomfortable. As I spun underneath Gamble's hold I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. Goosebumps prickled up and an unsettling chill went down my back. As I returned the hold Gamble turned underneath my hold. He seemed to inch closer as the steps drove us together. I would mostly pull back slightly. It was a delicate dance. Gamble was on the hunt and I was his intended prize.

I intend to lead him on in order to get what Ben needed. If I endeared myself to Gamble, I could be privy to an assortment of information, that is, if I played my cards right and was discreet in my pressing of him. He could be the key to defeating the enemy and unwittingly aid in speeding my love back to me.