West Virginia
Three weeks I had been three weeks since she had last heard from him. And she was worried, worried what might have happened to him?
She had met him at one of the many parties her cousin Hannah had dragged her too, it was of those grand affairs the dresses, the hair, the everything, it reeked of money and wealth, and only the most elite and prestige people where invited. That is why it was such a surprise that He was even there. Everyone knew his family had lost most of their money and where now only considered middle class. As to where his family ten years ago was wealthier then all the families in the room combined that day.
He had come over and had asked her for the fourth to last dance and she had danced every dance after that with him. Other man had asked but she had declined all of them. Her sisters had told her, her behavior was not suitable for a lady from her standard that he was way beneath her, but she had not cared. They had had a point. That much was true. But it seemed from the moment she had laid eyes on him there was a spell over her. She had fallen for him in the time it took her heartbeat to go from one beat to another.
He had walked in with his friend Cole Turner and had stood of to the side; his green eyes had roamed the rooms several times before they had caught hers. She had tried to look away. And found no matter how many times she tried, they always come back to his. Sparks had flown across the room and a tightening in her chest she had never had never felt before.
Paige had walked up to her and had told her to stop staring that she was making a fool of hr self and people where starting to notice. Besides it was not becoming of a lady! She had shrugged her shoulder and once again looked away. This time with a little more success, and the only reason for that was because the music had started and she had to accept her first dance.
She had excepted the first dance from viscount Dancy a man older then her self; in fact he could have passed as her father. But her own father had insisted and she hadn't wanted to dissapoint him. The next dance was reserved for count Harrison. As much as viscount Dancy had been to old, this gentleman could not have been any older then nineteen if he was a day older. The list of dancers went on and on all hand picked by her father, and noted down on her dance card. After having been stepped on for almost an hour, she had decided that she needed a break. And had gone out to the patio and into the garden that surrounded the estate they where at, at the moment.
She had sat down on little stone bench and tried to find her handkerchief when someone handed her one. She looked up and looked right it to those green eyes. He had found her. She thought. "Good evening ma'am " He had said. While handing her his kerchief. "It's miss." She had responded suddenly very shy and looking away from him and down at the toes of her shoes. "Good evening Miss." He has corrected him self. He then extended his hand and she had shyly laid her hand in his, he had turned her hand upwards and bends his head and kissed the top of it, with the softest of kisses.
Again she could feel the sparks fly and her chest again became very tight. "Leo Wyatt." He introduced himself. "Piper Halliwell", she answered. "Nice to meet you Mr. Wyatt". She added to it. "Nice to meet you as well, Miss Halliwell." He said in soft voice. The voice suited him. It went along perfect with the green eyes and blond locks. He was not very built. But built enough to look like a man. And a man that made her heart beat just a tad faster just by being near him. She felt like a schoolgirl sitting there on the bench next to his boot, which he had propped up on the bench right next to her his elbow resting on his knee.
"Pretty busy in there?" he said looking over his shoulder towards the ball room door from which she had just emerged. "Yes it is." Was all she could get out. He had turned back towards her and was looking down on her again. "Are you from around here?" he asked her. "Since I have never seen you before and have met most everybody at these things." He explained his rude question. "No we are from San Francisco." She told him. Never really looking in his eyes. "We?" "Yes my father, sister's, and me, we are staying with our cousin Hannah for the summer." She explained to him. "Hannah Blithe?" He asked raising his brow. "Yes you have heard of her." She asked him with a smile. "Hmm, yeah I have she is Cole's fiancee." He said with a frown.
"You don't approve?" She asked surprised by his reaction. For it had seemed that everyone involved was very happy with the upcoming marriage between Cole Turner and Hannah Blithe. Including her cousin, whom seemed to walk on air these days. "It's non of my business!" he told her, it almost sounded like a snarl.
Piper backed up a little she was a little scared of him now. Not life threatening or anything but non-the less scared. The fierce look that had come across his face when she had told him that she was Hannah's cousin. Had confused her. And even more so when he was talking about Cole and Hannah. "I am sorry I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." He said, his voice once again soft and the fierce look was out of his eyes. "Like you stated it is none of my business." As she got and turned to go back to the ballroom and back to the dance. She had somehow expected him to stop her or say something else to her, but he didn't. For some strange reason she felt sad about that. It almost felt as if she had lost a dear friend. Even though she had only officially met him a few minutes ago. "Don't be stupid Piper." She chided herself. "What did you expect, the man to fall at you feet and declare his undying love for you!" That was even to funny for her self as she walked back in to the ballroom laughing.
As soon as she walked in the ballroom both Paige and Phoebe stopped her. "Where did you go?" both of them asked at the same time. "I needed some air so I went outside, something wrong with that?" She asked her sister's but could see that both where distracted by something or someone behind her. She turned as well to see what was going on and saw Leo walk in the door. "You where out there with him....alone!" Paige asked her with a stunned look on her face. "No chaperone!" Phoebe said aghast. "I went out by myself, I didn't know he was out there, he is the one that approached me!" Piper said trying to defend herself. "You better hope father didn't see him come in right after you." Paige whispered at her as the three saw their father walking towards them. "Good-luck with that!" Phoebe said softly.
"Piper Halliwell, I need a word with you please, young lady!" victor snarled and took her none too gently by the arm. "Yes father" Piper said in a soft obedient tone.
Her father took her back out on the patio. "What where you doing out here with that Wyatt fellow?" He demanded as soon as he had gotten her outside. "Nothing father, I came out here by myself the get a breath of fresh air. He must have been out here before me but I didn't know that. We introduced ourselves that's all father." She told him. "I want you to stay away from him. Is that understood, he is way beneath you! He doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as you do stay away from him Piper. Am I understood." He asked her with a fierce look in his eyes. Piper nodded her head as her father escorted her back in to the room and to her sisters.
Not two minutes later Leo was standing in front of her. A devilish grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye. She could clearly see he was up to something. If only she knew what that something was? "I believe the next dance is mine Miss Halliwell." He said ever so polite and curved his back into a small bow. Piper looked confused. She was fairly sure she had not penciled Mr.Wyatt onto her dance card. Just to make sure she held up her little dance card dangling from her wrist. When she looked at she could scarcely belief her eyes. Not only was his name penned for this dance but the remaining three dances to follow. She looked at him. And gave a shy little smile. "I do believe you are correct Mr.Wyatt." she told him as she took his hand and he led her towards the dance floor. She had no idea how his name had gotten on her dance card. She no longer cared when Leo took her in his arms for their first dance of the evening.
She could feel his hand on the small of her back and even though she had danced with other man that evening none could make her feel like Leo was at the moment. She felt like she was dancing on air. He feet barley touches the floor. Still a little shy she kept her eyes downcast and looked at the buttons of his vest. She felt the finger on her chin as he forced her to look up in to his eyes. "Despite popular belief, I do not bite Miss Halliwell....At least not the first dance." He said smiling at her. Causing Piper to laugh out loud and several heads to turn their way. Piper didn't even notice them she was now finally enjoying this dance.
His hand on her chin had send shock waves through her system. She had never felt this way before and as much as she liked the feeling it frightened her as well. After the third dance she had looked up at him again and said. "We should stop this is not proper." "Well why not, my name is on your dance card". He pointed out to her. "Yes I know but people are going to talk." She said softly. "So let them, seems like they don't have anything better to do these days" He said with a little more force then he intended. Piper looked back up at him and smiled. "Yeah let them" She said earning her a smile from him.
She was having the time of her live. When she looked up and saw her father on the side of the dance floor glaring at her with a big scrawl on his face. Piper knew she was in trouble. She had defied him. Even though it had never been her intention to do so.
The evening was coming to a close and Piper was dancing her last dance with Leo. "Miss Halliwell?" Leo drew her attention. "Yes." She said softly as if coming out of a dream. "Can I come calling on you?" he asked her next.
But before she had a change to give him her answer her father was beside her. "Piper!" he said in tone that let Piper knew that her evening from here on out was going to be a bad one. She turned towards him her eyes downcast. "Father." She murmured. Leo looked boldly at victor and gave him a little smile. "I was just asking your daughter if I could come calling on her, whit you permission of course Count Halliwell?" He asked her father.
Piper dared to look up at her father. But as soon as she saw the look on his face she knew she was never going to see Leo again. It felt like her heart was breaking.. "I am sorry Mr. Wyatt, but my daughter is going to be to busy in the next few weeks to have any gentleman come calling for her." Victor said with a thin smile on his lips.
Piper knew how much it was costing her father even to give him that little of a smile. Her father took her by the elbow and escorted her out of the room. Paige and Phoebe already were waiting by the door. "Goodbye Miss Halliwell!" Leo said to her with a big smile when she turned her head to look at him and also received his little wink. Sending butterflies through her stomach. "Count Halliwell" he said curtly his smile sub-zero now. Victor dismissed him with a nod and continued to walk Piper towards the door. "watch her!" he said to her sisters when they reached the door and victor went to look where their carriage was.
She felt like a little child standing next to her sisters. "Man are you gonna get it when we get home!" Paige said to her. "Why I didn't do anything wrong." As she excepted her wrap from Phoebe. "Maybe not in your eyes, but in fathers eyes you did!" Phoebe said softly. "You know he is looking for a husband for you and you also know Mr. Wyatt is not good enough for you." She added. "I know no such thing!" Piper retorted. "Piper he is a rogue, everyone knows that, just ask Cousin Hannah, she will tell you!" Paige jumped in. "He was nothing but a gentleman with me." Piper defended him. "Well we will see what father has to say about that." Paige said as she looked at their father whom had just walked into the room.
The ride home to her Cousin's home was a silent one. Her father brooding. And Piper nervous about what was to come. She knew by the looks of her father that a lecture was to follow as soon as they got home. But she would just show him her dance card and prove that she had done nothing wrong. She looked at the little bag she was holding. And just to make sure she looked inside to make sure the dance card was still in it. To her surprise there was a little not tucked into her dance card. How had that gotten there? She took the note and slipped in her glove. Hoping her father hadn't noticed.
tbc
Three weeks I had been three weeks since she had last heard from him. And she was worried, worried what might have happened to him?
She had met him at one of the many parties her cousin Hannah had dragged her too, it was of those grand affairs the dresses, the hair, the everything, it reeked of money and wealth, and only the most elite and prestige people where invited. That is why it was such a surprise that He was even there. Everyone knew his family had lost most of their money and where now only considered middle class. As to where his family ten years ago was wealthier then all the families in the room combined that day.
He had come over and had asked her for the fourth to last dance and she had danced every dance after that with him. Other man had asked but she had declined all of them. Her sisters had told her, her behavior was not suitable for a lady from her standard that he was way beneath her, but she had not cared. They had had a point. That much was true. But it seemed from the moment she had laid eyes on him there was a spell over her. She had fallen for him in the time it took her heartbeat to go from one beat to another.
He had walked in with his friend Cole Turner and had stood of to the side; his green eyes had roamed the rooms several times before they had caught hers. She had tried to look away. And found no matter how many times she tried, they always come back to his. Sparks had flown across the room and a tightening in her chest she had never had never felt before.
Paige had walked up to her and had told her to stop staring that she was making a fool of hr self and people where starting to notice. Besides it was not becoming of a lady! She had shrugged her shoulder and once again looked away. This time with a little more success, and the only reason for that was because the music had started and she had to accept her first dance.
She had excepted the first dance from viscount Dancy a man older then her self; in fact he could have passed as her father. But her own father had insisted and she hadn't wanted to dissapoint him. The next dance was reserved for count Harrison. As much as viscount Dancy had been to old, this gentleman could not have been any older then nineteen if he was a day older. The list of dancers went on and on all hand picked by her father, and noted down on her dance card. After having been stepped on for almost an hour, she had decided that she needed a break. And had gone out to the patio and into the garden that surrounded the estate they where at, at the moment.
She had sat down on little stone bench and tried to find her handkerchief when someone handed her one. She looked up and looked right it to those green eyes. He had found her. She thought. "Good evening ma'am " He had said. While handing her his kerchief. "It's miss." She had responded suddenly very shy and looking away from him and down at the toes of her shoes. "Good evening Miss." He has corrected him self. He then extended his hand and she had shyly laid her hand in his, he had turned her hand upwards and bends his head and kissed the top of it, with the softest of kisses.
Again she could feel the sparks fly and her chest again became very tight. "Leo Wyatt." He introduced himself. "Piper Halliwell", she answered. "Nice to meet you Mr. Wyatt". She added to it. "Nice to meet you as well, Miss Halliwell." He said in soft voice. The voice suited him. It went along perfect with the green eyes and blond locks. He was not very built. But built enough to look like a man. And a man that made her heart beat just a tad faster just by being near him. She felt like a schoolgirl sitting there on the bench next to his boot, which he had propped up on the bench right next to her his elbow resting on his knee.
"Pretty busy in there?" he said looking over his shoulder towards the ball room door from which she had just emerged. "Yes it is." Was all she could get out. He had turned back towards her and was looking down on her again. "Are you from around here?" he asked her. "Since I have never seen you before and have met most everybody at these things." He explained his rude question. "No we are from San Francisco." She told him. Never really looking in his eyes. "We?" "Yes my father, sister's, and me, we are staying with our cousin Hannah for the summer." She explained to him. "Hannah Blithe?" He asked raising his brow. "Yes you have heard of her." She asked him with a smile. "Hmm, yeah I have she is Cole's fiancee." He said with a frown.
"You don't approve?" She asked surprised by his reaction. For it had seemed that everyone involved was very happy with the upcoming marriage between Cole Turner and Hannah Blithe. Including her cousin, whom seemed to walk on air these days. "It's non of my business!" he told her, it almost sounded like a snarl.
Piper backed up a little she was a little scared of him now. Not life threatening or anything but non-the less scared. The fierce look that had come across his face when she had told him that she was Hannah's cousin. Had confused her. And even more so when he was talking about Cole and Hannah. "I am sorry I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." He said, his voice once again soft and the fierce look was out of his eyes. "Like you stated it is none of my business." As she got and turned to go back to the ballroom and back to the dance. She had somehow expected him to stop her or say something else to her, but he didn't. For some strange reason she felt sad about that. It almost felt as if she had lost a dear friend. Even though she had only officially met him a few minutes ago. "Don't be stupid Piper." She chided herself. "What did you expect, the man to fall at you feet and declare his undying love for you!" That was even to funny for her self as she walked back in to the ballroom laughing.
As soon as she walked in the ballroom both Paige and Phoebe stopped her. "Where did you go?" both of them asked at the same time. "I needed some air so I went outside, something wrong with that?" She asked her sister's but could see that both where distracted by something or someone behind her. She turned as well to see what was going on and saw Leo walk in the door. "You where out there with him....alone!" Paige asked her with a stunned look on her face. "No chaperone!" Phoebe said aghast. "I went out by myself, I didn't know he was out there, he is the one that approached me!" Piper said trying to defend herself. "You better hope father didn't see him come in right after you." Paige whispered at her as the three saw their father walking towards them. "Good-luck with that!" Phoebe said softly.
"Piper Halliwell, I need a word with you please, young lady!" victor snarled and took her none too gently by the arm. "Yes father" Piper said in a soft obedient tone.
Her father took her back out on the patio. "What where you doing out here with that Wyatt fellow?" He demanded as soon as he had gotten her outside. "Nothing father, I came out here by myself the get a breath of fresh air. He must have been out here before me but I didn't know that. We introduced ourselves that's all father." She told him. "I want you to stay away from him. Is that understood, he is way beneath you! He doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as you do stay away from him Piper. Am I understood." He asked her with a fierce look in his eyes. Piper nodded her head as her father escorted her back in to the room and to her sisters.
Not two minutes later Leo was standing in front of her. A devilish grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye. She could clearly see he was up to something. If only she knew what that something was? "I believe the next dance is mine Miss Halliwell." He said ever so polite and curved his back into a small bow. Piper looked confused. She was fairly sure she had not penciled Mr.Wyatt onto her dance card. Just to make sure she held up her little dance card dangling from her wrist. When she looked at she could scarcely belief her eyes. Not only was his name penned for this dance but the remaining three dances to follow. She looked at him. And gave a shy little smile. "I do believe you are correct Mr.Wyatt." she told him as she took his hand and he led her towards the dance floor. She had no idea how his name had gotten on her dance card. She no longer cared when Leo took her in his arms for their first dance of the evening.
She could feel his hand on the small of her back and even though she had danced with other man that evening none could make her feel like Leo was at the moment. She felt like she was dancing on air. He feet barley touches the floor. Still a little shy she kept her eyes downcast and looked at the buttons of his vest. She felt the finger on her chin as he forced her to look up in to his eyes. "Despite popular belief, I do not bite Miss Halliwell....At least not the first dance." He said smiling at her. Causing Piper to laugh out loud and several heads to turn their way. Piper didn't even notice them she was now finally enjoying this dance.
His hand on her chin had send shock waves through her system. She had never felt this way before and as much as she liked the feeling it frightened her as well. After the third dance she had looked up at him again and said. "We should stop this is not proper." "Well why not, my name is on your dance card". He pointed out to her. "Yes I know but people are going to talk." She said softly. "So let them, seems like they don't have anything better to do these days" He said with a little more force then he intended. Piper looked back up at him and smiled. "Yeah let them" She said earning her a smile from him.
She was having the time of her live. When she looked up and saw her father on the side of the dance floor glaring at her with a big scrawl on his face. Piper knew she was in trouble. She had defied him. Even though it had never been her intention to do so.
The evening was coming to a close and Piper was dancing her last dance with Leo. "Miss Halliwell?" Leo drew her attention. "Yes." She said softly as if coming out of a dream. "Can I come calling on you?" he asked her next.
But before she had a change to give him her answer her father was beside her. "Piper!" he said in tone that let Piper knew that her evening from here on out was going to be a bad one. She turned towards him her eyes downcast. "Father." She murmured. Leo looked boldly at victor and gave him a little smile. "I was just asking your daughter if I could come calling on her, whit you permission of course Count Halliwell?" He asked her father.
Piper dared to look up at her father. But as soon as she saw the look on his face she knew she was never going to see Leo again. It felt like her heart was breaking.. "I am sorry Mr. Wyatt, but my daughter is going to be to busy in the next few weeks to have any gentleman come calling for her." Victor said with a thin smile on his lips.
Piper knew how much it was costing her father even to give him that little of a smile. Her father took her by the elbow and escorted her out of the room. Paige and Phoebe already were waiting by the door. "Goodbye Miss Halliwell!" Leo said to her with a big smile when she turned her head to look at him and also received his little wink. Sending butterflies through her stomach. "Count Halliwell" he said curtly his smile sub-zero now. Victor dismissed him with a nod and continued to walk Piper towards the door. "watch her!" he said to her sisters when they reached the door and victor went to look where their carriage was.
She felt like a little child standing next to her sisters. "Man are you gonna get it when we get home!" Paige said to her. "Why I didn't do anything wrong." As she excepted her wrap from Phoebe. "Maybe not in your eyes, but in fathers eyes you did!" Phoebe said softly. "You know he is looking for a husband for you and you also know Mr. Wyatt is not good enough for you." She added. "I know no such thing!" Piper retorted. "Piper he is a rogue, everyone knows that, just ask Cousin Hannah, she will tell you!" Paige jumped in. "He was nothing but a gentleman with me." Piper defended him. "Well we will see what father has to say about that." Paige said as she looked at their father whom had just walked into the room.
The ride home to her Cousin's home was a silent one. Her father brooding. And Piper nervous about what was to come. She knew by the looks of her father that a lecture was to follow as soon as they got home. But she would just show him her dance card and prove that she had done nothing wrong. She looked at the little bag she was holding. And just to make sure she looked inside to make sure the dance card was still in it. To her surprise there was a little not tucked into her dance card. How had that gotten there? She took the note and slipped in her glove. Hoping her father hadn't noticed.
tbc