The Ball
The next night, the night of the ball, was so clear that you could see the
stars. The weather was still hot but there was a gentle breeze that kept
guests cool. The front yard-which was huge-was decorated grandly and there
were some table set out for people to sit and eat at. The band played on
the left side of the mansion but the music flowed around and could be heard
clearly on the right side also. Mostly it was rich people or officers that
attended, but you could see some soldiers dining. The women wore big puffy
dresses and large white wigs. Almost all of them sported a mole here or
there, as it was the trend. The men wore their own very clean uniforms.
"Never in my life will I hold such another ball as this!" Colonel Rogers
said excitedly. His cheeks were slightly pink from the wine.
"And why is that, colonel?" Tavington asked.
"Because I don't want another hangover that I suspect I will get tomorrow!"
People in his little gossip group laughed and began talking amongst
themselves again.
"Have you seen McLeen?" Tavington asked the colonel.
"No, but it seems to me your smitten with her. Be wary, she may be
beautiful but she is still a superior officer. I even heard she was the
King's niece!" he goes on talking about the King in good manner, but
Tavington doesn't pay attention. He is watching McLeen coming down the
stairs slowly in an elegant pale red gown. She seems to not know where to
go now that she has found her way to the bottom of the steps.
"McLeen?" Tavington says.
She smiles. "You may call me Alexandria when I'm not in uniform."
"Then you may call me William, my Lady"
She looks confused but then laughs. "Oh, so you have found out about my
heritage. Please, I don't go for that court talk. It's merely Alexandria
and nothing else. except General McLeen."
"Are you married? Because if I'm not mistaken, the King's last name is
Tudor. Unless he has a sister that I have not heard of." He asks curiously.
"No, I changed it so they wouldn't treat me like royalty. I hate court
life. That's why I became a general. Of course that's not the only reason.
I am very good with 'tactics' as Rogers says and I know my weapons."
"Would you like to dance, Alexandria?" he asks her. She nods and he leads
her to the dance floor.
They dance for what seems hours until they stop. Once they sit down at a
near table, does Tavington ask her about her life, in return that he tell
her some about his. When she ends he just smiles at her.
"What? Was it that interesting-" but she doesn't continue for Tavington has
her in his arms and is kissing her.
