Disclaimer: This fanfic is rated 'M' for adult themes. I do not own any of the characters of The Hunger Games or of Pride and Prejudice.
Chapter 8:
"Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility."
- Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
Miss Everdeen,
I shall begin with my sincerest apologies. I fear I have two accounts with which I must seek your forgiveness. The first, for not calling upon you this week as I had promised. Please believe me when I say that it was not by choice, but a matter of great importance required my presence. I do hope to redeem myself and make good on my word, if you will allow it.
The second matter has weighed most heavily on my mind. I must apologize for the cold and sterile manner of our introduction on the night we first met. My behavior and lack of conduct were inexcusable and not at all in the custom of how I was raised. I apologize for the embarrassment I am quite sure I inflicted upon yourself and your family. I do hope you will consider my apology.
I realize that much of what you have heard about my family and me is no doubt hearsay, and I do wish to remedy that. What I am trying to say—and not as eloquently as I had hoped—is that I wish to know you better, and for you to know me. The real me. So to start, I wish to share with you something about myself. My favorite color is orange, the soft, almost muted shade just before the sun retreats over the horizon.
Miss Everdeen, if I may ask, what is your favorite color? I believe I can venture a decent guess, but I will keep silent for now as I await your reply.
I hope you and your family are faring well amongst the preparations for your sister's coming out ball. Until we meet again, take care.
My kindest regards,
Peeta Mellark
A light breeze, heavily laden with the fresh scent of cut grass and lavender, blew past as Katniss tilted her face towards it, inhaling deeply as her eyes fell shut.
With only one night remaining until the ball, the halls of Seamfirth were bursting with unbridled anticipation. Over the past week, the comings and goings of guests and vendors had confined poor Mrs. Sae to the kitchen, where she spent day and night up to her elbows in petit cakes and pastries and sweet meats. All the while, Mrs. Abernathy—ever the gracious host—had kept busy entertaining close friends and acquaintances whilst Mr. Abernathy—a less than accommodating host by his wife's standards—spent most of his afternoons meeting with the seemingly endless stream of suitors for Primrose. Unfortunately, Katniss had caught a glimpse of only a handful, but to her chagrin, they ranged from pompous young Capitol-bred gentleman to pot-bellied elders who no doubt came heralding the size of their even fatter pockets.
At times the atmosphere of the house was too much, and more frequent than not, Katniss found herself stealing away to the solace of the meadow, sitting beneath her willow tree to escape the madness for but a few hours.
A week had passed since Mr. Mellark's visit to Seamfirth, leaving behind not only the unexpected katniss flower, but the note that now lay open on a page from her favorite book. She had positioned his sketch opposite of the note and found herself smiling, admiring the elegance of his signature. Whenever blessed with a moment to herself and away from the prospect of prying eyes, she would revisit his words, along with the other notes which she kept tucked away safely amongst the worn pages of her book.
Katniss had spent an inordinate amount of time preparing her initial reply, not wanting to overstep the boundary of propriety—even though he had already done so by engaging her in their private form of communication. Her response had been short but to the point, which was not to say she hadn't agonized over her every choice of word, hopeful that she did not come across as too cold or too eager. It began with the confirmation that her favorite color was indeed green, but she specified the particular shade, a dark green akin to the hue of the evergreen trees that surrounded the house she grew up in. Then to quell both her own curiosity and his desire to better acquaint themselves, she had posed a question back to him, inquiring as to what his preferred past times were. She had a strong notion as to what one might be, but she too was eager to know more about him…the real him.
The second note arrived not more than a day after she had responded, unmarked but with a sprig of forget-me-nots looped within the twine. The identity of the sender was no mystery to her the moment she saw the note, tucked inconspicuously within the basket she used when Mrs. Sae sent her into the gardens. How he knew she would find it there, she did not know, but the anticipation of when and where the next would appear sent a thrill of excitement through her every morning.
Each note thereafter had arrived in a similar fashion, wrapped in twine and accompanied with a wildflower tucked beneath the knot. Her collection had grown to include not only the katniss flower and the sprig of pale blue forget-me-nots, but the delicate white blooms of chamomile, a cheerful bright yellow buttercup, and finally the vivid pink of a campion. Each one was kept pressed between the pages of her book to preserve them, along with the note that accompanied each flower.
With a contented sigh, Katniss opened her eyes and gently thumbed through the pages to another one of his letters. She quite liked the look of her name, scrawled across the parchment in his fine penmanship. His most recent note, however, he had closed with only his Christian name and nothing more, and the intimacy of the gesture made her heart flutter.
"Kat?" The disembodied voice came from behind the tree, which caused Katniss to hastily stow away the note as she slammed the book shut, hugging it tight to her chest.
"Here, Prim," she called out, rising to her feet and brushing the wrinkles from the skirt of her dress with her free hand.
"Ah, there you are!" Primrose's gaze dropped to the book clutched close to her sister's body, and she arched a questioning eyebrow in her direction.
Katniss inhaled a sharp breath the moment she realized the corner of one of the notes had come loose and was sticking out from amongst the pages. She quickly tucked it back in and placed the book behind her back as she cleared her throat to speak. "What is it? Am I needed back at the house?"
The knowing smile upon her sister's face was obvious, but thankfully she did not act upon her blatant interest. "Aunt Effie has requested we fetch her bonnet for the ball from the milliner. Although I do believe it is an excuse to keep me out of the house while our poor uncle is yet again bombarded with more of my potential suitors." She rolled her eyes comically and Katniss could not help but chuckle.
"Very well, but let me first return my things." The two linked arms as they made their way back to the house, sneaking in through the kitchen to avoid the attention of their aunt. Katniss hurried up the staircase unnoticed, where she crept to her room and hide her book beneath the mattress.
It was an uneventful trip to town, the hustle and bustle of the inhabitants causing the sisters to conclude their business quickly to avoid potential run-ins with meddlesome neighbors. The entire town had been invited to the ball, but it was still a mystery to most as to which of the elite Capitol families were expected to attend. There was no doubt that the mothers of the other local eligible ladies would shamelessly exploit the opportunity to make connections with the upper gentry and wave their own daughters under the noses of interested suitors. The thought was a source of frustration for Katniss. The ball was to present her sister and for Prim's benefit alone, but it would be foolish to assume there would be no other motives hidden amongst all the merriment and lavish décor.
As they approached the bridge on their return, Katniss noticed a horse along the bank, flicking its tail leisurely, with its head bent as it grazed on the lush green grass. Not a moment later, a familiar mop of unruly blonde hair arose from above the other side the saddle, causing Katniss to come to an abrupt stop.
Primrose stifled a giggle as they watched him in silence, struggling to attach a sack to the saddle. They drew closer to the edge of the bridge to obtain a better view, both curious as to what he was up to. But when he huffed in frustration and tugged at his damp locks— causing portions of them to stand ridiculously on end—Katniss could no longer contain her amusement.
"Mr. Mellark," Katniss called out to seize his attention. "Pray, what brings you here on such a fine day?"
At the sound of her voice, his head shot up in surprise, but his startled features quickly relaxed into an easy smile. "Good day to you both, I, uh, happen to be on my way to, uh, call upon you when I got…distracted." He glanced warily down at his saddle.
"Why, Mr. Mellark, what could possibly steer you away from such a delight as calling upon my dear sister?" Primrose teased. "Does she not look well this afternoon?"
With much effort, Katniss restrained herself from reaching out a hand to pinch her sister's side. She could feel the heat rise in her cheeks when he glanced up again from his task, his eyes drifting down her figure as she shuffled back and forth on her feet.
"That she most certainly does." He ventured a smile in her direction, which Katniss did not hesitate to return.
Primrose looked between the two suspiciously before turning her attention back to his saddle. "I hope that whatever it is you have squirreled away in that ominous sack of yours is a good enough reason to delay seeking my sister's company."
Katniss attempted to hide her smirk as he fidgeted with the knot, his flush deepening for being put on the spot.
Mr. Mellark released a sigh and pressed his lips into a thin line as he detached the soaking wet burlap sack from his saddle. With a cautious glint in her eye, Primrose took a timid step forward but ceased her advancement when he warned, "Please take caution, Miss Primrose, I am quite certain your sister would not be pleased with me if any harm was to come to you. Especially with the ball a mere night away."
"Harm?" Katniss repeated with a disbelieving laugh as she motioned to the bag. "What harm could possibly—" A deep, low growl cut her off as the contents of the bag shook.
Mr. Mellark inhaled a deep breath before his hand disappeared into the sack. As he lowered the fabric, Katniss cringed as she came face to face with the ugliest creature she had ever seen. The animal was no larger than a rat and drenched to the bone, with its orange fur matted in numerous clumps about its body. Not to mention, its pathetic face appeared flattened, as though it had chased its prey into a stone wall one too many times. The only discerning features that lead her to believe it was indeed a cat were the pointed ears and skinny tail that was kinked at the end.
"Oh my goodness!" Primrose squeaked as she covered her mouth and turned to her sister. "Is he not the most darling creature you have ever laid eyes on?"
"Ah, yes," Katniss lied between gritted teeth, knowing full well the direction her sister was headed. "Most darling indeed."
Primrose tuned back to Mr. Mellark, taking no heed of his warning as she stepped forward and swiped the kitten from his hand. Before Katniss could protest her concern for the set of claws hidden amongst the buddle of fur, her sister cuddled the creature to her chest and gently stroked the damp fur. To both Katniss and Mr. Mellark's surprise, it nuzzled its ugly face into her sister's dress and began to purr loudly.
Primrose looked up. "What happened?"
"As I was approaching the bridge, I noticed a man scurrying along the bank," Mr. Mellark began as he dried his hands off on the leather of his saddle. "I was certain I saw him toss an object into the water, which seemed quite peculiar. By the time I reached the bridge, the man had disappeared and I heard a most unfortunate noise coming from below the bridge. I am afraid the man's intention was to put the poor thing out of its misery. If you look closely, his left hind foot is lame. Whether the poor thing was born as such or it was twisted from the fall, I am not sure."
"How could someone do such a thing? And to such a helpless creature?" Primrose hugged the mound of fur even closer to her body. "Oh Katniss, we must help the poor dear; it is frightened and cold and so thin." She cooed at the kitten as she stroked between its ears and whispered, "Do not fret, my dear Buttercup, I shall take care of you."
Mr. Mellark smiled at the pair. "With a little rest, I do not doubt he will be right as rain in no time."
Katniss sighed deeply, for it was already too late—a bond had been formed. It was not the first time, nor would it be the last, that her sister had taken it upon herself to accept a wounded animal into her care. To her sister's credit, Primrose had a way with wild beasts and had yet to lose a "patient," whether it be a fledgling with an injured wing or the rabbit she found practically lifeless and sickly in the meadow a few years back. The determination in Primrose's eyes caused Katniss to nod her head in approval, but before she could respond, her sister turned abruptly back towards Seamfirth.
"May I accompany you back to the house?" Mr. Mellark asked as he took hold of his horse's reins and offered her his arm.
"Yes, you may." Katniss released a shuddering breath as she wove her arm through his, taking note of the solid and secure nature of his hold and the unbelievable warmth it caused to pool in the depths of her belly.
They walked at a leisurely pace behind Primrose, neither one in a hurry to reach their destination. The silence was a comfortable one, but there was an underlying current between her and Mr. Mellark, and Katniss knew that if she did not tread carefully, whatever this feeling coursing through her body would threaten to pull her under.
Against her better judgment, Katniss could not resist the urge to steal a sideways glance at his profile, admiring the strong line of his chin and jaw and the smattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose.
It was Mr. Mellark who eventually broke the silence first, clearing his throat and looking down before opening his mouth to speak. "Miss Everdeen, I must apologize for the inconvenience I am certain I have just caused. The possibility did not cross my mind that your sister would take interest in the creature."
Katniss chuckled. "Do not trouble yourself. My sister has a soft heart for those in need, including ill-tempered mongrels."
"I do hope that it is a family trait," he said quietly and Katniss turned to find Mr. Mellark staring at the dirt path, unable to look her in the eye as he swallowed thickly. "Miss Everdeen, there is something else that still weighs heavy on my conscience. I know I have apologized in writing, but I wish to do so again in person. With regards to my own ill-tempered manners the night we met, please know that I was not myself. Not that it is any excuse for how I behaved towards you."
"Sir, I can assure you it is but a distant memory. I no longer hold any feeling of resentment towards you for what passed between us that night."
"It relieves me to hear so," he said with a breathtaking smile that caused her chest to flutter. "And I thank you for putting my conscience at ease."
When they reached the house, Primrose disappeared through the kitchen entrance, paying them no further attention as she continued to cradle Buttercup in her arms. They had arrived too soon for Katniss's liking and both appeared to linger at the steps, not wanting to enter the busy household, where she knew they would be disturbed and looked upon with prying eyes.
"Will you stay for tea?" she asked hesitantly, more out of obligation than anything else.
He smiled sweetly but shook his head. "Thank you, but no. My presence is required at Seaforth."
Disappointment flashed across Katniss's face and she glanced down, unable to look at him for fear of embarrassment. She had hoped they could continue their conversation elsewhere, the meadow perhaps, but she knew the option was out of question. What would her aunt say if she caught wind of it?
She was not expecting his gentle caress when Mr. Mellark lifted her chin up to meet his gaze, and she inhaled an unsteady breath once she realized his closeness. The masculine scent of exertion, mixed with something sweet, overwhelmed her senses and the way his eyes shifted back and forth between each of her own, it was no surprise that her former disappointment was suddenly forgotten and she sighed, tilting her face into his touch.
"If it is not too much to ask," he started, the honeyed tone of his voice drawing her in like a siren's call. "It would do me great pleasure to reserve your hand for the first dance tomorrow evening. That is, if the honor has not already been—"
"No!" She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks from her hasty response, and in an effort to recover some semblance of poise, she repeated in a much quieter and breathier voice. "I mean, no, no one has yet to ask. So my answer is yes, of course you may."
The warmth of his smile set her at ease, but her breath caught in her throat the moment the pad of his thumb swiped ever so gently across her lips. She was frozen in place, unable to move even if she cared to, which she most certainly did not.
"I look forward to it," he said as he stared into her eyes a moment longer, before taking a step back and retracting his hand. The sudden absence of his touch brought Katniss back to her senses and she too took a step back as worry began to settle in that their intimate encounter may have been witnessed.
Reaching into his breast pocket, he produced a folded letter wrapped in twine with a single flower tucked beneath the looped knot. It was a dandelion. An odd choice, she thought to herself, as most people would find the flower to be a common weed, but there was a certain beauty about it to behold. What she was not expecting, as he placed the package to her open hand, was the weight of it. She turned it over and found a small box tied beneath the letter.
"I bid you a pleasant afternoon, Miss Everdeen," he stated, before bowing and gracefully mounting his horse. With a final smile, he tugged on the reins and the mare turned, leaving Katniss to watch as she clutched the package close against her chest.
He had barely cantered out of sight before she rushed into the kitchen, her skirt billowing out behind her like a sail trying to slow her eager steps. Her exuberant entrance startled Mrs. Sae, who was hunched over the harvest table. Katniss dropped onto the bench beside the window with a thud, paying the older woman no mind as she hastily removed the dandelion. She bent her head abruptly, and pulled at the twine end to unravel the letter so roughly that she nearly tore the paper as she unfolded it.
Miss Everdeen,
I hope this letter finds you well, and thank you for taking the time to respond to my last inquiry. I apologize for the briefness of my words, but there is something I wish to ask of you. If it pleases you and suits your taste, I would be honored if you would consider what is enclosed with this letter as part of your ensemble for the ball. I believe it would accent your dress quite well.
Until tomorrow,
Peeta
Katniss's hands trembled as she placed the letter and flower down gently next to her, staring ahead in front of her as she mulled over his words. Regardless of what lay waiting in the confines of the box, she wondered how he could possibly know it would complement her dress, and quite well at that. She herself had no notion as to what Mr. Cinna had in store for her, for the gown was not scheduled to arrive until the morning after.
A not-so-subtle "ahem" tore her from her thoughts, and she spied Mrs. Sae watching her intently as she fidgeted with the box in her hand.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Mrs. Sae said expectantly.
Katniss rolled her eyes but smiled all the same as she removed the lid. She reached in and gingerly pushed aside a piece of velvet covering the contents of the box, but she gasped out loud when her fingertips brushed against something cool and metal.
"What is it?" Mrs. Sae asked, her own excitement evident from the tremor in her voice.
To get a better look, Katniss lifted the pendant up by the silver chain attached to it, her eyes wide as it swung back and forth in the light. The oval stone was encased in a band of silver, the vibrant blue hue leading her to believe it was a lapis. But what caught her eye was the picture that was painted with delicate strokes, depicting a dandelion flower that had gone to seed, a few of the fluffy seed heads blowing in the wind. There was no doubt in her mind that Mr. Mellark had personalized the pendant himself. She ran a thumb across the smooth surface of the stone, unable to take her eyes off it.
The heavy footsteps of Mrs. Sae caused her to look up and Katniss turned the necklace for her to inspect.
"Oh my word," the old cook croaked as she lifted a hand to her chest.
Something on the back of the pendant caught Katniss's attention, and she squinted as she brought it closer to her face. The letters "PM" had been engraved in elegant script in the middle of the stone.
"If I'm not mistaken, I believe you've an admirer." She winked, and with a wry smile, turned back to her work at the table.
Katniss glanced down at the dandelion at her side as she brought the pendant to her face, the cool smoothness of the stone feeling pleasant against her lips. Never before had anyone bestowed upon her such a gift, and a part of her conscience wondered if it was even proper for her to accept it. She could not help but wonder what the significance behind his choice of flower was.
"It signifies a promise of faithfulness," Mrs. Sae called out over her shoulder, as if Katniss as posed the question out loud. "That is what you hold in your hand."
The knock at her door startled Katniss, and she raised a hand up to her chest as she turned away from her reflection in the looking glass.
"Kat? Are you in here?" Annie poked her head into the room and smiled brightly at the sight of her cousin. "Oh my dear one, you look positively breathtaking!"
Katniss looked back into the mirror, tilting her head to take in the simple yet elegant twist that Mrs. Sae had pinned at the side of her head. "It is not too much?"
Annie approached the vanity and leaned down to catch her cousin's gaze in the mirror. "It is perfect. Do not change at thing." She placed a chaste kiss to Katniss' cheek before turning to the dressing screen where her evening gown hung. "Oh my word! Mr. Cinna is indeed talented, is he not?"
Katniss rose and joined her cousin, reaching out to stroke the soft fabric of her dress. "Yes, it is stunning. More than I could have ever imagined, but…" she trailed off as she reached around the screen to fetch another hanger. "I do not recall him saying he would provide us with new undergarments as well." She positioned the garment next to her dress and stared at it curiously. "Did he provide you with a new chemise as well?"
"No, he did not, but perhaps it is required specifically for yours?" Annie tested the fabric between her fingers. "It feels exquisite, but what is that…?" Leaning forward, her finger brushed over the yellow stitching of an embroidered flower along the low neckline.
"A dandelion, I believe," Katniss replied.
"Interesting choice," Annie mused aloud, but then unhooked it from the screen. "Well then, shall we get you dressed? Primrose is asking for you."
With a nod of her head, Katniss lifted her arms up into the air as Annie helped to dress her. The fabric of the new chemise was indeed exquisite and felt marvelous against her bare skin. Due to the empire cut and silhouette of her evening dress, she was thankful she could forego a corset and waited patiently as Annie tied up her petticoat. The low neckline and satin ribbon beneath her bust accented the curves of her chest without being inappropriate, and the pale yellow silk felt weightless upon her body and when she swished the skirt. The material seemed to gleam as it caught the light, the effect reminiscent of candlelight.
"There," Annie said once the final button was hooked, and she stepped back.
Katniss turned to catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror, a smile tugging at her lips at just how right Mr. Cinna had been. The color complimented the olive undertones of her skin and the natural blush of her cheeks.
"Kat, you look radiant," Annie whispered in awe.
"Right," she said with an approving nod of her head as she stepped into the matching slippers. "Shall we find Primrose?"
Katniss followed Annie down the hall to the bedroom of her aunt and uncle, where the chatter and laughter of both Portia and Johanna filled the air. Katniss and Annie slipped into the room unnoticed and hung back against the wall, not wanting to interfere with whatever it was Mrs. Abernathy was up to.
"Now, now, girls, don't be foolish! Portia, hold on to that strap good and tight whilst I…I give this…one…more good…pull…"
Katniss stifled a laugh at the scene before her: Primrose holding on tight to the bedpost as Portia and Katniss's aunt struggled with the strings of the corset. "My poor dear," she whispered to Annie who regarded the unpleasant garment with disdain.
"There!" Mrs. Abernathy beamed with pride as Primrose winced, a hand on her stomach as if to ensure her insides were still intact. "Now for the face. Primrose, dear, take a seat and let us see what we shall do."
When her aunt reached for a pot of rouge, Katniss finally found herself compelled to step in. "Do you not think that shade is too…much?"
Mrs. Abernathy stared down into the pot with a critical eye and then back to the dress that lay upon her bed. "Perhaps you are right; one shade lighter will do nicely."
With a sigh of relief, Katniss joined her sister at the vanity and squeezed her arm in reassurance as their aunt swept a light dusting of powder across the apples of Prim's cheeks. Primrose's face held a smile, but Katniss could see the mix of excitement and nerves bubbling just below her sister's outwardly calm façade.
"Annie, make yourself useful and fetch a set of earrings and a necklace."
"Oh Aunt Effie, that is not necessary," Primrose piped up.
"Nonsense," Mrs. Abernathy hushed with a dismissive wave of her hand before calling out to Annie over her shoulder. "My pearls would look exquisite against her complexion, don't you think? Yes, the pearls for sure."
Primrose inhaled a deep breath and held it as her aunt lowered the string of iridescent spheres around her neck. "I have always considered you a daughter of mine, my dear. From the day you arrived on our doorstep, you have brought me nothing but pride and joy. There." Mrs. Abernathy stood back as she admired her handiwork in the mirror. "Now, let us get you dressed."
Katniss helped her sister to her feet and stepped aside as Portia approached with the light blue gown draped over her arm. With Katniss on one side and Portia on the other, they held open the dress as Primrose stepped in, lifting the sleeves up her arms as Mrs. Abernathy went to work on the spine of buttons.
"Is Mr. Cinna not a miracle worker?" Portia said in awe as her fingers grazed the delicate netting that reached from the top of the sleeve to her wrists. "The sheer overlay over the sleeves is absolutely breathtaking."
"Yes, it is spectacular." Katniss was beyond impressed with how the man had brought to life the sketch he had shown her on paper. The gown fit Primrose like a glove. The detail on the bodice was pleated to form a V that came to a point at the empire waist. The transformation was startling, for before her no longer stood a cherubic young girl, but rather a poised and striking woman. The resemblance to their mother was so strong that tears threatened to spill forth from Katniss's eyes.
"Oh, Kat." Primrose turned, concern written upon her face as she took in her sister's glistening eyes. "What is the matter?" She reached out in search of her sister's hand.
"They are happy tears, I assure you." With a touch to her sister's cheek, Katniss smiled. "Mamma would have been so proud."
Annie and her sisters looked on in silence as Katniss and Prim shared a tender moment, but it was short lived when the trilling voice of Mrs. Abernathy filled the room.
"Oh! Look at the time! The carriage is waiting!" she exclaimed with a clap of her hands. Reaching for her own shawl and gloves, Mrs. Abernathy ushered the girls towards the door.
"I will be right down," Katniss whispered to her sister before stealing away back to her room.
There was one final touch missing from her own attire.
With a shake of her head, Katniss dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, erasing the trace of wetness that had collected there. Once composed, she moved to the bed and reached beneath the mattress to retrieve the box that contained Mr. Mellark's gift. In fear of being discovered—and not wanting to be bombarded with a slew of questions as to its origin—she had not looked upon it again since yesterday. Unable to contain her smile when she stared back at her reflection in the mirror, Katniss carefully clasped the necklace about her neck, taking a moment to adjust the painted stone perfectly into place at the base of her throat.
Mr. Mellark had been right. It suited her perfectly.
"Portia! Enough with your fussing!" Mrs. Abernathy swatted her fan at her daughter's final attempt to fluff up the skirt of Primrose's dress. "You'll dirty the gown before your cousin has had the chance to be presented!"
"But Mamma! Have you no vision? The skirt is to flare out as she enters the room, but the carriage ride has flattened it!" With a click of her tongue, Mrs. Abernathy conceded as she and Mr. Abernathy ushered Primrose up the steps of Seaforth.
Hundreds of tiny lanterns glowed softly in the evening air, lining the driveway and the steps leading to the grand entrance of the mansion. Two footmen, dressed head to tails in black with immaculate gold and cream accents, bowed deeply as they opened the doors, releasing the exotic scent of sandalwood and vanilla, as the distant sound of harmonious strings echoed down the hall.
"With all this fanfare, you would think Primrose was to be presented at court," Katniss whispered to Annie as they followed the procession behind Johanna and Portia into the foyer.
"Hush!" Annie admonished, but with a smile. "Miss Odair has gone above and beyond what any of us could ever have expected. Besides, this is all for Primrose, remember?"
"More like an excuse to flaunt her brother's wealth and remind us all of our places as country folk," Katniss muttered as she caught a glance of her reflection in the polished marble floors. But as much as it pained Katniss to admit it, she was grateful, for it was more than she could ever have hoped for her sister. If a suitable match could not be found amongst the gentlemen present tonight, then what hope did any eligible lady in the country have?
As they neared the entrance to the ballroom, she was relieved to find Mr. Odair waiting out in the hall, his charming smile greeting them as he clapped his hands. "Ah! The guest of honor!" Mr. Odair bowed deeply before reaching out to take Primrose's hand and tucking it in the crook of his arm.
Music seeped through the cracks of the door and Katniss slowed her steps, lingering back behind her family. Whether it was the overall splendor of the décor, or the excitement she had for her sister, or the anticipation of seeing Mr. Mellark, the nerves she had been suppressing throughout the carriage ride finally surfaced. However there was no time to dawdle and she inhaled a deep, soothing breath as the doors opened before them, and as if on cue, the music faded into silence. She peeked around Annie's shoulder just in time to witness the heads of the guests as they all turned in unison towards their direction.
Mr. Odair, with his charismatic smile and fanciful air, cleared his throat. "May I present to you, our honored guest, Miss Primrose Evangeline Everdeen."
The room erupted in a thunderous applause as the musicians took up their instruments once more and the crowed dipped in bows and curtsies. Katniss followed the group as they entered the ballroom, gasping as she was taken aback by the scene before her—she had walked into an eternal sunset. Every inch of the room was swathed in golden silk, the crystals of the opulent chandelier reflecting the glow of the room like a thousand tiny mirrors, and everywhere she looked, bouquets of fragrant flowers accented in deep reds, vibrant oranges, and cheerful yellows added bursts of color throughout. Miss Odair had most certainly outdone herself.
"Come now, girls, let us not linger in the doorway," her aunt said as she ushered her daughters and Katniss towards the center of the room. "We must not keep the eligible men waiting! Mingle, and for heaven's sake, mind your manners!"
Katniss rolled her eyes as Johanna and Portia linked arms and disappeared into the crowd, their giggles fading in amongst the laughter and chatter of the other guests. After a final glance towards her sister, who had already been swarmed by a crowd of jovial suitors, she turned her attention to the other guests, eager to find a friendly face as she trailed behind Annie and Mr. Odair.
The room was bustling with both new and familiar faces, and it was obvious from a quick glimpse which guests were from the Capitol. Never before had she seen such an array of costumes, for that was what they appeared to be, unlike any of the evening dresses she was accustomed to. One lady's hair was piled up in ringlets so high upon her head it reminded Katniss of a bird's nest, and she had to stifle a laugh and redirect her gaze to the floor when upon further inspection she observed that tiny false birds were scattered throughout her curls.
The crowd parted the moment Katniss looked up, and her eyes fell upon those she had been most keen to find. Butterflies soared rampant within her stomach and she was thankful that she had not eaten much prior to arriving, for if she had, she was certain her nerves would have sent the contents churning. A smile crept onto her face though when Mr. Mellark's features lifted and he beamed back at her.
He stood towards the back of the room, flanked by Miss Odair on one side and pair of gentleman dressed in uniform on the other. She did not recognize the officers, but from the similar look they shared, the two appeared to be of some relation. Perhaps brothers, she thought, as she took in their appearance. Her eyes narrowed though when an unusual feeling tugged at the back of her memory. It was the olive undertones of their skin, paired with the same shade of grey eyes that were reminiscent of her father's, but there was something else, something about the older gentleman's face that held a certain familiarity.
As they made their way towards the back of the room, Katniss smiled politely to those who greeted her as she passed, but she scarcely heard the words that were spoke to her. Her mind was otherwise preoccupied by the way Mr. Mellark's gaze remained fixed on her with every step, causing her feet to quicken their pace.
"Good evening," Mr. Mellark said to Annie once they arrived, greeting her with a shallow bow before turning to Katniss. "And to you, Miss Everdeen."
Katniss dipped her head as she curtsied, the formality of their actions seeming somewhat absurd, after their exchange of letters and the casual use of their Christian names in writing. She caught his eyes flicker down to where the blue stone pendant rested just below the hollow of her neck. The corner of his mouth lifted pleasantly, not into a full smile, but by the way his lips pursed she was certain he was struggling not to.
To avoid drawing too much attention, she turned to Mr. Odair. "I must thank you again for your sincere generosity in hosting this event and for the use of Mr. Cinna's talents. I have never before seen my dear sister quite so happy."
"Oh the pleasure is all mine," Mr. Odair answered. "I cannot deny that any excuse to get you fine ladies all in one room and dressed as such is good enough reason for me!" He winked playfully and Katniss could spy a blush spread across Annie's cheeks.
For the sake of propriety, Katniss then turned to Miss Odair. "And thank you for your time and effort, the room is exquisite."
"It is, is it not?" Miss Odair replied with a sigh as she gazed about their surroundings to appraise her talents. "I was quite pleased with how it came together, and thanks to my fine eye and connections we are able to enjoy all the fineries the Capitol has to offer. Would you not agree, Mr. Mellark?"
With a well-manicured hand, the woman reached up to straighten the knot of his cravat as she cut a sideways glance towards Katniss. If it weren't for the overabundance of bright carmine rouge swiped across her cheeks or the shocking vermillion of her lips, Miss Odair might have looked quite lovely in her pale pink Grecian-style dress. But it was obvious the woman thought of nothing but being fashionable and her desire to keep with the most current Capitol trends left her oblivious to the fact that the coloring did nothing but wash out her already pale face.
Without taking heed to the gesture, Mr. Mellark turned to Katniss, settling his hands behind his back. "Yes, and to see Mr. Cinna's handiwork so exquisitely displayed upon a canvas such as yourself, Miss Everdeen, why, I believe he has outdone himself. You look positively radiant."
"You are too kind." She could not help but assess his attire as well, from the clean-cut lines of his dark wool suit and knee breeches, to the soft yellow of his matching waistcoat and stock…Her brow furrowed as she stared at the fabric a moment longer, before glancing down to her own dress. The fabrics matched exactly, as if the garments had been cut from the same cloth. Was it a coincidence?
Her eyes widened, and when she searched Mr. Mellark's face for an explanation, he seemed to be concealing a knowing grin. Perhaps it was not a coincidence after all. It was at least a rationale as to how he knew the necklace would match her dress, and it made her wonder what other secrets the man had hidden up his sleeve.
"Miss Everdeen," Mr. Mellark spoke before turning to the gentlemen at his side. "May I present to you Colonel Gale Hawthorne and his brother, Lieutenant Robert Hawthorne. They are visiting from their station in the north for a few days and are my guests for the evening."
Katniss smiled and dipped into a shallow curtsy as the two men bowed in unison. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"The pleasure is all mine," Colonel Hawthorne responded. The way his eyes lingered on her face, as though studying it skeptically, left her with a feeling of uncertainty as she forced to keep her smile.
Katniss remained quiet, trying to listen intently while the brothers regaled the tales from their travels. But she found it difficult to keep her attention off Mr. Mellark for too long, for he too appeared to be watching her just as closely from the corner of his eye.
From what she could gather, Colonel Hawthorne was a quiet and broody man, not engaging much, as he allowed his younger brother to dominate the conversation. But she was pleasantly surprised at how cordial the brothers were with the group, especially the younger Lieutenant, and soon found herself curious as to their connection to Mr. Mellark.
The conversation soon shifted to Miss Odair, who began to prattle on about the gossip she had picked up from the Capitol, and before long Katniss had lost interest entirely in the discussion. She turned her attention elsewhere, scanning the room for the whereabouts of her sister. It was then that she noticed the younger Hawthorne had also grown quiet and his attention was also otherwise occupied, and not at all to her surprise, on the likes of Primrose. The look of awe, as if struck by Cupid's arrow, was plain as day upon his face and her playful nature returned as Katniss leaned towards him with a mischievous grin.
"Merely looking upon my sister will not get you far, I am afraid."
"Your sister?" He finally looked at her with a start. "Oh, yes, I had forgotten. It is just, well, whilst both of you are a rare beauty to behold, your appearances do not hint towards any relation."
Katniss chuckled. "Yes, you are correct in that regard. I take after our father, while my sister was more fortunate than I and thankfully takes after our mother." Whether it was the charming innocence of the young officer or the way he did not appear to leer at her sister, as many of the men she noticed had, she quickly decided she rather liked Lieutenant Robert Hawthorne. And she had an inkling that Primrose would too.
"Why not ask her to dance?" Katniss urged.
"Oh, I would not feel right troubling someone for an introduction. Besides, I am sure her every dance has already been spoken for." The forlorn look in the poor boy's eyes tugged at Katniss's heart and she found herself eager to help him.
"Listen," she finally spoke, gaining his attention when there was a lull in the music as the musicians prepared for the next set. "I will get you an introduction, just so long as you promise me that you will ask her, and make sure you mention that I insisted upon it."
He looked at her doubtfully for a moment but then smiled. "As you wish, for she is the most enchanting being I have ever seen. Oh but first, please do tell me, what is her favorite flower?" His eyes darted about the room, as if searching the arrangements for something he could present her with.
Katniss chuckled at the young man's immediate infatuation and willingness to please. "I will leave that for you to find out for yourself." She turned to Mr. Odair and cleared her throat. "Sir, if it is not too much to ask, would you do me the favor of introducing the lieutenant here to my dear sister?"
Slowly, Mr. Odair raised his eyebrows and bobbed his head, a sly smirk spreading across his face. "Why of course, it would be my pleasure! Come, then perhaps afterwards you would care to join me for a dance, Miss Abernathy?"
Annie cast a curious glance towards Katniss as she accepted Mr. Odair's proffered hand, but she shrugged innocently in reply. Lieutenant Hawthorne thanked Katniss once more before looking to his brother with beaming confidence, and following after Mr. Odair and Annie as they departed the group in search of Primrose.
The topic of dancing caused a flutter in Katniss's stomach and she looked to Mr. Mellark, wondering if he intended to make good on his offer for her first dance. He turned to her as well, wetting his lips as if preparing to speak, but not before Miss Odair took hold of his arm.
"All this talk has left me feeling quite parched. Mr. Mellark, would you mind accompanying me to fetch some refreshment?"
Mr. Mellark's mouth dropped into a frown for a moment, his irritation evident from the way he glared at Miss Odair, but he recovered quickly and looked to Katniss once again. "Would you care for something as well?"
"Yes, thank you," she answered, struggling to keep the disappointment from her tone.
As she watched Mr. Mellark and Miss Odair turn to leave, her fists clenched when she noticed the possessive manner in which the woman stroked his arm. However, she felt a twinge of relief when he glanced over his shoulder, flattening his lips as if to send her a silent apology.
She responded with a reassuring smile and when the two finally disappeared into the crowd, she looked to Colonel Hawthorne. He tugged at the bottom of his waistcoat to straighten it, eyes drawn to the floor as if he was unsure of how to conduct himself in her presence. She turned her attention to the middle of the room, to where colorful couples danced in merriment and the hum of the crowd filled the silence between them. Katniss was not one for small talk, but she was not a fan of awkward silences either, and it did not appear that the gentleman beside her was any fonder of sparking a conversation than she was.
However, her earlier curiosity as to why the man seemed so unusually familiar proved to be too much. She would need to be the one to engage him if she desired to find out more. Clearing her throat, she turned to him. "Colonel Hawthorne, Mr. Mellark mentioned you are visiting from your station the north, but I assume you are from the Capitol?"
He smirked and brought a hand up to trance the hard line of his jaw. "No, Miss, I am not. I am afraid I come from a much more humble upbringing."
"Oh? And where may that be?"
"I grew up near the small town of Hobbton."
Katniss's breath caught in her throat and her eyes widened in astonishment. "Hobbton?" she repeated.
"Are you familiar with the place?" he asked as he quirked an eyebrow.
"Why yes! I grew up not far from there. Are you familiar with Huntingford?"
Colonel Hawthorne's eyes narrowed for an instant before the creases of his face smoothed and he smiled. "Yes, I am. Finest woods in the country, and it just so happens that my home is not more than three miles on the other side of the forest."
"Huntingford is my family's estate," she said in excitement. "That is, it was, until it burned to the ground when I was a child."
Colonel Hawthorne's face turned somber. "Yes, I recall hearing about the tragic event. I am very sorry for your loss."
Katniss nodded, but the hope of discovering a link to her past far outweighed any grief she still felt and her excitement caused her voice to quiver. "Then you must have known of my father, Sir Jonathan Everdeen?"
"Of course, he and my father were quite good friends. Hunting partners actually. But after the passing of your parents, we were never quite sure what had become of his two daughters, but I am relieved to see that you and your sister are doing well."
"We were very fortunate for the kindness of our aunt and uncle, and yes, we are doing very well, thank you." Katniss could not believe her good fortune. There were so many things she wished to ask of Colonel Hawthorne, about her father, about her home, and what had become of it. She did not where to begin. "Please, what news have you from the area?"
It was not long before Mr. Mellark and Miss Odair returned, with refreshments in hand, to find Katniss and Colonel Hawthorne conversing amicably about their homes.
"Thank you," she said as she accepted a glass of punch from Mr. Mellark, beaming as she took a sip of her drink. "It seems that the Colonel and I share a similar past."
Colonel Hawthorne cleared his throat and looked to Mr. Mellark, the curious glance between them not going unnoticed by Katniss. "Miss Everdeen, if it is not too much of a burden, would you mind sharing what happened?"
Both gentlemen listened intently as she recounted the story of her childhood and the events that took place the night the estate burned to the ground. How she and her sister narrowly escaped with their lives, how it was suspected that an improperly extinguished candle was responsible for the blaze, and how their uncle had come to collect them to live with his family and raise them as his own.
"Well, that is quite an incredible story!" Miss Odair said with an exasperated sigh when Katniss had finished retelling her tale. "I never would have suspected you to have such a…colorful past."
Mr. Mellark had been silent the entire time with an indecipherable look upon his face that she could not place. She looked to Colonel Hawthorne once again, and when the two gentlemen shared another questionable look, which resulted in Mr. Mellark nodding his head discreetly, she frowned. Did they not believe her account?
Just then, a familiar face appeared from within the crowd and Katniss hissed under her breath. She tried to hide herself behind the tall frame of Colonel Hawthorne as Mr. Crane made his approach, but she was too late.
"Ah! There you are, my dear!" Mr. Crane interrupted, not hesitating to take hold of her hand in his. "If you would pardon my intrusion, gentlemen, but I have been searching high and low for this rare gem since our arrival. Miss Everdeen, would you do me the honor of a dance?"
Panic welled up from deep within her chest and Katniss's displeasure against the man was so sharpened by immediate disappointment that she could hardly look upon Mr. Crane with a tolerable civility as he awaited for her reply. As much as she wished to deny him, she found herself in a most inopportune predicament. The man had cornered her, leaving Katniss with only one option—not unless she wished to spend the rest of the evening watching the other couples dancing from the sides.
But a hint of hope filled her when Mr. Mellark stepped forward. "I regret to inform you, sir, but Miss Everdeen has already made a promise to me for the next set."
The look of shock and disappoint upon both Mr. Crane and Miss Odair's face was laughable, but Katniss held her composure. Before either could protest, Mr. Mellark took the glass from Katniss's hand and passed it to Miss Odair.
"May I?" he asked with a cool smile as he presented Katniss his arm.
With a smug lift of her brow, she glanced over to Miss Odair as Katniss wove her arm through his and allowed him to lead her towards the center of the room to the bottom of the set with the other awaiting couples, some of whom regarded them curiously. His timing could not have been more perfect, for it was the start of an allemande and the first couple had yet to complete the dance and repeat it down the line. They would have time to talk.
"Thank you," she whispered, peering up at him timidly as they faced one another.
"For?"
"For saving me from a most unfortunate dance partner." With a tilt of her head, she gestured to Mr. Crane, who was still staring after them in disbelief. Both raised a hand to stifle their laughs but the low timbre of Mr. Mellark's voice sent a delightful shiver down the column of her spine. While reaching up to stroke the cool stone that rested against her skin, she added, "And for this."
"It suits you."
"You have extraordinary taste." Her cheeks flushed from the intensity of his stare, and she hesitated a moment before clarifying her statement. "That is, in jewelry, of course."
"I would like to believe my extraordinary taste extends to much more than jewelry."
Both fell back into a shy silence as they continued down the line, awaiting their turn. Unable to organize her thoughts in hopes of making conversation, she glanced about the room nervously, taking in the ridiculous display of guests from the Capitol that stuck out with their outrageous dresses and overdone faces.
"This Mr. Crane, a cousin is he?"
Katniss rolled her eyes. "Yes, a most regrettable relation of the sort to my uncle, but he is to one day inherit Seamfirth."
"And if I am not mistaken, that is not his only matter of business during his stay."
Quickly catching on to his meaning, Katniss sighed deeply. "Is it that obvious? To the delight of my aunt, you are correct. But as much as I loathe to admit, my aunt has a certain determination to marry us off that I have to admire."
He chuckled. "She seems committed, I shall give her that."
"And what of your guests? How long are the colonel and lieutenant visiting?"
"Until the end of the week, then they are to report to the Capitol before returning to the north."
"If you do not mind my inquiry, how is it that you came to be acquainted with the colonel?"
Mr. Mellark paused, his lips forming a tight line before answering. "He is a recent acquaintance I made whilst attending to some business in the north, regretfully the same business that took me away the week prior."
Katniss nodded her head, waiting for him to elaborate. When he did not, she opened her mouth to probe further, but then thought better of it and closed it again. Although his answer did naught to satisfy her curiosity, she did not want to appear meddlesome and pry into matters that did not concern her. Instead she found herself drawn to the slight movements of his features, in particular the twitch of his mouth before his teeth sunk into the pink flesh of his bottom lip.
"You look stunning," he finally said.
Katniss looked down and smiled to herself at his blatant attempt to change the subject. "As you have already mentioned."
"And so I have, but can you fault me for repeating myself?" His eyes dropped once again to the pendant at her neck and he smiled. "Was I correct that it would suit your dress?"
"Yes, but I am quite curious, how did you come to such a conclusion?" she wondered aloud as she tapped a finger to her lips. "If you had not seen my gown prior to tonight that is," she added.
Mr. Mellark grinned. "A lucky guess, I suppose."
"Mmmhmm," she replied, not at all convinced.
The flutter of movement to her side indicated that they had reached the top of the line, and each took a step forward. Mr. Mellark reached out his hand to take hers and pulling her closer to him, wrapped his arm about her waist as their steps fell into alignment and they began to move as one. As he turned her in his arm, he leaned in, his face a mere inch from her ear.
"And you can be certain that Mr. Cinna has been generously compensated for his attention to every detail." His eyes flashed to the neckline of her gown before returning to hers.
She looked blank for a moment, and then understanding dawned on her. Her cheeks reddened a deeper shade at the thought of her new chemise that bore the embroidered dandelion.
Coincidence. It was a complete coincidence, she lied to herself.
But the intensity of his stare caused her pulse to strike a hundred beats to the minute and a thrill to throb at her heart. When he blinked, she found herself drawn to the length of his eyelashes, in awe of how the fine hairs did not have a tendency to get tangled up amongst each other. When he swallowed, the faint scar just below the solid line of his jaw became visible and her fingers itched to reach up and trace it. When his lips parted slightly to exhale, the feel of his warm breath mixed with the unexpected scent of spiced citrus washed over her and she found herself drawing in a deep breath, as if to capture his.
The air around them seemed to thicken and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe—not due to her exertion from the dance, but rather from the way her body reacted to his every move. The warmth from of his hands seeped into her skin when they lingered upon her waist each time they turned. When she felt his hand slip down her back, his thumb skimming the fabric, as if following the curve of her hip, she trembled, struggling to keep her composure.
She chastised herself as she tried to keep ill thoughts at bay, but she failed miserably in her attempt. How could she? He made it utterly impossible, especially with the way he stared at her like she was the only woman in the room. How his gaze lingered just a moment too long at the exposed skin of her neckline, before drifting to the front of her dress as though he could magically see through her clothes. Soon her vision clouded over as she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to feel of his touch upon the bare skin of her waist.
It was both a curse and a blessing when they had reached the conclusion of the dance steps, but she felt a sense of loss when he released her hand and inhaled a heavy breath as they parted.
It was foolish to allow one's self to fall too quickly, lest she should lose her wits, but it was proving to be a difficult task whenever his captivating blue eyes met hers. Katniss cleared her throat and forced herself to look away as they returned to the bottom of the line. A distraction is what she needed to settle her racing heart, and so she racked her mind for a topic of conversation.
In that moment such a distraction presented itself, for amongst the cluster of red coats assembled behind Mr. Mellark she noticed the profile of a particular guest whom she believed he would not be so eager to cross paths with. She had wondered if Mr. Cray would indeed make an appearance tonight, given his reverent declaration that Mr. Mellark's presence would not hinder his own. A warning was upon the tip of her tongue when the solider finally turned to face her, and she realized that it was in fact not him. However, just the thought of Mr. Cray caused the nagging voice of his words to echo in the back of her mind.
He is not to be trusted.
"I had the pleasure of dining with Mr. Cray last week," she mentioned casually.
The effect was immediate as his features hardened upon the mere mention of the name. "Oh," was his only reply, his eyes not meeting hers.
"Yes." It was a chance she would have to take, to press forward in hopes that he would be as forthcoming as Mr. Cray, for she was curious as to whether their stories matched. "I am interested though, how did you come to know one other?"
He inhaled a deep breath and then sighed. "If you must know, we grew up as boys. His father was my late father's accountant and trusted friend. You could say at one time I might have even considered the man a brother. However, as we grew older, we also grew apart. Due to a…difference of opinion, you could say."
The guarded manner in which Mr. Mellark spoke was evidence that whatever this difference of opinion concerned, it was dire enough to drive a rift between the two men that had spanned over a decade. It was not an option to come right out and inquire if what caused the rift between them was the denied inheritance Mr. Cray spoke of, so instead she decided to approach the matter in different light.
"Would you say you are a forgiving man, Mr. Mellark?"
At first he made no answer; only the tightening of his lips was indicative that he was pondering a reply. "I am in the habit of granting forgiveness, if it is asked of me."
An awkward silence fell between them and at once Katniss regretted bringing up the subject, fearing that she had soured his mood and ruined their time together.
"Mr. Cray is most fortunate," he finally said with a firm voice, his eyes narrowing before continuing. "Fortunate to have been blessed with such agreeable manners as to make new acquaintances where he may go—although, as to whether he is equally capable of retaining such ties and is genuinely deserving of them…I am less certain."
The finality of his tone indicated that he wished to say no more about the matter, however the cryptic choice of words left Katniss with an underlying sense that perhaps Mr. Mellark wished to convey a message of caution with regards to Mr. Cray.
But it was enough, and paired with her own instincts, she knew in the future it would be wise to approach Mr. Cray with caution and take his words with a grain of salt.
When their turn to take up the dance was upon them, although pleasant to once again have the warmth of his embrace against her skin, there was a noticeable difference in Mr. Mellark's countenance. His smile still appeared sincere as he watched her, but there was a hint of something else, hidden just below the surface that she could not place her finger on.
When the song eventually faded and the couples began to separate, the two of them remained unmoving, transfixed in each other's stare, as if trying to make sense of each other's silence. It was Mr. Mellark who looked away first, before taking her hand and cradling it in the crook of his elbow as he escorted her back to their party.
Despite the brief moment of tension between them, it was as if Katniss had discovered a new layer of the man's complex character, forging a newfound respect for him. While Mr. Cray had not missed the opportunity to vilify Mr. Mellark, Mr. Mellark had carried himself in a much more gentlemanly manner without blatantly slandering Mr. Cray's character.
Upon returning to the group, Katniss excused herself to find Primrose, curious as to how she was faring, and in need of some distance to regain her conscience. Although as she maneuvered herself through the crowds, she could not help but notice the lingering stares of the guests from the Capitol who regarded her oddly before turning their noses at her as she passed. The unwelcomed attention caused an unsettling feeling to settle upon her shoulders. What had caused these strangers to regard her as such?
When she finally stumbled upon Primrose, she was pleased to find her sister beaming as she approached Katniss to envelope her in a crushing embrace. "Kat! Are you not having a splendid time?"
Katniss giggled as she pulled away, taking a moment to brush out her sister's dress. "More importantly, are you?"
"But of course!"
Wondering if Lieutenant Hawthorne had succeeded in his quest for an introduction, Katniss asked, "And? Has any particular gentleman had the pleasure yet of catching your eye?"
A blush bloomed across Primrose's cheeks as she turned her face, her eyes eventually settling upon the grey ones of Lieutenant Hawthorne, who was staring just as intently back at her. Katniss chuckled, but she had to admit she found the interaction between the two quite sweet.
"If I am not mistaken, you seem to have an admirer," Katniss said, finally drawing Primrose's attention back to her.
"I—I do not know what you mean," she replied innocently, but released an exasperated huff once she realized she had not fooled her sister. "Well, I do believe you also seem to have quite the admirer. Mr. Mellark appears well this evening, does he not? And if I am not mistaken, he has been paying a great deal more attention to you than any other lady here."
Katniss brushed off the comment with a wave of her hand, but was secretly basking in pleasure at the memory of the warmth from his physical proximity when they had danced.
Music filled the air once again, signifying the start of a new set, and not wanting to prevent her sister from a potential invitation to dance, Katniss placed a gentle kiss to Primrose's cheek and turned to leave. But she was stopped by a hand on her arm as her sister leaned into whisper, "It is not a weakness to give in to the desires of one's heart."
The knowing look that accompanied her sister's advice before striding away in the direction of Lieutenant Hawthorne caused Katniss to inadvertently search the room for Mr. Mellark. Her attention, however, was broken when someone bumped into her side.
"Oh, Kat! Excuse us!" Johanna giggled as she clung to Mr. Darius' side, giddy and smiling, as if she had indulged too much in the brandy punch.
"Steady there!" he said, grinning ear to ear as he helped to right her. "Good evening, Miss Everdeen, and may I say you look quite stunning this evening."
"Thank you," Katniss replied, eyeing her cousin disapprovingly. Katniss had not seen Johanna since their arrival, but she had a feeling her cousin had not strayed far from the officer's side for the majority of the evening.
"Oh, that reminds me," Mr. Darius continued before clearing his throat. "Mr. Cray sends his regards and his sincerest apologies for his absence."
"Oh?" She did find it peculiar that they had not crossed paths yet, but it never occurred to her that he would actually stay away tonight. Had he not received an invitation? Surely Miss Odair would not single the man out. "Did he not receive an invitation?"
"He did. However, he was obliged to go into town for business this evening, although whether the purpose was personal or under orders, I am unsure."
"Is that so…" An instant suspicion arose that the true reason for Mr. Cray's absence was in order to avoid a confrontation with a certain gentleman. If her suspicion held true, then the man was indeed a hypocrite to his own words.
"Look there!" Johanna suddenly exclaimed, tugging on Mr. Darius' arm to gain his attention. "We have yet to sample from that table and I am still quite starved!"
Before the poor man could answer, he was dragged off towards the table of refreshments behind her, and Katniss could not keep from laughing at how set he was on humoring her youngest cousin.
"Pray, Miss Everdeen, do forgive my intrusion of your thoughts." Katniss turned to find Miss Odair at her side, a plate in one hand piled high with a fine selection of delicacies. "But did I not overhear you speaking to your cousin of Mr. Cray? Mr. Cato Cray?"
"No, you are not mistaken," Katniss replied with caution.
"A dreadful man that one." Miss Odair clicked her tongue and shook her head. "I would advise you not to trust him or his motives or any word he says, for that matter, and to think—"
The interruption by an unfamiliar gentleman from the Capitol, seeking Miss Odair's hand for a dance, was most welcome by Katniss.
After accepting, Miss Odair turned back to Katniss and frowned and with an unimpressed look, snapped her fingers. As if conjured from thin air, a servant appeared to take away her untouched plate. Katniss balked at the notion of wasting the very food Miss Odair's dear brother had no doubt paid a pretty penny for. And for what? For the woman to flaunt her brother's wealth and sophistication?
As the pair disappeared into the crowd, Katniss looked after Miss Odair with consideration. Despite Katniss' distain for the woman, the forcefulness of her tone conveyed a questionable concern. What was the motive of Miss Odair's heeding words with regards to Mr. Cray? Were they genuine? Or did she possess a hidden agenda?
A hand at her elbow caused Katniss to flinch, but she relaxed immediately at the sight of Annie.
"My dear," she whispered, causing Katniss to lean in. "I have spoken with Mr. Odair with regard to the matter of Mr. Cray and Mr. Mellark's peculiar relationship, but I am sorry to report that he is ignorant about the facts pertaining to any inheritance left to Mr. Cray."
"Thank you for inquiring, but—," Katniss faltered the moment she spied Mr. Crane, who had once again taken up his mission of seeking her out for a dance. "Quick!" she hissed, ducking behind her cousin. "Please distract him!"
"Distract who?" Annie replied as she turned. "Oh! Go then and I shall point him in another direction." With a conspiratorial smile, Annie squared her shoulders and stepped forward, allowing Katniss to slip away into the crowd.
In an effort to rejoin with Mr. Mellark, she took an indirect route along the perimeter of the room, coming across her aunt, who was seated with Lady Undersee at one of the elegantly set tables, conversing quite loudly and with no regard to the prying ears that surrounded them.
"After tonight, it will not be long before my dear Primrose finds a suitable match. And Annie! Oh my beautiful Annie." She took a generous sip from her glass as she fanned herself. "Mark my words; there is a proposal on the horizon. Two weddings in one year, how blessed we will be!"
Katniss rolled her eyes at her aunt's public display but deep down, she truly hoped her aunt proved to be right on both accounts. To see both her cousin and sister happily matched and married would do her heart much good.
"Goodness!" she hissed quietly to herself when she once again spotted Mr. Crane amongst the crowd. "Does the man ever give up?"
In a final effort to evade him, Katniss sought refuge on one of the balconies and hid behind one of the large ornate topiaries. She drew in a calming breath, the fresh air providing a much needed reprieve from all the thoughts that had been swimming about her head.
However her peace was short-lived and she froze in her spot when a group of guests made their way onto the balcony. She flattened herself against the wall, and to her relief, they did not see her. From their flamboyant dress and overly done hairstyles, she concluded they were from the Capitol. She stifled a laugh when one of the women tripped over the one too many layers of her skirt; however her ears perked up and a breath caught in her throat upon the mention of Mr. Mellark.
"Did you not see how he was fawning all over that girl? Certainly the rumors are to be believed after such a public exchange. His poor fiancée! If only she knew that he was hiding out here in the country, gallivanting around with the likes of milkmaids and commoners." The woman's shrill laugh cut through the air as Katniss froze in place.
Fiancée?!
Katniss's chest tightened as she turned the word over and over in her mind. She had forgotten how to breathe as she crossed her arms over her stomach. Could it be true? The rational part of her was saying to take a step back and think it over. But then again, how could she have been so foolish? To think that a gentleman such as Mr. Mellark was truly unattached? Or that he would seriously have any interest in a prospect such as herself?
Mr. Cray was right.
The world around her faded as she screwed her eyes shut. Overcome with a wave of emotions, her mind flitted from confusion to disbelief to anger, but above all… to betrayal.
She slipped away from the balcony unnoticed, suddenly feeling lost and out of place in the crowded room. She found herself at one of the food tables where everything in sight made her stomach churn. Eventually she settled on a glass of brandy punch, guzzling it down in a hurry before she refilled the glass again as she scanned the room.
Her eyes narrowed when they locked with Mr. Mellark, and the smile upon his face slowly faded when she didn't return it but instead took another rather long gulp from her drink. He furrowed his brow in question, but she could not bear to look at him any longer. With an upturn of her nose, she found a seat on an empty bench along the wall.
She wasn't sure how long she sat there, immobile and oblivious to what was going on around her. She drained the last of her drink, her head starting to feel fuzzy from the alcohol and sweetness of the punch. As she lowered her glass, a familiar face appeared from the crowd.
Katniss looked joyfully at Madge as she patted the seat next to her. "Where have you been?"
"I might ask that of you, I have been searching for you for some time now."
Katniss responded with a hearty laugh. "Well I am glad you found me. Come! Join me for a drink!" She stood up abruptly, her legs wobbling slightly as she returned to the refreshment table to refill her drink.
"Kat, are you sure that is a good idea?"
"A Capitol idea, if I do say so myself. I insist!"
With a disapproving frown, Madge helped to lower Katniss back onto the bench. "My dear, do me a favor and stay put whilst I fetch your uncle."
Katniss did as she was told, unsure if she could stand even if she wanted to. Leaning back against the wall, her eyes fell shut as her toes tapped against the fine rug to the tempo of the music. She continued to sip her drink, a hazy cloud billowing about her head as she pushed all thoughts from her mind, when the clearing of someone's throat startled her.
"Oh!" She sat up, almost spilling the contents of her glass down the front of her gown. Her eyes narrowed when they fell upon Mr. Mellark and the illusion of the kind and amiable gentleman she had come to know instantly faded before her eyes. The worried look upon his face as he crossed his hands behind his back and assessed her condition only infuriated her more.
"Are you judging me, sir?" Katniss said before tipping up her glass to hide her face as she took another sip.
"No, but I do believe you have enjoyed enough of the brandy punch for one night." He motioned for her glass, but she jerked it out of his reach, spilling a few drops of the contents onto her dress.
"Now look what you have made me do!" she exclaimed. Setting the glass down next to her, she pushed herself to her feet, wobbling slightly as Mr. Mellark reached out to steady her. As if burned by his touch, she wrenched her arm back with a hiss. "I do not require your assistance! Nor do I need to take advice from a person such as yourself!"
Mr. Mellark released a profound breath and stepped away, obvious confusion and hurt marking his face at her sudden outburst. Then as if the weeks prior had never occurred, she watched in conflicted horror and regret as the wall he had finally let fall in her presence suddenly reappeared right before her eyes. The cool and indifferent façade she had first met returned, and with a flat tone he simply responded, "I see."
Katniss blushed, and then blushed again with shame and vexation as she balled her hands into fists at her sides. Pinning him with a heated look, she crossed her arms over her chest. "Is that all you have to say for yourself?"
His eyes narrowed and the corner of his mouth twitched irritably before opening as if to respond. But whatever it was he wished to say was lost when her uncle suddenly appeared, Madge at his side, as he grabbed hold of his niece's arm firmly.
"Ah, Mr. Mellark! Thank you for keeping an eye on my niece, but it appears as though she has had enough for one night." He frowned at Katniss as he surveyed her splotched dress and the unsteady manner in which she held herself. Tightening his grip on her forearm, he bid Madge and Mr. Mellark a good-night before ushering Katniss towards the hallway.
To her dismay, the echo of another set of footsteps behind them caught her attention and she turned to glance over her shoulder, a scowl upon her face as she regarded Mr. Mellark who was following close behind. When they reached the entrance, the burst of cool, evening air was a shock to her system and Katniss had to concentrate as they descended the steps towards the carriage. The door was open and her aunt was already fast asleep on the bench. With a grunt, Mr. Abernathy hoisted himself into the carriage, not even bothering to offer his niece any assistance. When Mr. Mellark held out his hand to help her up the carriage step, she stared at it a moment before laughing in his face.
"I can manage on my own, thank you," she said, blatantly ignoring his offer as she gathered up the fabric of her dress.
"Very well then," he said, sighing afterward.
With much effort, she hauled herself into the carriage, tripping over her uncle's legs as she tumbled onto the bench. She was beyond the point of caring, and as Mr. Mellark shut the door behind her, she stared at him from out the window, venom in her eyes as the whip cracked and the horses trudged forward. The sudden movement caused her to jerk backwards into her seat, but she no longer possessed the strength, or the will, to care about righting herself. She lay her head down on the bench and buried her face in her arms, the rhythmic clip-clop of the horse's feet oddly calming as she willed the storm of thoughts in her head to settle.
How could a night that had started out so perfectly in her favor end in such a disaster?
Author's Note: Have to admit, I do feel somewhat guilty for the long wait only to have this chapter end on that note….oh well, bring on the torches and pitchforks! :P On a more serious note, I can assure you the wait for the next chapter won't be so long. I won't leave you hanging!
There are a few people I need to thank because getting this chapter written was like pulling teeth for me. To my persistent and ever motivating cheerleading squad, big thanks to Court81981 and Streetlightlove1 for sending me reminders that they missed this story and urging me to work on it. You also have Court to thank for the speediest turnaround time EVER, she's a diamond in the rough, that's for sure! I also have to thank HGRomance for her advice months ago (during my massive writer's block) on a certain scene I was hesitant to include, but it led me to revisit my overall outline for this story and I'm much happier with it now. Thank you!
Fun Facts from Jane Austen's Time:
- The codes of behavior during balls were exacting. The reason Katniss is so annoyed with Mr. Crane when he asks her to dance before Peeta does is because if she was to turn him down, then she would be required to turn down all other requests for the rest of the night. She'd be out of luck for any time with Peeta!
- The Allemande is a country line dance where couples stood in a line or set and the couple at the front would carry out the steps of the dance (which oh so conveniently involved the touching of hands and an intimate closeness :P) and when they were done the next couple would continue, repeating the dance until three couples were dancing at a time and then the first couple would return to the "bottom" or end of the line. Two complete repetitions of the dance made up a set, of which each dance could take up to 15 minutes to complete (waiting in line and the dance itself), so couples could potentially spend half an hour in their partner's company! This is why Katniss is excited to dance this particular dance with him.
- Lastly, it should be noted that there were very specific rules when it came to courtship, some of which included: the formality of addressing each other (weren't suppose to use given names), no intimate touching, no correspondence (hehe, hence why Mr. Mellark's private letters would be considered scandalous), and no gift-giving. If either of the last two were observed, it meant an attachment between a couple had been made. So yeah, don't think I need to elaborate on that one for why Katniss was so pissed at the news of his "fiancée"!
Thanks for reading and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one!
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