[Author's Note: I realize I haven't posted a chapter in forever and I deeply apologize. I will be posting more frequently.]
Emily ran quickly down the spiral staircase, nearly tripping onto the floor of the grand foyer.
"Mother! Father!"
She did not want a ball to determine her fate. Isn't one supposed to be in control of their own destiny? Just then, she remembered the comment she had with Miss Gail. Reluctance soon followed.
Approaching the door to her parents' study, she went to knock then paused. She remembered a fairy tale Miss Gail used to tell her about a girl who attended a ball and found the man of her dreams.
I guess I'll risk it. As the surprising wave of determination and excitement swept over her, she began to wonder when the ball was. She decided to follow through with tapping on the door.
"Come in." Her father's voice sounded almost as if he was expecting her.
She opened the door to the study and saw her father sitting in his chair behind the mahogany desk, hand pressed together and brought up to his lips as if pondering what the discussion may bring. Emily hardly noticed her mother absence before her father spoke.
"I can only assume you came regarding the ball." He rose from his desk chair and walked up to her, putting his hand upon her shoulder. "Emily, my dear, I know this is not the way you wish to meet your future husband but desperate times call for desperate measures."
She would have interrupted him since she knew his speech had to do with convincing her to comply with the ball, which would be useless since she had already decided to go through with it, but her curiosity as to what her father had to say made her bite her tongue.
"Your mother and I married when she was a mere youngster of 15. Since I was 25 and wealthy at the time, I accepted her parents request for me to betroth and wed her. You are two years older than she was and unfortunately the oldest bachelorette in the town. People are starting to talk. This ball will put an end to the gossip and also find you a suitable mate."
She spoke. "As you wish father. When is the ball to take place?"
"Tomorrow evening starting at 5 o'clock."
After nodding, She turned and left the study, passing her mother as she exited through the thick wooden door. When it shut behind her, she heard her parents start to talk and, knowing it was the wrong etiquette for a lady of her stature, eavesdropped on the conversation.
Her father's voice came first.
"She has agreed to the ball. What shall we do about the invitations?"
"I shall send them out with Alfred before noon. They should all be delivered before dark." Her mother's rather stern voice carried a note of fear. "Charles, what if the rumors spread past the town? Why would anyone want to marry someone with those accusations?
"Don't worry, Meredith. Everything will be taken care of."
Not knowing much about her parents' remarks, she felt it made her more concerned than necessary, but she spun around and flew up the stair case to ask Gail for help with her gown for tomorrow.
As Bachelors of all ages entered the grand foyer from the large, double-doored entrance and flooded into the ball room, Emily watched from the top of the stairs, nerves overcoming her. Miss Gail Came up to her to fix the way the hem of her ball gown sat. "Miss Gail, I don't know if I can manage this. The pressure is too great."
"Emily, you will be fine. Just pretend its any other party and it will be a breeze."
"You mean the parties my parents don't let me attend?" She took one last relaxing breath and slowly descended the stairs, being careful not to trip in the red silk shoes that matched the color of her intricate outfit.
As she entered the ball room, she saw the floor already flowing with the graceful, dancing bodies of men with their mothers, the parents of some of the bachelor's and she even saw her father and mother have a go at it. She saw tables upon tables of treats, cakes and various foods that lined all the walls. During her observing spree, she couldn't help but notice a man who was looking at her from across the way. She ignored him, trying to refrain from blushing. He approached her.
"Care to dance, Milady?"
"I'd be honored." She was surprised she answered so immediately considering her pounding heart.
As they twirled along with the other that surrounded them, he started to make conversation.
"How is it that a gorgeous young lady like you still hasn't been married?"
"I honestly don't know. You should ask my parents why they insist on being so picky. " He laughed at her remark.
"Oh Dear, You might make them feel foolish if they ever heard you say that."
"Maybe they are." She glanced over at them for a quick second and noticed them looking at her. She quickly pulled away from the kind stranger. "I'm sorry, sir. It seems my gown is warmer than I thought it would be." She rushed to the doors in the ballroom that led to a courtyard that had a marble patio that was surrounded by flower gardens.
When she burst through the glass door, she sat in a patio chair that rested beside one of the many statues with the gardens. The cool night air felt lovely against her skin which had become overheated due to the stress of the night she had thought she anticipated.
"Beautiful night out. Isn't it?"
The voice made her jump so far into the air, she nearly fell of her chair.
"Oh my word." She had her hand to her heart, hoping to slow the beating. "You scared the living daylight out of me." She looked over and saw a man leaning up against the statue beside the chair.
"My apologies."
She was immediately hypnotized. He had a very nice suit on that had to cost a fortune and even through all that material you could see rippling muscles. His dark brown hair was neatly combed so it perfectly framed his gray eyes that pierced hers with such intensity. When he smiled, she noticed that his teeth were perfectly straight and the whitest she had ever seen on a man. He twirled a white rose in his left hand.
"I hope you don't mind but I stole it off one of your…," he glanced at the mass collection of roses, "various rose bushes. Quite the collection, might I add."
He came and sat beside her. "You must be Emily. Not one for balls, are you? Especially your own? I get it. I've been there."
She didn't know how a man of such beauty could have use of a ball such as this one. The only thing she got out was a pitiful giggle.
He smiled. "Not one for talking either? Alright. Maybe next time." He stood once again and turned to face Emily. "I'm not one for balls either. I just came to see what all the fuss is about. Or who for that matter." He smirked. "I will say that I don't regret it."
He grabbed her hang gently and placed a kiss with his plump lips upon the back of her hand that send pulses of warmth up her forearm. When he released her hand, he placed the rose upon her lap and with a wink and a nod, turned to leave.
She quickly spoke. "Sir, do you intend to stay for the ball?"
He turned. "I think I might just head back to the inn. These events are something I have found quite dull during my 24 years of life. However, I am staying in town. I'm sure I'll see you."
Through the disappointment, she was only able o get out one more question before he disappeared through the glass doors. "Can I at least have the knowledge of your name?"
He looked at her over his shoulder, a soft smile playing upon his lips.
"Lord Barkis Bittern." He slipped away through the bodies that still swayed like the ocean.
