Chapter 3: A Proper Gentleman
Meanwhile, Layla and her family prepared to attend the dinner party at the Bergenfield Manor. As they each descended the grand staircase, they were ushered to their car. Naturally Makara and Layla pretended to be the most loving of sisters, even though in reality the fact that they were sitting next to each other made them sick. As they neared the Manor Layla saw her father wink at her from the rear view mirror and she smiled feeling more confident and reassured.
As they exited their vehicle the girl were escorted by butlers behind their parents into the foyer of the large manor. As they walked past Layla could not fail but to notice the many stares she received. Obviously everyone was shocked that she would be there without Ardeth. Still she glided through the crowd with ease as though nothing could touch her.
As they approached the grand stair case Layla heard her parents being announced to the waiting crowd below in the lower ballroom. She waited behind her sister and rolled her eyes as her sister was announced and single men rushed to the bottom of the stair case to greet her, hoping she would pick one of them for the first dance of the night. As Layla approached the announcer spoke to her while looking at the list of names in his hand.
"Mrs. Bey, I presume?" he asked.
"No, Ms. Layla Rahal" she said in a sweet but correcting tone.
The announcer nodded and cleared his throat.
"Ms. Layla Rahal!" he said loudly into the room
The crowd went deathly silent as Layla descended the stairs. She smiled down at all the faces graciously. As she reached the bottom of the stairs she looked to see James Bergenfield bowed at the waist with his hand extended to her. Taking his hand she watched as he rose and grinned at her and slightly lowered her head as she curtsied to him before her escorted her into the crowd as the noise began to build once again.
The two walked slowly around the noisy crowd as James introduced and re-introduced her to people both new and old. Layla smiled and graciously answered questions about her life with the Med-jai and why she decided to return to "proper" society. Once the initial greetings were finished each lady was escorted into the dining room adjacent to the ballroom by a gentleman.
As James escorted Layla into the dining room he smiled devilishly at her and led her to a place of honor near the head of the table, on the right of his father, next to his mother and across from him. Everyone was shocked by this bold moved, even Layla. Throughout dinner Layla was bombarded with even more questions.
"Layla my dear, you must tell us how is life in the middle of the Sahara?" Lilly Arlington the wife of Lieutenant Harvey Arlington asked
Layla finished her bite of steak and smiled to hide her irritation of people's ignorance to the beauty of the Med-jai culture.
"You make it sound as though we live in the middle of the dessert Lilly." Layla said with a laugh, "Actually there are several oases located within the Sahara the village is located in one of them."
"Well I heard that the men treat their women like slaves." Lady Christie Rose said aloud.
"Actually that couldn't be further from the truth Lady Rose. Ardeth never raised a hand to me. In Med-jai culture it is an extreme act of dishonor to harm a woman or to treat a woman especially ones wife with disrespect or dishonor. Women are held to very high esteem, which is more than I can say for most in this room." She said with a grin to her dad whom chuckled silently.
"Well what kind of men are this Med-jai?" Harvey Arlington asked.
"Military mostly" Layla responded.
"Military you say. I heard that these men are mercenaries" he pressed further.
"No not at all far from it. Med-jai only kill when needed. They are more or less protectors of sacred sites and artifacts of Ancient Egypt, especially those that legend has could be dangerous." She said
"And how is it being a wife of one of these men?" Lilly asked
"It is like being a wife to any military man. It is hard. There are times when he must leave and doesn't return for months but yet you stay and pray that he will return safely to you and in the same condition as when he left. You pray that by the rising of the sun you'll see him ride into town and that you'll be able to run into his arms and then take him in yours and never have to let him go for a long time." She said with a sigh as her memories traveled back toward Ardeth, and how much more in love she became with him every time he returned from battle.
"Well naturally, but then I must ask Ms. Rahal why are you not waiting now what brings you back?" Harvey asked
"I realized that though I loved Ardeth very much, the wife of a Med-jai Chief is not where I belong. There were admittedly more bad times then good, but I have no one but myself to blame. I was blinded by adventure and a rouge smile but I have since come to my senses." Layla said
"Well we all make mistakes, but we learn from them. However your humbleness should hold a lesson for all women in this room. You are truly a goddess amongst women Layla." James said to her effectively putting a stop to questions about her life.
Layla smiled in thanks and dinner continued with much more light hearted conversation. After dinner the crowd formed back in the ballroom for music and dancing. As is tradition the head of the household and his wife begin the first dance while young ladies claw for attention from James. Layla laughed at the sight and stood next to her father at the back end of the room.
Moving past the sea of women eager for his attention James determinedly made his way toward Layla.
"May I have this dance?" he asked her with a bow
"Yes you may." She responded with a curtsy.
As James led her out on the floor she chuckled at the jealous looks from the girls on the side. James smiled at her as they glided across the floor. Gradually other began to join in the dance and as the floor became crowded James led Layla into the garden. Once they were alone he hugged her like he had been wanting to all night.
"Oh Layla I'm so glad your back" he said
Layla laughed "I'm glad to be back James" she said hugging him back.
"Shall we walk?" he asked extending his arm to her.
"We shall" she said while looping her arms though his.
As they walked deep into the garden they talked about everything and nothing. They laughed and joked with one another as though Layla had never left. As they approached the family's private lake they walked on to the dock as sat in the gazebo at the end of it. Layla smiled and looked up to the moon and a small part of her wondered if Ardeth was looking at it too and thinking of her.
"Layla I must confess the reason for this walk is not just because I missed you." James said
"Really then what is the reason?" Layla asked with a smirk.
"It is because I am in love with you, and I always have been. The day you left with Ardeth Bey was the most painful day of my life. I should have told you long ago, but I did not have the courage and my own cowardice cost me you. Layla you are nothing short of a goddess and if you allow me I will show you the worship you deserve everyday and every night. You deserve nothing less than a proper gentleman." He said
"I don't know what to say" she said
"Say yes" he pressed.
"James this is so much. I just left my husband and now this. It is a lot to process all in one day. I need some time to think. This is a big transition for me I just need to think it over. I rushed into one relationship and it did not do me any good, I do not want to rush into another." She said honestly.
"I understand take all the time you need." He said with a smile.
"Thank you James" she said and lightly kissed his cheek.
"Well now let's get you back to the house. The party will be ending soon." He said as he took her hand and led her back to the house.
Arriving back just in time the two slipped into the dancing crowd as though they had never been gone. After the last dance James escorted Layla to her father's car and helped her in.
"Goodnight my fair Layla" James said with a smile
"Goodnight James." She relied as he closed the door and the car started down the drive way.
"I trust everyone had a good time" Seth said
"Yes a very good time" Layla said with a smile to her father that only he understood.
The rest of the ride was silent and everyone quickly retired to bed upon their return, everyone except Layla who could not help but to stare at the only picture of Ardeth she had. Going to her window she looked up at the moon that was still shinning bright and thought of Ardeth.
"Why do you torment me so?" she asked to no one before closing her drapes and going to bed.