Chapter 3
Hermione spun around to look in the doorway where Draco was leaning a shoulder nonchalantly against the doorway. His eyes held that frosty blue look she was used to seeing as a kid. Her hand came up against her throat as she looked behind her and saw the gentleman stand up straight.
"And who might you be?" The Earl of Canton demanded.
Draco lifted a sardonic brow; she had never seen him look more like his father in any moment. "I am the Lady's cousin."
The Earl of Canton brought his hands behind his back. "That still does not tell me who you are."
"That is of no consequence to you, sir, what I am concerned about is you assaulting my dear cousin in her very own drawing room. There is no chaperone about, what of her reputation, sir?" Draco's voice dripped with hostility.
The man's face grew red as he stared at Draco who stared back nonplussed.
"Lady Sofia," The Earl Canton said taking her hand, "Will you do me the honor of letting me escort you later in the park? I shall bring my phantom."
Hermione's face lit up and she swayed slightly towards the Earl. "That would be lovely." She said slightly breathless.
"I shall be here a five to get you." He bowed over hand and kisses the back.
The Earl walked passed Draco without so much of his head. Draco's glare moved to Hermione. She watched the Earl grab his coat and top hat at the door from the butler and leave.
Once the front door closed Draco started to slowly stalk towards Hermione. "What do you think you were doing?" She demanded breathlessly. "Why couldn't you introduce yourself to the man?"
"Maybe," he started, "because all I know is I am to be Matthew." He kept walking towards her.
Hermione slowly backed away from Draco. She kept telling herself that she wasn't intimidated by him, but in truth she really was. He reached out a hand and ran a fingertip underneath her chin to lift her head. Her eyes looked up into his.
"You, madam, must restrain yourself. You are not here to form an attachment with any gentleman. We are looking for a way to leave this time period. Do not fall in love, Hermione." Draco said.
Her face flamed at his words. She threw her had back and crossed her arms across her middle. "I am not planning to attach myself to any gentleman in this time period or the next. I am playing the part that is simply unraveling in front of me. I suggest you do the same."
"Do you?" he demanded. "Pray tell, what part is that?"
"You know exactly what part that is. Or at least you will once you figure out exactly whom you are impersonating. We cannot stick out here." Hermione danced around Draco and moved to the bay windows looking out over the street.
Hermione heard Draco leave the room and ignored him. She watched the horse traffic on the street in front of her. She had always thought this time period to be romantic; and to live it! To experience everything she had read. She admitted to herself that she was just excited about tonight as she was apprehensive about not being able to dance. She had no idea how she was to get around that.
Draco was stalking through the greenroom to the garden out back. Today was one of those rare English days; it showed no sign to rain and it was unseasonably warm for being March. He strode through the garden fuming about the scene in the parlor. He knew he should have ignored it and walked away, but a part of him wouldn't let him.
He slowed his steps as he walked through the roses. How was he supposed to keep himself distant from the one thing he knew he couldn't have but longed for, for so long?
Hermione came down the grand staircase at wearing a lavender riding habit with a matching bonnet and gloves. She had protested at the silly looking had but her maid had insisted. Her maid said she was already too tan being a lady.
She thought she look absolutely silly with the hat jauntily to the side with the ribbon tied underneath her jaw.
The Earl of Canton was in the foyer waiting on her. He was dressed up in brown riding breeches and jacket. He gave her a charming smile that warmed her heart. "My Lady, you look ravishing."
Hermione gave him a smile and walked over to the butler who gave the Earl of Canton her cloak to help her assist put it on. She really doubted that she needed it seeing as how warm it was this morning. Not only that the layers she wore would cover her.
Either way she smiled graciously at the Earl. The butler opened the door and bowed to them. His vehicle was a smart looking phantom with yellow wells. He had matching bays at the front. They were beautiful creatures. The Earl helped her up in the seat before taking the one next to her.
She looked around while the man expertly held the ribbons, maneuvering the horses around other vehicles and pedestrians. They entered the park ten minutes later and Hermione's eyes were assaulted by rainbows of colors. Men and women were glamorous in their riding dress.
The Earl laughed beside her. Hermione turned and looked at him inquiringly. "What do you find so amusing, My Lord?"
His smile was that of an amused man. "The look on your face, as if this is your first time in the park during the season. Which we both know it is not."
Hermione quickly composed herself. "I am just always in awe of all the wondrous colors that are presented for all to see. Much like peacocks strutting about."
Before he could say anything people were already waving them down to stop and talk for a moment. Hermione tried her best to act like she knew everyone that spoke to her. Her head was spinning with names and trying to keeps facts as they drove through the park.
They were talking to a Marquess and his Marchioness when out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw Harry. Hermione quickly turned her head and scanned the men on horseback. The man had ridden off but she would have bet it was him. Her heart was racing. What if they were in this time period? Oh, God, she thought, this adds too many different scenarios.
She heard the clatter of hooves before, "Ahh, there you are cousin." Draco rode up on a black beast that had to of been sixteen hands tall. He wore brown breeches and black coat. He sported a top hat on his head to cover it from the sun.
Hermione nodded her head. "Matthew." She replied.
To her right she heard the Marquess the Earl was speaking to say, "Your Grace, how very pleasant to see you back into town."
Draco's expression became smug as he looked at Hermione before replying, "Yes it is very nice to be back."
"May I present my wife, Marchioness of Faulkhurst." The Marquess said.
Draco inclined his head. "I would bow quite properly, My Lady, if I were not on top of this beast."
The lady laughed and smiled at him. "How charming, Your Grace, but there is no need for that."
Well at least we know who is supposed to be, Hermione thought. After a few more moments of idle conversation with the couple and Draco their vehicle moved forward. It was a very pleasant ride and Hermione enjoyed herself immensely. She never wanted the moment to end.
The Earl knocked on the door before taking her hand. "I hope to see you at the Parkinson's ball tonight."
"I shall be there." She promised.
He bent over her hand. "Save me a dance." He nodded as the door opened and walked back to his waiting vehicle.
Hermione hurried up stairs where her maid had a bath waiting on her. The maid helped her out of her outfit and turned to the bureau to pull out a gown for that evening for her. Hermione had gotten used to the maid helping her dress, but being there while she bathed was different. She bit her lower lip and contemplated on it. It would be too weird if she protested the presence when no one during that time ever did.
She took a breath and put her feet in the bath and lowered herself in. Her maid came over to wash her hair and helped her out of the bath. Her maid put a robe around her shoulders and urged her towards the fireplace to dry her hair.
She wasn't used to someone else brushing her hair, but it felt wonderful. She wished she could just lean her head back and let the maid continue to do so.
As soon as her hair was dry Mildred lead her to the dressing room to help her into her evening wear. Tonight's ensemble would be a pale blue gown of silk. It had delicate cream embroidery of flowers around the skirt. The dress was sleeveless but she had a cream shawl to go over her shoulders. Her slippers and gloves felt like butter they were so soft. They were of the same cream color. She sat patiently while Mildred dressed her hair and stuck baby's breath in her curls.
It was after Mildred put the Amethyst and diamond jewelry that she looked up in amazement. She looked almost like a completely different person.
As she walked down the drawing room for pre-dinner drinks she felt her stomach lurch with anticipation. She was worried about Draco would think. That made her pause for a moment. Why should she care what he thought?
As Hermione stepped into the drawing room Draco's brandy snifter stopped halfway to his mouth. She was a vision in lavender. He almost didn't recognize her. His breath caught in his throat. Heat rushed through his body as his eyes traveled over her. Her dress hugged her figure nicely showing a small slender waist. Her bosom was pressed up high with a nice low cute bodice. The jewels sparkled about her wrist, throat and ears. But what caught his attention most was the brightness in her eyes.
He had never seen her look so.
He gave himself a mental shake and moved over to the older gentleman and Hermione. He listened to the man tell her how lovely she looked, that no one else could possibly compare to such rare beauty. Draco couldn't agree more.
"My Lord, dinner is served." Said the butler in the doorway.
The gentleman held out his arm to Hermione so he could escort her into the dining room. He trailed behind so he could watch how her hips swayed seductively in the dress.
His thoughts were getting too dangerously provocative. He needed to back off, he warned himself.
He feared he wasn't strong enough to do so.
I want to thank everyone who has been reading and subscribing to this story; most of all those who tell me what they think. You make me want to write more! :)