A/N: It has been...soooo long and I sincerely apologize for that. This chapter and the next couple of chapters were/are difficult for me to write.
As always, thanks to all who've been reading and reviewing. It really means a lot.
Chapter Nine
In Which She is Swept Away
Ann was practically pulling Arabella's arm off because she was so excited. The entire day had been spent preparing for tonight. Arabella's friend bought two dresses and spent about two hours debating which to keep and which to return to the store. Afterwards, Ann practically begged Arabella to teach how to waltz, even though Arabella insisted it wasn't really necessary, and let's not even mention applying make-up and dressing up their hair. Arabella felt exhausted, and the party hadn't even started yet.
It always amused Arabella how excited Ann could become for events such as these. Most of the time it seemed like Ann could care less about parties of the "upper class", but that cool façade broke as soon as today came. The shocked look on her Ann's face, once they reached the Spencer's mansion, was more than entertaining. The Spencer's home had two stories, not including the basement beneath the first floor, and a left and right wing. The home was built in the Victorian era and the consistent upkeep of the grounds and home itself kept it looking as grand as it probably did those many years ago. Even Arabella couldn't help but be in awe of the Spencer's home.
"Sweet Jesus Arabella! Look at that!" Ann pointed excitedly. "They got a bloody fountain in front of their house! It's huge! It even got a fancy statue in the middle of it!"
"I can see it Ann. Now stop tugging on me!" Arabella broke away from Ann's tight grip.
Ann rolled her eyes. "Well I'm sorry that I'm not a frequent attender to events like these!"
"It's just a birthday party…"
"Miss Walker," Arabella's father spoke up. He had just gotten back from parking the car. "I'd appreciate it if try your best to contain yourself."
"G-got it Mr. Roland! Thanks so much for letting me come along!"
"I'm not the party host, Miss Walker. Be sure to thank Ethan when we go in." He said, walking ahead of them and towards the house.
"Yes sir!" She said, then turned towards Arabella. "Sweet Jesus, I dunno if I'm more nervous about making a fool of myself or what your father will do if I do make a fool of myself."
Arabella laughed. "Just be yourself…a slightly toned down version of yourself, and you'll be fine."
The two young ladies followed Arabella's father into the home. At the door, they were greeted by doormen, who took their coats and directed them towards the dining room. Ann wore a deep green sweetheart neckline flare dress, while Arabella wore a white embroidered A-line dress.
"I feel so undressed," Ann muttered, checking out what the other guests were wearing.
"You look fine. Trust me, Ethan will probably care less either way." Arabella reassured her. She led Ann to the dining table and sat down beside her father, who was already conversing with a colleague besides him.
The table held about fifty guests in total: relatives of the Spencers, friends of the family and a few personal friends of Ethan himself. The party was an annual affair thrown by his parents and the guest list has changed just about every year. Some people were added. Some people were taken off. Arabella and her father started coming about five years ago, and have also been invited to the occasional Christmas and New Year's party the Spencers threw.
Among all the guests she'd met in here for the past five years, her favorite fellow guest member was Ethan's grandfather from his mother's side, Florian. He was a funny old man, who refused to be called anything but Florian or "sir". During the first party, he had found her by herself on the balcony talking to Linore, who wanted to come along. He didn't think it strange at all and even asked her to him more about Linore. In turn, he also told her stories of his experiences with the…unexplainable or supernatural.
"Arabella, I'm glad to see you've made it safe and sound," The said old man greeted her with a wrinkly smile and sat down across from Ann and Arabella. "I was beginning to get tired of conversing with these coots." He said gesturing to the a couple just a few seats over. "I daresay I can't decide which is more annoying, Mr. Winston rambling on about his son's recent marriage or Mrs. Winston complaining about the lack of décor."
"It's better than having Ms. Deacon critiquing your choice of wardrobe," Arabella pointed, recalling her unfortunate encounter with the old middle-aged widow last year. "Honestly, if I want fashion advice from an overdressed peacock, I'd go to India myself."
He laughed at this. "To right you are." Florian turned to Arabella's friend. "And who might this be? Surely not Linore…"
"No sir, this is Ann Walker. Ann, this is Florian."
"You call me either Florian or 'sir'." He held out his hand for a firm shake.
"Yes sir, how do you do?" Poor Ann responded rather stiffly.
The old man was laughing again. "No need to be so uptight. I know parties like this may be intimidating, but they're really nothing at all. Now the Christmas parties those are a different matter altogether."
"He's right you know," Arabella chimed in. "Anytime they have one, it becomes a sort of contest to see who brings the best gift for the blind gift exchange."
"One year, a guest brought an antique three-piece knife set. My son-in-law, you know Mr. Spencer, always had attraction towards things like that. Of course you could imagine the look on my daughter's face, when it was little Ethan who ended up with the three knives. She nearly blew a gasket and the roof sky high!" Florian began to bark with laughter, only to die down when the chiming of glass brought the entire table to silence.
Mr. Spencer stood wearing a dashing tux. "I'd like to give a toast to my son Ethan. My dear boy, it's been a good two year since you turned seventeen. When on Earth are you moving out?"
This caused ripples of light laughter from the rest of the guests. Ethan, who sat at the head of the table, merely rolled his eyes, but even he couldn't help but crack a smile. "When you've finally learned the difference between a computer and a television set," He responded, causing more laughter.
"I daresay you have done nothing to help me with that." More chuckles and Mr. Spencer waited for silence once more before speaking again. "But with your sharp wit and good marks, I'm proud to say that you've grown into a fine young man and will surely become a proper gentleman when you're older. I daresay where you get these good genes from…"
"It's obvious he gets them from me." Mrs. Spencer spoke up, causing the table to ring with light laughter again.
"To Ethan" Mr. Spencer finished his toast, raising his glass. The rest of the guests followed in suit, and the four course meal began.
The entire room was filled with light conversation. Florian was speaking about a recent supernatural experience he had in India, which Ann held great interest in, while Arabella's eyes scanned the room at the other guests. Some people spoke of relatives, others of recent politics. Some guests ranted on and on recent events of their lives, while other simply smiled and nodded on occasion.
Her eyes caught Ethan's, who smiled at her and gave her small wave. She smiled shyly back and turned to join back in conversation, only pause mid-motion when she spotted a head of blonde hair. To her horror she recognized a man seating but a few seats down on her left. It was Mr. Lucius Malfoy and he was currently engaged in conversation with a middle-aged woman. He seemed to have sense her gaze for he glanced up for a second. His thin lips upturned into a slight grin and he gave a slight nod of the head before returning his attention to the woman babbling beside him.
"Arabella," Ann gave her friend a slight nudge. "What's wrong?" She followed Arabella's sight to Mr. Malfoy. "Woah…never knew that there were still men who grew their hair that long and not manage to look like some metal rock lover that lives in his mum's basement. He looks like a bloody aristocrat. Didn't know you were into older men Arabella," She said, wiggling her eyebrows.
Arabella flushed and developed a sudden interest in the food on her plate. "I-I do not. Besides most people at this table are. You know, aristocrats I mean. No that man…" She trailed off, debating on whether or not to tell Ann. "That man…I've met him before, on that day we went shopping for dresses."
"I woulda noticed him if he was there!" Ann said loudly, drawing attention to herself.
"Ann!" Arabella whined, begging her to keep her voice down.
"Sorry…it just I definitely woulda remembered him if I saw him."
"It was after you had to go. We met at Charing Cross Road. I didn't know he knew the Spencers, if I did then…" To be honest, there wasn't really anything for her to have done differently. Did the Spencers know that this man was a wizard? Was it possible that there were more wizard, or even witches, sitting at this table right now?
Her eyes did a quick scan of the table again. Nobody stuck out in particular.
"Bella, are you okay? Did that man…do something to you or…?"
She shook her head. "No…of course not, he was a perfect gentleman…for the most part…"
"Well what the bloody hell does that mean?" Ann asked.
"He did speak to me in a…condescending tone I guess."
"Hmph!" Ann began chewing rather viciously on a piece of meat. "Typical aristocrat, huh. After dinner, Imma give 'im a piece of my mind."
"Ann! Don't do that!" Arabella pleaded.
Florian nodded in agreement. "I think it is best that neither you or Arabella go near that man tonight."
Arabella was surprised. "Do…do you know this man Florian?"
"We've…crossed paths before. Don't pay him much mind though, but since you've met him once already Arabella…" The old man's brows seemed to furrow in thought. "I think it may be best you not stray too far from me tonight…"
Ann's eyes darted back and forth between the two. "Hey…this isn't one of those supernatural things again is it? Already feel left out enough with Arabella alone…"
Florian laughed off the discomforting atmosphere. "Nope, not supernatural in the slightest! But it does remind me of the time my late wife was convinced that she bumped into a vampire in a hotel in Romania. How she did that in broad day light was beyond me! Vampires are very, very sensitive to light you know…"
Arabella tried her best to calmly enjoy the rest of dinner, but know that Mr. Malfoy was sitting on a few seats down was nearly unnerving. She managed to keep her eyes from wondering in his general direction again, only to find herself worrying more. What if he was sneaking glances at her? What if she was being extremely rude by avoiding his gaze?
The night dragged on and the party migrated to an open ball room. There was live orchestrated music playing in the background while the guest stood around chatting, sipping their alcoholic beverage of choice. Ethan had found a chance to still a short dance with Arabella, and even Ann found herself dancing a simple waltz.
"It's a lot easier than it looks!" She exclaimed to Arabella after a musical piece ended.
"I told you that you didn't have to worry about that…" Arabella said her voice trailing off. Her wondering eyes had gotten the best of her and she was now staring Mr. Malfoy head on. He began to make his way over to her from the other side of the room. "…oh no…"
Ann noticed the man heading their way. "You want me to get him to back off?"
"No…I'll...I'll just go off to the bathroom or something."
"He's going to corner the moment you get out!" Ann whispered quickly, since Mr. Malfoywas making decent ground now. "You just have to be straight forward and tell him you don't want to talk to him…"
"In the middle of a party!?" Arabella whispered back in shock.
"No…in the middle of the moon. Of course here! It's now or never!"
Arabella was beginning to shake out of nervousness when Mr. Spencer swooped in to the rescue…or so Arabella thought. "Arabella darling, enjoying the party are we?"
She took a breath of relief. "Yes, Mr. Spencer."
"I was thinking you can play your little song for Ethan in a few minutes. I was just talking to your father about it. He's says you've been practicing very hard." He said with a jolly grin on his face.
"Yes, of course. I'm very excited for everyone to hear it."
"Splendid, splendid…ah! Lucius!There you are! Enjoy the party are we?"
"Why yes. There are quite a number of…interesting guests, including this one here." said Mr. Malfoy, indicating to Arabella. She wished more than anything than to shrink into the ground at that very moment.
"Oh this young lady here is Miss Arabella Roland!" Mr. Spencer gestured to her. "And Miss Arabella, this is Mr. Malfoy."
She dipped into a small curtsy and shivered at the small smirk upturning the corners of Mr. Malfoy's lips.
"A pleasure…I couldn't help but over hear that you are gifted in music?"
Arabella forced a smile. "Yes I am."
"I'm a lover of the arts myself, perhaps we could further talk about it. I know a few people who may be interested in having you play for them…"
"But you haven't even heard me play yet." Arabella pointed out, but Mr. Spencer cut in. "Talk to the poor man Arabella! This will be a good opportunity for you! You there!" He pointed at Ann. "You are Arabella's friend yes?"
Ann nodded. "Yes, yes I am..."
"My wife has been meaning to talk to you. Why don't we go find her so Mr. Malfoy can talk to Arabella without any distractions."
Ann stomped her foot down. "I am not a distraction and Arabella doesn't want to talk to Mr. Malfoy."
Mr. Spencer couldn't comprehend what Ann just told him. "What? I see no reason why not...?" He looked pointedly at Arabella for an explanation.
"Well…it's just that I just met him so I'm a bit uncomfortable speaking to him on my own…"
"Oh don't be ridiculous Arabella. I'm sure Mr. Malfoy understands that you might be a little…"
"She says she doesn't want to talk to him, so she doesn't want to talk to him!" Ann shouted, loud enough to make the small orchestra stop playing and for all heads to turn towards them.
Arabella was mortified and ran. The rest of the guests watched her go, murmuring amongst themselves as they did.
It wasn't until she reached an empty hall did Arabella stopped running. Immediately, she began to feel the guilt. She shouldn't have run from Ann like that. Ann was only trying to help her…but it was so embarrassing. It was so rude…but she was only trying to help…
She took a few calm breathers, before recomposing herself. Now she had to face the humility of returning to the party. Ann was going to be so angry with her…
"Miss Roland, I'm glad to see that you're alright."
Arabella nearly jumped out of her shoes at the sound of Mr. Malfoy's silky voice. "Oh yes…I'm fine. Perfectly fine. Just g-got a bit overwhelmed for a moment. I…" she began to stutter like crazy, not really sure what to say. All she could think of was Florian's warning to keep away from Mr. Malfoy tonight.
"You know," He began, idly examining the cane he held. "I could have sworn that last week you seemed more than willing to meet and speak with me. Why the sudden change of heart?"
"It's just…well…I wasn't really expecting to see you here tonight. I mean, pardon me for asking, but how is it that you know the Spencers? I thought you were a wiz…"
"I am, and I have my ways, Miss Roland. I guess you could say I have many tricks up my sleeve," He came in close, an arm snaked around her shoulders. "Why don't I show you a few?"
Arabella's stomach dropped. "I really think I should be going back to the party…"
"No, Miss Roland. You won't be going anywhere." He whispered into her ear. There was a loud crack and the two disappeared from the hall.