Chapter 15: Sebastian POV
The music flowed over the guests, about 30 in all, and the undercurrent of clinking glasses and laughter could be heard as the band switched between melodies. The Tutor was standing beside the door, and had already attracted quite a few young woman to him. I frowned. No, the Tutor was female, but passed as a male. Lived as a male, and was accepted as such. He at first politely turned a few down, but more came along, and he soon caved. The original woman who had asked pouted and he assured them that he would dance with them all.
It was fascinating to watch as he guided them through the Waltz, Cakewalk, Polka, and Mazurka. I watched as his card was filled, and he hardly rested. The men watched as their wives and daughters went up to the Tutor, gushing about how wonderful a dancer he was, and asked for the next available couple dance. I looked over at the growing number of men who were holding brandy glasses and saw the looks on their faces.
"Bloody man dancing with our wives," one muttered as he and another man passed me. "I once was graceful."
"Yes, we were. But you know the ladies, they see a new man, and it's all shiny and new."
I watched as the Tutor once more was bowing at his partner and lined up for a rousing Quadrille, which the young Master stepped up to be part of. I watched as another couple smiled and the young Master was turned away as another young lady came to take the place beside the Tutor. I frowned, it was rather rude to cut a young boy off from a dance, and even more so to cut the son of the host. The Tutor stepped out of the line and went to the young Master. I walked around, keeping an eye on the moody men, and walked closer to the young Master and the Tutor.
"But I want to dance!" Master Vincent said, stomping his foot.
The Tutor nodded and bent down and set his hands on the boys shoulders. "Look at the card, what is the next dance?"
He pouted but picked up the card and looked. "A Waltz."
"Now, give me a pencil, and I will write your name in," he said. He turned the card to show the young Master his name. "See? Vincent Phantomhive," he said. "Now, observe the dance. It is quick. I will quiz you in the morning."
The young Master pouted but the Tutor melted into the dance and effortlessly picked up as the music played.
"I hate dances. I hate Mr. Hyde," he muttered.
I bent down and looked at him. "Would you like to practice with me? I'm afraid I am not much better at this. You can show me."
He studied my offered hand for a moment and looked up at me. "Promise not to correct me?"
"Young Master, I don't think you can dance to this wrong."
He smiled and looked at the Tutor. "You think he will see us?"
I straightened and took the young Master's hands. "I think all eyes will be on you, young Master."
I heard a crash in the corner and my head snapped up, narrowing in on the sound. Two men were fuming and Baldroy was picking up the broken glasses. He seemed to be calming the man down and laughing about the incident. I kept an eye on the crowd and the Master and Mistress, who were having a lively conversation with several other Nobles.
The music ended and the young Master quickly bowed and ran to grab the Tutors hand. I straightened out of my own bow and smiled as the Tutor met my gaze. He nodded his head to something that the young Master said and he let the Tutor the lead. For a moment I was mesmerized at the way the suit flowed and could imagine her wearing a dress that flowed elegantly around her. I paused in my musings and watched the Tutor. Had I not seen those long arms move and the legs take long strides in a dress? I thought back to the woman at the pub.
"If he would let others have their bloody turn!"
I cut my eyes to the men and then the young Master ran past me, tears streaming down his face. I moved forward and then was collided with by the Tutor. He looked up and was startled, but merely muttered he was sorry and brushed past me. I turned to watch him dart around the door and then shattering of glass was heard.
"Let go of me! Unhand me!"
I was at the side of Finnian in an instant, and saw at once the men who were grumbling about the Tutor were now rather inebriated and irrational. Finnian looked at me and frowned, twisting away as one of them men reared back and was about to punch him in the face.
"Please, no violence," I said, catching his fist. I gave it a small squeeze, hearing his knuckles pop. "Shall we all get fresh air?" I added with a smile. I grabbed the two men and guided them out of the Ballroom, Finnian trailing behind, watching the other men.
"Unhand me! You - Servant! Get me another brandy!"
"No, I think you have had quite enough. Now, the front door is close, so we shall stand in the cold until you sober up." I looked at them both and smelled the alcohol. "Someone has been getting into the Christmas spirits a bit too much," I added, cheerfully. "Now, here we are," I said, opening the door.
Again things seemed to happen all at once. I opened the door to the front stairs, and the men spotted the Tutor kneeling beside Vincent who was pouting but not crying. They saw this as an opportunity to take him on, and ran toward him, scaring Vincent, who took off between their legs and down the left side, while the two men tackled the Tutor and he fell to the right.
"Vincent!" I cried, wishing the boy would stop, and turned to the fallen Tutor. I waded between the men, and pulled them off the man. "Are you injured?"
He shook his head and tried to stand even as the two men tried to kick him. The door behind me opened and three more men came out, grabbing the two and trying to talk to them. I let them go, and helped the Tutor up.
"Vincent," he gasped and I looked at where he was looking. In the snow, by the fountain, lay the young Master.
"Stay here, let me get him." I raced down the steps and scooped up the young Master, assessing if he was hurt. He was breathing, his clothes were unharmed, and I sighed. "Young Master, you gave me a scare."
"As he should," a deep voice said behind me. I didn't have to turn to see the Demon that was there. The Tutor was halfway across the lawn and I held out the limp body of the young Master.
"He is fine. Can you hold him?"
"Of course," he said and looked up at me. I wondered if he saw the Demon behind me. If so, he said nothing and turned back to enter the Manor.
I myself closed my eyes and whirled around, letting my physical shape melt away and my true self step back to meet the Demon. I sank my claws into it as soon as I turned, sending inky black ripples into the cold night. I surged and growled, nipped, clawed, destroyed. I ripped the Demon to shreds, and delighted in each swipe.
As I walked back into the Ballroom I felt much calmer and more focused. The Tutor was dancing with the young Master and then they both bowed out and retired to bed. I watched the dancing continue, enjoying the music and the swirl of Humanity.