Chapter VI

(Sorry for the long delay in publishing this chapter, starting university last year seemed to leave me no time to do anything else! Thanks to my new followers—and to my old readers too! Hope you enjoy!)

September continued drearily, the Autumn was fast approaching and I was tired of wandering about the house or the gardens with only dear Papa to talk to; thank heaven for the county ball or I should have died of boredom! It is an annual public ball, held in —shire and always a very merry occasion! I was thankful of the distraction it provided, for Papa, perhaps noticing that my spirits had been somewhat low of late, had said I may buy whatever I had a fancy for, and I occupied myself in attending dress fittings and going to town to purchase items for my toilette.

The ball was held, as always, at Lingley House, a large house—very old I believe, and full of charming, crooked passages and sequestered nooks. The sort of house one might imagine as the setting for a novel. We arrived at seven. Papa accompanied me as he did every year, it was not in his habit to attend balls usually but he always made an exception for the county ball—Mrs Newell, an old family friend, also accompanied us as my chaperone. It was a bitter night and the chill went right through me as I stepped out of the carriage, but the busy crowd within made it warm and cheerful inside. I went straight to Milicent Lowdale, a friend from S—; she met me in excellent spirits.
"Dearest Rosamond! Is it not glorious?"
"I declare it is! Why Milicent you are positively glowing, is it a certain gentleman that has put such colour into your cheeks?" I asked teasingly as I saw her glance distractedly at a gentleman a little way across the room.
"Oh tush! It is nothing but the warmth!" she replied, lightly batting away my inquiry with a wave of the hand, "though I will not deny that I find a certain gentleman standing by the pianoforte exceedingly handsome!" She continued pointedly.
I turned in the direction she had intimated and did indeed spy a rather dashing young man conversing with a lady by the instrument.
"Do you see him?" Millicent asked.
"Yes."
"Is he not handsome?"
"Indeed he is! Have you discovered his name?"
"Alas! No."
"Why then Milicent, you must make it your task to have found it out by the end of the evening."
And leaving her with the challenge of discovering the identity of this anonymous beaux, we parted to dance.

My dance card filled up at a delightful pace. The first partner took me for a Polka—he was tall with dark hair and eyes, and at least two decades older than me; then came an exceedingly dull squire whom I could not wait to be rid of, followed by a succession of very agreeable gentleman, including officers of the —th regiment. Well, I shall not bore you with details of every partner but there was certainly one dance in particular that made my heart beat faster than the rest. It was taken in fact, by the young gentleman Milicent had singled out at the beginning of the evening—one Mr James Granby. Papa had dined with his grandfather, Sir Fredrick, and I had heard his name mentioned more than once but prior to that evening had never before set eyes on him. He was very young and handsome, not so angelic as St John, nor so prepossessing, but there was a glint in his eye that spoke of a lively spirit and his manner—charming, witty and excessively good humoured—could not fail to please. Indeed, he was the most admired gentleman present, and I felt many envious eyes upon us as he took my hand.

"Miss Oliver," he said as he took me for a waltz, "I am very glad to finally have the pleasure of making your acquaintance."
When he spoke, his voice was gentle and soft, in quite a different way to Mr Rivers'.
"You speak as though I were much talked of."
"I have heard you spoken of many times. You are much admired, Miss Oliver."
"Indeed!" I laughed gaily with a blush, finding his boldness pleasing, I had had enough of steely reserve!
"But I suspect you have never heard my name," he went on and their was a genuine bashfulness in his manner that was endearing and void of artfulness.
"You do yourself a disservice Mr Granby for I have heard your name mentioned at least a dozen times before tonight."
"Should I be concerned or flattered?" he laughed.
"No, I assure you, when I hear you talked of it is never in any tone but one of praise and approbation."
And upon my saying so he twirled me around with a speed that nearly took my breath away!
"You are an excellent dancer Miss Oliver!"
"And you are quite a wicked one!" I answered smilingly.
"Forgive me," he said gently, "I did not mean to startle you."
"Not at all," said I, enjoying the dance and the company of my partner the dance was over he thanked me and declared that he 'could not remember having enjoyed a dance so well!'

"Nor I, indeed!" I replied, "It is a splendid ball is it not?"
"Oh yes, very splendid! I have not been to a ball for many months."
"Did business keep you from amusement?" I answered, "or studies perhaps?"
"Nothing so constructive! It was but some trouble with my health."
"Oh, I am sorry!" I replied, feeling as though I had been prying.
"You are very kind but do not fear, I am entirely recovered! Though it was a very sad nuisance at the time; my constitution is not sickly and I am not used to being confined indoors."
"Well, I am very glad that you are well again Mr Granby!"
"As am I. If I were not I should not have had the pleasure of our meeting."
I was flattered by his compliment and answered with a smile and bow of my head.
A moment later four pretty sisters approached Mr Granby and proceeded to surround him with small talk, each evidently desirous of dancing with the gentleman and of driving me from his presence. They were the Grey sisters. Their father, a distant relation of Sir Fredrick through marriage, had recently lost his fortune at the gaming tables and the sisters' consequent circumstances perhaps explained their eagerness to find a husband, and the lively manner in which they attempted to engage Mr Granby in conversation. Mr Granby introduced me to his acquaintance but the sisters did their best to make me feel their displeasure and as I could not dance with Mr Granby again without some appearance of impropriety I left to find refreshments.

I availed myself of some ices and found Papa conversing with our hostess at the end of the room.
"Rosamond, my darling," Papa said as I reached his elbow "Are you having a merry evening?"
"I am!" I answered.
"I see you have been dancing with young Mr Granby," our hostess, Mrs Drew, observed, "Such a charming young man! Tell me," she continued leaning closer in a confidential manner, "Do you not think him a handsome young man?"
"Yes, I suppose he is."
"'Suppose'. Why, I see the colour in your cheeks! Your daughter is too diffident Mr Oliver," she teased.
At that moment I felt an arm clasp mine and Milicent was at my side, I was glad for this interception, for I could indeed feel the blood rising to my cheeks.
"Yes, that's right, you young ones go and enjoy yourselves," Papa said smilingly with a wave of the hand, "You do not want to be stuck talking to your old Papa."
I kissed Papa on the cheek and was pulled away by Milicent.
"Well Rosamond, it seems you were quicker to complete my task than I," she said somewhat curtly, "I have discovered the gentleman's name at last, it is James Granby, but I suppose that is no news to you. Was he a good dancing partner?"
"Exceedingly good," I replied, not caring to humour her jealous mood, which in truth only increased my pride in my conquest, if I may call it such on so little ground as a pleasant dance and an agreeable conversation.
Millicent made no answer for a moment, in which it seemed she swallowed her envy, for she then asked in a more cheerful manner for particulars of Mr Granby's behaviour, his person, his style of dancing, his voice etc, all of which details I was happy to oblige her with. By the end of the night we were perfect friends again, it is fortunate, I think, that she did not observe the smile and words of farewell Mr Granby crossed the room expressly to deliver me.

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