Belle braced herself against the tall chest of drawers, holding in her breath, whilst Ruby pulled harshly on the strings of her corset, constricting her waist to some unnatural girth. A grunt escaped her as Ruby yanked on the next crisscross of the strings, pushing forcefully with her other hand in the middle of Belle's back. Normally, they wouldn't have been making such an effort. Belle hated the tightness of a corset. The constrictiveness and breathlessness were too taxing to spend a whole day in one. And with no one, but her father and usual guests to impress, there had been no need to stand on ceremony, allowing a small lax in her corset strings.
Tonight, was different.
Tonight, she would be presented before the critical eye of society and their shame of an engagement would be announced. The idea made her gulp down the bile taste in her mouth. The butterflies, which had accompanied to Lord Gold's estate, hadn't dispersed and were swarming like a tornado in her stomach. Making her gradually feel sicker and sicker, throughout the day.
Being around him hadn't helped, either. His indifference was killing her. He readily took her hand, escorted her from rooms, returned to her side like a loyal hound when his business had been completed. Playing the dutiful fiancé in front of her father. The reality of the situation was so easily confused with the fantasy playing out in her mind. Belle wished, she could tell him how he tormented her – the smell of him, his smile, the small touches to her back. It was so blatant that he was unfazed by her. There had been no hesitation, when he had broached the subject of their arrangement, wanting to ensure they were going through with it as though they were discussing the weather. Whereas, Belle could've died at the thought of him recanting his offer. Thankfully, the children had been there, giving her an excuse to gain some distance from him and reel in her misgivings of his natural inquiry.
Her corset squeezed a groan from Belle, pushing every bit of air out of her lungs, as Ruby reassured her. "Nearly done."
Belle bent her head forward and closed her eyes, fighting the urge to take a breath. It was going to be worth it, she told herself, tightening her grip on the chest of drawers as Ruby yanked the laces of the corset. Once the evening was through, and she was freed from this blasted corset, they'd travel back to her father's estate, have the bans read and she would've done her duty.
"And… Done!" Ruby declared, tightening the bow, she had tied at the bottom of the corset.
"When can I breathe?" She asked, lulling her head to the side to see Ruby behind her.
Placing a hand on Belle's shoulder, she asked her friend. "Can you not breath? Have I done it too tight?"
"No, it's fine." Belle turned enough to show Ruby a smile. "I hate wearing it so tight."
Ruby squeezed her shoulder as she said. "It's only for tonight… And your wedding day."
"Oh, Lord, I forgot about that." She grumbled, slumping against the chest of drawers.
"It wouldn't hurt, if it was only snug on your wedding day. Make it easier on Lord Gold." Ruby teased with a smile.
"You know very well, he's made it quite clear, he doesn't expect me to uphold my responsibilities." Belle peered over her shoulder as she spoke, hating the truth of her words.
"A girl can hope." Ruby shrugged her shoulder before she turned, saying. "Let's do your hair, while we wait for Mr Mandermer to deliver your dress."
Pushing up first her right shoulder, then her left, Belle wriggled in her corset, seeking to gain a little comfort, while she ambled to the dressing table and sat down on the plush stool. Ruby grabbed the small box containing hairclips and slides from one of the travelling cases. With a small grimace, Belle pulled at the bottom of her corset as Ruby bent herself around her to put the small box onto the dressing table.
"Do you want it a certain way?" Ruby enquired, leaning back to stand behind Belle.
She met her friend's gaze in the mirror. "Whatever you fancy."
Giving Belle reflection a displeased look, Ruby pressed. "It's been ages since you've been to a ball. At least, try and enjoy tonight."
"Well, that's not going to be hard tonight. I shan't be accosted by Gaston, for most of the evening, and I'll at least have Mr Mandermer for company." She allowed herself a small grin, at the prospect of Gaston's absence.
"And Lord Gold for eye candy." Ruby added, winking at Belle.
"Ruby!" Belle warned, while her smile grew.
"Now, Lady French," Collecting Belle's luscious curly long hair into her hands, Ruby surveyed Belle's hair, asking her. "How would you like me to do your hair this evening?"
Thrusting her shoulders up and dropping them hastily, she told her friend. "You know, I don't care for such things. I leave the decision up to you."
"Fine." Ruby rolled her eyes, like she always did, and swooped around Belle to grab the hairbrush from the dressing table.
The hard bristles of the brush pulled back her hair, straightening out her curls, as Ruby collected all of Belle's hair into her other hand. Her eyes wandered from the mirror, her thoughts taking her down the maze of corridors to his rooms, wherever they may be. Belle speculated the image of him, standing in front of a mirror, dressing himself for tonight's ball. He was always so well presented. Apart from the one infringement, where she had happened upon him getting changed, Lord Gold was the idyllic picture of a gentleman. Handsome, elegant, honourable. There was certainly going to be many ladies swooning over him tonight, while some were going to be dismayed to hear of their engagement. Clasping her hands in her lap, Belle wrung her fingers, despising the thought of another lady gaining his attention.
Holding Belle's gathered hair tightly in her hand, Ruby leaned around Belle to retrieve a clip from the box. "The servants are having their own little party in the servants' hall. The Earl has arranged for us to have a musician for the evening, and plenty of food and drink."
"Don't enjoy yourself too much." She smiled at her friend. "I'll definitely need your assistance to get out of this corset."
"I'll leave you a sharp blade." Ruby jested, as she separated out a portion of Belle's hair, clipping the majority of it to the top of her head.
Her eyes widened at Ruby's reflection. "Don't you dare, Ruby Emily Lucas! Or I shall tell Granny!"
Working her fingers through Belle's hair, Ruby plaited one side of the section of hair she had left loose, telling Belle. "Course, I wouldn't." The right side of her lips quirked up into a sly smile. "But I might need it."
"Try not to overindulge, Ruby. I don't want to spend my night, nursing you, while your head is buried in a bedpan." Belle cautioned as her maiden set to braiding the other half of the section.
"If I remember, correctly, my Lady." Her tone was direct. "It was your fault I had gotten into such a state." Shaking her head, Ruby muttered. "Seeing as it had been your idea to steal your father's port."
Belle blew out a harsh breath. "I'll have to watch how much I consume tonight, so I can keep a clear head. I dread to think of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person."
"Oh, Lord GOLD!" Ruby proclaimed close to Belle's ear, startling her.
"Ruby!" She admonished, shifting sharply on the stool to turn and face Ruby. "Someone will hear you!"
"Sometimes you worry too much." Her friend remarked, pushing on Belle's shoulder for her to turn back around, skilfully holding the ends of the braids she had finished.
"If it wouldn't question his honour, or my integrity, you could shout it from the rooftops, for all I care." She told Ruby, swivelling back to face the mirror.
After tying the two braids together, Ruby unpinned the hair on the top of Belle's head, letting it fall loosely down around her shoulders, while she secured the clip to the neckline of her dress. "Once you're married then, I could run about the halls, screaming his name?"
"Ruby!" Belle stared daggers at her friend in the mirror.
"Alright, alright. I'll behave." Her grin was wicked. "For your sake."
As Ruby wrapped the braids over Belle's hair, joining them at the crown, she pinched the ends together, holding them in place, while she leaned around Belle, again, to take a jewelled clip from the box, with Belle telling her. "I don't need you drawing my attention to him, when my mind already does such a fine job, already."
"Sorry." Her friend was remorseful as she fixed the jewelled clip into place, joining the two ends of the braids.
Wrenching at her fingers, Belle was repentant for her brashness. "No, Ruby, I'm sorry."
Ruby smiled at Belle in the mirror, while she brushed out Belle's loose curls. "You needn't be. I hadn't meant to upset you with my jest. Only to distract you."
"I wish it was that easy." She remarked, tipping her head forward in shame.
"If its any consolation," Ruby began to tell her, placing her hands on Belle's shoulders, drawing her gaze to the reflection of them in the mirror. "The servants don't have a negative thing to say about him, unlike Gaston's servants. He's kind and generous to all of them. Takes care of all of their needs and listens to them. If something needs addressing, he swiftly deals with the issue."
Gently squeezing at her shoulders, her friend rested her cheek to the side of Belle's head, sharing with her. "If you had to marry someone, to get away from their buffoon's advances, then Lord Gold is unquestionably the right choice, Belle."
Touching her right hand to Ruby's sat on her left shoulder, Belle held Ruby's gaze through the mirror. She already knew, Lord Gold was an exceptional man, when held in comparison to Gaston. She had known it, from the moment, she had saw him in her father's foyer. He behaved like any other gentleman, but there was something about him, that was different. An air about him, which put her at ease. This was why, she wasn't worried about living the rest of her life with him. She just didn't know, if she could endure the intense emotions he provoked in her presence, in her mind and in her heart.
"Are there any scantily clad women about?" The playful call of Mr Mandermer made them both smirk and chuckle.
"Only those waiting for their dress to arrive." Belle raised her voice.
"Then wait no more, my Lady." His voice was distant. "I have arrived with your dress."
Belle twisted and pointed to her dressing gown. "Pass me my gown, Ruby."
Taking two steps away, Ruby grabbed the dressing gown, from where it hung on the edge of the door, and handed it to Belle as she stood up from the stool. She put it on, while sidestepping the stool and ambling to the door. A slight skip to her step. Securely wrapping the flaps of the gown across the front of her, Belle drew the tie around herself and tied it, snitching it into her waist, as she entered her bedroom. The door opposite to her dressing room, leading to her sitting room, was a jar. Quickening her step, Belle was soon pushing the door further open, peering round the edge of it, smiling when she saw Mr Mandermer, standing next to a large box he had placed on the seat of the large sofa.
"My word, Lady French, you have no need of a gown, because you look amazing already in your… dressing gown." He greeted her with a bow and a cheeky smile.
"Flattery is not called for, Mr Mandermer." She good-naturedly admonished him.
"In the presence of two beautiful women, my Lady, flattery is always called for." Mr Mandermer said, while giving Ruby a nod of acknowledgement.
Turning her head to look at Ruby, they shared a look of amusement before Belle moved further into the room, turning her attention back to Mr Mandermer, motioning to the large box on the sofa. "Is that my dress?"
"Of course." He braced a wider smile for her.
Brightly, Mr Mandermer promptly skirted to the box on the sofa, knocked back the lid and carefully lifted the silk gold gown from the box. He held it up to her, his fingers posed on the very edge of the dress. Belle blinked her eyes in disbelief. The neck dipped a little lower than she would've chosen herself, daringly showing slightly more cleavage than she was accustomed. It looked to nestle around her bosom, pushing them up and emphasising the size of them. The waist pinched in before the skirt flowed down to the hem, decorated with intricate little flowers, stitched in a shiny blank thread. Encircling the hem of the dress, were larger flowers, similar to the small flowers, sewn in the same glittery thread.
Wide eyed, her gaze took in every inch of the dress, finding something new every time her eye passed over it. The dress was a statement. Proclaiming the wearer to be a woman, a lady, and not the girl she had been, when she had arrived. And that she would be the future Countess of the Frontlands.
"I hope it pleases you, my Lady." Mr Mandermer voiced his worry.
Her eyes lifted to him, but returned quickly to the dress, expressing her gratitude. "It's exquisite, Mr Mandermer. I'm indebted to your kindness and appreciative your good taste."
"It's beautiful." Ruby chided in with her opinion.
"I dare not wear it, because it is so lovely, but then I won't have anything to wear." Belle disclosed to them, letting her eyes rove the dress once more.
"I would say, I would not complain of you wearing less, but I fear someone other than your father, would have my guts for garters." Mr Mandermer commented as he laid the dress over his left arm and scooped up the dress with his right, and with ease brought the dress over to her, offering it to her. "If you would do me the honour, my Lady, I'd like to wait for you and escort you down to the ball."
With a puzzled look on her face, Belle smiled at him, regardless of his strange comment. "I'd very much like that, Mr Mandermer."
Swooping in between them, Ruby gathered the dress from Mr Mandermer's arms, bobbing down into a curtsied, and skirted off into the bedroom, while Mr Mandermer said to Belle. "Also, I think, seeing as you'll be married to my best friend in a few days, you should take to calling me Jefferson."
"Then you should call me, Belle." She directed him, reaching out a hand to touch Mr Mandermer's arm.
Mr Mandermer smiled, slightly bowing his head to her. "Then, I shall wait for you."
"I won't be long." She told him, lifting her dressing gown, and the skirt of her petticoat underneath, before retreating back into her bedroom.
Excitement, giddiness, eagerness urged her to rush back into her dressing room, where Ruby was waiting for her, holding the gown at arm's length, surveying the elaborate stitchwork embroidered onto the gold silk. Belle rushed to take it from Ruby's hands, finally holding the beautiful dress in her hands. Throwing an arm around Belle, pulling her friend into her side, Ruby couldn't help but touch the dress, smoothing the pad of her thumb over the raised pattern of the dress.
"Belle, this is… It's stunning!" Her friend revered.
Shaking her head in disbelief, Belle said. "My father could never have afforded a dress like this. It is a shame I've got to wear it.""
"Never mind that kind of thinking." Ruby took the dress from Belle. "Let's get you into it and ready for the ball."
While Ruby unbuttoned the new dress, Belle tugged on the tie of her dressing gown and whipped it from her shoulders, hastily shedding the extra layer to let it drop into a heap on the floor. Hooking her arm into the dress, Ruby gathered the skirts onto her arm, preparing to feed the dress over the top of Belle's head. Totally blown away, Belle couldn't believe Mr Mandermer had gotten her such an expensive dress. She dreaded to think how much it had actually cost. And as the smooth fabric passed down her arms and over her head, enveloping her, she feared the fantasy building in her mind could take hold of her. Dressed like a princess, it would've been even easier for her, to fall into the trap of picturing herself and Lord Gold into some timeless tale of love.
Tiptoeing around Belle, Ruby peered over Belle's shoulder, joining her to admire the reflection in the mirror. "Oh, my Lord, Belle, you look magnificent!"
The bodice of the dress gradually began to cling to Belle as she responded to Ruby. "I do not." She bit her lip at her reflection. "This dress is what's divine."
"No, Belle." Ruby disagreed, whilst she finished the last button of the dress and placed her hands on Belle's shoulders, moving her head to appear over Belle's other shoulder. "It merely emphasises how beautiful, you already are."
Belle gave Ruby a flat look through the mirror. "Stop it."
"I will not stop. Regardless of your dress, you're going to make everyone's heads turn tonight, especially Lord Gold's." Ruby squeezed her fingertips into Belle's shoulders, stressing her point.
"Shush!" She spun round, pressing her finger to her lips to quieten Ruby, scared Mr Mandermer would hear them.
"Belle, you're supposed to turn his head, you're going to be his wife." Ruby explained with a quick glance at the doorway.
Slightly turning her head as she looked at Ruby, it took the fact a fraction of a second to registered with Belle, blowing her eyes wide. "I am."
"Yes, you are." Ruby nodded her head slowly at Belle.
Years of drumming etiquette into her and behaving prim and proper, Belle had forgotten the basic lie, which their engagement had originated from – They were in love. Being worried of gaining his attention, should've been the last thing on her mind. She wanted his attention. She wanted him to touch her, to speak with her, to lovingly gaze at her. All these things, which had been tormenting her, were exactly what Lord Gold should've been doing. She was the one, who could've brought their engagement into question. And that was the last thing she wanted, seeing how in favour Gaston was with her father.
"Do you want some rouge on your cheeks?" Ruby asked, turning to retrieve the long silk gloves from the top of the chest of drawers.
Belle shook her head as she took one of the gloves from Ruby. "No, I don't think so…" She stopped pulling the glove onto her left hand and looked into Ruby's eyes. "Unless you think I do?"
Shaking her head, her friend gathered up the long sleeve of the other glove, telling Belle with a shake of her head. "No. Not at all."
"I hadn't thought about it like that." She admitted in a low voice to Ruby, smoothing out the sleeve of her left glove.
Ruby gave her a knowing smile as she fed the gathered glove onto Belle's right hand. "You don't need to hide your feelings."
"No… I suppose I don't." Belle acknowledged.
They shared a look. There was nothing in Ruby's eyes that gave Belle any reason to worry. The truth was exactly as she had said it. 'You don't need to hide your feelings' was the truth. They were engaged. In two days, they would be married, husband and wife. Society expected to see some kind of affection between them – limited, tasteful affection. Showing them how she felt was not a problem and giving those slight touches, loving smiles and longing gazes would be easy. Doing those under his scrutinising gaze would be mortifying. The humiliation of him finding out, she harboured feelings for him, after he had clearly stated they wouldn't have physical relations, would kill her.
"Let me just brush out your hair and you're ready to go." Ruby moved around her to claim the hairbrush from edge of the stool, where she had left it earlier.
Adjusting the ends of her gloves, Belle withdrew to earlier in the day, when she had witnessed the marriage agreement her father and Lord Gold had signed. There had been a short discussion of terms, which her father and him had discussed before Lord Gold and Mr Mandermer had left her father's estate. She had been astounded to hear he had refuted her dowry. Her heart had lurched at the fact. Secretly wanting his reason to be, because she meant more to him than money did. While her mind had questioned it, pushing the fact she wasn't good enough for him and neither was her father's money. His eyes had lifted from the piece of paper as he had been about to sign, giving her time to interrupt him. They held each other's gaze, offering nothing to each other. Belle would've smiled at him, giving her intended a small offer of encouragement, if the circumstances had been different. But after a beat, Lord Gold had lowered his gaze, not needing the reassurance, and had signed with a very sure flick of his wrist.
Behind her, Ruby did one more stroke of the hairbrush down the length of Belle's loose hair, smoothing her hand down behind the brush. It was hard to believe that they would be married in a couple of days. She, Lady Isabelle French of Avonlea, would become the Countess of the Frontlands. These rooms would become hers. This huge mansion would become her home, and everyone residing there would be her new extended family. Yet, even though she was grateful for what Lord Gold was doing for her, what he was sharing with her, there was only one thing she wanted and it squeezed her heart to know she'd never have it.
Ruby touched her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "There you go. You're ready."
"Thank you, Ruby." Belle pivoted enough to thank her friend, while she carefully gathered her skirts to turn properly.
"Be mindful of the hem of that skirt." Her friend warned as she stepped out of Belle's path.
"And you be mindful of overindulging yourself." She told Ruby with a cheeky smile.
Her smile died as soon as walked away from Ruby. Walking through into her bedroom, cutting through to meet Mr Mandermer, Belle raised her hand to cover her stomach, guiding against the somersaults her stomach was performing. The gravity of the situation was slowly dawning on Belle. Her life was never going to be the same, ever again. She would be bound to him, forever. Her interest in him, her attraction to him… dare she say it, her love for him, torturing her till the end of her days. So many women, and men, had been in her shoes before and had the strength to endure it.
'Do the brave thing, Belle, and bravery will follow', her mother's voice assured her as she flounced into her sitting room. Mr Mandermer half turned from the fireplace and smiled at her, while he finished turning to face her.
"My lady, you look… Amazing." He complimented her.
"Thanks to you, Jefferson." Belle smiled after saying his name.
His gaze trailed down the length of the dress, saying as he approached her. "I think in this instance, it's the woman that makes the dress, not the dress that makes the woman."
"Oh, stop it!" She waved off his compliment. "Or I'll be blushing a deep rouge and drawing questioning looks to me."
"Then take my arm, Belle, and I'll silently escort you to the ball." Mr Mandermer instructed with a dashingly bright smile, extending his right elbow out to her.
Belle returned his smile as she hooked her hand around his arm and abided his lead, when he started to escort her around the perimeter of the furniture to the door. At the door, Mr Mandermer carefully unlatched her hand from around his arm and hastily opened the door, bowing to her, allowing her to go through before following her. Hitching her hand back onto his arm, Mr Mandermer led her down the hallway, retracing the route Mrs Potts had shown her to her rooms.
Turning the corner and walking along the hallway, windows encroached onto the front of the property, framing the view of carriages lining the driveway. Intrigued, Belle nosed at the scene of carriages, slowly edging around the oval, delivering its passengers to the front door. She could remember as a small girl, watching carriages arrive to attend the balls her parents held. They weren't as grand as tonight proceedings, but to a young child, watching all the gentlemen and ladies disembark from carriages, wearing their best. Staged like characters from a fairy-tale. The balls Belle had attended, hadn't been as grand as tonight either. Lord Gold's stature and wealth were irrefutable, and generated a magical air to the evening.
"A lot of people are going to be interested in you after your engagement is announced. The news is going to shock a lot of people. But I don't want you to worry, I'll be close to your side, when Lord Gold is entertaining." Mr Mandermer informed her.
They got to the end of the hallway and ambled out onto the landing, slowing their step to turn towards the stairs, as Belle asked. "Why would the news shock people?"
Chatter murmured below in the foyer as Mr Mandermer halted them, telling her. "For years, gentlemen have offered Lord Gold their daughter's hand in marriage. His dear mother, before she passed, advised him to get remarried, but he's always abstained from the subject of marriage."
She frowned at the news. "Oh…"
"Disregarding the motives behind your union," Mr Mandermer gave her distinct wink of his eye. "I, for one, I'm glad you'll be joining us."
Incapable of controlling herself, Belle openly regarded him, reading between the lines and suspecting the point of his suggestive wink. It would've been imprudent of her, to assume Lord Gold wouldn't have confided in his closest confidant, just like she had done with Ruby. It still surprised her to learn someone else knew of their deception.
"And me!" Came a little voice from the other side of the landing.
As Belle and Mr Mandermer turned their gaze to the little voice, another voice chirped in with their agreement. "And me!"
The tops of three heads were protruding over the top of the banister, beaming a nervous smile to them. The tiny hit of angst Mr Mandermer had given her simmered to nothing at the children's admissions. They had become her shadow. Greeting her, when she had left her room that morning. Towing her off to their secret fort in the gardens, hidden inside of a hedgerow, where someone had placed a stone bench years ago. They had spent the previous evening, dragging her around the house on a tour. Endeavouring to show her all the secret passageways and cut-throughs.
"You three, to bed with you!" Mr Mandermer hissed at them, surging his free hand out to order them to bed.
Neal stood up. "Please, Uncle Jefferson, let us watch everyone arrive."
"Oh, yes, please, father!" Grace bounced up, bumping into Neal.
"Please!" The third, Charlie, Mrs Potts son, joined their stand.
Observing them, Belle couldn't help but smile as Mr Mandermer dropped his arm, telling the children. "The three of you were sent to bed an hour ago. You promised to remain in your rooms."
Grace lurched forward, bracing her arms onto the banister, lifting herself up onto her tiptoes. "Please, father!"
Mr Mandermer pointed his finger at his daughter. "If you can remain quiet and out of sight, then you can stay, but I want you to bed when you hear the clock below strike seven times. And if you're still here, when I come and check, I shall chase you all to bed. Do you understand?"
"Yes, father! Thank you, father." Grace was accompanied by Neal and Charlie, bestowing their own thanks on Mr Mandermer also.
"Shall we?" He said to Belle, inciting her to descend the stairs with him.
Belle spied on the children hidden behind the spindles of the banister, whispering to Mr Mandermer. "You know, as well as I do, they're not going to sleep tonight."
"Hopefully, they'll be too tired and we'll get a lie in tomorrow morning." He muttered back to her, leaning in, so he could lower his voice.
The children peered through the gaps in between the spindles, sticking their heads partially through, allowing them to watch Belle and Mr Mandermer descend to the foyer below. Since withdrawing to her room earlier, giving her time to prepare for tonight, flowers had been decoratively hung from the descending banister, weaved through the gaps. Candles had also been lit in the foyer, painting the walls with warm ambient light, while highlighting the natural shadows. The vast fireplace had a very large bouquet of flowers, where a fire would normally be built. Belle smelled the air, taking in the fresh flowers and burning candles. The smell was absolutely divine.
Their paced slowed at the bottom of the stairs, conceding to a couple, and their young daughters, trapsing after the other guests heading to the ballroom. The couple's gazes both veered to Belle and Mr Mandermer. They gave Belle the majority of their time before their attention would appear too noticeable. Sharing a look between them, Belle stepped off the last step in time with Mr Mandermer, falling into line behind the couple and their daughters. One of the young ladies sneakily turned to glance behind her. Eyeing first Mr Mandermer, then lingered her gaze on Belle before her eye met with Belle's and she hastily turned away.
Mr Mandermer angled himself into Belle. "Fine beauty always attracts the eye."
"And being a new face in the crowd." She commented back.
"Or," He glanced around dramatically before countering her reply. "They are more taken with our exquisite attire."
Briefly, she dropped her gaze to his bold purple jacket, contrasting with his blue pattern of his waistcoat, the black collar of his shirt and the dark pink cravat he wore around his neck. All of these things were so outlandish, but after getting to know him a little better, were all so Mr Mandermer. Belle smiled, appreciating his brashness.
They followed the couple and their daughters around a corner in the hallway, which was also lit with candlelight and cleverly decorated with flowers. All the way along the hallway, a vine like decoration, with different colour flowers, was wrapped around the doorknobs of each door. Roping off the rooms, which were probably locked, but were out of bounds during the ball. Belle's eyes traced the vine as they slowed their pace to stop behind the couple and their daughter, leaning her head to the side to see the vine disappeared into the ballroom. The decoration was interesting. She'd never seen anything like it before. More evidence that demonstrated Lord Gold's wealth.
"The Earl and Countess of Lichfield, and their two daughters." The herald proclaimed to the room as the Earl ushered his wife and two daughters ahead of him, his eyes drawn to Belle as he did it.
While the small family headed into the room, the herald slanted himself forward, preparing to receive the invitation, but once he saw it was them, he turned to the room and raised his voice to announce them. "Lady French and Mr Mandermer."
A sea of eyes watched them entered the room. The queasy feeling, she had earlier, returned with vengeances. Her hand tightened on Mr Mandermer's arm, drawing his gaze to her. The children had fleetingly shown her the ballroom. A vast room with long windows, stretching from floor to ceiling. Murals were painted on the walls and ceiling, depicting different scenes – couples and groups dancing, musicians, children playing and vistas of angels gazing down on them from the heavens. The quick look about the room, hadn't given her a perception of how many people the room could hold. Confronted with so many people, Belle could hear the call of the library, extending an offer of sanctuary to her. Everything was so much bigger in his world. It was overwhelming.
A gentle hand touched the top of her hand, taking her mind off the room, enticing her to look at the kind smile Mr Mandermer easily gave her. Towing her to one side of the room, Belle let Mr Mandermer take her. The balls she had attended, had been smaller. Immensely smaller. The impulse to run was nipping at her heels, yet Mr Mandermer's smile gave her a minute sense of ease.
"It's okay. Lord Gold's just over here." He shared with her, patting her hand.
Her eyes bulged a little at the news. Belle had forgotten about him during their little trek through the house to the ballroom. Breathing in and blowing out the breath, she recanted her mother's words inside of her head, 'Do the brave thing, Belle, and bravery will follow'.
The Earl and the Countess were talking to Lord Gold as they moved toward him. She sucked in her bottom lip, appreciating him. Loving the way his hair was perfectly combed, parted and combed to the side. The soft smile he gave the young ladies as he bowed to them. It was one of smiles she admired, but not the one which made her toes curl. His black velvet coat had a bold gold pattern stitched around the high collar, trickling down to pool in the lapels of his coat. The same pattern was etched around the cuff of his sleeves. The pattern continued, but was adorned on his gold waistcoat in black stitch, glittering like the thread, which had been used to stitch the flowery pattern on Belle's dress. Squinting her eyes, she recognised the patterns were very similar. Probably done by the same seamstress.
Nevertheless, as she appraised his appearance, Belle could've melted into a puddle at his feet. His appearance was not that much different from during the day. Except with the magic of the evening, the heightened awareness of him soon being her husband, and her undeniable growing affection for him – Lord Gold was striking.
"If I get a chance, Lichfield, then I will endeavour to seek you out later." Lord Gold ended their conversation, bowing to the Countess and her daughters again.
The Earl smiled and nodded to Lord Gold, whilst shepherding his wife and daughters away. Out of their sight, the smile on Lord Gold's face faltered and his shoulders slumped under the strain of his hosting duties. The gentle pull of Mr Mandermer urged her to move with him. As Lord Gold turned his head to them, preparing to continue his duties as host, their gazes met for the first time that evening.
Presented in front of him, Belle casted her gaze down and curtsied to him, bobbing back up to meet his gaze as he straightened from his bow. The nervousness she had been feeling evaporated in his company. The din of everyone mingling and the music playing softly in the background, hushed down to a whisper as they gazed at one another. She was totally mystified with him. His eyes were almost black as he gazed upon her, sweeping his gaze down her dress and back up to confidently meet her gaze. Giving him a soft smile, Belle waited, secretly hoping, for him to disclose his sly smile to her. Anticipating the familiar rush, which coursed through her body, triggering the shiver that ran from head to toe, curling her toes to breaking point. But it didn't come… He stood in front of her, holding her gaze, with his hands clenched down at his sides. It was slightly unsettling that he hadn't said anything. Verbally greeted her, gave her a compliment, commented on the evening.
Lord Gold simply remained still.
"Rumford…" Mr Mandermer softly whispered to his friend.
A big dramatic blink of his eyes and Lord Gold veered his gaze to Mr Mandermer, prompting Mr Mandermer to say in a quiet voice. "Say something, you fool."
His dark brown eyes moved back to her, forcing her to take a breath, when he bestowed a smile on her. He took a step toward her and held out his hand to her. Dipping her gaze to his outstretched hand, Belle without thought, laid her free hand into his and lifted her gaze to dive into the darkness of his eyes. Lord Gold bent himself forward, puckered his lips and placed a firm soft kiss to her gloved hand, maintaining eye contact with her.
As he reclined back, he told her. "Lady French, your beauty this evening dumbfounds me." The soft brush of his thumb over the tops of her fingers distracted her as he asked. "May I dance with you later?"
"I haven't got my dance card yet." She licked her lips, trying her best to maintain the pretence with him. "But I'll mark you down for one, as soon as I get it, my Lord."
"See that you do, because I shan't be dancing with anyone else this evening." He said in a low husky voice, whilst lifting her hand higher, bending again to meet her hand, placing another kiss to the curve of her knuckles sheathed inside her glove.
Belle bounced down into a short curtsy to him. "Yes, my Lord."
Lowering their joined hands, Lord Gold took a gracious step back from her, watching her closely as Mr Mandermer gently steered her away. Belle turned her head to keep her gaze on him. Unable to control herself, wanting and needing more of him. Her undying wished clawed at her heart, nearly bursting with the need to confess her deep regard for him. The truth of his lax interest in her put a downer on the moment. Focusing her thoughts on the truth of the matter, Belle withdrew her attention from him and returned the smile Mr Mandermer was giving her, when their gazes happened to meet before she looked away. Pondering how she would cope with the torturous effort of dancing with him this evening.