She was a pretty little thing, he thought. Blond curls dancing as they waltzed across the room. And her brown eyes sparkled as if inviting him forward. He had seen his sister's grimace as she walked away and knew exactly what she was thinking. Jealousy, that's what it was. She thought no-one was good enough for him. He could not see he was guilty of the same thing, no boy would be good for enough for her. Anyway, she was wrong, he thought. Ellen was plenty good enough for him!
She put her hand on his arm as they came to a standstill and her touch thrilled him. "Oh, Little Joe," she repeated, "you are such a good dancer!"
"So are you, ma'am," he laughed.
He knew she was vapid but he did not care. A pretty girl did not have to be clever. He wondered if he could get her outside later for a clandestine kiss. She might slap him, but it would be worth the risk. But looking into her velvety receptive eyes, he somehow did not think she would.
Her breasts swelled against the tight bodice of her dress as she leaned against him and he had a job keeping his eyes off them. Fortunately she completely misunderstood. Or did she?
"I see you are admiring my dress," she simpered, giving him a swirl.
"Er...yes," he answered lamely. "It's very nice."
"My Ma helped me make it. It took us all week. Those frills were a devil to do."
He had a sudden mad desire to cup them in his hands. His father would have dunked him in cold water if he could have read his thoughts. He forced his eyes upwards to her face.
"You're both very skilled seamstresses."
"Oh, we're not seamstresses! We're not that skilled!"
"Well, if you can make clothes, that means you're a seamstress."
"All girls can do that, silly!"
"All girls? You've only met my sister once."
"You mean Marie's not very good?"
"I mean she is diabolical. I'd be surprised if she can thread a needle."
Ellen tittered, her laughter like music on his ears. "Oh, Little Joe, you're so funny!"
"I'm not joking," he said seriously.
"Didn't your Ma teach her? Or didn't she learn at school?"
"Our Ma died when we were five."
"Oh, Joe, I'm so sorry, I didn't - "
"It's OK. As far as school is concerned, no, she didn't learn. Miss Jones tried to teach her once but she was so awful she gave up. Pa bawled her out. Said she just wasn't trying and was giving her teacher a hard time." He started laughing. "And it's true. She wasn't trying!"
He really had to get away from the girl because his thoughts were verging on dirty. She turned from him to another man and he was resolved. He definitely would try to get her alone later.
As he got himself another drink he saw Marie chatting very closely with a tall, dark man. He frowned for he seemed slightly over familiar with his sister. He reasoned Marie could look after herself and thought no more about it.
