"She must be so upset," Maggie muttered, rushing after her, daintily skipping around the spilled wine.
I realised my hand was still holding Mr knightelys and I quickly dropped it.
"Well go on then," Sandra flapped her hands at us hurriedly, "go on, dance."
"My ankle-" I began but my aunt ushered us forward and I was reluctantly led towards the middle of the hall.
"You should've just dance with her." I hissed at him before giving him my hand.
"She looked as though she would claw my eyes out if I misstepped." He shook his head and took my hand.
I took a moment to glance at his face wholly for the first time as the musician began to play and saw he had most of the typical human features with a head of dark hair and similar coloured eyes.
Although, I noticed that a muscle would keep twitching on the side of his face and he'd squeeze my hand tightly for a second before suddenly loosening his hold and giving me wary look.
"Stop looking at me like that," he muttered as I squinted closer at his face.
"Like what?" I asked.
"Like your assessing me, stop it."
I drew away from him for a moment, "I'm not assessing you, I was merely looking at your face, it that a crime now?"
"Your making me nervous, I'm not use to being stared at." He replied.
I glanced away from him and lowered my eyes to his chest instead which wasn't as interesting to say for the least but smelled magnificent, like mint and vanilla.
"So," I began, "tell me about yourself."
"Isn't much to tell," he turned sharply, almost tripping me over my feet and I clenched his arm to steady myself.
"Will you slow down? I can barley catch up."
"I'm going at a moderate pace, try a little harder," he replied.
"Try a little less instead or I'll fall to the ground and you can explain whilst I wail," I snapped back and he begrudgingly began to slow his pace.
"Tell me, how long have you lived here?" I asked after a moment of tense silence.
"I came a few years ago after being discharged."
I smiled in surprise, "you were a soldier?"
"I suppose so," he replied and I couldn't help but look up at him in a different light, I had special respect for soldiers.
"Where were you located?" I asked
"In France mostly."
"Oh tell me about that land, I've always wanted to go there, I heard it's such a beautiful place." I looked at him expectantly and he huffed but obliged.
"Well I guess it isn't as rainy as England and the language sounds quite mysterious to foreign ears."
"It does doesn't it? So smooth and romantic."
The corners of his lips turned up slightly in a smile and he nodded, "I have to agree and the food is quite interesting too, they make wonderful bread and the streets are always cobbled and crowded but I like it that way, gives the land a homely feel, I must say I'm glad that France has always been an ally of our country, makes staying there quite pleasant."
"Tell me about the people Mr knightely," I liked the sound of his voice, low with an almost undetectable growl behind it, like a mild soothing rumble.
"They're quite standoffish at first, a little like the russians and many claim not to speak English when really in fact they do but they are kind to an extent and will help you when you're in need of it."
I listened quietly as he spoke of his tales and stories from overseas. Initially he had felt like a rocking boat being taunted by angry ocean but as he told me about his adventures and travels, the jitteriness and cutting words faded away and all I could hear was soft amusement and fond memories.
"-one of my men actually spotted a deer in the forest when we were camping one afternoon, it was a beautiful creature, something out of a painting with its large brown doe eyes and it's thin spotted legs. We didn't shoot it and I didn't know deers could run that fast, it disappeared before we could even take the whole event in."
"It stared straight back at you didn't it?" I asked him.
"It did and I've never seen anything like it Miss Rosanna."
We rounded to the edge of hall and slowed down when the violinist drew their bow one last time across their strings.
"Thank you," He said when we came stop and parted. "I don't think I've ever had a more comfortable dance before, I almost forgot I was dancing."
"You were talking so much you probably did." I curtsy and looked up to his sudden expressionless face.
"I must of bored you of course," he looked like his previous self again, stiff and disinterested.
"Actually I thought you stories were wonderful, I felt like I was almost there."
"Oh I thought- never mind." He stood awkwardly for a moment before giving me a stiff bow and nodding his head. "I hope to see you again soon miss Rosanna."
"Likewise Mr Knightely." I smiled and he nodded again before turning away.
I watch him till he finally disappeared behind the crowds of people, his jet black hair mixing with the other shades of brown, red and blonde. My hand felt empty without his and so I clasped them together and looked around for Maggie.
I began to feel a little lightheaded and made my way to bench in the side of the room before I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Greetings ma'am," I turned around and came face to face with the most exquisitely gorgeous man I had ever seen in my life.
With a colossal amount of golden strands and heavenly blue eyes, I was rendered speechless and could only gaze in absolute adoration at his delicately carved cheekbones. My mouth opened and closed silently whilst I stared at his godly jaw and lightly bristled chin in disbelief.
"I-I," I stuttered.
"I'm so sorry to bother you but if I could have a dance with you before the night ends I would be much delighted." He spoke smoothly with confidence.
Was this man speaking to me? I wondered, fighting the urge to look around behind me.
"Yes," I squeaked and almost swooned when his face broke into a heart stopping smile revealing a set of blindingly white teeth that complimented his face insanely well.
"Tell me your name madam," he asked as he led me toward the cluster of dancing folks.
I gulped and snapped at myself to calm down, "Rosanna Gallaway sir."
"And my name is Seth Allure, it's a pleasure to be aquatinted with you tonight," he said.
"The Seth Allure sir?" I asked trying to breakdown into a puddle of mush at this revelation.
He wrapped an arm around my waist and smiled, "I guess so Rosanna,"
"Sir-,"
"Call me Seth please," he cut in.
Knowing my aunt would have a fit I continued, "Why have you asked me to dance with you Seth? I mean-" I glanced around. "There are many women who have probably asked you to dance with them, I'm assuming."
"Can't I dance with the most beautiful girl in this room? Forget the rest Rosanna I've had my eye on you all night." He smiled, gazing deep into my eyes and I couldn't help but blush deep red.
As we danced and talked I couldn't steady my heart race and noticed there were too many eyes on me, my breath quickened and sweat began to drip down my back. I suddenly needed to get out of this place but forced myself to endure the painful last minutes.
The song seemed to go on forever and when it finally ended, I pulled away from his arms hurriedly.
"That was one of the best dances in my life Rosanna." He told me.
"That rather an overstatement, nonetheless I thank you for it." I smiled and he bowed.
"Will I see you again?" He asked expectantly, eyes wide with hope.
"I hope so Mr allure." I glanced at the clock on the wall in the other side of the room, "I have to go, goodbye."
I walked away with a strange glow in my heart as I could feel his eyes still on me, "Rosanna! Hurry we have to go!" Maggie called from the doors.