While Eloise was talking with the duke, she noticed her mother winking abnormally at her. 'Is she okay? Did she get a facial cramps or something?' she narrowed her eyes a little. "Sorry Lord Raymond I will get back to you soon." She kindly excused herself.
"Oh, and...." before he could finish his sentence the young lady walked away swiftly though the crowd. He glanced at the little flower in his hand and then at her disappearing figure with a deep frown. 'Why am I getting so emotionally invested over her.... I just want her blood, nothing else," he nodded to himself and placed the flower carefully inside his jacket.
"Eloise, darling, why did you come over here," her mother exclaimed with a confused look. "I was even gesturing for you to continue talking to him."
"That was what that was. Mummy, I thought you had bad facial cramps," Eloise said with a straight face.
"Oh, you silly little cucumber." Madam Ayles gently tapped her cute button nose. "Now tell me, what is REALLY going on with you and the duke."
Eloise wanted to reject all claims of any kind of friendship between them, but her mother shushed her.
"Ah-ha, don't even try to deny it. I see the way he looks at you. It's exactly the way your father used to look at me. The man is smitten my baby." Her mother happily smiled at him.
Eloise was baffled for a second. "He is?" she glanced back in the direction where she came from. The young man was still standing there, looking her way. When he noticed her gaze, he softly smiled at her.
She swiftly turned back. 'What the fuck is this guy playing at, huh? Shit, I don't want to get involved with him. That dude literally threatened me to dance with him. He probably thinks of me as an amusing pet,' she sighed. But noticing her mother expectantly gaze, she whispered. "oh I see."
Her mother's smirk turned dubiously.
"He would make a great husband for you. That kind young man would probably hold you in the palm of his hand and gently protect you from all harm. Oh I'm so happy for you Eloise," madam Ayles hugged her tight and swayed gently from side to side.
"umm....is it okay to say I don't want to get married to him," Eloise mumbled hesitantly.
Her mother let go of her and peered up at her intently. "What are you trying to say, Eloise?"
"I am just saying that... our relationship is much more complicated than that." she nervously dwindled with her thumb. 'How can I possibly say that I literally cussed at the duke and he is threatening me with it?'
If her mother got to know of such a scandal, she might get sick again for having an intolerable child like her.
Her mind worked over time to think of what to say.
Suddenly she felt a warm hand on her shoulders. "Madam Ayles, how good it is to see you."
"oh, the pleasures all my lord. Before all that, I would like to apologise for my daughter's behaviour previously." Lady Ayles swiftly said to him.
Eloise's eye went wide. 'Did she know about the cuss letter?'
Sensing her anticipation, her mother continued, "and it was also partially my fault for not recognising such a promising young duke. We were very rude to you. That day you even had to do that manual labour, hauling back the crates of gold. I would like to officially apologise for such a blunder." she bowed deep.
Raymond held her shoulders and raised her up. "Please don't madam Ayles. It was neither your fault nor your daughter's. Besides that day I had fun being treated so normally for a change. It was quiet refreshing,"
Eloise stood in the side, watching him charm her mother with his words. 'Wow, everu word is smooth as butter. Is this really the same guy who gave cold looks and called me shameless? Is he a clone?' her mind wandered to the endless possibilities of his identity.
The young Duke noticed her dazed state and smirked. He called over the waiter who was carrying drinks and took out three goblets. He cordially handed one to madam Ayles.
Lord Raymond then handed other to the dazed young girl with a small smile. "Drink up."
Eloise peered inside the goblet and sighed. 'Orange juice again. I want to taste the wine, though. It smells so good even from here.'
All of a sudden, the boat rocked wildly to the side. Eloise lost her bearing, but Raymond quickly caught her and frail madam Ayles tight in his embrace. The boat kept rocking back and forth violently for a while.
"Fred, see what's going on," he shouted through the crowd's murmur. He then glanced at the little girl in his embrace, who was blushing slightly. "Madam Ayles, Miss Ayles, I apologise. That was rude of me grabbing you so suddenly."
Madam Ayles waved off his apology while Eloise curiously looked around. Most of the people inside the ball room had tumbled down on each other, creating small piles here and there. It was complete mayhem.
'What was that? Did we hit an iceberg like titanic? Is this ship going to sink?' She unknowingly moved closer to the young duke.
But then her logical mind kicked in. The weather was hot and humid, so it was not possible for an iceberg to appear out in the ocean.
'Then what was that?'
Fred secretly peered out. Suddenly a huge grappling hook broke through the side walls and gripped tightly onto their ship. The doctor moved back swiftly with his eyes wide open. "Pirates!! All sailors arm yourselves!"
Eloise hugged her frightened mother and glanced out at the huge wooden ship that was dragging their ship closer. 'Pirates!! They are actual pirates!! Mother of dragons, what kind of world did I get reborn into!!'