The air in the ballroom was heavy and had a certain musk to it that seemed to cling to one's lungs and sense of smell. With all these people gathered in one room though, It's no surprise that this was what it smelled like. If I thought my dress was sticking to me during the carriage ride was uncomfortable, then it was nothing compared to the way it clung to me now.
During the time of us mingling and dinner being served the staff had completely redesigned the ballroom. Where there was once no decorations there was now large translucent lilac material hung from the center of the room's chandelier. All across the top border of the room there where large purple and white flowers hung in abundance and dripping down to the windows and floors. It was big. It was flamboyant. It screamed every bit my sister Silvia.
And it was suffocating. I felt suffocated. There were too many people in such a small space for my liking.
Father was off to the side of the ballroom talking to Jacob's father. Most likely about the cost of everything. Mother and Jacob's mother Hellen were probably talking about his speech that he gave judging from the happy look on her blushing face. Mary-Anne was on the couch having a discussion with a far older gentlemen. My best guess is that he's also in the field of education. Lucy was sent to the smaller back garden with the other children and a maid to play. Cyrus was trying to tempt a young blonde lady with a pink bow in her hair to dance with him. And Curtis was no where to be seen. Likely he waited till no one was looking and sneaked off to the Carter's library. It was larger than ours at home so I can't blame him. Though I do feel a bit betrayed as fellow wallflowers we usually stuck by each other at these sort of events. Garrett was busy in another area of the room trying to pick a partner to dance with. He had a small group of ladies surrounding him. However most of the ladies were all gathered in a large huddle toward the entrance of the room.
From what I could see they were gathered around two gentlemen who I could only describe as well-endowed in the height department. The women were gathered around trying to turn the men's attention to them like ravenous dogs doing tricks for a scrap of meat. A shame I couldn't see their faces from some of the ladies tall hair styles and ornaments.
I saw my opportunity to be off the dance floor as a seat near one of the windows became available. As I struggled to make my way through a maze of people I was stopped in my pursuit of the lone chair.
"Hello Miss! You're with the bride's family right?" A boy of no more than 20 years asked me. He was directly in my path to the chair.
He wasn't terrible looking by any means. He had black shaggy hair and round oval glasses that brought out his green eyes. He was dressed for the occasion in a simple black suit with a bow-tie. He had a bit of a baby face. He looked sweet.
Unfortunately for him I was in a state of silent panic and was dearly wishing I had feigned illness to get out of coming here. I had a good idea of what he was perhaps going to ask me and I was already thinking of ways to politely decline him.
"Ah yes, I am. I'm her younger sister." I explained. Small beads of sweat began to trickle down the side of my forehead.
"Wonderful! I was wondering if you wouldn't mind dancing once with me this evening?" He smiled at me brightly.
"Oh, well, actually I was going to sit down for a bit if that'd be alright." I looked anxiously for a way past him.
"Oh, come now! There's already been two songs. And I know you haven't danced all night. I've been watching. Just one dance please?" He begged.
"I-I'm really not a good dancer. I'm afraid I'd damage your feet more than you'd be having a good time." I tried to explain further.
He was starting to look slightly annoyed, "It's your sister's engagement party. You must dance. You wouldn't want to embarrass your sister and family now would you?"
My eyes swung around the room as I desperately sought out any of my family to help me. I was either too far away to call them over or they were so engrossed with what they were doing they wouldn't notice. A sigh of defeat left my lips as I gestured for him to lead.
"After you, sir."
His face lit up as he roughly grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the center of the dance floor.
"Perfect! You won't regret this, I promise!" He exclaimed.
"I have the opposite feeling." I muttered under my breath.
He glanced back at me, "What was that?"
I waved my other hand dismissively, "Nothing Nothing, I just said I hope they play a good song."
He stared at my for few seconds as if he was trying to figure out if I was lying or not.
"Oh! Why didn't you just say so haha!"
We got into the proper dancing positions with our hands held together and him leading. His hand that was suppose to be around my waist was drifting lower as the music began. I just realized we had not even traded names yet.
"Please move your hand to the proper place. " I asked politely.
"Huh, oh sorry. Just a slip up." He smiled.
As the dance continued I accidentally trampled his feet on more than one occasion. He winced in pain but continued to lead the dance.
"Sorry. I did try to warn you though." I gave him a gentle sheepish smile.
His pleasant expression turned into one of a coy smile, "It's quite alright. No pain no gain right?"
As he said this his hand slid a little further down my waist. I looked him dead in the eyes.
"Remove your hand."
His dimples became more prominent as his smile got a bit larger. His offending appendage slid further down to rest on my behind, "Surely this is fine for one little dance?"
"Now. Remove it." I demanded, my voice shaking slightly from the anxiety.
I could feel my heart hammering against my chest as I tried not to let the frustration form tears in my eyes. I was glancing back and forth from his bastardly face to the sides of the room. That's when an idea came. I closed my eyes and breathed in deep.
"OW! oh oh ow ow! What the bloody hell? Why'd you do that?" He screeched as his eyes squinted shut and he held his foot grimacing.
I released the breathe I had been holding and stepped back from him.
"I'm so sorry. I did try to warn you that I'm not a decent dancer. My foot just slipped out of rhythm with you. Perhaps you should go rest somewhere? I can't imagine you'll be dancing with an injury like that." I gave him an fake apologetic look as I made my way to the doors for the terrace.
There was nobody out there as I stepped outside. After I shut the door I walked over and collapsed in one of the chairs. I had managed to get out of dancing for the rest of the night but the ordeal I just went through was enough to rattle my nerves a bit. I tilted my head back as my eyes glanced at the sky. It was slowly turning a purple that was chasing the burnt orange across it. It was beautiful. And most importantly it was quiet.
Just as I said that I heard the door rattling as though someone was attempting to open. It paused before a click was heard as it slowly swung outward. Maybe I had spoken too soon about it being quiet.