AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her first instinct was to ask where he was, and if he could see her, but she managed to fight the urge. Perhaps it was a mistake to have come, but the urge to speak with him was too great to resist, especially in light of the fact that this might be the last time they spoke so cordially as friends or conceivably as something more.
A moment later, she smelled a man’s cologne. She immediately recognized Oliver without him saying a single word. He always preferred others to smell him arriving before they actually saw him.
“Where did you get lost?” Sarah smiled at him.
“You know Mama,” he sounded a little weary. “She insists I meet every single eligible lady attending every ball we attend. I grow tired of it to be honest.”
Oliver was also not all that keen on attending balls, but with two unmarried sisters, one of whom was having her first season, him attending was a prerequisite. Not to mention that this was actually Bridget’s first season as well with her never having attended one before.
“Mama says it is high time you got married,” Sarah reminded him of the painful truth which he had been avoiding like the devil avoided the cross.
“And I shall,” he snorted although he did not sound particularly enthusiastic about the entire ordeal. “Only, I wish to search for a wife in my own way— not prancing about this place like a lion in a menagerie. I see you two are also hiding from the rest of the guests.”
Bridget could feel the heavy plush curtain to her side, and she knew that Sarah had indeed brought them out of sight from the rest of the guests. She welcomed it. A part of her did not even wish to be here, yet another part of her would not miss this ball for anything. She was destined to speak to Joseph, and the only way she could do so was while they were dancing. She would demand an explanation whatever it was.
“I’ve met Joseph,” Oliver suddenly added. “He inquired about you two.”
His name gave her a start that was much too noticeable, so she flashed a smile that she hoped did not seem too forced. Also, she hoped her flushed cheeks would not betray her.
“We have been here all the while,” Bridget shrugged as indifferently as her heart allowed her. “He could have come to greet us himself.”
“I think he is just about to do that,” Oliver suddenly pointed out, and Bridget knew she was not ready. She was not nearly ready to face him again.
“Ladies.” That familiar voice with that familiar scent. How she wanted to be lost in that dark room with him again, to kiss him and to feel their tongues tangling. She wanted to hear him groan, to have him demand more of her, and she would willingly give herself to him.
But that was an embarrassing blunder, one she would not be unwise enough to make again.
“Your Grace,” Sarah greeted him first, then Bridget echoed those same words again.
“I hoped that we were not referring to one another so formally,” he confessed. Bridget wasn’t certain whether he was talking to her or to Sarah, so she chose to remain quiet. What she had to tell him could not be said before her sister and brother.
“Joseph,” Sarah amended cheerfully.
There it was. His name again, giving her heart a queer little thump which she felt all the way up in her throat.
“I hope the state of your stocks has improved since the time we saw you.” Sarah was chatting amicably although the conversation sounded forced somehow. Bridget was waiting for him to ask her to dance. She was certain that he would. He had to.
“I would like to reply affirmatively, but no, they are still in a state of disarray, and I’m afraid that this trend shall continue. I might be forced to sell at a much lower price which makes me a terrible businessman.”
“One mistake does not make one a terrible businessman,” Sarah replied.
Bridget did not wish to discuss stocks or business for that matter. She wanted this meaningless conversation to end, so that Joseph could finally ask the question that probably brought him here.
Suddenly, the opening notes of the allemande were heard. It was not one of Bridget’s favorite dances, but any music would do if her partner was Joseph. Now, if only he would ask her.
“That statement could be open for further discussion,” Joseph replied cordially although without much enthusiasm. “For now, may I ask for this dance…” He paused for only a moment. Bridget was ready to step over to him and take him by the hand. Her lips parted, and the words were already formed inside her mind. Just a simple yes would do. But then, she heard the name he called out. “Sarah?”
“M-me?” Sarah sounded stunned. Bridget understood the feeling well.
Unable to refuse out of sheer politeness, Sarah accepted wordlessly. With her mind’s eye, Bridget could almost see them taking each other by the hand then walking together to the ballroom floor, joining the other couples. She was not able to hear their voices any longer.
Her brother moved closer to her. His fingers intertwined with hers. “May I have this dance, dear Bridget?”
She could not help but smile. “Of course, Oliver dearest.”
Tenderly, he led her in the same direction where Joseph had taken their sister. She wondered how close they were to them, but the moment her brother turned to face her, she realized that she should not be thinking about Joseph anymore. It was an obsession, nothing more. It would dim with the passage of time.
“How are you feeling, Bridget?” Oliver asked unexpectedly. She wondered where that odd question had surfaced from.
