Photo courtesy of
Fine Art America
AND THEY DANCED
ALL NIGHT
By Grace Augustine
The chandeliers throughout the ballroom were sparkling.
Each crystal had been buffed with the finest cloth, so the light danced through
its many facets. Buffet tables lined with silver chafing dishes held delectable
choices including roast duck, pheasant in wine sauce, fresh steamed
vegetables, and desserts as far as the eye could see. Rows of champagne glasses
stood ready for the servers to fill their trays and offer to the guests.
Yes, tonight was a special night. It was Lord Ashworth’s thirtieth
birthday. Rumor had it he would make an important announcement mid-way through
the evening. This allowed for rampant chatter throughout the community with
suspicions ranging from going to war to taking a bride. All hoped for the latter.
Guests arrived hours early to take in the décor and, of
course, with hopes of spending time with Lord Ashworth himself. The wait-staff
took cloaks and coats and top hats and gloves and hung them on various racks
that were in the ante-room just to the left of the grand hall.
Grant Ashworth greeted his parents at the bottom of the
spiral oak staircase. He caught the gleam in his mother’s eye and the smile on
his father’s face. He marveled at what was accomplished by them to pull off
such a soiree.
“Mother, you look stunning! You, too, Father.”
Genevieve took her son’s arm and allowed him to lead her
ahead of her husband. She truly was radiant in the ecru lace and satin
ballgown. Her silver hair, piled high on her head, was held in place by a sapphire
comb—a family heirloom.
“Are you ready for the evening, Grant? There will be many
ladies here wanting to dance with you this evening. You will oblige, yes?”
Grant shook his head and smiled. Leave it to his
matchmaker of a mother to bring up the fact of the multiple ladies who would be
here helping him celebrate.
“Mother, I will, of course, dance with those I so wish to
dance with.”
Grant bowed to his mother and father and made his way
into the grand ballroom. Before more guests arrived, he grabbed a plate and
placed samples of the food on it. No telling when he would have the chance to
eat if he was planning to dance the night away.
More and more people arrived, and each couple was
announced as they entered the grand ballroom. Grant hurried to finish the last
bite of petit four and made sure there were no crumbs clinging to the corners
of his mouth. He greeted his guests with the customary nods and hand kisses.
An hour into the festivities, Grant spotted her across the
room. The object of his affection. The object of his attention. He’d done his
best to keep this secret, even from his parents, for the past few months.
She was a vision of pure beauty. Her light auburn hair
was piled in a messy bun on the crown of her head, stray tendrils framing her face. The lavender and white satin ball
gown with a ruffled bustle accentuated her small waist and the cut of the
bodice revealed her smooth porcelain skin and ample cleavage. A single strand of
pearls encircled her neck.
The current dance ended, and Grant made his way across
the room. Passion filled his eyes and a broad smile showed off his dimples.
“May I have this dance?” He questioned as he bowed before
his lovely lady.
She nodded, and they waltzed across the dance floor, not
wanting the music to stop. They gazed at each other, so much unspoken between
them. She curtsied when the dance ended, but Grant wasn’t letting go of her
that easily.
“Excuse me. If I may have your attention, please,” Grant
began. “Thank you all for coming to my birthday celebration this
evening. There's plenty of food and drink, so make sure to fill your plates
and glasses. Before we return to the music, I have a special announcement.”
Grant’s parents and the other couples gathered around
where he was standing. He still held onto the hand of his lovely dance partner.
“Most of you know this lovely woman, and if you don’t,
it’s time you do,” he stated. He knelt on one knee before her, and placed
an emerald and diamond ring on her gloved finger. “Lady Annabelle Cartwright,
would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Tears streamed down the Lady’s cheeks. She was
speechless. The only thing she could do was nod her head yes.
Grant stood up and took her in a head to toe embrace and
placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. That was enough to cue the chamber orchestra
to play. Grant twirled Annabelle around and caught her close to him again, kissing her soft lips. The couple danced every dance, long into the early morning hours,
celebrating their love.
“I’ve loved you for so long, Lady Annabelle. What a privilege to know you will be my wife.”
“I’ve loved you, too, Lord Ashworth, most of my life.
I’m a lucky lady to have you as my betrothed.”
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