Figures Dancing Gracefully

[Rosalind Beaumont]

The evening was starting to wind down, although there was still some time yet before midnight. She had danced with several gentleman and done her best to leave a good impression on each; perhaps one would ask for permission to take her to the theater or hope to see her at another dance. Then one would ask to court her, and finally for her hand in marriage. She just had to make sure that it was the right one.

As she sipped her drink, Rosalind caught sight of another gentleman. She had to keep track of the ones around her, make sure that she wasn't surprised again like she had been with Mr. Doge. It would not do for her to jump every time someone came up to her.

  

[Javert de Montfault]

This year had been the first one that Javert was truly paying attention to the debutantes around him. For all that he liked the freedom his life as a bachelor gave him, he rather wanted to settle down. He didn’t want to get married when he was old and gray.

Miss Rosalind Pendergast had left quite an impression on him. She had descended the stairs first and looked quite lovely, so when he saw that she was not dancing with another, he decided to grab the opportunity.

“Miss Pendergast!” he greeted. “I hope you will not think me too bold if I say that you look quite stunning tonight! For all that quite a few ladies followed after you, you remained quite fresh in my mind!”

  

[Rosalind Beaumont]

Rosalind smiled warmly, although she wished very much that all the gentlemen would go away and leave her alone. No -- that would hardly do. She needed one of them to wed her.

"You have me at a disadvantage, kind sir," Rosalind said, lowering her eyes demurely. "You know my name, and I am afraid that I do not know yours!"

  

[Javert de Montfault]

“It’s is Monsieur Javert de Montfault,” he introduced himself with a slight bow of his head. He liked to think that his surname was well-known enough, even if he was no Lestrange. Everyone knew of his father’s business, though.

“You might know my father, Monsieur Jean de Montfault. I am afraid I am not as big a fan of the theatre, though,” he continued. People often assumed he was obsessed with it whenever they heard his name.

  

[Rosalind Beaumont]

"A pleasure to meet you, Monsieur," she said. Idly, she considered attempting to impress him with her knowledge of French, but decided against it. Most well bred girls knew French at least to some extent. "I am afraid I am not familiar with your father past his name, although I have enjoyed a production at his theater from time to time."

While de Montfault was hardly a name to carry much weight in Britain, the family was still wealthy and respectable. Mother had said that Mr. Argyle was best put off until his second or third proposal (if he proposed) and would likely say the same about Mr. de Montfault, but options were the best thing that Rosalind could have at the moment.

  

[Javert de Montfault]

“Any one you like in particular?” Javert asked in a conversational tone. He might not be following the theatre, but he did know the names of most plays. Talking about plays seemed as a safe topic, when he didn’t know Miss Pendergast that well.

  

[Rosalind Beaumont]

"I heard that there will be a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream this summer, and I am looking forward to that," Rosalind said honestly. She thought that it might be very lovely to go to the theater, and since she was supposed to be finding a husband this summer perhaps she might have the opportunity.

"If you are not particularly involved with the theater, do you have something else that interests you?" she asked.

  

[Javert de Montfault]

Javert remembered having a conversation with his father about that particular play, so he knew about it. Usually, though, he did not care to learn the schedule of the theatre unless he was planning to inviting someone to watch a play.

“I was always rather fond of fencing,” he replied without a second thought. It was a good way to keep himself in a good shape, even if he didn’t have as much time to do it as when he was younger these days. “It is a pity swords are only used for sports these days. They make everything, even a fight, so much more romantic.”

  

[Rosalind Beaumont]

"Fencing requires you to be light on your feet; it seems quite a bit like dancing. You must be quite an elegant dancer if you are a fencer," Rosalind complimented. She could easily do without dancing, despite her prior love of it, but the compliment was out there.

  

[Javert de Montfault]

Yes, Javert supposed that Miss Pendergast was right. Fencing was indeed like dancing a bit, even if some people seemed to think that it only involved waving a sword around.

“You are too kind, Miss Pendergast!” he replied. It seemed that the current song was about to end, so he took the opportunity. “Would you like to see for yourself?”

  

[Rosalind Beaumont]

Rosalind forced down her panic and hid it behind a smile. "If that is an invitation to dance, Mr. de Montfault, I would love to."

Lies, it was all lie, but Rosalind had to do her best to make it seem like everything was fine. Maybe if she pretended that everything was fine for long enough then one day she would wake up and everything really would be.

  

[Javert de Montfault]

“Ah, I think they are going to play a waltz!” he commented, as he noticed the musicians doing their thing. He offered his arm to Miss Pendergast, so they could dance.

  

[Rosalind Beaumont]

"I do believe that they are," Rosalind said lightly as she took Mr. de Montfault's hand while attempting not to make it look as ginger as she felt. One dance at a time, she would make it through the night.