A Lovely Night

[Garrett Wallingford]

His hand on her waist tightened as he watched her nearly stumble in her surprise, prepared to catch her should she fall, but continued to lead the dance to keep up the appearance that there was nothing remotely unseemly about their conversation. Though it was the pronounced redness of her cheeks that gave him the notion that, if he wasn’t careful, someone was bound to catch on that something wasn’t quite right, and he steadily began to come back to his senses.

Good Merlin, he thought with some inward alarm as he registered their proximity, when did we get this close? He took a moment to look around the ballroom, scanning for any sign that they were being watched (and most likely judged). Much to his relief, everyone seemed to be concerned with their own affairs, but that still didn’t give any peace of mind, and he reluctantly put the proper amount of space between them, his grip on her waist loosening as she found herself steady on her feet again. “As much as yours has made mine,” he replied, voice soft and his smile kind.

  

[Aurelia Wallingford]

Merlin help her, what was happening to her? Aurelia usually wasn't one for stepping out of line, but this time she hadn't noticed how close they had become during the course of the night. The unsettling thing for her was that she enjoyed it. She knew she had grown feelings for the man holding her, but it wasn't until now that she realized how strong they were.

The music suddenly stopped and the dance was over. Releasing his hand, Aurelia paused to catch her breath. Finally, words came to her and she curtseyed, eyes sparkling. "Thank you...Mr Wallingford," she smiled at him. "I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this dance..."

[Garrett Wallingford]

Terrible post is terrible >.>

Disappointment settled into Garrett’s chest as the music came to an end, the last few strings hanging prevalent through the air as the twirling figures around them came to a calculated stop, concluding their dance with a slow, graceful bow -- or in the women’s case, a curtsey.

The loss of her hand in his, that familiar weight and warmth that he had come so much to enjoy during the course of their dance, only made the feeling of disappointment grow stronger, though he was soon distracted by the sound of her voice, and the pair of sparkling blue eyes that accompanied it. “The pleasure was all mine, Miss Herondale,” he replied, bowing slightly. “I can honestly say that I’ve rather enjoyed myself, as well.” And he was very reluctant to let her go, but he knew he had to eventually.

Best get it over with, he thought as he saw Katherine on the sidelines, looking very lovely in her silk gown of pale pink and her eyes shining with what he suspected was satisfaction, gesturing for him to join her. Something had confused him until he saw that a new set of couples were assembling on the dance floor. He did promise her a dance sometime during the night.

Looking back over at Miss Herondale, he said, “I believe that I have promised my sister the next dance, but I do hope that you’ll allow me to take the spot on your card for the last dance of the evening.” That, he believed, would be the perfect end to an equally wonderful evening, and he caught a hold of her hand again, pressing his lips softly to the gloved palm before making his exit.

Words: 258 | Tag: @Aurelia Herondale