11
Samh 9.14.1342 18:00
The long-anticipated day for the ball arrived after immense preparations had been made for the reception of all who were important in La Soutain. After much debate, Abaledina and her cousin dressed in matching, armless, body suits with crescent-shaped cutouts on the sides. The pant legs of the suit flared into a heel length split skirt. As usual, Abaledina’s was in violet and Jeanilotta’s in a daffodil yellow.
The apartments were brilliantly lit, the guests arrived gaily dressed every moment, the enchanting music played in the ballroom, those who were politically minded sat in earnest discussion upon the latest work in the mines, the ambitious parents were delighted to push their young charges into the arms of suitable matches, and the well-trained servants moved noiselessly here and there to execute the multiplicity of commands. Abaledina did her best to help where she was needed and to stay out of the way where she was not.
When Viscount Elwynalam was announced, those around her strained to see him. He, however, proved to be an unostentatious man, simply dressed in a suit of brown, with a bold, cream and olive neckcloth carelessly wrapped about his neck. This with his unzipped collar had the effect of framing a well-toned upper chest. On one shoulder was a calf-length, violet cape that was held in place by a hand-sized crest of La Soutain. To the infinite surprise of all, he came on foot and unattended.
After cordially exchanging salutations with Lieutenant Gillfillian and his lady, he passed to Theodomani and Jeanilotta, who welcomed him warmly, and then to Abaledina. A slight blush overspread her sweet countenance, as she extended her hand and replied to his remarks with perfect self-possession.
“I am afraid my work does not allow me much time to socialize. I am a stranger here,” he said at length. “Your cousin is engaged with her beau so will you allow me a general claim upon your hand whenever you wish to dance?”
Pleasure swept through her soul momentarily, but it was quickly stifled by the knowledge of the envy and punishment she would incite against her.
“I truly wish I could allow you to make that claim,” she said raising her eyes to his, “but I, too, am, unfortunately engaged.”
“Unfortunately?”
“It was arranged when we were children. I have not been able to broach the matter of breaking the engagement because my intended has constantly been away.”
“That does not sound like much of an engagement.”
“All the same, I will do all I can to render this evening a pleasant experience for you, but please pardon me if I hesitate to take for myself so enviable a distinction as dancing with you the entire night. I will give you my hand for two dances provided you ask my cousin for the same number.”
“Then I will dance but four times," he replied decisively.
“How can you make such an assertion," she asked, teasingly, "with all these eyes glancing so wishfully about you?”
“I am solely at your mercy. I can easily avoid those interactions that do not appeal to me if you will oblige me by not making any formal introductions." Then drawing her arm through his own, an act that caused her heart to beat faster, he led her to the dance floor.
She soon discovered he was an excellent dancer and hoped her skills were up to the match. Although she and her cousin were well-trained, she had only rarely used the skills. At most balls, she was required to make sure everything ran smoothly. She spent most of her time amusing the young girls who could not find dances or pairing them with the gentlemen who asked her for one. To dance with Lord Elwynalam was a treat.
Once they finished the first dance, he did not pressure her for the second—which was fine with her since she would have refused until he danced at least once with Jeanilotta. Instead, they passed slowly through the different rooms, stopping to discuss the artwork. Some splendid pictures and a few marble busts occupied him for a long time. Never had Abaledina so enjoyed an intellectual conversation. It was a new and exquisite source of pleasure to share her thoughts with someone so considerate and highly gifted.
She was not, however, permitted this happiness undisturbed because at every turn she encountered the jealous, watchful eye of her aunt, who repeatedly fixed upon her with an expression of angry surprise. To make matters worse, she would come over and attempt to conceal her ire with flattering attentions to their comfort.
“Abaledina, my love,” she cooed at length with a sweet smile as she approached them, “this will never do. Yesterday, you were sadly ill, and now you are standing all the evening. Really, my lord, you must excuse my anxiety for the sweet child. She is so very dear to us and is soon, you know, to become doubly our own by her marriage to my son, whom she has loved since childhood. My daughter will be happy to relieve her for you must permit Abaledina some rest."
“I am fine, dear aunt,” she replied, in bewilderment.
“Now, I know how you like to hide it when you are under the weather,” Mrs. Gillfillian said, pulling her away from Lord Elwynalam. Then, she led her off to a seat between two old ladies so rapidly that had Abaledina truly been sick, she would have not made it.
"Now, my dear friends, please feel free to exercise your authority over my niece for at least an hour,” her aunt admonished the ladies. “It is all for her own good. I’m afraid she has been exerting herself too much this evening.” However, her aunt apparently did not believe the ladies would be able to keep up the task very long because every five minutes she seemed to come back and ensure Abaledina remained with them.
Finally, when Abaledina realized there was no hope of any more pleasure this evening, she excused herself and went to the parlor she shared with her cousin, where she could at least entertain herself by reading.
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