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missmadisings

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I was twirling around and around. I saw Father’s eyes crinkle in happiness as he listened to my carefree laugh. Then a man cut into our dance, looking at Father.

“May I dance with your lovely daughter, sir?”

His voice was like angels singing. I never wanted him to stop talking. Father nodded and the man turned to me.

His eyes were the color of melted chocolate. They were warm and beautiful. His placed one hand on my waist gently and rested the other on my palm. His hair was dark brown. Darker than his eyes but with streaks of pure bronze in it. It was wavy and hung to just above his ears.

We began the waltz.

The last whisper of silk falling in to place snapped me out of my fantasy. I felt Anna Maria gently tug the hot rags out of my hair. I felt the bouncy, shiny curls tumble into place and I straightened my back. The look was complete and just in time. We were leaving for the ball now.

I rushed down the stairs, skirts ruffling, to take a final look at the boys. I snapped my finger twice and they stood at attention. Backs straight, hair combed, clothes perfect. I smiled at them and kissed their foreheads.

Mother came bustling in then. She was all a flutter and I could hardly guess at who Father was meeting. Mother was never all of a flutter. I tried to straighten my already straight back and I sensed Thomas and Edmund doing the same. She looked us all over, gave the slightest of nods, and then rushed out the door. Not a moment later I heard the clatter of hooves as Auguste brought the carriage around. I looked at the boys. They understood and we all hurried out of the house.

Mother was already seated and looking very stricken when we clambered our way into our seats.

The carriage ride was not long. It was a little bumpy at times, but not long at all. I recognized the house we stopped outside of as one of my childhood friends’ house. Of course he would probably be married now. Just like the rest of them. I sighed and climbed out of the carriage, lifting my arms up to help Edmund. He practically leaped into my arms and I staggered a bit from the weight. I saw that Mother was about to reprimand him so I spun him round and round so that she wouldn’t be able to get a word in. I didn’t care if Edmund did these things. He was my baby brother and I loved him. I would never care if he did these types of things. Thomas made a more traditional exit and held his hand up to help Mother. Always the gentleman, Father would have been proud.

Just then Father appeared at my side. He kissed the top of my head, tweaked Edmund’s cheek, and then turned to Thomas and Mother.

“Thomas my boy!” He boomed. Thomas grinned, clearly pleased that Father was happy with him. Father clapped his shoulder and then turned his eyes to Mother.

The love that filled his eyes was almost painful. He and Mother embraced and I wanted to cry from the raw love that saturated the air.

“Come one boys.” I sniffed. “Let’s go inside.”

Thomas seemed confused and Edmund gripped my neck as tight as a five-year-old can manage. I hefted him higher on my waist and turned my back on my parents, praying that my tears would not overflow.