This was harder than Margaret thought it would be - not just talking to a complete stranger, a rather attractive one, but pretending she didn’t hate being at this ball. However, pretending was a skill she had mastered over the years. She could gracefully move through the room, share a dance with a gentleman or two, engage in discussions on topics she had little interest in, all while maintaining an appearance of rapt attention just for the sake of being seen doing so. At moments paying attention to people around her just so she can have something to talk about tomorrow in case an interesting thing happens, trying not to get stuck in her own little world and completely ignore the magical evening.
What intrigued her was the ease with which she found herself focusing on the man before her, a surprising lack of effort required. It was a testament to his presence and perhaps his own charisma. She couldn’t help but appreciate his beauty, allowing her gaze to take it all in for a moment too long but she wasn’t here to find herself a husband nor was she here to waste someone’s time. Which she… Might’ve been doing now. But she didn’t care that much, a girl could enjoy a nice moment from time to time.
Margaret couldn’t help but sense, or just believe she did, a guarded aspect to his answer as if he hid a deeper layer beneath his facade. She chose not to probe further; it wasn’t her aim to intimidate or push him or make a fool out of herself thinking there was something more special he had to say. ”You’re a man of intrigue, Mr. Blackwood,“ Margaret remarked with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, shifting the focus to him, to understand more about the enigmatic traveler rather than dwelling on his reasons for being here. And as much as he had a right to know more about her, she was surprised by his question. Surprised by his next move she kept quiet for a moment, thinking of how to answer him.
Margo stared at extended hand, confused about what she should do. She didn’t come here to dance, she doesn’t… do this. But she had to do this. She knew that refusing to dance would be seen as impolite, and she had no intention of appearing so. Dancing with him was the least she could do if she wasn’t planning to honestly answer his questions. And it’s not that she wanted to lie to him, her family was just… Not that important now. She didn’t want him to compare her to her family and create a false picture of her if he already knew them and it’s… Not that she cared if he did that or… Maybe she did a little. Maybe she wanted him to like her.
Looking back up at him with a soft smile this time, Margaret carefully took his hand, ”Of course.“ As they joined the dance floor, Margaret couldn’t help but feel a hint of excitement and curiosity. She doesn’t usually do this, she can’t remember the last time something like this happened. Usually she was the girl on the side, observing everyone else, but this felt nice too. Her hand in someone else’s was an unusual sensation, but it felt surprisingly pleasant. Margaret had embraced the unexpected nature of the evening and found herself drawn into the rhythm of the dance, swept up in the moment.
[color=“#e9a189”]”I appreciate your curiosity. It’s only fair that you know more about the one making such inquiries… I just… I don’t think my family is all that interesting.“[/color] She tried hard to avoid that question, or any questions about herself. Still she would rather try to understand the man hidden beneath his polished exterior. [color=”#e9a189”]”But I can’t help and wonder… How interesting would it be if no one knew you, if they knew just your name? You could be what you always desired to be and everyone would see only that, don’t you think so? Now would you tell me…“[/color] She continued, that soft smile remaining on her lips. ”Would you rather people know you as the traveler who’s seen the most exotic places as I did or as someone, something else? Or wou- I apologize, I have been asking too many questions tonight, how silly of me. But of course I might have been wrong and we do not share the same opinion and I am afraid I’ve taken too much of your time tonight…“ She gently let go of his hand after their short dance, letting her gaze linger on it for a moment before looking up at him. Really looking at him.
[color="#e9a189”]”Thank you for the dance,“[/color] she said sincerely, offering a respectful curtsey, a gesture of appreciation for the dance and the intriguing moments they had shared. ”I do hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. May our paths cross again soon, Mr. Blackwood.“ And with that, she gracefully retreated into the lively crowd, leaving behind an air of mystery.
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