dance 4: orpheus langston
“Except for you, that is.” Adeline’s heart fluttered as she heard Lord Rutherford’s words. He possessed a remarkable ability to make Adeline feel as if she were the sole focus of attention amidst the full ballroom. She longed to speak, but strangely, her words escaped her. She could only manage a timid smile, her face turning red with a blend of delight and nervousness.
As the dance came to an end, Baylor asked about the possibility of their next encounter happening as early as the following day. She couldn’t help but remember what tomorrow held in terms of all the potential suitors visiting the women they had been interested in the night before. Was Baylor truly seeking something deeper with her? Or was this simply his method of seeking someone to be his wife? After regaining her composure, Adeline nodded slowly, agreeing to the arrangement. “I will be expecting your presence, Lord Baylor. Have a delightful evening, and please do enjoy your remaining dances…responsibly.” With a playful grin, she innocently taunted him before finally walking away from him.
Adeline was happy to be able to get a break in between dances, as she felt herself getting more and more tired as the night went on. She glanced over at the dessert table, then shifted her gaze to her own stomach as the unsettling rumble of hunger reached her ears. Adeline let out a sigh and shook her head. “It’s fine; it is only for one evening.” She murmured to herself, torn between the urge to leave and the desire that drove her to stay. Yet she had no moment to overthink her choices as someone emerged in front of her.
She was taken aback initially, but a smile formed on her face when she recognized her beloved Orpheus. Orpheus appeared to be going on and on, hardly giving her a chance to speak. Finally, as he uttered his final plea for forgiveness, Adeline couldn’t help but let out a small giggle. “Of course, I forgive you. I don’t believe you did anything wrong; well, besides getting drunk at the ball, we are all humans, and sometimes our emotions overpower us.” She remarked before observing the buildup of tears in his eyes. She let out a sigh before attempting to wipe away his tears, initially ignoring his extended hand. However, once she noticed that he appeared to be more composed, she finally reached out her own hand, patiently waiting for him to accept it. Once he did, they both made their way to the dance floor.
“I want to apologize for leaving you on the balcony. I just worried that the people would have begun to wonder where I had run off to.” She admitted shamefully. Adeline despised the thought of her concern for the opinions of the townsfolk, but she had always held herself to high standards, and if anything bad were to be said about her, she always took it to heart, but she did not always show that to others. “Please tell me, are you alright? Is there anything I can do to make this night better for you?”
@DandelionKate orpheus
included ending for baylor and adi: @jass