chapter 4

"A little unnecessary." Mr knightely commented as the soldiers trooped in adorn with glorious colours of red and yellow, the wavering candlelight giving they stature faces a soft hue.

I glanced at Mr Knightley and frowned at his words, he sounded rather unpatriotic and as a fleeting image of father popped into my mind I couldn't help but feel a little irritated.

"Have some respect sir, these are our men." I said to him, he merely shrugged and pulled out another cigar.

"Really? How do you know they were even on the frontlines, some of them could've just be the flag bearers." He handed me his cigar and I held it against a nearby candle for a moment before handing it back.

"Their willingness to die for our nation alone is worthy of admiration," I turned my back to him and watch the soldiers storm pass, joining in with the resounding applause at the end.

"Won't give them their legs back or fix their shell shocked minds or even cleanse their sight from the horrifying images they have seen."

"Maybe not," I murmured, "but they will know that they are appreciated and loved."

"Still isn't enough, won't bring back the fallen."

I thought of my father again, his strong arms as he'd spin me in the air and the tickle of his beard whenever he lean down to kiss my forehead. His quiet voice as he'd tell me captivating stories of knights, princess, dark woods and sad kings.

My heart ached for his presence and the terrifying thought of forgetting his soothing voice plagued my mind, "you're right, it never will."

I notice Sandra whose hair had been piled above her head covered with dazzling beads was craning her neck, clearly searching for her niece and Maggie stood beside her with cheeks flushed from dancing.

"I have to go," I thought of the droning words my aunt would fling at me and I suddenly clapped my hands when the perfect idea came to me head.

"Mr knightely," I declared, turning to him resolutely.

"Yes," he began, looking at me warily.

"May I introduce you to my aunt?"

He moved away from the wall and scrunched up his nose, "Why?"

I opened my mouth to start spouting lies but sighed and decided to come clean, "Listen, she thinks I've been dancing and interacting with people all night when I haven't been doing anything of that sort."

"Where do I come in on this." He asked.

"Well, just pretend I've been dancing with you all night, that's all."

"You want me to lie for you?"

"Nail on the head sir, exactly." I offered him my arm and he shrugged.

"Thank you, I'm forever in your debt." We stepped out the shadows and began making our way towards my family.

I ignored the curious stares from others ladies behind their intricate fans and smiled to Maggie as we neared closer to them, she stared at me with her eyebrows raised in confusion and a unsure smile playing on her lips. I put a finger to my mouth and she shook her head in wonder.

"Auntie, I want you to meet Mr knightely," I tapped my Aunt in the shoulder and when she turned around ready to begin yapping, she notice the tall man next to me. She preceded to almost drop her fan and looked up and down at us in surprise.

"Sandra come now," uncle andrew hissed, nudging her, "pull yourself together."

"Oh yes, oh my- where are my manners, silly me." She quickly returned to normal self and pinched Maggie to curtsy. "I am indeed Rosanna's aunt and this my husband Andrew Contoll," she pushed Maggie forward forcefully and Maggie gave him a awkward grin.

"My daughter Maggie Contoll sir and my son Liam is around here somewhere but I'm sure you'll meet him soon."

"I'm most certain of it Mrs Contoll." Mr Knightely bowed deeply and rose up smiling, his dark eyes lighting up to a golden brown.

"Very good, now just slip the little fact we've been dancing for ever so long." I whispered, pretending to straighten my dress.

"I thought that was your job?" He hissed back, adjusting his suit jacket for a moment.

"It'll be more believable if it comes out of your mouth, just do it."

He glared at me for a second and turned back to my aunt, "you niece is very light on her feet I must say Mrs Contoll."

Sandra made an O shape with her mouth and quivered with excitement, "so you've danced together? Oh yes she is very good, you see I tell her all the time she needs to dance more, she gets it from her mother."

Mr knightely nodded and I noticed one of Maggie's friends, Georgina, had appeared beside her and she was busily nibbling in the edge of her fan whilst also batting her eyelashes seductively at Mr knightely.

I closed my eyes to contain myself and turned to him, deciding to end this misshaped gathering, "it was wonderful meeting you sir but I won't keep you any longer."

"No, no- he can stay," my aunt began, raising her hands to prevent him from leaving.

"Auntie," I turned to her, seething through gritted teeth, "he's been here enough," I turned back to him and smiled forcefully, tilting my head and clasping my hands. "Please enjoy your night Mr knightely."

"You know I don't mind sta-,"

I glared at him and he held up his hands defensively, "alright, alright, well, it was wonderful meeting you all."

"Oh I'm Georgia," Georgian chirped in just as he was turning away.

"Who asked?" The clipped toned words spilled out before I could bite them down and the looks I received from the others around me made me feel even more ashamed than I already did.

"Rosanna what on earth has gotten in to you." My aunt snapped, her gaze flicking downwards distastefully and Maggie didn't look anymore impressed as she patted Georgina arm sympathetically.

"I'm sure she was just making fun, right Rosanna?" I tried my best not to glare at Georgians simpering expression but managed to nod my head a little.

"It was never my intention to offend anyone but if I have, allow me to apologies."

"Oh no there's not need for any of that," she glanced at me with a sweet smile, "you just needs to invest more time in a governess."

I already couldn't bear Georgina and her presence irritated me more than I could explain in words. We had never really gotten along and as we got older it became more evident that we most likely never will.

She held at a slim pale hand to Mr knightely, "May we dance sir?"

He glanced at me in confused panic and I could only shrugged with a grimace.

"I'm sorry Miss Georgina but I have already asked Miss Rosanna for another dance before hand," he clasped my hand and I tried not to snatch it away. "Maybe later in the night."

Her hand dropped to her side and she look furious, almost raging, I don't think a man has ever refuse Georgina a dance and even if he had I don't think he'd be alive to tell the applaudable tell.

"Very well, enjoy your dance, not that Rosanna is know for her dancing skills but enjoy," she spun away and stormed down the hall, barging past a waiter as she did so. The poor man attempted to dogged out her path but forget the last remaining glass he had on his tray.

I watched it shatter to the ground with a tinkling smash, its thick scarlet contents coating the ground like spilled blood.