CHAPTER 20

“Even with the mask on he looks so handsome I wonder how he will look when he takes it off” she had another girl squeal beside her.

“Catalina is so lucky to have the opportunity to be this close to him, I bet he will ask only her to dance tonight” another said with jealousy laced in her voice.

Madison couldn’t fathom while they were all making a huge fuse, the man looked like any other man except richly dressed and had the most beautiful woman in the hall on his arm. He hadn’t even taken off his mask yet and they were already falling all over their feet, turning back from the couple who was still lightly talking to their friends while subtlety flirting, she searched for the real reason she was at the ball in the first place.

And there he was in white breeches and a blue over coat, Mr. Jamison stood at the other side of the hall along with his brother and a few friends laughing amidst their selves.

She could identify him anywhere as his blonde hair always seemed to glow making him stand out, she stared at him for some time not knowing whether to approach him or not. She had met the man only once but she felt a certain likeness for him, and as if he noticed at stare as he turned over to look at her direction and it seemed like he recognized her as he started to walk towards her direction.

“Mr. Jamison” she greeted first when he was close enough.

“And I thought were becoming friends, please call me Ronnie”

Smiling up at him she tried it “and how do you do Mr. Ronnie”

“Very well Miss Madison, it’s always a pleasure to see you”

“I see you had no problem identifying me.” She teasingly remarked

“but of course, even with the mask on you are still the most beautiful woman in the room” Madison was extremely glad she had the mask on to conceal her face as she was sure her cheeks were red from all the blushing, the man had charm and he always knew how to flatter her.

“Thank you, you don’t look bad yourself” and she saw a boyish grin break out on his lips. She thought he would ask her for a dance but it seemed he had other plans.

“Would you like a drink” he offered charmingly “yes thank you.” she saw him walk over to one of the waiters holding a silver tray to get the drinks.

“There you are” mademoiselle paddled her way to her with an amazingly large smile on her face. “I have been looking everywhere for you, come along now”

“Am …” Madison didn’t get the chance to complete her sentence as before she could say anything she literally dragged her across the ball room walking as fast as her short little legs could take her.

“Please meet my charge; Lady Madison Salypse the youngest daughter of the earl of clanford” she introduced her to a tall man with a stick and slick grey hair and quizzical glasses.

“It’s nice to meet you Lady Madison I am James William grandfather to the duke of frostway.”

“The pleasure is all mine your grace” she curtsied while giving him a small smile.

The man raised his hand in a bellow as another man approached him “and this is my grandson the duke of frostway; Robert Williams”

“It’s a nice to…” Madison stopped mid way taking a good look at the man in front of her, she couldn’t believe it, she could never forget those peculiar blue orbs. The man who had just approached them was the same man from earlier with the beautiful woman and worst of all he was the man she had met two nights ago. He was the impotent hypocrite who stood there giving her a lecture on how vile women were. How silly she thought as the man was a known Casanova, everyone knew his reputation and today he was even seen with the most beautiful woman present, yet he had emitted a strong dislike for all women the other day, acting as if he couldn’t stand them.

“It’s a pleasure” he said curtly looking board to death about the whole ordeal.

“Robert why don’t you ask the fair lady to dance, I was just about showing Miss Salome here some paintings” the old man gave him a pat while smiling knowingly at her chaperone.

They two of them left to see the “paintings” while leaving her to stand awkwardly alone with this man, following his grandfather demands the man offered her his hands silently as she also silently took it. Moving over to the dance floor she noticed they were both beginning to attract attention.

He placed one of his hands on her waist while the other continued to hold her hands.”I didn’t think you will be here” he stared down at her.

“I didn’t expect to ever see you again your grace” she answered tauntingly noticing how a muscle flex in his cheeks making her smile.

“Neither did I” his hands that was on her waist slid up to her back to pull her close.

“I presume you’re having a lovely time with all the women here, who would have known a Casanova could have such strong aversion toward women”

“And who knew a debutante spends her time with a man all alone at night” stepping on his shoes with her heels she faked a gasp “I am sorry, it seems like I haven’t perfected the act of dancing yet”

“am sure you haven’t” he pushed her away as she twirled around before pulling her back into his arms as her back was pressed against his front “and you are still uncomfortable on the dance floor ” he whispered the words on the shell of her ears.

He let her go and continued dancing with her, swaying with music why she had a confused look entrenched on how lovely face “and how will you know?” she turned around to be caught by him again

“Your body language Madison” the way he called her name it was like he had called it a thousand times as it flew smoothly out of his mouth.

“I am perfectly fine” he slowly moved his hands back to her waist “of course you are, why else would you be happily dancing here with me while pretending to hate it.”