Chapter 29: The Dancing was a Trap?

The center of the Ballroom is the worst. I've always hated it and there was reason why. When you're in the center of the ballroom, everyone can see you and you not might think they're watching you but they are. They're looking at you with daggers in their hands and bullets in their eyes, awaiting for you to make the first mistake. Waiting for someone to mess up.

I thought this thought vividly as flashy memories struck my brain and as whispers passed along the ballroom like smoke to a burning house. They were talking me, they were talking about me and him and of course they were talking about a motive.

Did Sir. Bertram have a motive in dancing with me? Was this all to get closer to me and steal my fortune? Did he want to put my family in ruins? What did he-! He gazed into my eyes and I smiled awkwardly back at him unsure what to say or do.

His brows furrowed at me and he tilted his head a little peering down at my dress, "Did the Seamstress re-sew your clothing or is it just my eyes playing tricks on me?" My eyes went slightly wide and I darted them to the ground avoiding eye-contact with him. "W.well yes, my dress got caught on a table when I was passing through the halls and I needed it to be repaired urgently. Is that a problem with you?" I said looking back to him, with a glare in my eyes.

His shoulders relaxed a bit and he coughed awkwardly shaking his head, "No actually, to be honest I only took notice because my sister seem to pay attention. I don't usually take part in looking for those sort of things but again my sister says detail is key of course ." He twirled me in a circle and pulled me back to him, keeping pace. "By the way, for not wanting to dance you sure seem to be keeping u-!" "Do you always listen to what your sister says? Sir.Bertram, Pardon my interruption but I was trying to see if she is the one to make the calls, or do you speak for yourself."

He was a little caught off-guard by what I said and I was too actually. I was surprised I would dare say something so bold, but I did and I was proud of it. I continued to keep pace with Sir.Bertram and he regained his composure and responded with, "Well no, not exactly, I just tend to take care and what she says since she is my sister of course. I do have my own my mind as I have my own body and thoughts." He said while giving me a once-over.

He switched up his movements a little, with his dancing but I still managed followed along as he smirked almost mischievously at me. "Lady.Victoria I do love your bold behavior, it's what drew me to you in the first place. It let's me know that my potential partner has a, as you say backbone? A tongue of words? We should meet soon after this for Tea maybe? A talk of business or just casual conversation? Your choice of course if you aren't already busy."

His head fell a bit with a smile and I cocked my head in confusion, "Busy? Busy with what? I'm not following Sir.Bertram." He looked up with a coy grin and rolled his eyes in what seem to be annoyance, "I do enjoy your company Lady.Victoria truly. But honestly it seems someone enjoys you far more than I do and that person isn't even in the same status as you. That person is nothing but a commoner who seems to be digging in the wrong place yet he stills fishing in a shark shiver. Isn't that interesting?"

My eyes grew wide and fury struck in my bones, was he talking about Charles in that way?! My friend? My Seamstress?! Was he Jealous of my friend helping me? Actually paying some mind to what I feel? I think I had enough dancing. I think I now know what this was truly about…