Chapter 3

I placed my own gently on his chest and he cleared his voice.

"Miss Rossana, you must give me one of your hands." I clenched my fist and put my other palm against his, he wriggled his fingers between mine and I exhaled out my nose sharply.

"Charlie will you stop calling me miss Rosanna, you are being ridiculous and you know it." I snapped and he turned red which only furthered my annoyance.

We began to sway slowly and soon started dancing around the room, Charles was light on his feet and thank to the lessons I took when I was younger I wasn't insufferable.

His face was close to mine and he stared at me, a intense look coming over his eyes. I breathed in nervously and turned my cheek to him.

"Rossana, have I told you how beautiful you are?" He whispered closely and I leaned away, shaking my head hurriedly.

"Please charlie, don't make this even more weird." I muttered under my breath.

"I didn't catch that Rosie."

"Nothing, you were saying?" I asked, brushing away his question.

"Well I wanted to let you know that you are the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on-"

"That's very sweet Charles, thank you." I told him hurriedly.

He pulled me tighter against his tall, lanky frame and I squirmed in his almost smothering grasp.

"I want to ask Rossana, would it be possible if you could come and-"

The music stopped and a wave over applause erupted drowning out his dreaded words. I pulled away for his embrace to clap as well and then curtsied, he gave a slow bow in return.

Whilst his gaze was lowered I slipped behind a heavyset women and gathered up the hem of my dress to run frantically behind the pillars that stood stately around the edges of room.

Once I reached them and was away from him, I peaked out from behind the pillars and watched him look around in confusion for me.

The queer look on his face made me giggle and I pressed a hand against my mouth to prevent myself from betraying my whereabouts.

I leaned against the white marble when Charles finally disappeared into the crowd, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Who are hiding from?" A low voice made me jump in surprise.

"Whose there?" I asked, reaching out into the darkness.

"Just me," the low voice said again.

"And who are you?"

"Does it matter," he lit a cigarette and I relaxed when I could make out the outlines of his face. "So, who are you hiding from?"

"No one, just a-," I sighed and rubbed my eyes tiredly.

"A pursuer?" He asked blowing out a hazy mist that I could barley see.

"I guess you could call him that but he's actually my friend." I flapped my arm and coughed.

"How sad, it must be so difficult to be plagued with such annoyance."

"Don't mock me," I snapped, hearing the taunt in his voice, "I assume the main reason why your here is because you don't want to be seen, correct?"

"Correct," He said, "I do not want to be seen."

"Why? Is a girl pursuing you?" He chuckled quietly at my words.

"Far from it,"

"Then what?" I asked

"I detest such gatherings." He threw his flaming stick in the ground and stamped on it carefully.

"How sad, must be so difficult to not being able to dance." I smirked knowing he couldn't see me smiling.

"Who said I couldn't dance?" He asked.

"I won't tell anyone, don't fear sir, I always stick to my word."

"Who- what gave you the impression I couldn't?" I could hear irritation in his voice and my smile grew.

"I'm convinced you can't dance that's why you hiding in the comforts of darkness."

"Your mistaken," he replied

"Nothing to be ashamed of, I had a aunt who couldn't dance but she had ulcers on her feet so maybe that's why."

"I don't want to dance, with anyone."

"Maybe no one wants to dance with you, because you can't?"

"You-,"

"Many people are usually in denial of such things, you aren't the first to be in such position,"

"You must be-,"

"Just repeat after me-" I began.

"Has anyone told you how irritating you are." He seethed between clenched teeth.

"I'm not usually, you just seem to be rather proud so I take enjoyment out of it."

"What do you go by?" He asked after a few moments of silence.

"Rosanna Gallaway,"

"Rosanna?"

"Don't fear sir, your ears are working perfectly fine."

"I'm perfectly aware of that fact," he snapped and fell silent again.

"You don't say much do you?"

"No." He replied.

"Which one do you dislike more, dancing or talking?"

"Dancing but your quickly changing that."

I chuckled softly and turning to the hall again, noticing how the crowd fell silent.

"Better leave before my aunt starts to worry,"

"How terrible, your presence brought me much comfort."

"As did yours sir," I stepped out the shadows, "you didn't tell me your name."

"My name is Mr Knightley," He did the same and I stared up at his his face with a baited breath.

"How nice, well goodbye," I mused, I was about to step out but then the entrance doors flung open and the soldiers we had been waiting for trouped in.