Page 36 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
He slipped through the open doorway and could make out an odd scene before him. Someone was dancing in the centre of the room. Although the hall was lit up by the pale silvery moonlight, it was hard to see who the silhouette belonged to. Quietly, he stepped closer, not wishing to startle whoever it was.
As he moved, he could see that it was a lady, and he hoped he had not inadvertently bumped into Lady Matilda having a sleepless night too. But no… to his delight it was Josephine, and she danced like a swan gliding across the water in a sparkling lake.
Now that he was closer, he could hear her sweet voice humming a tune. Even in the silvery light, he could see her eyes were closed. She danced far better than any lady who had graced these halls before. A flash of memory entered his mind, of how each of his brothers had practiced with her during their dancing lessons.
It saddened him that they had used her in this way, for she was never to enter the ballroom dance floor, even though she knew every dance move to every set. As he watched her body swaying to the sound of the melody she hummed, he felt a deep pride at how talented she was. Here was a woman who had learnt all the skills of a lady yet would never be able to use them.
Her moves were so very graceful, and he longed to join her and hold her in his arms so they could dance together in harmony. He was loath to disturb her as he could see that she was an imaginary dream world.
The more he observed her, the quicker his heart beat and the more he desired to join her in her dance,and why not?The guests were asleep, and they were alone. He could no longer resist the temptation, it was time to join as one and enjoy a secret moment alone, but together.
Chapter 28
With her eyes tightly closed, Josephine sank deeper into her dream as she floated around the hall. She was lost in a world where she could dance freely in the arms of the man she loved. She could even smell his familiar minty soap aroma. It felt so real, and she opened her eyes for just a moment. That was when she had a feeling that something in the hall had changed.
She stopped her dancing steps as she sensed someone else was in the room with her. For a fleeting moment, she felt panic, and her eyes darted around the dimly lit room. Finally, her gaze rested on a dark shape. A familiar silhouette was standing only a few feet in front of her.
There was no doubt in her mind who it was. The certainty was confirmed as his figure became clearer and their eyes locked. So close was he that she stared into his loving gaze. Ethan had come to her, and her heartbeat quickened, as it always did in his presence.
Saying not a word, she watched as he smiled back at her. To her delight, he bowed his head a little to speak to her softly. “May I have the honour of this dance, my lady?”
Josephine could find no words to utter. Should she run out of the hall and apologise for her behaviour? But that would mean turning away from the man she loved. Rather than run, she held out her hand to accept the offer.
Again, her imagination played games as she visualised the hall filled with ladies and lords all around them. Her whole being tingled as Ethan held her fingers in his strong palms as their bodies took up the positions for the coming dance.
This cannot be real,her voice echoed in her mind.
Ethan took the lead and he swept her around the hall, with all the familiar moves that she knew.
Oh, but it is real. You are here… and… and I can feel the touch of your hands on my skin. I… I can hear the music of the orchestra and—
The voice in her head quieted, as the thrill of the dance was more than she could ever have hoped for. Ethan matched her move with great eloquence. Strips of the silvery moonlight helped her to capture his amorous stare, in short bursts of magical moments. Her heart soared with love as they moved around the floor as one, and she never wanted it to come to an end.
She felt him place his hand on her lower back as they performed a twirl in the dance set. Their feet tapped to the same rhythm as if they were both listening to the same imaginary tune. The connection between them was unreal.
Synchronising every complex step between them, each was influenced by a harmony in their minds. Together, with every turn, they performed to perfection as they sailed around the empty hall.
An unseen synergy passed between the warmth of their touch. They moved with purpose around the floor. As if their minds co-existed in harmony, the pace slowed down as they came to the end of the movement in the set. Their very souls intertwined as they slowly came to a controlled stop.
Neither wanted to let go of the other. Each was captured in the gravity of the occasion. Enchanted by their closeness, their eyes locked together once again.
“I want to take in this moment and treasure it forever,” Ethan whispered as he caressed her cheek with a gentle touch. He lifted her chin with a light touch of his fingers. Fingers that moved with a purpose, as he brought her lips closer to his. “My, Josephine, how I love you."
Josephine could feel the warmth of his breath as the smoothness of his cheek pressed upon hers. The intimate proximity of his lips was not lost upon her. She knew she should turn away, but she could not. Instead, she turned her cheek with only one purpose in mind: that of their first kiss.
Their lips brushed together with a light touch as they each discovered the hidden promise of love. In their hearts, the passion burnt as hot as their lips. As they connected, they melded together as they had when they danced. Both shared a yearning to be together forever, yet it was a desire neither could achieve.
Ethan’s hand cupped the back of Josephine’s head in a gentle hold as their kiss blossomed. As that intensity cooled, his hand moved away to a respectful distance.
“Ethan… I—”
“Shh,” he said as he placed a single forefinger over her delicate lips. “Say nothing and let this moment be sacred,” he whispered as his forehead leaned onto hers. “I wish to declare my love for you, my darling Josephine.”
Josephine’s heart still raced from the elicit kiss they had shared. It had been a gamble and they had risked exposure at a terrible cost, but still… it had been worthwhile, for now she knew he loved her in return.
Tearing herself away from the man who owned her heart, her very being, was not easy. As they parted ways, she felt bereft of his contact immediately. Josephine departed from the large hall at speed, otherwise, she would not be able to leave. She headed to her small room, where an icy wind of loss seemed to follow her.
Laying her head on the pillow, she shed tears for what could never be. If only that small but magical moment could have lasted a little longer. If only tomorrow was not to come and they could have danced together forever. Soon, she was dreaming of a dance around a lake. Her body wore a dancing dress made of silk, and she floated on the waters, enraptured in the arms of her beloved.
