“That’s for certain.” Virginia nodded, a disapproving look on her face. Eve was surprised but stayed quiet. Virginia looked at her, glancing at the three men. “And you can’t forget Lord Barnaby, either. He’s not the one for you. You nearly sank into the floor when he began to do that spinning dance for everyone, you know, the one he learned when he visiting Peru?”
Richard and Virginia burst out laughing, so Eve followed along. She was curious to see what this dance looked like. It had made quite an impression on her friends. She listened as her companions went around the room, pointing out various other gentlemen she had danced with.
“And here we have Lord Halley, look out, Helen, he’s right behind you, you might need to…”
Richard said the sentence very quickly but interrupted himself when Lord Halley was close enough hear them. “Hello, Lord Halley! How are you?”
The young man nodded at them and bowed to Helen. “Are you free to dance, Lady Helen?”
Eve was glad she had taken dancing lessons. There was no way she would know how to waltz otherwise. She stood up, and Richard stood up when she did. “You aren’t a little tired, are you, dear cousin?” Richard lowered his head and Eve could tell he was unhappy that she was considering the dance. She felt like he was telling her with his eyes that she shouldn’t go.
But she was curious. She had to know what it was like. It was amazing and incredible that she was even given the opportunity to live during a time outside of her own.
“I’ll be all right, Richard,” she said, nodding.
“But-“
“She said she’s all right, Lord Webb. Don’t worry, I will take good care of her.” The tone of Lord Halley’s voice made Eve hesitate. She wished a different gentleman had approached her, but she took the lord’s hand and moved onto the dance floor with him anyway.
“How are you tonight, Lady Helen?” He asked.
“I am well, Lord Halley,” she responded, instantly disliking how close he was to her and the fact that she was pressed up against him, spinning around the room in a dizzying fashion.
“Now, Helen, you know you may call me Thomas. We settled this before, didn’t we?” He smiled at her, and she noticed he was wavering a little, as though he’d had too much to drink.
“Oh, yes, I remember.”
Thomas laughed, throwing his head back and guffawing as if she had said something hilarious. She thought it was awkward and forced. “You are quite a handsome woman, Helen. We really should take a ride sometime. I have a fine carriage, you know. You would fit very comfortably in it. With me.” He gave her a sly smile. She felt a little sick to her stomach. Suddenly, she felt anxious and a little scared. This was not modern day. What would it be appropriate for her to do to get out of this situation? Surely the women didn’t have to put up with obnoxious men they didn’t want to be around. Did they?
Chapter Three
Eve suffered through the dance. It made her dizzy, and she felt slimy after Lord Halley’s hands had pawed all over her. She wanted to throw the dress away and never see it again, but she didn’t even know where her room was in this huge house to change and was worried if she did anything to the dress, she might not be able to return home. She wanted to return home.
She nodded to her cousin and Virginia upon returning to the table. “I…I am feeling out of sorts.”
“I am not surprised by that after having to dance with that man. I told you to say you were tired, Helen. You should have listened.”
Eve nodded at Richard. “I agree. I should have listened to you. What an obnoxious man!”
“You knew that already, my dear,” Virginia said, standing up. “You do look a bit off color. Shall I walk you to your room?”
“Oh, that would be lovely, Virginia, thank you.”
Virginia nodded and turned to Richard. “All right, I will be back in a few minutes, Richard. You behave yourself.”
“Yes, dear.”
The three laughed, and Virginia took her arm. “Your father is a dear for throwing this ball for you tonight, Helen,” she said as she led Eve away from the table and toward the doors. “He’s so generous to you and your sisters and your brother. You are truly lucky.”
“Oh? I’m glad to hear that.”
Virginia giggled. “What does that mean? You are acting so strange tonight, Helen. You don’t seem to be yourself.”
“And how exactly am I acting differently?” She asked.
“You are normally so quiet and not outgoing at all. What on earth made you think to play that game, naming off all your previous suitors and what you thought of them, looking for newcomers. Who are you, my dear?” Again Virginia laughed and Eve knew she wasn’t being serious.
“Perhaps I am tired of being quiet and spending time all by myself.”
“Oh? You have decided to join the rest of us in this world and really create a family for yourself? Leave your heartache behind?”
“I’m not sure. So far, I am not impressed with my life.”
“Well, I must say you haven’t made much of it so far.”