Chapter 3 - A Woman's Waltz
552 Words
Chapter 3 - A Woman's Waltz
Subsequent days afforded Jenna and Ella only fleeting moments together amid growing duties, yet their love flourished in secret glances and brushes of hands like delicate blossoms unfurling in the night. Rumors arose among the servants of Ella's frequent solitary rides but none guessed the true object of her wanderings.
Richard seemed oblivious to whispers yet distance grew between the affianced couple. Where once he doted upon Ella, now he spent evenings at the gentleman's club or riding with peers, leaving her to supervision of the manor. Though Ella knew she must wed Richard to please her family, her heart belonged now wholly to another. Guilt and worry gnawed at her spirit even as Jenna's compassing care soothed her soul.
One dreary morn, Ella rose from fitful dreams to discover preparations were underway for a ball at the Hayles' manor come weekend. As she dined with Richard and family, nausea gripped her stomach at imagined ordeals of dancing, cordial small talk and feigned joy. But escape proved impossible - attendance was expected as their families were among pillars of Willowbrook society.
The following nights dragged agonizingly, Ela longing only for haven in Jenna's arms. At last the fated eve arrived, and Ella prepared herself for political theatre with practiced stoicism. Downstairs, Willowbrook gentry milled about hall and gardens, chattering gaily behind fans and masquerade masks as servants wove between patrons with laden trays. Richard materialized to claim his betrothed for their opening dance, pulling Ella into the thronging ballroom.
There under crystal chandeliers and watched by all, Ella moved through prescribed steps of the waltz yet her mind fled far. She clung to Richard as anchor in this tumultuous sea yet her fingers gripped only fine cloth and rigid manners, finding no comfort or kindredness in his touch. As the dance concluded, applause swelled yet to Ella it was cacophony scrambling her thoughts further. With mumbled excuses, she fled discreetly onto cool verandas.
There amid fragrant night blooms and solace of solitude, Ella's composure at last crumbled into wracking sobs. Rearing fears of entrapment and confusion over divided loyalties rent her psyche like unseen assailants. Lost in private torment, Ella did not notice gentle footsteps approach until a cloak settled warm around her trembling form. Lifting her streaming face, she found not Richard's assessing gaze but kind amber eyes and small smile of her hearts' true love.
"Jenna..." Ella choked, crumbling anew into forgiving arms scented faintly of earth and stable. Jenna held her securely, soothing with nonsensical comforts and stroking her disheveled locks until ravages eased. Lifting Ella's chin delicately, she wiped lingering tears with calloused thumbs. "Have faith, my heart. All will be well in time, you'll see." Her steady surety poured balm on Ella's rent soul and she nodded weakly, comprehending in that moment Jenna alone could mend these rifts.
Pressing gratitude into a chaste yet lingering kiss, Ella withdrew reluctantly, knowing she must rejoin the revelry lest absence arouse gossip. Jenna watched her go with heart in competent eyes, cloak still wrapped protectively around Ella like a shield against harm. Renewed by her steadfast care, Ella managed weak smiles and polite conversation, yet her spirit soared solely in memory of sheltering arms and certainty of enduring love amid life's storms.
Kwentista
@2023
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