CHAPTER EIGHT - THE BALL
1077 Words
AKANINYENE'S POV
"Good morning my lord," Akpan said, "your message has been delivered.".
"I hope I won't have any problems Akpan?" I asked.
"No my lord, the message was delivered in the most secret manner, they won't suspect me which means you're safe." he said.
"Did you see her read the note?" I asked.
"No, my lord, but I know she would have read the letter by now." he replied.
"That's okay, you can leave.".
I was reading a book by Shakespeare titled Hamlet in the garden before Akpan's arrival. After he left I was pondering on one of the scenes in the story.
"So Gertrude dies from drinking the poisoned wine intended for Hamlet, hmph pathetic," I continued, English literature is a typical example of their lives; tragic and miserable.".
I closed the book and headed to the the dining for lunch. The rest of the day went as smoothly as possible.
TWO DAYS LATER - THE EVENING OF THE BALL
I was excited about the ball in Malmesbury. It was the first ball I attended not for business purposes but because I was truly invited. I still had doubts about the ball, I knew English people were never to be trusted, they always had a dirty trick in mind.
"Let's see how it goes." I said to myself.
We drove a few miles to Malmesbury estate. It was magnificent.
"My lord I have to admit this is a very beautiful estate." said Akpan.
"Of course Akpan, they're called aristocrats for a reason." I laughed as we walked up to the main door.
"How are you?" a guard asked.
I felt my blood boil, if it were up to me he would be eating his own tongue.
"I'm a guest of the Earl." I replied.
He looked at me from top to bottom with disdain. I took a quick look at my clothes, I looked impeccable which means he was racist.
"I'm gonna need you to step back sir." he said, " I think it's a mistake, you don't look like you're supposed to......he trailed off.
I didn't even let him finish as I slapped him across the face, instantly all eyes were locked on the three of us.
"How dare you, a mere insignificant thing speak that way to me," I continued, "do you know who I am, I could buy you ten times over, rubbish.".
The Earl walked up to us wanting to know what had just transpired between the guard and myself.
"What's going on here?" he asked looking in the direction of the guard but I felt the question was directed at me.
"I'm sorry my lord but I avoid English gatherings for a reason, I don't like to get insulted especially not by people who aren't worthy of being servants of my servants." I said.
"Your guard here refused us entry to the mansion simply because we do not share the same skin colour." Akpan said.
What happened next surprised me, the guard received another slap, this time it was from the Earl himself.
"Was this what I asked you to do?" he continued, "leave right away, I'll have you punished later.
"I apologise for the little misunderstanding sir," he said to me, "I have been a bad host.".
"I'm sure the rest of the evening will be magnificent, my lord." I said.
The evening started with a play on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I watched the play with interest, it was so beautiful a tale.
"What do you think of the play Mr Ndaeyo?" a man had asked.
"It was lovely, although I have to admit I didn't like the suicide part, I'd rather have a happy ending, wouldn't you agree." I replied.
"I think the story is trying to portray the reality of life, we don't always get what we want, fate always seems to have other plans." a woman argued.
"You're right my lady, but what is life if we cannot dream?" I asked, "the most important thing in life is our dreams, without it we're only existing not living, it's what motivates us to want to see the light of every new day. That's why we celebrate our achievements and happy moments, what is that thing you guys say, hope dies last right".
There was an applause.
"Wow, if only I knew how interesting you were earlier, you would be present at every one of my parties." the man from earlier on said.
"Of course, said the Earl, Mr Ndaeyo here seems to have such insights on life despite being so young, I doubt they're many like him, I'm sure that's why he's a very successful business man.
The violinists began to play.
"I guess it's time for a dance." the Earl said as he led his wife to the dance floor.
"May I have the pleasure of a dance?" I said to the lady from earlier on.
"Yes you may." she replied.
I slowly took my hand in hers and placed the other on her waist. She looked into my eyes, I looked at her face, there were so many emotions present. I felt her heart beat increase. The gods have mercy she was falling for me.
"Tell me about yourself my lady." I said finally breaking the ice.
"And wh-what would you want to know?" she stammered.
"Everything my lady." I said in the most seducing way I could.
"My name is Elizabeth, I am twenty years old." she said clearly having little control over her choice of words.
"Is that all?"
"No, I- I don't remember." she said.
I chuckled as I heard her say these words. She looked at me clearly embarrassed, she wanted to break off the dance, but I wouldn't have it. I pulled even closer to me and said.
"You don't have to feel ashamed my lady," I continued, "no one's paying attention to us.".
"I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable." she said.
"I'm not uncomfortable and you don't have to be sorry, besides I really think you're a beautiful young woman." I said to her.
"No don't, stop it." she blushed.
"As you wish my lady.". I said.
The music stopped playing. I kissed the back of her gloved hand as a sign of interest rather than customary.
"Thank you for the dance miss Elizabeth?"
"Everhigh, Elizabeth Everhigh." she replied.
"Everhigh, but she wasn't the one I met in the carriage, what is going on?" I thought to myself.
- Writer
