Capítulo 286: Forty three
As soon as the car lurches to a stop, Mason opens the door with a devilish grin on his lips.
Dusk has settled in thoroughly in the time we took to drive from the academy to Morston. The street lamps are on, providing intimate lighting to our little reunion and a short-lived private moment.
His hand comes into view, and as he leans slightly forward, our eyes meet allowing me to catch a glimpse of his heated gaze. Courtesy of the dim light he hasn't seen me just yet, just caught a glimpse of me.
Gracefully, I slide my hand into his and put one foot on the ground. Elegance has never been my forte, but in this moment I manage to seamlessly transition from the car to solid ground. Usually, I'm all over the place. Who knows, it might be the dress, but I successfully managed to slither out of the car without any embarrassing incidents. I call that progress.
Once, I'm on solid ground, Mason takes a step back to admire my attire. His gaze travels slowly from my face to my very plump and perky decolletage, which doesn't go unnoticed. Wide-eyed, smirking, his gaze bounces back to my face, " Wow," He breathes, awed, " I have no words," He gulps and tugs me by the hand to pull me closer.
Nose to nose with him, I smirk, " That's something. For once I've rendered you speechless," He brings our joined hands to his lips, our gaze locked on each other, while my heart is trashing inside my chest to get out. We are dangerously close, in a compromising position. Winter has its own perks, and most people have retreated to the warmth of their homes. Hopefully.
" You have, my love. As you do every time I see you, but now I only have one question. Are you trying to give me a coronary? Am far too young to die. But you in that dress... Jesus Christ. You'll have to prepare yourself for collateral victims," I giggle, flustered at the compliment. Not exactly what I expected, but I suppose it will do. He steps aside, lowering our joined hands, I take my eyes off him to look at the lively house. I've never seen Northenhay in all its splendour. Enid has outdone herself. The theme of the party is ' In Bloom'. From where I'm standing at the gate, where an arch covered in honeysuckle and hydrangeas has been erected, I can only imagine the rest of the house. I always thought that Enid was the solitary type, but I guess I was wrong. Music and animated chatter filter through from the mansion filling the air and the surrounding garden, offering a glimpse of its former glory days. This place must've been the heart of parties once upon a time.
" I thought you said that this is a dinner party," I whisper as we climb up the few steps up to the house. Mason glances at me and smiles enigmatically.
" I might've understated the size of the party. But all that matters is that you are here to celebrate with us," He says quietly as he pushes the front door open, and right then and there I truly understand what he meant when he said 'understated'. The house is teeming with people; people I've met and some are completely strangers to me.
Enid weaves through the crowd, glass in one hand, and a fan in the other. The temperature inside is tropical compared to the chill of January.
Flushed, covered in a sheen of sweat Enid bounds towards us with a pep in her step unlike I've ever seen before, with a beaming smile. I've never seen her so happy.
" She's happy," I mutter under my breath, but Mason hears me.
Smiling, he leans closer, " She is happier than I've ever seen her before and you'll find out soon enough why," Mistery. Enid is a gentle being until you step on her toes, and that's something I don't intend to do anytime soon. So I consider myself safe.
Smiling brightly she crashes right into me wrapping me into her warm embrace, glass and fan in hand, still, " Welcome home, dear," She mumbles into my shoulder, now with added few inches due to her heels.
" Glad to be home," I whisper into her cheek and give her a tight squeeze.
" I have so many people for you to meet. Mind if I steal her for a little while," Enid looks at Mason who nods and gives me a wink.
" I'll go fetch you a drink," He says as he turns around to leave.
" I truly hope you've unlocked that drinks cabinet," I tease and he smirks at me over his shoulder.
" All you had to do was try Lily. But you never did, so I guess that is on you," He throws back over his shoulder as he jostles his way through the throng of people. So many of them. This is an honest to God party.
Enid threads her arm through mine and gives me a bright smile, " You look absolutely out of this world, dear, " Enid praises, taking in my dress, and the fascinator in my hair, " You look very regal," Her eyes fall on the chain around my neck, " New jewellery?" She asks cheerfully, but there is a glint of recognition in her eyes, that tells me she already knows.
" You could say that," I smile, and clasp the rings in my hand. Their significance is only known to Mason and I, but a promise nonetheless.
Enid nods and waves a hand to Marie who is looking around the room, searching for someone or something.
As soon as she catches a glimpse of us, she starts to slide around through the gaps in the crowd. It takes her a while to fight her way through the crowd but eventually, she prevails and joins us.
" So good to see you, Dove," She pulls me into a hug, and I don't really know what I've done to deserve the love this woman has shown towards me. We barely know each other well enough to have a two-minute conversation.
" Likewise. How are you doing?" I ask as she reluctantly releases me.
" Wonderful," She might be a little tipsy. Flushed cheeks, glassy eyes and a little too much cheer in her voice for someone that not very long ago has lost her husband.
" Morston is something else. Varan doesn't compare. The sea is so wonderful," It's the middle of the freaking winter, there is a good chance that you might turn into an ice statue if stand too close. At least that thought cools me down, a little.
She prattles on, " You know, people are so lovely, and friendly. And the parties in this town are absolutely mad, " Ehh? Come again. That's what they've been up to all this time. Partying. Talk about second youth.
A lithe woman with sun-kissed skin, and almond eyes slides into the conversation. A woman, I've never met before, and then again I'm no social butterfly.
" Oh, hello Amanda, " Marie chirps, " This is Lily. So great to see you. How are you finding the party? There is going to be dancing before dinner. I hope you found yourself a fine hunk of meat to keep you warm," Oh, my! Where have I ended up? Marie winks at Amanda who blushes on cue, her eyes fleeting left and right, embarrassed. Amanda is what you'd call a spinster. She seems well into her thirties, which by all means is not old but you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Marie hasn't stopped talking, as she keeps pointing out to Amanda all the available hunks of meat in the room. Plenty of poppets in the sea to go around twice.
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