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Souderton Abbey

The Ball

Chapter 20

The orchestra played lively as the night went on, and people danced and drank happily and as much as they pleased. Niall and Harry had the unfortunate pleasure of walking around and making sure everyone had enough champagne in their glass and that there was always appetizers being passed out on silver trays. People laughed as they told stories about the same situations, but instead different people. The night was typical, which to the upper class meant amazing.

Carrie was currently dancing with a man that was apparently the third cousin of the youngest brother of the Prince of Wales. He went on and on about the time that they hung out, even though the actual situation probably only lasted a maximum of ten minutes.

"... And then he told me the funniest joke I've ever heard. If you want to hear it, you should come visit me in London next time you're up there."

Carrie gave him a stiff smile as yet another man asked "May I have this dance." Except this one was an older man that she recognized to be one of her father's old friends that she considered to be an uncle to her.

"I can tell you could care less about most of these conceded bastards. You look more bored than most kids do during school."

Carrie laughed and nodded as she said, "I see you've gotten the hint. I wonder why none of these guys have gotten it?"

"It's because they're too busy daydreaming about having a beautiful girl like you on their arms."
Her, practically, Uncle smiled down at her and she returned it.

"Thanks, but I am not really interested in getting married anytime soon, let alone to most of these guys here. I just want someone where I don't have to try to make conversation. I want something, I don't know, natural."

Her Uncle was never so proud to hear something come out of her mouth before. He knew that she was strong willed, but he didn't want her to follow the pact. It was easy to follow the typical path, but he knew she could do so much better.

"I'm just going to take a wild guess and say that that young man over there is who you are talking about." Carrie's uncle nodded his head towards Niall's direction, who was currently pouring more champagne into lined glasses on the tableclothed table.

"How did you know?"

"Well, judging from the amount of times I catch you staring at him, let alone all the times I see him staring at you, you two seem as though you have some history."

Carrie sadly smiled to her uncle and nodded her head.

"He made me feel like I was more than just someone who should just sit in the house all day and look pretty. He made me fell that I mattered. He was the kindest, sweetest, and most thoughtful person I know, but now it's all over."

Her uncles frowned as he looked down at the less that happy girl dancing with him across the ballroom floor.

"What happened, then?"

Carrie took a deep gasp and let out some of the anger that she had been holding in towards her life with the exhale. "This ball hit us, that's what." Carrie wanted to continue and say that also the bitter taste of life slapping them in the face as they both realized she's doomed to being in a mostly money biased relationship. It was surely fun while it lasted, though.

Before Carrie's Uncle could respond, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to a tall, handsome man with jet black hair and a 5 o'clock shadow that was noticeable, but not overpowering in a way that might make him look rugged.

"Excuse me sir, but I was wondering if you would allow me to dance with this beautiful lady." The uncle nodded as he made his way over to the hours devours table and the gentlemen took Carrie's left hand and put his right hand ok her waist.

"I'm glad I finally got a chance to dance with the Lady of the Hour. Whom, by the way, looks absolutely stunning tonight." Carrie couldn't help but smile at the compliment and thanked him quite honestly.

"I'm supposing the red dress did not act as a red flag in your mind?" The unknown bachelor laughed as he examined the dress once again before looking back into her eyes.

"Of course it did, but to me it shows you're strong, and I like that. I'm Keith, by the way. Keith Greene."

Carrie glanced over in Niall's direction before turning back to Keith. "I'm Carrie. Carrie Barlow, but I'm pretty sure you already knew that."

Niall was filling up a glass of champagne for an older man,that he assumed to be a friend of the Barlow's, when he turned in Niall's direction saying, "Don't worry, your time will come. I highly doubt any of these guys here are as qualified for her as you are."

With utter confusion, Niall responded, "Excuse me, sir, but I have no idea what you are talking about."

Making short eye contact with Niall, he muttered, "I'm talking about the lady in red", before taking a sip and walking away.