Dance

It was all Garret could do, not to reach out and caress Victoria's glowing face. Seeing her emerge from the room caused his breath to catch in his throat... just like it often did. His eyes meet hers for only a split second, lest someone catch him staring. Offering his arm, he walks beside her, caught in a world of lies and masks. But somewhere... somewhere deep within the darkness of his heart, where dreams were left to die, he imagined this ball for them. And he was walking his own princess down the stairs, able to show the world his love. 

Reaching the floor, reality returns and his eyes sweep the room full of guests. Music played, elegantly dressed men and women mingled, sipped drinks or danced. "Yes," he finally responds to her question. "Although something hasn't felt right since they started arriving." His eyes continue to roam the moving bodies and faces, his own bearing only a forced expression of disinterest. "Probably just my imagination though."

"Ah, and here she is." Medridge appears from the side, also dressed in his finest, his shiny black cane clicking on the floor. "Victoria, my dear, you look simply beautiful." He turns to a middle-aged man beside him. "Does she not, Harkins?" 

The man smiles and reaches out for Victoria's hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss. "Indeed she does." 

"Well then." Medridge smiles. "Mr. Harkins, Victoria Medridge," he introduces before looking back at his granddaughter. "Please honor my friend with a dance, will you?" 

Mr. Harkins retrieves Victoria's arm and also smiles. "It certainly would be an honor." Heading to where several other couples danced, Mr. Harkins takes Victoria's hand and waist. "Your grandfather was correct - you outshine everyone in this room."

As Medridge watches the two move into the center of the floor, he steps closer to Garret. "Dirk said he smelled a rat," he mentions quietly. 

"Mm." Garret doesn't take his eyes off of the people. "I'll keep my eyes open, Sir. Is there any intel I should be aware of?" 

"You've been briefed." 

"Then we still suspect someone from the Underground to appear?" 

"Perhaps. It would be daring for them to show up here." Medridge chuckles. "But then, that may be what makes them a worthy adversary." 

"Certainly." Garret's gaze wanders from guest to guest until he lands on Victoria dancing. And his heart quietly hurts.