A few days later, Lady Agatha was the talk of the town, once again. The engagement rumor with Jason Holmes has subsided as most of the people now talked about Lady Agatha’s having a son, and for few who saw the tall handsome man in the garden with Lady Agatha with the child. 

The ladies were eager to know more about the guy as none of them clearly saw his face up close. A tattler lady said that the man has distinctive eyes with an appealing smile. It is true, that Creighton has indeed a great physique what more when he transforms in accompanying Lady Agatha for the upcoming ball (hmmm, looking forward to it.)

However, Lord Douglas Ashton is not happy to hear about it. 

“What a brat! I am losing my patience!” Lord Douglas said as he threw the newspaper toward his Butler who just bowed and did not react. 

“Is this how she retaliates to my plan for engaging her with the Holmes Family?” he angrily said, as he walks end to end from his desk. 

“Does the Holmes know about this?” He exclaimed. 

“I believe not Lord Douglas. The Holmes is currently overseas and will come back one day before the Brighton’s Ball Party.” The Butler explained. 

“Very well, I will talk to them when they arrived. And who is this man they are talking about?” he curiously asked. 

“Based on the rumors, Lord Douglas, no one was able to clearly see his face only a glimpse of his peculiar eyes, and appealing smile.” The Butler explained, not looking. 

“Hmp! I don’t care about his peculiar eyes. I don’t like this man intervening with my plan. So, make sure, to find more about this man, and let me know the soonest before the Holmes arrives.” Lord Douglas said as he sat on his chair, eyebrows up with a furrowed-moody look.

“Yes, Lord Douglas” the butler left the office. 

**  

Creighton was holding an envelope sealed in red wax. He doesn't know whom the letter came from. While he was walking in the hallway, going to Lady Agatha’s office with Liam, Ashley rushed through his side which he did not notice at all (like a Flash). 

“What the, - what was that?” Creighton felt sudden goosebumps.

Ashley rushed to Lady Agatha’s office.

“Lady Agatha! Lady Agatha!” as she enters the office grasping her breath.

“Why are you running and shouting around, Ashley? You must show respect when you come here.” Butler Donald reprimanded her. 

“It’s alright Donald” Lady Agatha said, sitting on the couch with Liam, as she was wiping his face from the food – mess. 

“Why are you in a haste, Ashley? Did something happen?” Lady Agatha asked, wondering. 

Ashley caught her breath again. 

“I’m sorry, Lady Agatha but you need to hear this,” Ashley said while Creighton came in at the same time and looked at Ashley.

“What’s wrong? Are you alright Ashley?” Creighton said still holding the envelope, wondering at the same time. 

“It’s good that you’re here, too Creighton,” Ashley said. She slowly breathes while holding her chest.

“Me? Okay.” Creighton said and wondered.

“Well, I was in town earlier with Jordan as we picked up the sack of grains and the sack of flour. And I heard people gossiping about you and Lady Agatha. I believe someone must have seen us in the Garden together. And someone is spreading such rumors about Liam as your son, and that Creighton is your lover.” Ashley explained, still breathing heavily while looking at them, sweating. 

“What?” Creighton stunned. 

“Yeah, they were spreading such rumors since yesterday.” Ashley tilted her head. 

Lady Agatha looked at Butler Donald, as Creighton looked at them. 

“Do you think it may have reached Uncle Douglas's ears?” Lady Agatha politely asked. 

“Indeed, my Lady. I believe he must have heard these rumors already. What should we do now?” Butler Donald said.

As Creighton overheard their conversation.

“Is there something I can do?” Creighton said (being Lady Agatha’s confidant – to protect)

Lady Agatha was in thought and saw Creighton holding an envelope.

“What is that on your hand?” she asked. 

Liam was playing on the floor with his teddy while they have a conversation. 

“Oh, this?” he looked at his hand with the letter “It’s a letter coming from the mailman.” Creighton handed the letter to her. 

She opens the letter. It was Brighton’s Invitation to the Ball Party. Lady Agatha smirked and handed the letter to Butler Donald. 

“I believe you can do something for us.” Lady Agatha smiled and looked at him.

“What is it then, Lady Agatha?” Creighton asked.

“We are going to attend Brighton’s Ball Party in the next two weeks,” she said as she sits on the couch. 

Creighton touched the crest rail of the couch, a bit tense.

“What’s a Ball Party?” Creighton naively asked. 

“It’s a banquet party where people meet and mingle with other well-known people like aristocrats, businessmen, politicians, and celebrities. Also, ballroom dancing to complete the event is a must.” Butler Donald briefly explained. 

While Liam went to Lady Agatha and touched her on the lap as they both looked at Creighton. Creighton looked at her, in a tense manner. 

“But Lady Agatha, I do not know how to dance.” Creighton shyly said as he clutched the crest rail. 

“Don’t worry Creighton, we have two weeks to practice. I will teach you the basic dance steps.” she gladly said as Creighton slightly tilted his head and quietly smiled. Liam chuckled.

**

The modernized ballroom hall was immaculate with a stunning chandelier placed at the center of the ceiling. The floor was made of marble with window glass walls in three corners of the room. A spectacular view of the garden that you can overlook and see while dancing. Butler Donald prepared the vintage gramophone to play music as they practice. 

While Liam can walk slowly without supervision, as he slowly pulls his teddy bear sliding from the floor. Like saying (come on, hurry up teddy) as he mumbled to himself. 

At the center of the room, Creighton looked up at the ceiling and then around. The enormousness of the ballroom took him by surprise. Lady Agatha then appeared, dressed in a nude-colored dress with a square neck and a shirred ruffle hem. She looks even more vivacious in her ballet flats. In that instant, Creighton was once again completely captivated by her. 

“Are you ready to learn the basics?” she said as she approached him closer. 

Creighton felt a little nervous, as she was brazened. He scratches his face with his point finder, in a tense manner.  “Ahm- I guess so.”

Lady Agatha generously smiled at him as she stands beside him (one meter apart). Creighton stands still where he is. Butler Donald went to carry Liam with him as they sat on the chair beside the vintage gramophone. No music has been played as they watch and learn the basic step of the waltz. 

Lady Agatha explains the steps as Creighton listens.

“The easiest dance is the waltz. It has six steps to follow. So, for now, I’ll be the leader of the dance but once we are at the Ball Party, you will lead the dance along with me.” she said as they face each other. 

“Okay” Creighton, tensely said. 

“It’s step back with your right foot, move to your left, and close your right foot to your left too.” she demonstrates the steps to him as he looks and listened attentively.

“Then, step forward with your left foot, move back and to your right, and close your left foot to your right foot. See it’s very simple” she looked at Creighton again. 

“Can you do that again, Lady Agatha?” Creighton eagerly said. 

“Of course.” Then, she demonstrates the step again. 

“Since I will lead you for now, I will start with my left foot, as you move your right foot back. Should we try it?” she suggested, with a modest smile. 

“Ahm- can I try it by myself as you watch me?” Creighton shyly asked.  

Lady Agatha gently tilted her head with a smile on her face and said “Of course.” 

Then, Creighton starts doing the basic steps. His steps were quite stiff, his arms rest on the side, and he does the step quite like a robot movement. 

Lady Agatha quietly chuckled, “pfff” including Butler Donald. Liam was clapping (like proud of his papa – papa–robot robot movement) . Creighton caught them quietly laughing, as he sighed, stop, and looked at them.

“Oh please, don’t laugh, I am feeling awkward now.”

“I’m sorry, Creighton.” Lady Agatha approached him.

“Here, take my hands” as she reached both of her arms forward. Creighton is confused. 

“Why?” 

“Just take my hands and will do it together.” modestly looked. 

Creighton slowly reaches his hand towards Lady Agatha and holds hands together.  

“This is not the proper way but let’s do it like this for now. Once, you are settled, I will then teach you the right posture for the waltz.” She explained as Creighton nodded his head. 

Lady Agatha led the dance steps. Although Creighton was moving stiffly, he was able to follow Lady Agatha’s movement quite well, as she do the counting.

“1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 steps” she counts, as they slowly move. 

“You’re doing good, Creighton.” As they do the dance steps, holding hands together. 

Liam was clapping, as he slowly does the boomerang movement on Butler Donald’s lap. 

Creighton, his cheeks red from smiling and nodding along with Lady Agatha's graceful movements, was impressed. They were cordial toward one another as they practiced the dance. Butler Donald found them attractive and hoped they would one day find each other; he hopes to see that day come to pass before his employment with the company ends.