“Man, I'm so glad dinner is over! I felt like it took forever and none of the adults had anything that was even mildly interesting to talk about. It's just my luck that I would get stuck with a bunch of boring old fogies.”

Castiel thought to himself, his blue eyes wandering around the room as he wondered if anyone else was as bored as he was. The band started to play, its soft musical notes floating above the bland voices of the other nobles. His father, who was the Duke of Ravensport nudged Castiel’s leg with his booted foot and hissed under his breath,

“Go ask Lady Marie for a dance you dimwit!”

Castiel got up from the table and, once his back was turned away from his father rolled his eyes. Sensing that his father was burning a hole in his back, he ambled over to where he could see Marie sitting.

"Her gown will match my suit very nicely, and it really complements her long legs and toned arms."

Castiel thought as he looked at Marie appraisingly for a moment. His black and silver suit did indeed complement her gown quite nicely. Then seeing another man moving in Marie's direction he quickly asked,

“Might I have this dance, my lady?”

She turned around quickly, making it obvious that he had startled her. However, her composure was back so quickly he found himself wondering if it had really slipped at all. Then she stood and smiled brightly at him,

“Yes, you may.”

and he led her to the already crowded dance floor. It was full of many different colors, and every suitor wore a gold and red striped pin to signal their intent to court Marie. He saw his father’s approving nod, but when the music began in earnest, the whole world narrowed down to the beautiful lady in front of him, with her long red hair and emerald green eyes.

Far too soon the song was over and he was forced by the rules of the Gala to hand Marie off to another man. Feeling a sudden inexplicable sense of loss the moment Marie was out of his arms, Castiel walked back over to his father,

"Keep an eye on her boy, you were the first to approach her so if you have the chance to speak or dance with her take it."

His father told him. Castiel nodded to show his understanding and watched Marie all evening, hoping for a chance to talk to her. As the night wore on he grew worried, she was like a hummingbird, flitting from one hopeful suitor to the next, often leaving them behind with hopeful smiles. Seeing this, he feared he would not have another chance to talk or dance with her. Much to Castiel’s relief, after making her rounds, Marie walked over to near where he was sitting, giving him the chance to strike up a conversation.

Careful to ensure that she had seen him before he spoke he asked,

“How are you, my lady?”

“I am doing quite well....” she said her voice trailing off in a silent invitation for Castiel to tell her his name.

“My name is Castiel my lady” he replied.

She smiled at him and said,

"Please, call me Lady Marie.”

Castiel stayed calm outwardly but inside he was doing a happy dance

“I don't know of any other suitor who she has asked to call her Lady Marie. Soon enough she just might tell me to call her Marie! Seeing as I have not had a chance to talk to her in either of the past two Gala's this is pretty good progress.”

He said to himself grinning jubilantly.

“As you wish Lady Marie," he replied. Then smiling, he asked hopefully, "Would you like to dance again Lady Marie?”

“Yes, I would,” Marie said taking his hand gently.

Castiel led her back out to the dance floor, practically vibrating with happiness. Just as they got onto the dance floor the music changed from a lively tune to a slow waltz. Marie rolled her eyes in annoyance and sighed slightly,

“I am truly sorry for the change in tune Castiel, my father is more eager than ever to get me married off it seems.”

she said jerking her chin subtly towards the Duke who was looking at them with undisguised glee.

Castiel looked at her, wondering how she could be so formal yet dismissive of her own father in one breath. He forgot what he had been thinking however when she took his open hands and waited for him to begin the next step of the dance. The swooping graceful movements seemed to put Marie totally in her element, making Castiel suddenly glad for all of the dancing lessons his father had forced him to attend. When the song ended, Castiel was on the verge of being short of breath while Marie had only a slight, rosy red flush to her cheeks.

“Thank you for the dance Castiel,” she said and walked over to her beckoning father.

Castiel reluctantly walked back over to his own father, not liking the gleam he could see in his eyes from across the room.

“A few more dances like that one and you will have her eating out of the palm of your hand son. Once you do it will be easy to get her to choose you rather than one of these other sad sops.”

his father told him, seeming proud that he had danced not once but twice with Marie. Castiel caught himself,

“He is not proud of you; he's just looking forward to bragging to all of his friends that HIS son danced with Lady Marie twice! Nothing I do will ever impress the cold-hearted bastard. I think the only soft spot he has is for Mother.”

Castiel reflected. Despite his inter conflict he managed to reply to his father respectfully

“Thank you, Father, I will continue to do my best at wooing Lady Marie.”