Suddenly the caregiver had returned and handed Mrs. Stroman her punch,
"Thank you my dear," Mrs. Stroman said, taking a long sip from her glass, "Ah! That's much better! Now I suppose I shall take a walk about the room, "
Nodding her head the caregiver took Mrs. Stroman's glass and set it down on the table beside her and began to help her up.
"It's been delightful chatting with you Miss Errington," the old woman smiled as she
bowed her head slightly at Cecilia.
Smiling at the old woman Cecilia nodded a bow in return holding her tarot card tightly in her hands.
It had been some time since Mrs. Stroman and her caregiver left and Cecilia hoped that they'd return but...they didn't. She wondered if they had retired for the night . 'It is getting quite late, " she thought, gazing at the tired happy guests. Nearly all of the elderly and spinsters had retired for the night and soon it was just she sitting in her own little corner. 'Perhaps I shall retire early...' Tucking her tarot card in her gowns pockets she stood up and began to make her way over towards where her mother stood surrounded by her friends. They laughed and gossipped and Cecilia felt a chill knowing it would be difficult to ask her mother for such a request... but perhaps her mother would not mind? She did look so very happy.
Just as Cecilia was about to enter their circle she felt someone tap her on the shoulder,
"Excuse me, Miss?"
Hearing the cool deep voice Cecilia turned around and saw a gentleman. He was tall and looked to be about her age and he was...incredibly handsome. Surely he was not speaking to her?
"Would you do me the honor of having this dance?" he asked as he bowed to her.
Cecilia's voice was caught in her throat...was this truly happening?
"I...yes," she stammered.
Seeing her blush the young man grinned and outstretched his hand and gently she took it. Soon, with her heart fluttering she was on the dance floor and meeting his steps in time with the slow romantic music. As she danced, her eyes meeting his... for once in her life she felt...like everyone else. She was happy in this moment and she wished it would never end when suddenly she felt a rough tap on her shoulder.
"May I cut in?"
Turning towards the familiar voice immediately Cecilia's heart plummeted...It was Mr. Errington! He had a big grin on his face as he bowed low to Cecilia and her dancing partner and as he reached for her hand she could smell the scent of alcohol upon his breath.
"I...yes of course sir," the young man said reluctantly. Feeling the warmth of his hand slip from hers, she wanted to cry out to him, beg him to not let her go but before she knew it Mr. Errington had brazenly taken her hand and soon they began to dance. But this dance was...wrong. All of his steps were clumsy and every time they danced close he'd lean in dangerously close to her.
"How are you liking the Yule Ball , My beauty?" he slurred quietly in her ear.
"Excuse me!?" She gasped, feeling his hand creep towards her ribcage.
"Come now, don't play coy!" he laughed quietly, "Mother isn't watching..."
With disgust, she wrenched herself away from him, by now a few of the dancers had briefly stopped to stare but she paid them no mind. Nothing was worse than feeling Mr. Errington's breath upon her. Hearing the music swell in her ears she gathered her gown in fistfuls and took off into the shadows. She couldn't bear what had just transpired. Couldn't bear to feel her mother's guests watching every move she made and soon weaving herself through the crowds of guests and up the stairs to the second floor she found herself alone standing in the middle of the parlor. Feeling herself breathe hard she could feel herself begin to shake...She could not believe what Mr. Errington said to her...how he touched her. It was enough to make her sick. Leaning up against the cool window she gazed at the snowstorm outside...wishing anything, anything to be out there instead of here.
Suddenly with a low creak the large parlor doors swung slowly open, and standing there silhouetted was Mr. Errington. His arm rested against the door as he slowly stumbled his way into the parlor.
"Where are you going?" he slurred, " We haven't finished our dance!"
Shaking, Cecilia took a step back away from him,
"I -I-do not wish to dance!" she stammered, clenching her gown in fistfuls, "I...I just wish to be alone!"
With a grin that frightened her, he quickly swaggered over to her, catching her arm painfully as she tried to run past him.
"Oh, we can be alone!" he hissed in her ear, " Come now, no one's watching!"
Feeling his other hand roughly grab at her breast, Cecilia swung at him, slapping him hard against the face,
"Do not touch me!" She shouted.
Mr. Erringtons shocked expression darkened as he suddenly raised his hand and backhanded her sharply. The harsh blow sent her reeling as she fell hard upon the wooden floors. Lying there disoriented, a loud buzzing sound rang in her ears and just before she could stand, Mr. Errington got down on all fours and pinned her to the ground.
"I always get what I want," he hissed in her ears, grasping her chin tightly, the stench of alcohol upon his breath "when I want!"
Tears streaming down her face, she thrashed beneath him, screaming in anguish as she pushed and hit him as hard she could, but nothing seemed to deter him as he quickly began unbuttoning his trousers,
"WHAT IS THIS?!"
Blinking past her tears, she saw her mother in the doorway. Her blue eyes were wide with horror and rage as she stood there shaking.
"... Do. Not. Touch. Him!" she seethed, as hot, angry tears streamed down her face.
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