Just One Night

To Steal A Heart (Part 2)

 Lavinia paused as she entered the ballroom, her eyes scanning the space and flow of people starting to pool in. It appeared that everyone had a partner with them, matching flowers and all. Looking down at the red roses around her wrist, she threw a glance back at Dominic who was approaching behind her. She knew she had to stay close to him to ensure that he didn't try to run off, but she wondered how long she'd be stuck with him before she could get them alone. It would probably look odd if she attempted to leave the room right after she had just arrived, so she decided she would have to put up with him a little longer. Lavinia pinched the edge of her sleeve with her nails. Being around him again instilled a stinging pain inside her like the reopening of old wounds as she remembered how things were before, but at the same time, she didn't feel as on edge as she thought she would have been. He was behaving rather calmly after she had held a knife to his throat and threatened him, but perhaps that was because he wasn't taking her seriously. She rolled her eyes to herself. That would be a viable option considering how he seemed to always think about himself.

Seeing that she had stopped walking, Dominic approached her cautiously. He knew that she was just itching to use that blade of hers, and he wasn't about to call her bluff, not with his own neck on the line. At the same time, he also knew that she was smart enough not to attempt anything drastic right in front of everyone, so just as long as he stayed with the crowd, he would be fine. Maybe he even could try to talk her out of it. He had to admit, he was curious to know where she and her family had been over the past few years. Ever since Lord Brendon had called off the wedding, her family stopped showing up to the court gatherings. He figured they didn't want to live with the shame and had moved away, but Lavinia's unexpected appearance that night persuaded him otherwise. Standing next to her, he offered out his hand.

"I suppose you will have to tolerate me for a little longer."

She let out a puff of air. "I suppose so."

"Come on now, am I really that bad?"

"Are you honestly asking me that question?"

He shrugged. "I may have changed greatly since you last saw me."

"That doesn't change what you did."

"Yes, but I told you that I'm sorry and that I regret it. What else do you want from me?"

She didn't answer, the soft sound of music and murmurs of conversation filling the silence between them. From observing the other couples, she and Dominic clearly looked the most miserable together, standing at least a couple feet apart and avoiding eye contact. Even the stiffer looking pairs exchanged slight smiles from time to time. She couldn't help but wonder if the others knew each other as well or if they had just arrived with a partner. The music shifting into an upbeat waltz snagged her attention, making her even more self conscious as the other couples began to take their place on the dance floor. Unwilling to make the first move, she stayed where she was, awkwardly shifting the weight between her feet and staring straight ahead.

Dominic cleared his throat. "Would you like to dance or would you prefer to continue standing there all alone?"

"You're standing all alone too," she retorted.

"Yes, but unlike you, I actually look like I want to be here."

"I'd look a lot happier if I didn't have to deal with you."

"Trust me, darling, I feel the same way about you."

Turning to look at him, she was met with a smug smile stretched across his face. "One dance, and that's it."

"If you say so."

He offered his hand out again, and she just barely took it, only the very tips of her fingers resting against his. He couldn't help but laugh a bit to himself, closing his hand on the edge of hers as she led the way, stopping near the edge of the dance floor to put some space between them and the large crowds. Facing each other, they raised their hands to get into the right position, but Dominic paused.