Loving You

Chapter 18 | The Ball-2

William was waiting in his living room and constantly peeking outside the window. Neither the Dudleys nor Miss Shaw had stepped out of their house. The time for departure was nearing. Him shaking his leg was amplifying his dispondence about the situation. Had he offended her?

He sprung up when he saw the family get out of their house accompanied by the guy, Jack, whom he had met once. He was still unsure about his identity but he didn't mind him as long as he didn't become an obstacle in his way. He searched around but Cathy was not there. He lost control of his body and fell onto the couch he was sitting on. He did not understand the feeling of gloom engulfing him.

The sudden ringing of the bell pulled him back to the reality surrounding him. He carried himself to the door and opened it to reveal Mr Dudley.
"Good evening Mr Benwick," he greeted the young man standing in front of him with a smile.
"Good evening Mr Dudley." The despair on his face was evident.
"Is everything alright?"
William sighed at that question. "I am fine. Just not feeling well."
"Oh, if you are not feeling well, then we can take Cathy with us."
He nodded but the sudden realisation made his eyes pop up. "No no. I am fine. It's just that I have been sitting all day and working."
"Please take care. I was surprised when Cathy told me that you were to escort him." Mr Dudley laughed. "Then she explained that Mrs Gretta had ordered you to bring her to her. I am so happy. She had never been to a ball. Please take care of her. She will be here in a few minutes."
Saying this, he went to join his family.

When he got into the carriage, his angry wife grabbed his hand and expressed her displeasure abt the situation. "Do you trust that man near her? What if they get wrapped in a scandal?"
He laughed. "I trust him even though he's a starnger. And no, it is not because he helped us. It's my consciousness that's telling me that Mr Benwick is a gentleman."
"I had already warned you," she scoffed.
He just laughed. He trusted Cathy. He knew that she wouldn't have proposed to go to the ball with a man if she did not trust him.

Cathy looked at her reflection again. She had been redoing her updo for the past ten minutes. Finally, she decided to give up on it and just go with the braids she had done carefully on herself. She pinned her hair up into a bun and curled those loose locks of hair with her fingers to define them. She topped it off with her green poke bonnet and tied the green ribbon around the rim. She loved the dress. It was the same dress which she had been eyeing earlier at the dress shop. Her cheeks flushed. So, he had noticed her looking at it. She did not even need to apply the red powder on her cheeks because they were already pink in embarrassment. The dress fit her perfectly. It made her feel pretty.
She stood beside the main door. Letting out a sigh, she decided to open it.

William was already standing outside, waiting for her. On hearing the door open, he looked up. And what was standing in front of him was a beauty. It was Cathy! She looked breathtaking in the emerald green dress. She looked as beautiful as rose petals lying on the soft green grass, with the sunlight illuminating the whole scenery. His heart began to beat faster.
Cathy reached towards him. She dared to look up but instantly averted her gaze. Heat rose to her face and neck.
William was looking handsome. She had never seen him with slicked back hair or a shaved face. He looked like one of those young Greek gods. He has a green handkerchief tucked into his coat pocket. Did he purposefully match with her?
Meanwhile he was at a loss of words. She was looking extravagant and gorgeous and the shade of green complimented her perfectly.

He gathered the courage to say something. "Miss Shaw, you look extremely beautiful tonight."
The tenderness in his voice caused her to blush furiously. She started to fiddle with her gloved fingers. "Umm- I am thankful for your kindness Mr Benwick. Thank you." She tried to look at him properly but her eyes didn't have the confidence to do so. "You look handsome yourself," she said softly, almost wanting to be unheard. But those words didn't fail to reach him.