Ansha Kotyk - Fiction Author

FREE READ

Thomas Williams did not want to attend the Merriman's party. He was awkward at these events. But there was a chance that he would set eyes on his true love Maryanne tonight and so he must attend.

He had on his best suit and cravat. When he arrived at the house, a number of other carriages emptied in front of him. This was hopeful. He could slip in behind them and avoid all the awkwardness of formal introductions at the door. He pushed his spectacles on the bridge of his nose, smoothed his hair, and took a deep breath.

"Thank you driver, I'll be prepared to leave in approximately two hours."

"Very well, sir. I will return at 9 o'clock with the carriage." The driver reined in the horses and opened the carriage door for Mr. Williams.

Williams climbed out and as he did he caught his foot on the step and he fell face first onto the gravel drive.

A young woman in a green dress giggled and grabbed her friend's arm to point at the mishap. With a laugh of annoyance she said, "I believe that's Williams. Oh he's such a bore! I had so hoped that he hadn't been invited."

"Violet, don't say such things," said Elizabeth. "He can hear you!" Both girls walked into the house.

Williams picked himself up off the ground. He was fully aware what others thought of him, and this was why he hated attending the neighbor's events.

However, the thoughts of Maryanne were enough of an incentive to attend the party.

He brushed off his hands and smoothed his trousers and walked up the path to the house. Embarrassed by his fall he stayed back from the group in front of him and had to enter the house alone. Thus he had to endure the glaring stares of everyone as the butler announced his name when he entered. He fumbled in his pocket for his calling card. He handed the butler his card, and paused, as it was polite to do.

"Mr. Thomas Williams." The butler announced and he placed the card on the table.

Williams noticed groups of women clustered around the hall, but he did not see Maryanne among them. Her quiet smile would be enough to set him at ease.

She was the niece of the Merriman's so he had known her for only a short period of time. He had had the privilege of meeting her on other such occasions. She was a small girl with fizzy blond hair. Her features reminded him of a small bird. Others found this an unattractive quality in an overly shy girl, but to Williams this was the definition of quiet serene beauty. When she smiled at him, the brilliant light in her eyes shone on him as if he were royalty.

He had yet to proclaim his love for her. Every time he thought of doing so the strength left his body and he could no longer think clearly.

He looked around the room again and saw the table of hors d'oeuvres. He circumvented the room to avoid the groups of women.

The punch bowl was beautiful crystal. The small glasses were stacked in a neat pyramid. He took one of the cups, and ladled some punch, pouring it on his sleeve.

The girls who had witnessed his fall were standing nearby noticed and laughed under their hands. Determined not to let this affect him even though he was deeply embarrassed yet again, he slowly and carefully filled his punch glass. He tried to sip it but he had overfilled the glass and his hands were shaking, so a good part of the drink ended up on his tie. Williams turned away and looked over the crowd hoping again to see the face of Maryanne. He was feeling unsettled and out of place. He felt like an oaf. He glanced around every few minutes to see if Maryanne had arrived.

Doubt seeped into his thoughts. Perhaps she had seen his fall from the carriage or his mishap with the punch. Maybe she had looked on in horror as he fumbled so awkwardly. What woman would want the kind of man who could not behave properly in public? Within a group of friends and he still could not manage gentility. He couldn’t stand next to the punch bowl any longer. He did not want to be a social blunder. How could he possibly be good enough for Maryanne?

He looked back at the table at the puddle of punch and walked away. He stepped on the train of Mrs. Merriman’s dress. The weight of Williams’s shoe kept her dress from moving another inch, but she had continued to walk. A tearing noise and the back of Mrs. Merriman’s dress came loose. She let out a squeal as the tear allowed her undergarments to come into view of those nearby. Her husband quickly draped his jacket over his wife’s back side and gave Williams a disapproving look. Others came quickly to aid Mrs. Merriman and usher her upstairs where the dress could be mended.

A guest that walked by looked on Williams with contempt. He quickly walked out of the room and found the study nearby. It was darkened except for a small fire burning in the fireplace. He walked in and sat down on the settee his back to the commotion outside.

All the trauma died down as people began to enjoy themselves. The quartet played music and Violet and her friend were asked to dance. Maryanne arrived and looked meek and pale in a yellow dress that matched the color of her hair. She scanned the room looking for Williams hoping to find him. She knew how much he hated these events. She had heard about the unfortunate accident with her aunt’s dress. But all was mended now and it really was no bother. She thought him quite appealing in his clumsy way.

She saw Violet across the room and decided to ask her if she’d seen him.

Violet sipped from her punch glass and peered over it to reply, "Maryanne, I'm sure he has left by now, I wouldn't want to stay if I had caused such a scene."

Maryanne walked away.

"Why does she like that oaf?" Elizabeth asked Violet.

"She probably thinks she can change him." Violet shrugged her shoulders. She thought of her own beau who she had yet to see this evening. She did want to change her dear Reynolds to something a little less philandering. Her hope was that one day he would settle on her for his wife. But she knew he had to work very hard before he could ask for her hand and she worried that the strain was too much for him. This was why she convinced herself that she had seen him with other girls. But she knew in time he would have his finances in order and be able to marry her.

Elizabeth's beau jauntily walked over to them. "Have you seen Reynolds?" Violet asked him.

"I think he was headed to the study."

The study, where they could be alone and talk about their future together.

Violet pinched her cheeks and looked over her green dress in a nearby mirror. She quickly walked down the hall to the study.

The room was dimly lit by the fire to the left, on the right was a huge pane glass window revealing a deep starry sky. The glow of the fire reflected on the dark wood furniture. The scent of cherry tobacco lingered in the air. She stepped in the doorway. In the center of the room was the settee and on the settee sat her prince. He rested his face in his hands. She could feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. The fire light made his skin golden. His strong hands were a simple shape but were able to hold her world. A lock of hair fell over his hands in such a way it made him look vulnerable. She longed to be near him.

The passion she had for him overwhelmed her. Her slippered feet made no noise as she ran across the plush carpet. She leaned over the back of the settee and whispered in his ear, "My love." So close she could feel the warmth of his skin. Her full lips slowly touched his jaw line and she gave him a kiss.

Williams couldn’t move. He wasn't sure what had just happened. Here he sat cursing himself and an angel out of nowhere had awakened him with a kiss. By the time he came to his senses his sweet seraphim was gone.

He eagerly looked about the room. Williams saw no one. He touched his jaw. A kiss. Obviously Maryanne had found him brooding alone. She had wanted to stir him from his reverie, and finding him in such a state she could think of nothing less than a kiss to rouse him. He knew how reserved she was. It must have taken a great deal of courage to compromise herself in this way. What a woman his dear Maryanne was. And she called him "My love". His flaws were nothing to her. She loved him regardless of his clumsiness in public. This knowledge awoke in him a nobility of character. He felt the awkwardness fall away. He felt a strength in his being. A spirit in his arms and legs made him stand taller. Williams was invigorated with a sureness in his step. He saw the world differently. Colors were brighter, the world more pleasant.

He left the study with a confident step. A smile on his face knowing he was loved; that Maryanne would need him to be her guardian, her friend, her confidant. He would be the man she needed. Strong, sure of himself, able to take problems in stride. Her love had buoyed him. He walked into the ballroom a new man.

He saw Maryanne across the room and walked a straight and steady course to her side. He put his hand on the small of her back.

She smiled at him.

"Dearest Maryanne, you look brilliant tonight." He held her hand firmly and smiled back.