The spirit of the reel invigorated the atmosphere. The swish of lavenders, lilacs, light pinks and greens held close to the arm of the straight jet black suits as they intricately moved in and out, in and out as the dance anticipated, making quite a spectator sport for those older or not quite up to the exercise, the accompanying pianist sounding splendidly against the backdrop of the violoncello quartet. The picture was quite comical; Vivaldi’s work lively within the most lackadaisical young people, for this dance was a favorite of Lady Holloway and her close acquaintances.

Lady Holloway’s sister, Miss Isabelle Brunn having recently traveled to Kilpin Pike to stay with Evangeline since the birth of her child, told her of a dance that was all the rage at her home in Vienna, insisting it be introduced to her guests at the upcoming ball. The waltz, she argued, was not indecent, only much fun. Lady Holloway however declined the suggestion, for she had heard of the very dubious talk of the current day. She concluded that the minuets and reels would do.

“I believe they enjoy it as immensely as my foreign associates enjoy the waltz,” Isabelle’s dark eyes mischievously narrowing with a pleased grin, whispering behind her small, delicately gloved hand in a manner parallel to her character, sly and ladylike.

“Pardon?” Evangeline couldn’t hear over the merriment of the evening, inclining her neck towards her sister, furiously cooling herself with the deep periwinkle fan made to match her gown, accentuating the few dark blonde curls precisely placed by a servant’s hand, framing her sweet face and touching the back of her bare neck. She couldn’t be any more the opposite of her sister in physicality. Miss Brunn was small, short in stature and dark haired, Miss Holloway a head above her sister and fair haired.

“I was saying I believe your guests would favor the waltz as dearly as the Austrians, my dear,” raising her voice above the music but not above propriety of a lady, “especially the young people.”

Nodding both in recognition of her words and the acceptance of them, Evangeline’s face became worry ridden, “I fear they would take pleasure in this dance you speak of far too much. I’ve never seen a lady and gentlemen so close as you describe – oh !” she exclaimed, her fingers touching her lips in shocking protest as Isabelle took her as a gentlemen would in the dance of her favor, in close contact.

“Isabelle!” she whispered in anger, smoothing her gown, worried of the glances they have already received from guests.

“ ‘Tis not as horrible as you make it to be, Evangeline.”

“Even more so from what you showed me right now. I would never participate in something so bizarre and unseemly as this waltz.”

“Why, Eva, how can you fib so? Sir Jonathon and you nearly waltzed the evening of your wedding at the ball afterwards ten years ago. ”

“Belle, that is despicable, and it’s a good thing mother isn’t with us to hear you talk so, for she would have given you a smack. My husband and I were wed at the reception and I was merely tired so I rested on his chest merely to breathe while the musicians took a short break,” she argued, fanning herself at an even faster pace, her cheeks suddenly not needing the light rogue she applied earlier. Giving a sigh of antipathy, she continued, “These young people are barely courting one another, much less betrothed. Even so, married couples shouldn’t show this height of touchiness in society. If Sir Holloway even so much as touched my elbow the way these people are I would faint of humiliation.”

“Hans and I participate in waltzes every ball. There is nothing to be ashamed of, dear,” Isabelle nonchalantly added in after the moment had a chance to cool.

The bothered, worried look upon her sister’s face was enough to get the point across. Just as she was about to make her argument, she heard a voice directly behind her.

“Evangeline, dear!” exclaimed Mary White, jovial as if it were her own daughter, secretly wishing it were so.

“Missus White, how nice it is to see you! How is my brother?”

Your brother, pssshh, try your relative you never speak to. She may be a half-sister to him in blood, but only a cousin to him in life’s occurrences, thought Elisabeth, attempting to keep her face in a pleased manner despite the argument within herself.

Mary smiled in good humor,“Dr. White is quite well, his health finds him good, and his temperament is of mediocre standing.”

Seeing her relatives standing behind their mother, she motioned them forward. “Alice, dear, how pretty you have become. Your dancing card must be quite full, aye?”

Trying to be modest and not boastful of all she knew to be true, Alice answered, “Why, thank you, Lady Holloway. Gentlemen have asked but I’ve not been as fortunate as you speak of,” why in truth I am only one away from being full for every dance to be played this evening.

“Lizzie, is it, dear? My, you have grown into quite the catch, almost caught up with your sister…” Evangeline playfully commented.

“Aye, Cousin Evangeline. Thank you…” That was all she could say. First she calls me this pet name I don’t even go by, now she insults me. Elisabeth’s impulse taking stride as her steps took her abruptly away from the small reunion, briefly stopped by a mother’s catch of her wrist. Pulling away with as much grace as could be gathered in the frivolity of the moment, she took up her skirts with her wristlet, briskly walking through the swirling colors about her and over to a straight-backed bench against one of the outer walls, lonely and unoccupied.

How is my brother, how beautiful are your daughters, yet one looks better than the other if I do say so myself, she says… aye, continue Evangeline Holloway with your misguided notions of reality. I do 

not claim you as my auntie, yet a mere cousin as far down the line as possibility makes room for – sixteenth would be suitable.

“I do apologize for Elisabeth’s hasty conduct, Evangeline. After she has had time to cool her temper I will make certain she ask for forgiveness. I just don’t know what has gotten into her,” frantically fanning herself as if caught up in a feverish state, her mindset matching her cheek color.

“ ‘Tis quite alright, Mary. Young women will be young women, aye? I remember what it was like to be her once,” Evangeline smiled. “On a lighter note, how are the younger children?”

“Quite well, my middle boy is boiling over with hyperactivity, and my other daughter, Rosalind and my youngest, Conner, are happy as children come.”

“Oh aye, you have had another bairn since last. A boy you say? Congratulations, dear,” touching Mary’s shoulder, Evangeline gave it an admiring squeeze, “My last babe finally became my luck, it was son.”

“I know you must be quite happy, Eva.”

Beaming ecstatically, she stated, “He is marvelous, has his father’s eyes. The bright blue eyes as blue as the sea...”

“Well, I am sure you are pleased with him. Sons are a blessing…”

“Yes, it took six daughters to finally get him. MacMillan is a wonderful son; I hardly ever hear a peep out of the nursery. The servants say he is a very easy bairn, and the girls simply adore him.”

“Did you not have another daughter since we spoke last? I only remember there being five.”

“Aye, Simone will be aged two years this month.”

“And the other girls, they are doing well?”

“Genevieve is almost to turn ten, and charms the young gentlemen with her graces already. Darla is my bonnie child, or rather my bonnie girl, now. Jane, Ainslie and Annora just play with trinkets and dollies, for none are over seven, too young yet to care of anything else.”

And the conversation seemed to be a never-ending inclination of these women, it preoccupying both their time for nearly half an hour, then moving on to more conversations that would last well into the evening as the quintet continued with their music that created magical scenery.

On the north wall of the grand room, Elisabeth was seated, declining offer after offer of signatures on her dancing card from many a well gentlemen impressed by her -not inclined to ask her from the generosity of the master of the house - her excuse that it was already filled. I do hope none of them recognize my idle state as I sit here dance after dance, twirling this stray curl. Yet they must, and I 

must-and will- make it so not another will prance over here with their bigotry-biased notions of everything. They may look the part, but they are not whom I perceive to be a handsome person.

With her mind tugging her to another wing, she discreetly managed to sneak through the small entryway through the back, the servants’ way, I suppose ‘tis…