Hi there! This is a random one-shot I wrote a while back. I hope you enjoy. :)

She sighed, not amused at all with the situation. In fact, she was bored out of her mind. It was times like these that she wondered how her best friend ever dealt with these occasions. But alas, her best friend had the grace and patience that she only wished she possessed. Molly was her other half, making sure she didn't make a complete fool of herself while she was in the presence of high society. It was no wonder that her best friend was already engaged to be married when she, in fact, was not. At eighteen years old, Martha still had time to find herself a suitable husband. She wondered, vaguely, if she would ever find someone suitable to her character. She wasn't an erratic, free-spirited girl. No, she was rather tame. She just preferred to spend her time dancing or playing the piano rather than talk about the weather with dull gentlemen. She loved to chat about literature, politics, and other things. At a party like this, such topics of discussion weren't exactly proper. She longed to find a companion that would indulge her in such conversations.

"Martha come over here," Molly Mayfield said.

Politely excusing herself from the elderly gentleman she was conversing with, she slowly made her way towards Molly whom was by her fiance, Marcus Vanderlyn. She was aware they were talking to a young gentleman with brown hair and a charming smile.

"Miss Martha, how wonderful to see you, please let me introduce you to my good friend, Mr. Thomas Armitage," Marcus said as she finally approached. Thomas Armitage had brown hair and striking blue eyes. Martha found him strikingly handsome.

"Mr. Armitage, meet Miss Martha Lyall, my best friend," Molly said, gesturing to her brown haired blue eyed friend.

Martha curtsied, and offered her hand. Mr. Armitage gently took her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles. Her cheeks took on a rosy hue, she never had reacted this way from such an innocent touch.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir," Martha said quietly. He smiled at her, "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Lyall."

Marcus and Molly curiously noticed the exchange between them and they smirked. Introducing the two of them to each other was certainly one of their better ideas.

Mr. Vanderlyn and Mr. Armitage began to discuss business and since the two ladies were not interested in that, they began to talk amongst themselves.

"Our dear Mr. Naracott finally proposed to Miss Woodley last week," Molly said excitedly.

"Finally! They will make each other so happy. Lord knows how lovely it is to see our dear friend happy again," Martha said.

Mr. Naracott had lost his first wife and child three years previously. He was a dear friend of both the Mayfield and Lyall families. To see him like his old self was truly a blessing.

The two young women continued to gossip until the music began to play. The music was a cue that all should congregate in the ballroom and partake in dancing. Being bold, Molly asked her fiance to dance with her and he eagerly accepted. He never could say no to his dear Molly. With Molly and Marcus gone, Martha was alone with Mr. Armitage.

She didn't necessarily mind this, in fact, she was glad to have the opportunity to talk to him.

"Miss Lyall, may I have this dance?" he asked sincerely, offering her his hand.

"You may, but please, call me Martha," she said as she allowed him to escort her to the dance floor.

"As you wish," he humbly replied before guiding her into the waltz.

Mr. Armitage did not leave Martha's side one minute the entire night. They danced solely with each other and he even stayed by her side when she was talking to some of her friends. He happily gave his opinion on a color choice for a scarf that her dear friend Lara Thimbale was planning on knitting. She found herself absolutely smitten with him and she only dared to hope that he felt the same way.

At the end of the night Martha found herself saying goodbye to Mr. Armitage.

"It truly was a pleasure meeting you tonight, Mr. Armitage," she said as she curtsied.

"I assure you, Miss Martha, I am very happy I met you as well," he said as he took her hand. "If I may be so bold, I was wondering if I would have permission to call on you."

"You may," she said simply. "Good night, Mr. Armitage."

"Good night, Miss Martha."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this little one shot. I wrote it over a year ago and just stumbled upon it recently. Feedback would be appreciated.