“Might I ask where you are from, Sir Nicholas,” I asked, sipping at the wine in my hand.

“Ah, I was wondering when you might ask that. Actually, I’m just passing through town, on my way to New England. I have family up there, you see, and I was coming from Kentucky. I was engaged to be wed, but my fiancée, sadly, went ill and died,” he began his story, his eyes looking down and away from me with sorrow. “My father’s estate is in New England, and since I did not want to live on a plantation by myself, I decided to move back with them to help out. They are very old, and my mother is ill. I’m returning home to take care of them.”

He was quiet the man- very strong looking, but also very caring and charming. Returning home to take care of his parents, instead of living out a life of his own? This was unheard of in my family- in my town, even. I did not understand it; I did not understand him. But even so, I was interested in him- he was so vaguely flawed to appearance and seemed so deeply aware of the world around, he made me feel so small and ignorant. I was very young at this time, but even knowing that, I still felt so unconscious. I had never loved, and I had never lost love. He had done both.

“I’m so very sorry,” I said with great remorse beaming in my voice.

“It is past; I prefer to live in the present,” he said wisely, his eyes gazing into mine.

I could have kissed him at this point, looking back, now, anyway. But then it was forbidden. A young girl of great stature in her society did not kiss, or even touch, a boy of lower class ever, and much less if they were not wed.

“Would you like to go for a walk,” he asked me as I was lost in thought.

Regaining consciousness, I realized he was asking me and not some other pretty face in the room. “I really shouldn’t.”

“Well, why not, Miss,” his charm was shining through, and it was almost impossible to resist.

“I must go find Franny. It was very nice to meet you, Nicholas,” I said, dismissing myself from the situation.

I so very badly regret not going for that walk. An innocent walk with a dreamy and charming man, who knew so much of the world that I did not. He was a fresh breath of air, one that Franny and I so desperately dreamed of- an outside voice telling us of the world outside our ignorant little social rules. I should have gone and had him take me away from this little town- ride off into the night and never come back.

I found Franny, still dancing with James. They looked so happy; lost in bliss and completely careless. I had just met a man who could show me the world; all I had to do was go for a walk- a great escape. Thinking on this, and with the wine setting in, I went back to look for Nicholas. I searched all the halls, even outside the house. He was gone- as if he was just a figment of my imagination. It was subconsciously showing me how badly I wanted to escape a predestined future, already planned to the tee for me. I could have had love and passion; I could have had freedom.

-END-

Chapter Two to be up soon… hopefully within the next week. =)