The Rhythm of Life: Part Twenty-Four

[antivanruffles]

Because islain is a sweetie-pie, more fic!


Zander had shored himself up by downing a glass of whisky, then set about his job for the evening: playing gentleman for the various ladies of the party, taking them for a turn around the dance floor.

While he danced he kept tabs on Adelaide, aware that she had two dances with Gregory -- her form and steps perfect -- and that he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off her. Not that Zander blamed him, though he was exceedingly jealous.

He did grow concerned when he saw Adelaide shake her head at Gregory, then excuse herself. She headed for the French doors that led to what he assumed were the gardens, looking rather bleak. Zander politely freed himself from the group of people he was currently engaged with, and followed Adelaide.

It was quiet outside, most people forgoing the gardens after a drizzling rain earlier in the day had left everything damp and cold. Her dress blended in with the darkness of the evening, but her fair skin seemed to glow, ethereal.

“Adelaide?”

She started and glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, Zander, hello.”

“Is everything alright? You seem out of sorts.”

“It’s fine.” She shook her head. Zander frowned and moved to stand in front of her, trying to see her face.

“Are you sure? I thought everything was going well, it seems like Gregory can’t take his eyes off you.”

“I suppose,” she shrugged, ducking her head.

“Did something happen?” Zander touched her wrist, trying to get her to look at him again. “Was he rude? Do I need to challenge him to a duel or something?”

“No,” she laughed a bit. “It’s just…” she paused, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. Finally she looked up to meet his gaze. “I just don’t care.”

He focused on her, face grim. “What? I thought you spent all this time to get his attention? You seem to have it now, too.”

“I did, at first. I’ve just realized that my feelings for Gregory were very superficial; I thought we’d be a good match, and in theory I suppose we would, but the heart does not abide by such rules.”

“So you’re over him?” Zander tried to keep his voice even.

“It was never real. Though I am thankful for the fancy, it’s helped me to understand what is.” Adelaide took a deep breath, looking to her right, the ground, anywhere but his face. “You see, Zander, somewhere along the way, between our classes and chats and everything I think I fell for you, and--”

As she spoke, Zander’s heart jumped up into his throat, then it seemed to pause, stuttering before racing like he’d run a marathon. Eventually he decided he had heard enough, and didn’t even let her finish; instead wrapping his arms around her waist and yanked her bodily toward him, pressing his lips against hers.

When Zander pulled back after a moment, Adelaide was blushing fiercely, but her eyes were bright and happy.

“I was going to let you go, you know? Because I wanted you to be happy, and I wasn’t gonna be some ass who took that away from you. So I was just gonna step aside, and be a moody arse for the rest of my life.”

Adelaide giggled, biting her lower lip. She reached up her hand, running it down the side of his face. “I couldn’t figure you out; you were such a flirt, and then you weren’t. I thought I was silly for ever thinking you might like me.”

“It‘s a fair bit more than like, but we can start there.”

She grinned then, a full, bright one that lit up her eyes until they glowed like the fairy lights in the trees lining the gardens. Zander had always wondered what it would be like to see her really smile; in the end it was more beautiful than he imagined and he felt the greatest thrill knowing he was the cause of it.

Adelaide lifted up on her toes and kissed him again, this one slow and gentle. When they pulled apart again Adelaide rested her head on his shoulder, and they stayed together for several moments.

“We should probably head back in, we can’t miss Sylvia’s dance,” Zander said. “And I think I’m owed one… or twelve.”

“I think you are, too.” She giggled and pulled back. “Let’s go.” Adelaide slipped her hand into his and together they walked back to the party.

Entering the ballroom again, they were in time to see the end of Edmond and Sylvia’s waltz.

“She looks so beautiful,” Adelaide sighed wistfully.

“She does, no wonder he’s gone on her.”

“What?” Adelaide looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Edmond, he’s completely gone on Sylvia. Has been for the longest time.” Zander looked down at her, lifting his shoulders.

“You mean he actually loves her?” She turned slightly and gripped his arm tightly. “Truly loves her?”

“Yeah, as far as I can tell. Why?” He arched an eyebrow.

“Oh, bother.” Adelaide placed her hand on her forehead. “I heard Sylvia and her father earlier… oh, dear.”

“What is it?” Zander suddenly had a sinking feeling in his stomach. He turned to see Edmond kiss Sylvia in the French style and whisper something to her, then she was being dragged off by her father.

Zander kept one ear tuned on Lord Teasdale’s words while his eyes followed Edmond, looking forlorn as he tried to sneak out of the party. Eventually he lost sight of his friend in the crush of people, and turned back to Lord Teasdale.

“I would like to officially announce the engagement of Sylvia to Andrew Worthington.” Zander watched as a young man stepped forward, everyone clapping happily.

“She’s getting engaged?” Zander hissed.

“Her father has been pressuring her, she only agreed just this morning. But she doesn’t care for Andrew, she’s head over heels for Edmond, only she never thought he liked her that way.” Adelaide started chewing on her lower lip.

“Good God, they need more help than we did! Come on!” Zander grabbed her hand and started worming his way through the crowd. He struggled past a tight group and ended up behind Sylvia as she was accepting well wishes and congratulations.

“Edmond is crazy about you.”

“What?” She whirled around, wide eyed.

“Edmond is completely mad about you. If you’d like a bit of friendly advice? I’d ditch this shindig and go after him.”

“But I can’t…” Sylvia shook her head.

“Do you love him?”

“I-I...” Sylvia paused and looked around, seeing if anyone was listening. “Yes.”

“Then I think you owe it to yourself and to him to go tell him.” Sylvia looked like a doe in the crosshairs for a moment, then she saw Adelaide’s hand in Zander’s. She paused, worrying her lip while she thought, then looked back up at Zander, face full of determination.

“Give a moment to speak with my father, then you can tell me where Edmond lives.” She disappeared in a flash and Adelaide leaned against Zander’s side.

“Good on you.”

“I’m feeling very magnanimous tonight.” He grinned and laid a kiss against her forehead.


***


Edmond stalked around his living room, waiting for someone to pick up on the other end. His tuxedo jacket had been shrugged off and thrown to the floor when he entered, and he was now absently undoing the bowtie as the line rang.

“Air France, how may I assist you?” A pleasant voice answered on the other end.

Edmond casually slipped into French as he spoke with the clerk. “Yes, I’m hoping for a ticket on your earliest flight to Paris.”

“Ah, yes. One moment, sir, while I look that up. Hold, please.” Edmond grunted in response and started unbuttoning his shirt, the ends of the bowtie fluttering with the movement. He continued pacing, trying to ignore the heaviness that had settled in his chest.

“Sir? I one seat left on the six am flight, will that do?”

“That should be--” He stopped as a knock sounded on his door. Figuring it was Zander checking up on him he yelled out, not even bothering to switch back to English. “Va-t'en, imbécile!”

“Edmond?” The voice on the other side of the door was decidedly not Zander’s, and Edmond stopped mid-step, the phone falling his hand to clatter against the floorboards.

“Sir?” The voice on the other end of the phone repeated a few times before the line went dead. Edmond didn’t even notice, he could only stare at the door in shock.

“Edmond? Are you there?” Sylvia knocked again.

Swallowing thickly, Edmond stepped over the phone and pulled open the door. Sylvia stood on the other side, panting slightly and her face red as if from some big exertion. “I ran all the way here, Zander said…. and I couldn’t not know, so I had to find you, he told me where. My father was angry, but I don’t care, I just…” she took a deep breath and looked up at him with imploring eyes. “I have to know if you love me? Because I am so very in love with you.”

“Quoi?” He blinked at her rapidly, trying to process the words, his mind still stuck speaking French.

“Zander saw you leave and then the engagement -- oh, I didn’t want to, Edmond, but father was pushing me and pushing me!” She threw up one hand, shaking her head. “I thought it was the right thing to do, what was expected of me, and I never once thought you might return my feelings. But now you might and I just need to know if it’s true or not. Was Zander right? Do you love me?” She looked up at him, hope shining in her blue eyes.

“Oui…” he murmured then shook his head slowly, “I mean yes.” He looked at her, eyes softening. “Yes, I love you. I thought -- I was going to leave, go back to Paris for a while. I just, it hurt.”

Sylvia let out a watery laugh, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and flung herself at him; arms circling his neck as his went about her waist. Edmond held her tightly, his face buried in her neck, and breathed in her scent.

After the span of several shuddering heartbeats, they pulled apart slowly, and Edmond realized the entire show had basically taken place in the hallway of his apartment building. He grabbed Sylvia’s hand and nodded inside.

“You should come in, we have a lot to talk about.” He guided her inside, shutting the door with a faint click.

“We do, but first things first.” Sylvia rocked forward on her tiptoes, clutching the lapels of his shirt, kissing him full on the mouth.