The dress was heavy and uncomfortable. My feet were already swollen from the long hours of dancing, but I was determined to attend the gala.
My eyes glanced upwards at the balcony where Lady Serena sat, surrounded by several gentlemen at once. I resisted the excitement and desire to finally be in my home haven and just revel in the grand affair. The pianist played and there was a jovial crowd that mingled upon the dance floor. The gentlemen took turns escorting the ladies up to the balcony.
It wasn't as though their escorts were particularly poor in quality. They were well-to-do and had more than just riches behind them. Unlike me, they were actually beautiful and popular. I thought I was dressed stylishly but the women in the crowd clearly disagreed.
I clenched my taper and focused my emotions on the elegance of my dress. There was no doubt the gown was grand, but I was certain it could have been done better. I was momentarily distracted by the exchange of flirtations and notes across the crowd. The men arrived as a pair, their female companions in tow. Bereft of an escort, the ladies giggled and dashed into the crowd, searching for a willing man to be their companion.
I was one of those ladies. Filled with desperation, I did what I must to seize my opportunity. There was no one else to do it except myself.
I quickly slipped away from my companions and attempted to search for a rescue in the crowd. In that moment, I felt as if I were trapped in a nightmare. Everyone was looking into my direction with a combination of curiosity and pity. I couldn't believe that this was it; that's where my life was headed. I needed to secure this as soon as possible.
The plan was simple: I would find the most handsome man at the ball and entice him to escort me to the balcony. I would accept his offer and pull the purse I had concealed in my gown. I would then leave him a generous tip at the back, dress, and make my escape. I'd gather what remains of my family around me, take them somewhere far away and disappear forever.
My breathing had begun to quicken as I searched the crowd at first. I needed to leave before my nerves became flustered.
I saw him, near the edge of the crowd. He was easy on the eyes and definitely handsome. I made my way towards him, purposefully stopping to turn back every now and then to see if he was still there.
I turned to the mirror in my pocket and checked my dress. I'd made it to the last of the ball. I could only hope that I would have enough time to get away.
I made my way past the other ball guests, looking desperately for a stranger, any stranger to take me to the balcony. It was then I noticed it: above the balcony a small opening between the ceiling and the ceiling beam. It looked as if it had been damaged at some point. The beam was thin and could have easily been crossed, but there was no way in which to lower or raise it up. I did my best to avoid the group at the base of the stairs, feeling everyone's eyes on me. I had to move quickly now.
I made my way towards the beam. My dress was long and I didn't want to raise too much suspicion or doubt into the mind of the gentlemen. I had to move ever carefully. I could feel the eyes on me heating up. I needed to act quickly and forget about my family.
I was ready to make a run for it when I saw a flash of silver at the edge of my dress. There was no way I could make it. I'd have to act alluring before I could attract a man willing to take me to the balcony. I was bound to attract attention from the men.
I stopped in my tracks. I saw the man I wanted to meet. He was looking straight at me and smiling at me.
"Is there something I can help you with?" he asked.
My breath was knocked out of my lips. He was handsome and even more impressive to look at. He stood out alongside his group of friends. I looked up to him and prevented a shiver from passing through my spine. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was admiring the braided rug and came over to ask who had made it. Do you make a living at this?"
He laughed at my small lies. "This? It's my hobby, I'll tell you. This is nothing! My father started it before he passed away. I finish the ones that are still lying around at home before I go out. That's the real reason why I'm here tonight. I'm looking for a job."
"A job? But what will your wife say?"
"Oh, I'm not married. I don't have time to think about that. I'm here to make my fortune and start my own rug business. If that means I have to be single the rest of my life, I'll have no regrets."
"I see. It's a shame, really. I made a resolution just today to improve myself. How do you plan to attract clients?"
"I'm big and well-built. I've been told I'm something of a fine specimen. I thought I could carry crates of feather quills from the top of a tall boat."
"Quills? Do we need those to wake up in the morning?"
"It's a type of feather; it's used for writing. I would like to put together my own small shipping company, but without a job I don't have that kind of capital."
"I see. What if you were the one who grew the feathers?"
He laughed. He briefly looked at his friends before turning back to me. "Jokes aside: what would you do if I wasn't in this dress?"
I felt myself blush as I bit my lip. He was being quite bold and looking at my face. I tried to focus on his hands. The hands of a working man. "I would compliment you on your well-tailored dress."
"That's a brilliant answer and quite flattering. Do tell me: can we do something about it?"
"Of course. If you come shop with me, I can show you something that you've never seen before."
He glanced towards his friends again and I was tempted to watch. I was so tired and lost that I'd have agreed to anything at that moment.
He looked back at me and said, "I'll take you to the balcony if you let me touch your dress. Just a little bit—only enough to see what the material is."
I was momentarily distracted again by the sound of the pianist. No one else was in the canvas cupola above, which made me wonder what secret they held. I needed to break away from my admirer before he could pull me out with him.
"Yes," I said as I realized how much I needed this dress off.
He tried to kiss me but I turned my head. There was just no way I could make a mistake now. "It will only be a moment," I said as I made my way back to the canvas cupola.
He was suspicious as I made my way to the stairwell. He drew near to my side and tried to take my arm to lead me, but I moved quickly and he was shoved aside. I ascended the staircase into the wing of the house, turned out on a catwalk, and walked towards the opening. "It will only take a moment," I said as I disappeared through the opening.
He called after me but I heard no noise from his voice. I was sure my scream would be heard by dozens of people. The thought caused the blood to rush to my face before I darted through the opening. I ran all the way to the balcony and saw the door closing behind me. It was then I heard a few screams of surprise from the crowd.
I didn't have the slightest idea what I'd find behind the door, but I was desperate, famished, and crippled by fear. I pulled the taper from my pocket and lit it up; I needed a light before I could go any further into the unknown. The door opened into a dark room. Despite the lack of light, I could make out a long staircase leading downwards.
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