Serena glared at Geoffrey after the two left. "Why did you lie to me? and why did you say those words?"

Geoffrey gave her a mischievous smile while his eyes were full of fondness. On any other man it would look almost boyish, but on Geoffrey, it almost looked seductive. It made his charm and pheromones exude in waves.

​​

Serena, disarmed with his appeal, had to look away. She felt the heat on her cheeks and her heart started beating fast. Briefly, she wondered, since when did Geoffrey elicit that kind of reaction from her? He was approaching her differently. He has always been a gentleman to her, but now he was being naughty, as if seducing her. And though how hard she tried to deny it, she knew that a part of her felt thrilled.

Then, as if to test her further, he raised his gloved hand to gently caress the mark he left on her skin. He leaned forward to whisper on her ear, "Do not be angry, Serena. I did not see it properly earlier in the car as it was dark. When I noticed, I did not mention it for I did not want you to be angry. Forgive me?"

Serena almost felt her heart stop. This was wrong in many ways. Although Geoffrey was her intended, she loves Charlton. She might even be carrying their child. They had a promise. She turned to face Geoffrey to answer him and perhaps to reprimand him again, but as their eyes met, her knees grew weak. He was too near that she could see every minute detail of his face. His long lashes, his thin and high bridged nose, his deep blue eyes, his lips that just kissed her earlier. Yes, those lips. She can vividly recall how he kissed her, the way he kisses her which made her feel like he would devour her. She tried to take a step back.

Geoffrey can see every miniscule change in Serena. Her ears turning pink, her chest as if heaving, her breath turning a bit shallow. And as she tried to take a step back, she almost tumbled, and so, he wrapped his arm around her so that his hand was on her lower back. He pulled her closer to him so that their chests were almost touching.

Serena had to use her hands to put some space between them. "Geoffrey, let go." She said weakly.

"Not until you say you forgive me." Geoffrey said, his tone almost teasing.

Serena blushed and shook her head, as if waking herself from this madness.

"No?" Geoffrey asked as he pressed her closer.

Coming back to her senses, she realized where they were and what he was doing. Yet, still weak from his advances, she answered with a breathy voice, "I, I forgive you, just please, don't do that again."

Geoffrey smirked as he slowly took his hand back, caressing her waist along the way. "Alright. But may I remind you to be careful or you might fall."

Serena with some space between them now can finally breathe normally. She decided not to pursue the matter about the hickey anymore. Anyway, since he let Charlton dance with her and she felt a bit guilty about that, all can be forgiven.

Geoffrey grinned as he asked for her hand. Really, one only has to know how to play the carrot game with Serena and she would be very pliant.

Anyhow, though Serena only said she will dance the Quadrille and the Waltz, since the grand march was easier to dance, they decided to join in.

--

The waltz of flowers was the 7th dance for the night. As the 6th dance was about to end, Charlton looked for Serena. He saw her sitting with Lady Cornelia, one of her former classmates. The two of them were chatting.

The next he looked for was Geoffrey. Thankfully, he was occupied talking with another noble.

With that, he decided to approach Serena.

When the 6th song ended, he was already in front of her asking for her hand.

Serena excused herself from Cornelia as she placed her hand in his. The two of them were one of the earliest to take their position on the dancefloor.

Serena looked up and her eyes met with Charlton's. Then the overwhelming feeling of her love for him hit her. She loves him. She loves him so much. Suddenly, she wanted to embrace him. To kiss him. She wanted to be in his arms and make him tell her that everything's all right. She doesn't want to part from him for even one second, for in truth she was afraid. She was very afraid for she was guilty. Guilty for she knew that she liked the feel of Geoffrey's kiss, his touch, her body liked it too much that even the thought was plaguing her.

Charlton bowed and gave her a smile. Then, he held her hand up and placed his other hand on her back. "I missed you." He whispered.

Serena felt relief. This is real. In that instance, she finally felt her heart settle with the peace that only his presence could give her. "I missed you too, Charlton, I love you." She whispered back, not knowing that her voice had a tinge of desperation. As if she has been submerged under the water for a long time and this was the only time that she was finally able to inhale some oxygen.

Charlton looked at her again, there was something different with the way she said it. Yet, he just shook it off. "I love you too. By the way, why only the waltz and quadrille?"

Serena feeling some normalcy again smiled back. Not wanting him to get an inkling just yet, lest it's just a false alarm on her part, she shook her head. "I sprained my ankle the other day. It hurts when I move too much."

"How come you never told me?"

"I don't want you to worry. Besides, it's nothing much. I also just don't want to dance too much tonight." She explained.

Then, the waltz of flowers began to play.

"You remember this?" Charlton asked.

Serena smiled as she answered, "how can I forget?"

Then, like the first time, they danced to the same song.

Geoffrey stood at the sidelines as he watched the two. Truly despicable. Truly abhorrent seeing them sickeningly sweet. Charlton, the traitorous backstabbing snake of a cousin of his. Serena, his whorish intended who, just a moment ago, was almost simpering with desire by his mere touch.

Ah, he could not wait for the moment that he destroys their perfect little world. Then again, he already did destroy it, it's just that they don't know it yet.

With that thought in mind, Geoffrey tried not to laugh out loud. As they say, ignorance is bliss. They left him blissfully unaware for 3 years. Sad to say, he can't extend them the same courtesy. At least, not to Charlton.

He looked at the time. The dance will end in just a few minutes, and then it would be his turn to dance with another partner. He wondered, would the two find some little corner where they can touch and do some despicable things with each other? Would they dare?

He will soon find out.

--

TBC