Portriat
Chapter 7: The Ball

Jamie walked down the road his mind whirling. Did he misunderstand or did his employer bestow his sister’s hand on him? His sister had not desired it. She wanted a friendly escort. Shawn wanted a husband for his sister believing that he was dying.

The church bell rang ten o’clock. Jamie stopped glancing up at the church He though for a brief moment it might be best if he went home. Glancing back at the O’Malley home Jamie saw a coach pull up. He thought about going back thinking better of it Jamie walked on.

He wandered aimlessly unsure what to think. Suddenly he found himself near the inn. Jamie was so distracted he never noticed Adam sitting on the porch.

“Well,” inquired Adam.

“Well, what?” Jamie barked quickly becoming annoyed with Adam.

“Did you speak with her?” Adam pried.

“Mr. Vargo, I wish you a good evening.”

“I thought we were friends,” Adam declared.

Jamie sighed, “I will not be taking the evening meal here on the fifteenth. I have an engagement that evening.”

“What engagement?” Adam asked.

“I’m to escort Miss O’Malley to a ball.”

Adam stood stock still in shock unable to speak. When he could he stumbled over the words saying, “Well, you will be gone, soon.”

“I have Mr. O’Malley’s permission.”

No matter how Adam pleaded, Jamie would not discuss the matter further. Adam became so infuriated he gave Jamie the silent treatment. At work Adam only answer yes or no sir. Jamie did not even notice. He awaited Meghann’s arrival. She did not come. Mr. O’Malley arrived late in the day. Jamie hid his disappointment as he addressed his employer.

“Good day, sir.” Jamie greeted

“Good day, Mr. O’Brien. How are thing progressing?”

“Very well, glad to see you in heath,” replied Jamie, a little uncomfortable.

“Thank you, I will be in my office, carry on,” Mr. O’Malley said.

Mr. O’Malley hesitated a moment before entering his office. Later that day, a note arrived for Jamie. Seeing Meghann’s name upon it Jamie ripped it open.

“Mr. O’Brien, you may pick me up for the dance at seven this evening,” Jamie read.

The rest of the day he spent waiting for closing time. It took an eternity for the clock hand to move. At last the clock struck three. Jamie closed his books, picked up his hat and walked towards the door prepared to leave when Mr. O’Malley called him into the office.

“How can I help you sir?” Jamie anxiously inquired, upon entering.

Mr. O’Malley seemed very nervous and unsure.

“I wish to apologize for my outburst the other night. I do not wish to imply that I”, Shawn hesitated a moment.

“You need not apologize. Your sister explained the situation. Do not concern yourself,” Jamie quickly interrupted hoping to be on his way.

“Then I will wish you a good evening, Mr. O’Brien. I do expect my sister home by midnight. Is that clear!” Mr. O’Malley commanded.

“It is,” Jamie bowed as Mr. O’Malley took his leave.

Jamie spent the next few hours preparing for the dance. He had a hard time engaging a carriage. They were all rented for the evening. The only thing he could find was a small cart.

Jamie decided to cover the seat with cloth filling the back with flowers. When it was finished

the cart looked like it belonged to a flower merchant.

Lighting didn’t seem impressed when Jamie hitched up to it. She expressed her opinion by freely kicking at the wagon and whining.

“I hope Meghanne likes it more than you do,” Jamie said.

Jamie was surprised to see Meghann standing on the porch. She was covering her face with her fan.

“She is laughing at us,” whispered Jamie in Lighting’s ear.

The cart came to a halt. He didn’t let Meghann’s laughter dampen his spirits. Instead, Jamie rose to the challenge.

“Fair maiden, I have brought you a cart of flowers to match your beauty. But, alas as they looked upon you, they wither in shame. They do not even come close to your radiance,” Jamie said.

“You are a poet,” Meghann said, lowering her fan.

“Then, fair maiden, may I help you into the carriage?”

“You may kind sir,” Meghann said with a bow.

“Now Meghanne, if you wish to tell me the way, we shall be off.”

“It is on Market Street at Mr. Gregory’s home. He is celebrating the opening of his play. He has produced Romeo and Juliet.”

“Shakespeare, how novel,” Jamie said with a smile

Meghann laughed at his joke.

“Will your brother be joining us later?” asked Jamie.

“No,” she said quickly. “He is entertaining this evening. There is nothing I could say to change it.”

The abrupt tone she used told Jamie she would answer any more questions on the subject. He sought another subject but found none. In silence Lightning trotted towards their destination. It took only a few moments to reach the Gregory residence. Lighting snorted as Jamie tied her rains to a hitching post.

“There will be a carrot in this for you,” Jamie told her.

Lighting pawed the ground. Jamie patted her as he turned smiling at Meghann. Meghann stood up from her cart seat.

“Let me help you, my lady,” Jamie remarked.

Meghann smiled taking Jamie’s extended hand. She nearly fell when Lighting shifted her weight moving the cart ahead a little. Meghann fell into Jamie’s arms.

“Please put me down,” Meghann said when Jamie continued to hold onto her.

“Yes, of course,” Jamie said as his heart rhythm missed a beat.

Meghann readjusted her skirt and brushed a hand through her hair before walking towards the front door with her date beside her. The door opened before they reached it.

“Ah, Miss O’Malley so glad you could attend,” their host greeted them.

Mr. Gregory was most attentive. Meghann remained distant, still seeing Mr. Gregory as a client. Jamie realized the man had other plans. To aid her Jamie engaged Meghann for every dance. Meghann introduced him to many of her friends among them a Miss Creager. An older woman whose love for the stage made her a valuable patron.

“There you are dear,” she said greeting Meghann.

I hear it was your bank, which made this play possible. I must give you my thanks.”

“I am surprised Miss Creager, Mr. Gregory did not come to you.”

“We had a bit of an argument. Now I feel I was to blame for letting it get out of control. But, now all is forgiven and I thank you for your assistance,” Miss Creager said.

“Welcome,” Meghann said.

“Meghann, I hoped to see your brother this evening. We see so little of him at these functions,” Miss Creager said.

“Alas, he could not though he dearly wanted to. I will tell him you missed him,” Meghann mused.

“Please do, I heard he is ill.”

“He has recovered. If I may I would like to introduce my escort Mr. O’Brien,” Meghann said.

“A pleasure madam,” Jamie said bowing.

He brushed Miss Creager’s fingertips with his lips.

Miss Creager laughed with joy saying, “Meghann, this is a man worth holding onto.”

“My brother arranged my escort,” Meghann said shortly.

“My dear a good man is always worth collecting,” Miss Creager stated batting her eye at Jamie.

Jaime shifted

“Charming,” Miss Creager replied, promptly ignoring him. “Now Meghann tell Mr. O’Malley I will be calling on him tomorrow. I have discovered some new remedies, which may help.”

“You are to kind, Miss Creager.”

“Excuse, me Miss Creager, but the minuet is starting and Miss O’Malley has promised me the first minuet,” Jamie said as a way of escape.

“Certainly, sir.” Miss Creager replied smugly bring a fan to her face.

She watched Meghann and Jamie dance all the while using her fan to send a message to someone across the room.

When the dance brought Jamie and Meghann together she whispered, “Thank you.”

“At your service,” Jamie replied.

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