The Victoria Era

Caleb's Carriage

When I got to the carriage I saw a small crowd of people standing around it. I found Caleb in the group and pushed through to him. "What has happened? Caleb?" My questions halted as I saw a familiar face sitting in the carriage.
Henrietta launched forward and hugged me tightly. "I knew nothing of regrets, Miss Clarissa. My biggest regret would be losing you! Forgive me!" She weeped in a mixture of joy and shock.
"Hello, Clarissa." I heard the voice of Raven say.
I laughed in the same mixture of shock and joy and stroked Henrietta's hair. "Shh, dear, shhh. Come now the night is young! Don't ruin your pure face and let us all go inside to have some fun!" I looked to everyone ecstatically.
"Well, I didn't have a carriage so I had to think of a showy entrance of some sort." She said laughing.
I laughed too. "Well, seeing as one of our horses has fallen we needed to make a dashing entrance too. I fear we will not all fit in one carriage so some may need to walk and I volunteer willingly. You may go in the carriage if you must Nathaniel." I said with a smile.
"No, I will come with you Miss Clarissa. Derek will take care of our carriage, I can trust him with something so simple. I could trust him with my life." He smiled warmly. "I would never leave the woman I'm escorting to walk to the ball alone."
I hugged his arm tightly. "Shall we continue our moonlight stroll?" I said smiling warmly still holding the milky rose.
"Of course." He gave a wide grin. "Off to the ball we go!" He started walking in the direction of where the ball was being held. I happily followed along humming a love song.
"Enjoy, your evening, Raven, and you as well, Mr. Grace. Meanwhile, I must go find my family. Won't James be surprised! I will see you inside!" I heard Henrietta yell. Nathaniel listened to the lovely tune with a dreamy expression on his face as the lights of the ball came into view. He was about to say something but stopped himself from interrupting my song. I looked back to Nathaniel with innocence and glee and smiled warmly up at him.
"Are you ready?" Nathaniel said as we got to entrance.
"Am I ever!" I laughed excitedly. "I think this night is going to be a magical one."
Nathaniel pushed the door open and we were overwhelmed with many different sights, sounds, and especially smells. Perfume of many different woman mixed with the sweet aroma of food and a sweet melody was being played by a live band. Both Nathaniel and I gasped as our senses were overloaded. The mansion was huge but still every inched was crowded with people. "Oh my...." I breathed.
An attendant squeezed through people and seemed to be trying to fly over the crowd. "Sir and lady, I see you have other friends coming so I will permit you your own balcony. Follow me as your friends arrive I will guide them to you." He started to walk away. "I guess we must join him..." He led us through the crowd stiffly, then up the stairs, then through multiple rooms, then finally he opened a door and it opened up to a beautiful balcony. There was a buffet in the corner and plush chairs all around. I ignored everything though and immediately ran to the railing to look at the view. Beautiful dancing ensued beneath us.  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Henrietta and her family. Henrietta and James were bouncing merrily around on the dance floor. I watched them down below and laughed merrily clapping my hands together. "Look how she dances! She is phenomenal! Sir?" I looked to the attendant.
"Yes, Madam?" He said rather irritated.
"She is dancing now but it would mean a great deal to me if you told that lady this balcony is free to her and her family."
"As you wish, Madam." He said with a curt bow and promptly walked off. I leaned against the rail and watched my friends below.
My eyes searched the crowd for familiar faces when I noticed a new couple joining the dance floor. My heart plummeted as I realized Sebastian was leading a gorgeous woman onto the floor. [No wonder he hadn't asked me; he already had another on his arm] I thought to myself. Feeling betrayed, my eyes watered but then I remembered. I looked to Nathaniel, a kind, handsome, sweet boy who cared for me a lot. I looked back to Sebastian and with anger, sadness, and indigence, I took Nathaniel's hand into my own and laid my head against his shoulder. "Nathaniel, I am so glad you asked me to this event..." I looked to him but still felt a little sad.