Spring Fling

It’s Spring gala season, when a young woman’s fancy turns to love. Each season young women of the New York Society elite are debuted for young men to meet, court, and marry. Each ball had a mist of romance hanging in the air.

For the Viscountess Caroline, this ball season held the spark of an exciting mystery. One that could blossom into something or remain cocooned forever. 

At the last gala, she found something completely unexpected. A very dashing young man gazed at her and filled her every sense with a rush of excitement. Like a first firework blast… pop…surprising and shockingly different and very nice.

Ever since she saw him, her thoughts were consumed with anticipation.

She fantasized if he would attend the next society ball and if he would look at her that same way again. 

On the carriage ride over to the next ball at the Johnson home, her heart fluttered like butterflies, remembering his relentless gaze, his slight crooked smirk and his deep sapphire eyes that said everything without speaking a word. Would he or wouldn’t he? 

But what if it was just a brief moment in time? She worried. 

As the viscountess entered with her vacant husband, she walked through the reception line, trying not to allow her eyes to give her away, but secretly hoping once again, their gaze would lock. 

As the music began, the Viscount held out his hand for their one obligatory dance, to keep up appearances. Gliding across the floor she scanned the room, her eyes darting back-and-forth as she was spun around, concealing her real purpose while intermittently smiling at her husband. 

When the music stopped, they parted to opposite sides. In the corner, she fanned herself, holding her breath, begging for a glimpse of his wavy golden locks, milky skin and sparkling eyes. But she saw nothing. 

At first disappointed, she then admonished herself being such a silly twit. 

“I don’t even know what I would do with this. Nothing. It’s just a simple flirtation. Or maybe even that would be too dangerous. If my husband or the society women discovered the deception, my position, my marriage, my reputation, it would all go up in flames. But it was nice to feel that way again. Like I was back in Ireland, a silly innocent girl full of wonderment about what love and romance could be. That girl is gone now,” she lamented. 

Stuck like mud in the reality of a scurrilous cheating husband who snuffed the spark from my eyes years ago, she wondered what it would be like to feel that way again. 

Briefly lost in the moment, she glanced up and saw him staring at her from the other side of the room. 

Surprised with delight, she let out a quick gasp and then swallowed it. Her heart skipped a beat, yet she could not give any indication of what she felt inside. 

Any glint, any sparkle, any smile could give her away. Although she found his boyish good looks attractive and alluring, she knew she had to internalize any thoughts and emotions. If anyone knew, it would be saucey scuttlebutt for the flapping gossip gums of the elite. 

Playfully, she averted her gaze and paused then looked at him again. Overjoyed at his perpetual glance, she locked her eyes on his. 

She batted her eyes, teasing a bit, holding her fan just under her lashes, revealing one part of her face at a time. 

He grinned widely showing his perfect smile and shot her a casual but naughty wink. 

Caroline gripped her fan and struggled for breath. Giddy as a young girl, she had to close her lips to keep from giggling. He was flirting back with her! 

Her mind soared with possibilities. What if they met? What if he kissed her? Could she bear a clandestine tryst? Could she successfully deceive her husband? Even though his betrayal was obvious, could she carry a secret? Could she live two lives?

But as he ruffled his hand through his long golden curls, she forgot everything else. 

How could she give up this luxurious feeling? 

Closing her eyes, she reveled in thoughts of him whisking her around the dance floor, his hand on her bare back. Feeling his breath near her face and experiencing every nerve in her body tingle all at once. 

But when she opened her eyes, he was gone. 

With slight panic and disappointment, she quickly glanced around the room trying to find him. 

Then she turned around and exhaled a startled heave. There he was right in front of her.

He bowed his head and gently took her gloved hand. 

“Ma lady.”