The Quiet One

by Anni Gossmann

into any of them!” The waltz was over and with a quick kiss upon her cheek, “I must return to the guests. I believe there is one person out there who probably misses you, but I am sure in due time he shall find you in here. He does seem to know how to protect your tender ears, doesn’t he?” He slipped out of the room and Anne sat down on one of the settees that she pushed to the wall. Was there really a chance? Could it really be possible that a Viscount could be interested in her? Quiet, reserved, shy, fearful, socially inept Anne? She went to extinguish some of the candles so that she could see the woods along the drive to the house. The music had started again but the lively dance was not befitting her mood at the moment, so she hummed the previous waltz to herself instead. What if she was only a quick interlude between ladies for the Viscount? When he returned back to London, how quickly will he forget her? Trusty found his way back to the room and with an astute nose, quickly found his way to her lap.

  “Oh dearest Trusty. We might just end up being company for each other longer than either of us would probably like, if you understood my situation.” Not wanting to think more depressing thoughts, she just tried to not think of anything and just amiably scratched her puppy around the ears.

  “In the dark?” She jumped making Trusty yelp. An arm quickly came out to steady her. “Oh gad, I must apologize!” He helped her back to the seat and started lighting some candles again. “I was going past not too long ago when I saw you dancing with your father. Would you like to dance?” She looked skeptical. “I mean here.” She agreed. Edmund Fitzgerald did not speak much nor seemed to expect her to say much either. Noticing the change from the start of the evening to now, forced Anne to ask him. “Not one to beat around the bush, are you.” He chuckled. “Before we went to supper, I asked Avery if he knew anyone here and he could only talk about you.” He was going to continue but Anne’s nod and grin showed that she understood. She was sure that Edmund would quickly excuse himself after the dance, but he hardly released her hand to only continue with the start of the next dance. Realizing that he could be an understanding friend, she looked him over a little more scrutinizing. He was not quite as handsome as Avery but he did have his own lure. Edmund acted a bit regally but it was not overdone, it just came from being self-assured. Just like Avery, his choice in clothes was elegant but not flamboyant. His brown eyes were more intense but, from the little she was with him, she thought she saw a little tenderness lurking in the back. Unlike the straight hair that Avery had, his jet black hair was short and curly. In less capable hands, his hair would have been compared to a mop. Anne wondered how well he would fair with a wife and in the future. He certainly would get what he wished. “So?” Anne gave a start. “What results have you come to?” Anne blushed down to the roots of her hair. He laughed brotherly. “I hope nothing bad!” She summarized what she saw. “You learned all that in just 2 dances?” He was absolutely amazed. “I am happy to say, there is much more that you haven’t uncovered yet.”

  “That’s good. I hope no one is quite so shallow that there isn’t more to see or learn in only a good half hour!”

  “Miss Anne, you don’t know much about people if that is what you believe!”

  “That is so sad. From what I hear London has such people, but I was hoping that was only vicious gossip.” Edmund sadly shook his head. The dance was completed, “Please, you don’t have to keep me company if you wish to be with the rest of the guests.”

  “That is very gracious of you, but, Miss Anne, you will see more of me. Do you wish anything?” She declined and he left with a nod emphasizing that she will be in his company soon again. Unbelievable. What did Avery tell him that he sought her out? And, he wants to spend more time with her! This was most certainly an unusual evening! She decided to see what everyone was doing. Some were in the dining room, which was changed into a card room where the men played hazard, and others were in the ballroom. A few were just strolling around the house talking. Her mother was in the middle of a conversation with the elder ladies, the children were kept occupied with various guests who were trying to teach them the various dances, to the amusement of some parents and other onlookers. Anne was about to turn from the ballroom when she heard a welcome, “And there you are.” A country dance had just come to the last note and Avery made a pronounced nod to the musicians and led Anne to the dance floor. They were going towards the musicians and Anne was getting worried: the music will only get louder the closer they got! He positioned her before him and the violinist started. Only one violin was being lovingly played and plucked for a waltz. It could not have been more perfect and she instinctively hummed along. She did not feel anything; it was as in a dream. At first, no one else danced, people just watched, but soon the elder Vinreys joined in and then a few others. The violinist stopped much sooner than Anne had hoped but the musician had gone through a few more stanzas than were usual. Everyone remarked that the rendition of the waltz was the most beautiful thing they had heard. It was so much more moving and absorbing than if the whole group would have played it. Many congratulated Avery on the choice but little did they know that it was because of Anne. Because of the high acclaim they received, the next few pieces were played with a minimal amount of instruments allowing Anne to stay in the ballroom and letting Edmund dance with her too. After being handed off between Avery and Edmund for the next 4 dances, Anne was happy to hear that they were back to the full amount of instruments forcing her to leave.

  She was excessively hungry and extremely thirsty. As she took some cold meats and pork pie, assorted fruit, cheeses, and a big glass of wine, Baroness Breut commented highly upon her dancing forcing Anne to reply: “Oh, no. In a dance, the lady is only half of the equation. The men must be good leaders and they must flow together well to form a good dance.”

  “Madam Breut, you will never hear Miss Anne ever accept any form of praise.”

  “Oh you silly boy!” Edmund received a congenial slap on the shoulder with the elder lady’s fan. “Did you see her upon the dance floor?”

  He lit up, “Oh yes I did. Why do you think I didn’t let Avery have her all to himself?” They laughed together, but Anne quickly slipped away.

  She quickly gulped down her food and disappeared out into the garden. No, she would not ever be comfortable socializing. She might as well just accept her fate. She could no more be the wife of the Viscount, if it ever came to that, than the wife of any London residing man. She would have to find out if there was any man out there who wished a quiet, isolated life like she could handle. She was so consumed by her thoughts that it took her a while to realize that Trusty was yowling for her again. By the time she was able to react, someone kindly let the poor pup out so that he could reunite with his mistress.

  Hardly was Trusty in her lap, “Out here again?” He folded his tall form onto the bench next to her.

  “What did you tell Edmund?”

  “Nothing much.” Avery could almost feel her disbelief. “I just described a little about you and your interests.”

  “You didn’t tell him to dance with me, I hope.”

  “No, my dear, that he decided to do himself. You need to realize that you are beautiful and as soon as people understand you a little, they are intrigued and desire to know more about you. You just need to give people, and yourself, a little more credit.”

  She was thinking of asking him if he knew any quiet men seeking an almost socially empty life, but thought against it. He realized that she was not interested in conversing anymore and thinking she was probably tired, not used to all of the socializing, he decided to bid her good-night. If she did not bid him to stay longer, he knew that it was time for the evening to end for her. Anne did not and Avery worked his way to her parents to leave. From experience, he knew if he left, the others would soon later follow in his lead. Within an hour, Anne threw herself into bed, grateful that the day had finally ended.

  The next morning, Anne was awoken with a shrill “Anne!” She moaned, turned around, and covered her head with a pillo
w in hopes of being able to fall asleep again. But, “Anne!” was even louder now than it was before. She turned back around and found her mother standing next to her bed; no wonder it was so loud just before!

  “Anne, dearest, you won’t believe it!” Lady Vinrey was all aquiver with excitement and could not keep still, pacing the room excitedly. Anne just wished her mother would be quieter; her head was starting to throb from her pitch. Finally, she continued louder than even before. “The youngest Fitzgerald is asking to accompany you on a ride this afternoon!” Her arms were flailing about from the sheer amazement. “What is your response?”

  “You woke me up for this?” Her head was aching again and making her feel miserable.

  “Anne!” Lady Vinrey’s face showed her surprise and horror.

  “Mother, dear, it could have waited until I came down for breakfast. What time is it anyway?”

  “Noon.”

  “Up already?”

  “I had Winard call me if we received any mail this morning from our guests.” Having lost some of the excitement, Lady Vinrey’s voice returned almost to normal, slowing Anne’s avalanching headache.

  “Since you