The Cotillion

"I haven't seen you around before," William mentioned, his eyes were sparked with interest.

"This is my first one of these dances," I said, "I must say, I am enjoying myself."

"A lot of people see these things as some kind of requirement," William continued, "it's refreshing to meet someone who is here to have fun."

"What about you, William?" I asked, trying to get the conversation off me before he delved into my false identity, "fun or duty?"

"I thought it was duty," William smiled, "now it seems to have turned into fun." He spun me around again as I digested his veiled compliment. I was feeling pretty good about myself and he was feeding my ego even more. I was having a really good time.

"Something tells me you always have a good time," I bantered back. His confidence and smile defied his pretense of showing up being a duty. We did a couple movements that brought our opposing hips together which we executed rather smoothly. I was proud of myself.

"Maybe you can test your theory," William smiled, "Allow me to take you out to dinner next week." I must have looked prettier than I thought. It was a tempting offer, but Cindy wouldn't exist after tonight. How do you explain something like a name change? Not to mention, I was basically a janitor and he was obviously used to the finer things in life.

"You move quickly, Sir," I joked, not able to find a way to say no nicely.

"Too much pressure for a first dance?" William asked with a big smile.

"A little," I shrugged and promptly stumbled on the next step. He steadied me with a kind chuckle.

"I'll retract it then," William said, "but know that if we find ourselves at another function like this, I will make the offer again." I could hear the humor in his voice. He had expected me to decline his first offer. I instantly felt better.

"Next time," I said, "I might be inclined to accept." That seemed to please William and we finished the dance with good feelings. I needed to take a break. Sweating in my gown didn't really appeal to me. I was about to head back to Ruth and Betty when I saw them talking with Peter.

"William, can you show me the ladies room?" I asked. At least I could stall for a few minutes and hope Peter would move on.

"This way," William said, once again offering me his arm. He escorted me out of the main room into a hall, its sole purpose was to house the bathrooms. I thanked him kindly for the dance and we went our separate ways though I suspected I would run into him again that night.

The bathroom was huge. Along one wall, ten marble sinks, each with an individual oval mirror trimmed in some kind of gold leaf pattern. There were two attendants constantly wiping up water and handing out cloth towels. Each stall was as large as my utility room, complete with hangers, hooks, and a dark wood bench. I wasn't sure the need of a bench when the toilet was right there.

After struggling for a few moments, I found it easier to just remove my gown and then relieve myself of the night's wine. A heated toilet seat graced my bottom which made me smile. Such opulence. Even the toilet paper felt luxurious.

While a washed my hands, one of the attendants came over and straightened my gown and brushed off some lint I had gathered from somewhere. I wasn't totally comfortable with the attention, but I couldn't take it out on her.

"So, you're Cindy, the one that has everyone talking." I recognized the voice immediately. It was Anastasia and she was right behind me. I started washing my hands a second time, giving me an excuse to not look up. Peter outside, my stepsister inside. I shouldn't have come.

"I'm not sure I know what you mean," I said quietly, trying to slightly deepen my voice. I was going to work a few layers of skin off my hands at this rate.

"New people always generate buzz." It was Drizella. Great, both stepsisters. I grabbed a towel and started drying my hands.

"It is my first ball," I admitted then an idea struck, "Ouch," I groaned and squinted my right eye and brought the towel toward it, "I think something flew in my eye." The attendant rushed over to give me a hand as I turned around, my eyes squinting and the towel covering half my face. "You'll have to excuse me, ladies, it seems I can't see," I added for effect.

"Oh, how terrible," Drizella said, "of course." They both exited the bathroom quickly, not wanting to get involved in my problems. I knew them too well. The attendant, a young women with dark hair, smiled with me when they left. She realized what I had done. I handed her the towel and looked back at the mirror. I hadn't messed up the makeup on my eyes, which was good since I had left my purse on the table with Ruth and Betty. I couldn't hide in the bathroom forever, so I left after thanking the attendant who had helped me.

When I entered the main ballroom, I saw that my sisters had cornered Peter off to the right. His desperate eyes saw me just as I turned to the left. For once, my sisters would do me a favor as I moved quickly around the outside of the room until I ended up with Ruth and Betty.

"Poor Peter," Ruth said, "he is being waylaid by the Tremaines." I looked back across the room and watched his fake smiles and nodding as my sisters did all the talking. I felt a little pained for him, but not enough to ruin myself by rescuing him. I already had enough close calls and started to think I should call it a night. It had been fun and I enjoyed the dancing. I had never put Peter in the calculations when I thought of coming here. He could easily wreck everything.

"Are they really that bad?' I asked. Ella already knew the answer, but Cindy wasn't supposed to know.

"Think of leeches," Betty replied, "then give them barbed hooks and inane chatter." I covered my mouth when I laughed.

"Really, Betty," Ruth scowled. It was a wonder these two stayed together for so many years. They were so different. I did start to notice that Ruth's eyes sparkled when she scolded Betty. Maybe, Betty was Ruth's alter ego, saying the things that Ruth always wanted to say but was too polite to engage the words.

"He was asking after you," Betty commented.

"Who?"

"Peter Charming," Ruth continued, "he came by when you were dancing with William. He thanked us for coming as a pretense but then turned the conversation to you." I waited for the bomb to drop. I was sure he recognized me from the flat tire and told them I had another name. Ruth misconstrued my apprehension and smiled at me, "You shouldn't wear such a pretty dress if you don't want attention."

"What did you tell him?" I asked, realizing he hadn't blown my cover.

"The little that we know," Betty said, "we've been pretty popular since you've joined our table. A lot of people are trying to figure out who you are. I, for one, prefer the mystery. I think it makes you more attractive."

I panicked when I saw Peter had broken away from my sisters. He may not have figured out who I was yet, but if I gave him a closer look he might put two and two together. He was heading toward our table seemly ignoring the rest of the ball.

"I think I'll mingle," I said and quickly turned away from Peter and headed in the opposite direction. I had no idea how to mingle with wealthy people. I didn't have the social experiences necessary to draw upon so I walked aimlessly between the tables smiling, hoping someone would save me. Luckily, It didn't take long.

"Hello, Cindy is it?" A man said. Artist type with his brown hair pulled into a short ponytail. He was rather handsome, but I sensed he knew it.

"Yes," I replied, "and you are?"

"Rayburn Funderland," he returned, holding out his hand which I gracefully shook.

"Pleased to meet you, Rayburn," I said cheerfully, thankful for his rescue, "It seems everyone knows my name and I know so few."

"The curse of being new," Rayburn said, "and beautiful." His eyes twinkled when he added the last part. He had no fear and, I was sure, a lot of practice praising women. Normally I would back away, but it was either Rayburn or Peter. Rayburn, I understood. The band began a slow song. "Shall we?" Rayburn asked, his open hand leading off to the dance floor. I wanted to say no just because he was so confident I would say yes. It was the Peter effect that made me ignore my intuition.

"I would be delighted," I lied and he led me to the floor. I saw Peter out of the corner of my eye, grinning as he slowed once he realized where I was headed. I turned away, pretending I hadn't seen. I knew for sure now, he was hunting me. I couldn't run all night. I would have to plan an exit. If only Peter hadn't stopped to help me with my tire.

Rayburn was not a gentleman. George and William had spoiled me into thinking wealth brought with it a certain class. Rayburn was classless. He pulled me tight to his body, I retreated as best I could and spent the next few measures raising his hand from my ass to my waist where it belonged. I began to regret not choosing the shame that Peter would thrust upon me.

"We move together well," Rayburn whispered in my ear. The words slithered with sexual innuendo. I pulled back farther and again corrected his hand. His smile held confidence in my submission. I had lost my smile.

"You expect too much," I said clearly. I grabbed his wrist before his hand could drop back down to my butt. His grip on my other hand tightened.

"The fight is kind of cute," Rayburn said, "I like tigresses." He spun me in a circle and somehow ate up the space I created between us.

"Enough," I said firmly, but quietly. I didn't want to make a scene. I tried to break away from his grip but he tightened up and his confidence increased. I wasn't sure I could get away without making a scene.

"I think we both know where this is leading," Rayburn said, "why fight it. It'll be the most fun you ever had." I began to struggle and he just chuckled, tightening his grip and keeping me off balance with another spin. I got my knee ready. If you're going to make a scene, might as well make it a good one.

"No, Rayburn," I said clearly, knowing others would hear. Rayburn just chuckled and tightened his grip even more. He had been warned. It was the only warning I was going to give. I lined up my knee, aiming at his groin. It would ruin the dance, but I wasn't going to be treated like meat.

"I'm cutting in, Rayburn." Peter moved quickly, grabbing Rayburn's wrist. Rayburn released my hand. The two exchanged a look that wiped the grin off Rayburn's face. Rayburn's other hand released my waist and I let go of his wrist.

"I don't believe the lady agreed to dance with you," Rayburn growled. I thought there might be a fight in the middle of the dance floor. I saw it in Peter's eyes. He wasn't going to let go of Rayburn until Rayburn backed down. Rayburn wasn't going to back down.

"Thank you for a wonderful dance," I said sweetly to Rayburn, loud enough for close ears to hear, "I apologize for forgetting I had promised this dance to Peter." I gave Rayburn an out. He visibly relaxed, his fake honor intact. It was better than a knee to the groin. Of course, now I had to face Peter and all that came with it.

"Of course, Cindy," Rayburn said calmly, "women sometimes forget their commitments in my presence." It was all I could do not to drive my knee forward. He smiled for the crowd and headed off the dance floor. To my surprise, Peter filled the void quickly, hand to hand, hand to waist, respectable distance apart.

"You picked a bad way to avoid me," Peter said, his smile eating past the lies I was trying to form.

"Avoid you?" I said, trying to give myself time to think.

"It's my duty to greet all the guests and thank them for their kind donation," Peter smirked, "you have been most troublesome to try and thank." I was sure I was turning ten shades of red. To make matters worse, Peter was a terrible dancer. Stiff as a board.

"You're a terrible dancer," I said, my smile growing. Work on his weakness and maybe he will forget the avoidance. Instead of losing his moral high ground, he laughed. His eyes crinkled, his lips curled and revealed a set of pearly whites that grew my smile all the more.

"I saved you from the hound and still you try and keep your distance," He said, "I've checked my deodorant twice, made sure I didn't have something in my teeth and ate a few mints. You're going to give me a complex." I didn't see any recognition in his eyes. Of course, I was practically naked and he was a man. Maybe he only saw my breasts. I softened my grip on his hand that had been tighter than necessary.

"You call Rayburn the hound?" I asked, trying to keep the discussion off me. His eyes were on me, though. They were intelligent eyes mixed with a bit of a whimsical boy. They only saw Cindy. I had been hiding for nothing.

"I could have warned you," Peter said, his feet moving like they weighed 100 pounds each, "had you not been disappearing every time I approached." That's why he was grinning when I accepted Rayburn's offer to dance. He knew I had worked myself into a corner. He just walked up and rescued me - no need to chase me down anymore.

"I thought all you guys were good dancers," I joked. I didn't want to explain my running from him.

"That's stereotyping," Peter countered with humor. He felt no shame in his inability to dance. "I was reading when these guys were in dance class." His eyes were still drinking me in. They shifted across my face and always returned back to my eyes. I moved closer, cutting the respectable distance in half. I liked Peter looking even if he couldn't dance.

"Do you read a lot?" I asked.

"All the time," Peter answered, his smile shifted to sly, "Do you run from your hosts a lot?" He wasn't letting me change the subject. There was a lot of intelligence behind those eyes.

"Do you chase down your guests a lot?" I riposted. His laugh brought mine to the surface. His laughter made the bad dancing enjoyable. I was surprised when he answered.

"I usually avoid the guests," Peter said seriously, "there is something about you that piqued my interest. I am not sure what it is, but I am going to try and find out."

"I thought you said it was your duty," I pointed out.

"So was going to dance class." This time, I started the laughter.

"There's a wonderful walking path around the grounds," Peter said when we caught our breath, "Would you like to get some air? I assure you I am highly skilled at walking." I wanted nothing more at the moment. I was kind of wishing all the people would disappear so we make each other laugh louder. I was so happy that he didn't remember Ella. He didn't even know he already liked my breasts.

"I'm not sure my shoes are fit for walking," I said. My heels would most likely fail on a stone path. At $750, I wasn't sure I wanted to try. Maybe I could go barefoot.

"The Fountains is prepared for that," Peter said with a smile, "they stock loaner tennis shoes just for these occasions.." He paused for a moment, "I assure you they are cleaned well between each use." I would have worn them dirty. I nodded in agreement, trying to shrink my smile. It was hopeless. I was going for a walk with tall, dark and dreamy.

We swung by Ruth and Betty who smiled knowingly as I grabbed by hand purse. It would have been rude to make them watch it if they intended to move on. Peter took my hand and led me out the main door, past my stepmother and stepsisters. I could see the envy on their faces. They forced smiles to nod at Peter. His speed increased as we passed them. I could almost feel his trepidation of possibly confronting them again. The silly warmth of revenge washed over me in a wave. They would never know, but I did. It was more satisfying than I would ever admit out loud.

It took about ten minutes for The Fountains to outfit me in a pair of pink Converse All-Stars. My gown made changing shoes difficult and I considered traveling back to the bathroom to get it done. Peter discounted the idea and dropped to his knees. His hands were wonderfully tender as he removed my heels and replaced them with the All-Stars. I never had a man dress me before. It felt warmly intimate even if it was only shoes.

"How's that," Peter said, rising to his feet. I took a few steps, assuring myself that everything was set properly for a walk.

"Perfect," I smiled. He held out his hand again. I took it as we headed out the door.

The walk meandered through the grounds. It was composed of tightly compacted brick in a fishbone pattern that would have easily eaten my heels. What we could see of the foliage in the darkening light was immaculately cared for. There were small ground lights, strategically placed behind foliage, that cast diffused light across the path. Just enough light so you could stay on the trail, but not enough to detract from the privacy.

"So," Peter started as we lost sight of the main doors, "am I ever going to find out why you were avoiding me?" I could make out his smile. He was enjoying his teasing.

"I never admitted I was," I countered. His hand squeezed mine. Shamefully, I squeezed his back. Cindy was such a tease.

"That means no," Peter laughed. He wasn't going to let me deny it. He was going to let it slide. "I interrogated half the room and found out almost nothing about you," he admitted, "Who is Cindy Thompson?"

"A girl on a walk with a guy," I answered. I didn't want to make up any more lies. The thought that it was Cindy meeting Peter hurt a little. It could go no farther than tonight.

"Your mystery is beguiling," Peter said, "I suspect there are things you don't want me to know right now." He paused for a moment as my mind reeled at his intellect. He was analyzing me, dissecting only the facts and assembling a picture that wasn't far from the truth. "I will let you have your secrets," he turned his head to me and smiled, "not that I have much of choice."

"You seem to like the mystery," I analyzed him, "why would I give it up?"

"I do love puzzles," he admitted, "they are so much fun to solve." We walked for a few steps in silence, still hand in hand. "Let's try a differ..." A buzzing in his pocket interrupted what he was about to say. I disliked the buzzing. "I'm sorry," he stumbled, letting go of my hand. I began to hate the buzzing. "It's rude, I know, but there are problems at work." He fished his phone out of his pocket. "It will only take a second."

"Charming," Peter cursed into the phone.

"What do you mean you can't?" Pause.

"Well trace the destination. You know what was exposed." Pause

"Let me know what you find." Pause.

"No, I'm not coming in." Peter disconnected without saying goodbye. He shrugged his shoulders with an apologetic smile. "Sorry." This time, I held out my hand. He took it. Apology accepted.

"Sounds serious," I said, "if they want you to come in."

"Actually," Peter said, "I am normally working at this time. The world is a lot quieter at night, makes it easier to develop," he chuckled to himself, "my mother says I'm half vampire." I started at his admission. He was on the same clock as I was.

"What do you do for work?" I asked. I already knew it had something to do with computers.

"Ahh," Peter laughed, "a puzzle for you. Revenge is best served quickly before it gets cold." I pulled him closer, my laughter merging with his. It was only fair. We walked around a bend that circled an old oak tree. There were a couple of memorial benches surrounded by flowers off in the corner by the stone fence. It was pretty in the dark, I thought it must be phenomenal in the daylight.

"Favorite movie?" I asked. If we weren't going to talk about our real life, might as well move to entertainment.

"That depends on my mood," Peter said, "right now, it would be Forrest Gump."

"You liked all the historical entanglements?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation on him.