Comrades in Action Book 1: Lacon DeLevigne

Chapter fifty

Sinclair estate was established based on reinessance architecture. The walls are painted in cream color. It was ancient at the same time beatifuly mordern. Ang mga lumang paintings at mismong structure lang ng naturang estate ang nagpapahiwatig na naitayo na ito noon pa man. It was one of the pride of the family. At tanging ang tagapagmana lang ng dukedom ang maaaring tumira dito. In their case, that would be Derrick.

"Your grace, it's already time for the ball."

Napalingon siya sa pinto, "I'll be out in a minute."

Nadatnan niya sa balkonahe ng bulwagan sina James at Elle. May hawak na tig-isang kopita ng red wine ang mga ito habang nakatunghay sa mga imbitadong bisita sa ibaba. Naagaw ng tunog ng kanyang four inch stilletos ang atensyon ng dalawa. Unang pumihit sa dereksyon niya si James.

He's wearing an eighteenth century design all black three piece suit. His short blonde hair unruly na tila hindi nadaanan ng suklay sa mahabang panahon. His tattoos are peeking from his black cravat tie making him look devilishly handsome. His deep blue eyes met her own, giving her his signatured swoon worthy lopsided smile.

"Hello, gorgeous."

Kung hindi niya lang pinsan ito, she might fell victim under the spell of that smile. Good thing immune na siya sa charm ng mga pinsan niya. Tsk.

"You look very dapper yourself, James."

Lumapit siya sa mga ito at nakidungaw sa bulwagan. Maraming bisita na ang dumating. Most of them from prominent families. Ang iba sa mga ito'y kakilala na niya simula pa pagkabata at ang iba naman ay mga investors ng kumpanya. Both males and females na hindi nalalayo ang edad sa kanila.

"Lady Charlotte of Harvey!"

"Lord Edward of Stafford!"

Napilingon siya sa puno ng hagdan kung saan inaanunsiyo ang mga prominenteng bisita na imbitado. Ang mga ibang bisita  ay nakatingala sa hagdan habang hawak hawak sa isang kamay ang kopita na naglalaman ng red wine. Lahat, mapababae o mapalalaki man ay puno ng pagkainteres ang mga mata. She knew, they were like that because these men and women are wishing they could land a husband or a wife within their circle who have a title.

"Mukhang maraming matutuwa ngayong gabi.." James said.

Elle chuckled. "I wonder how many wedding bells are going to ring after this season."

Nilingon niya ang dalaga. Base sa kislap na nasa mga mata nito, alam na niya kung ano ang tinutukoy nito. Her cousin is playing cupid, again!

Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya. "This is not a marriage mart, Elle." Suway niya ngunit tinaasan lamang siya ng kilay nito.

"You really think that, Dee? Have you forgotten what purpose this gathering serves? Our great great grandmothers have been hosting balls like this just for the sake of these boys and girls landing a fiancè with a hefty sum of money in their bank account."

"That was why you only invited eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, isn't it?"

"And here I thought you'd get that now Dee."

"And I thought you'd do your end of the deal with Errick in exchange of him allowing you to throw this party. I should have known you'd do something outrageous like this."