Opinionated: The American

A new man?

After a busy week I've finally found the time to enjoy a quiet moment alone, so I've chosen to sit in the park and read. Though it's quite hot today there's a light breeze that ruffles the pages as I'm reading. I hear someone clear their throat and glance up, mildly annoyed with the interruption.

"I don't believe we've met." Standing in front of me is a tall lean man. He has striking blue eyes, dark like the ocean. His hair is styled and he's dressed nicely. Hes wearing a floral deep blue shirt with a black overcoat, overly formal for a stroll in the park. I mark my place in my book and stand up to greet him.

I bow my head gently, "I don't believe we have, I'm Ella" He smirked at me and, though I hate to admit it, my heart raced.

"I'm Oliver, I come round every summer but I've never seen ya before. Have you just moved here?" He had a thick Irish accent, a nice change to the stuck up English one I've become used to.

"I moved here from America a couple months ago, this is my first summer in England. Though I spent some time in Europe before then." He nods thoughtfully and an awkward silence takes over. Hes staring at my quite intently and the eye contact is mildly uncomfortable.

He shakes his head as if snapping himself out of a daze, "Well I've just seen you here and thought I'd introduce myself." He stutters out, rubbing his hands nervously together. "Hopefully I'll see you at a ball or two this season, perhaps to dance?" He seems panicked as soon as he says it, so I laugh and nod.

"I'd love that. Unfortunately my attendance has been forced at several balls, which I don't believe will stop anytime soon" He lets out a breath as if he'd been holding it in and nods. He bids a quick goodbye and walks away crossing a bridge and heading deeper into the city.

This is exactly what I need, I thought, a distraction.

The next ball Lady Danbury invited me to, I hastily agreed. I had recently purchased a new dress, simple but elegant, with flowing stitched detailing pattern making that of a flower garden. With a striking deep blue color I couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of seeing Oliver again. Or Anthony. Or both of them.

As I stepped out of my house and entered Lady Danburys carriage she raised her eyebrow at me, "Dressing to impress my dear?" I laughed nervously brushing her off saying I dug this out from last season. She gave me a skeptical look but remained quite the rest of the ride. We pulled up to a beautiful estate, with long white pillars leading to the intricate wood carved door.

"Whose estate is this did you say?" I asked Lady Danbury quietly.

"A young man named Oliver. His family lives here in the summer and goes back to Ireland for the winter. You haven't met him. Beautiful isn't it" My eyes widened and I nod, avoiding Lady Danburys gaze. As I step through the door I hear the soft melody of a string instrument and the soft thumping of heels, seeming the dance has already begun. I enter into the ballroom and am met with a warm and soft room, the yellow light pouring through the windows and soft green wallpaper give it a homey feel. As I walk further into the room I'm met with a troubling sight, Anthony and Oliver standing next to each other as if they had been talking. But now they're not talking, they're both staring. Straight at me.