Alexander's Pov***
"Where have ye been lately, Horne?" Asked the gruff man on the bar stool.
I just shrugged my shoulders, I was tired and in need of a drink.
"Heard ye went to that ball the other day, " The gruff man spoke again. "must have been somethin' there ye were after."
I knew what he was getting at, and he wasn't entirely wrong either. My mouth twitched into a small grin. Old Rufus knew me too well it would seem.
"Perhaps." I eventually answered.
"And did ye find what you was after?" Rufus took a swig of rum before moving to the bar stool beside me so our conversation would remain private.
"Of course, but I fould something else that was very intriguing."
"Tell me, what do you know about Lauren Benjamin?"
Rufus shook his head. "Nothin', never heard of her."
But I thought you knew everyone who was anyone?"
Rufus looked insulted. "I do! Maybe she just ain't anyone worth knowing."
I drummed my fingers on the bar thinking about her. "Then why would she be staying with Arabella Hendry?" I mused out loud.
"Hendry, you say?" I heard him sputter.
Yes."
"Wait a moment, I think I have heard of her." He mused. " Yes, word has gotten around that Aaron Hendry met her when she was bein' chased by some drunk."
"So Aaron played her knight in shinning armor, I presume?"
My smelly little friend nodded.
Hmm...this might be easier than I thought. I sighed at my brilliance, yes, she would soon be eating right out of the palm of my hand.
***************************************************
"Yes."
"No."
"Please!"
I sighed. "No, Ella!"
"Why not?" She pouted.
I would think it would be obvious! "I'm a horrible singer, like nails on a chalkboard."
"That cannot be true." Ella pressed. "I heard you singing in the garden a few days ago, you sounded beautiful."
I stiffened, I didn't like anyone to catch me singing, it was just so embarrassing to me. "I-I don't know what you are talking about." My face turning beet-red.
"I've got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine." Ella sang softly. "I've got a love that I know that is all mine..." It sound so surreal for her to be singing a song from my era, I'd better be more careful, would want to slip up and change anything in the future.
"It's a very pretty song, Lauri, what is it's name?"
"Um, it's called Pocketful of Sunshine."
By Natasha Bedingfield, I wanted to add.
"Did you write it?"
"No, no! I just heard it before and it sort of just popped into my head."
"I know," She said. "You should sing a duet at the banquet."
She had receive an invitation to a banquet today and for some reason that translated to me having to give a performance of some kind. And, since I had no musical talent to speak of, I apparent have been saddled with singing.
"With who?" I asked, knowing full well I would regret it. If this was another attempt to match-make me I swear...
"Elyn Horne." Aleaxander's little sister?
"Can she sing?"
"Oh, yes, she sings like a lark." At least one of us can sing then. I wonder how bad it would be if I lip-singed?