no one's pov
Camila, her father, and Lauren entered the ball. From what Lauren had read, there was a certain formality to how things were done. Such as, one could not ask a woman to dance without a proper introduction.
Mr. Cabello promptly went off and returned in a few moments with a small card and handed it to Lauren. He also gave her a pencil.
"Here is your dance card. Camila in engaged so she is not likely to be asked to dance as it would seem in good taste. But in case you are not familiar, it is a list of all the songs and dances they will play and a line to put down who you plan to dance with."
"Thank you." Lauren said. She had heard the term dance card, but never actually had seen one. But that was how things were done, so Lauren decided to play along.
Lauren's little play was not due for another hour so she, Camila and Mr. Cabello walked around and mingled. Lauren was introduced to several well to do people; Young men, old men, proper ladies etc. They all engaged in polite conversation with many asking about America and what it was like.
Though Lauren had no interest in men, she quickly noticed several of them seemed to be interested in her. Several of the young men were struck by her beauty and just the fact that she was so different. After a short while Lauren had been asked to dance by at least 6 men. Not wanting to be rude, she graciously accepted and penciled them in on her dance card.
Camila wanting to see the food, pulled Lauren aside and took her into the adjoining room where a buffet of light finger foods was presented in a most elaborate manor. The table had, Tea, coffee, an assortment of Ices, biscuits, Cakes, Cracker bonbon's and small sandwiches. All of them were on sterling silver trays and each piece of food looked delicious.
Lauren chuckled to herself at the sheer fanciness of it all. She couldn't help but think of some of the parties she attended back in high school. A half barrel in one room, a DJ in another room and sometimes a few bags of potato chips to munch on. This was light years ahead of that. "I bet Camz would definitely like pizza in my time" She thought to herself.
After nibbling on a few sandwiches, it was time for Lauren to dance with one of the men who had requested. She had explained that she didn't really know the steps, but the guys didn't seem to care.
Lauren of course, pretended to enjoy the rather formal dance. She did so for two reasons, first not to be rude and secondly maybe it would make Camila just a bit jealous.
Camila spent a lot of her time, with her father or talking to some of the older ladies in attendance. All the while, she kept one eye on the mysterious American beauty, as Lauren danced with the young men. Camila found herself not liking it one single bit, much to her surprise.
Finally it was time to prepare for the small play. Lauren and her costar quickly changed into their costumes as Sir Miles announced that for his guests he was going to have a couple short scenes from Shakespeare presented to them.
The little play was presented on a small stage that had been constructed in one corner of the ball room.
As they were about to go on, Lauren found herself a bit nervous. Though she was loathe to admit it, she did suffer from stage fright on occasion.
Seeing her nervousness as they were about to take the stage, Charles looked sympathetically at her. "Stagefright?"
Lauren nodded. "I shouldn't. I know, but it happens sometimes. I want to put on a good show for my friend and I'm nervous. I'll bet that something you don't have to contend with."
Charles laughed then leaned in close. "I'll tell you a little secret. Stagefright, I suffer from terrible stagefright. Always have."
Lauren did a double take. From what she knew of Charles Green and his career he was cool as a cucumber before he went on stage. "What? I never suspected. How do you deal with it."
Charles paused for a moment, as he listened to their host introduce them. He then looked back to Lauren with a wry smile. "I just act as if it doesn't bother me at all. I do believe it's time. After you my lady."
The pair hit the stage and Lauren simply acted as if the stage fright didn't bother her. Soon they were in the scene and all was going well.
Camila quickly moved to the front and was quickly impressed by Lauren's acting skill. It was amazing how the Lauren she knew quickly vanished and was replaced by sinister Lady Macbeth. Camila was more than impressed.
Lauren and Charles Green's performance, though short, was very well received. They got a quick and vigorous round of applause from the assembled.
After they were done and changed back into their clothes, Sir Miles came up to Lauren and Charles looking quite pleased. They also noticed he was carrying two glasses of wine.
"You've both performed beyond my fullest expectations. I'll be sure to pay you both a bit extra. But in the meantime, while you mingle with the impressed crowd, have a glass of my finest wine, Chateau Yquem 1796. "
Lauren smiled, took the wine and had a sip. Her mother was a huge wine snob and Lauren reveled in the fact that her mother would die of envy if she knew her daughter was drinking wine from 1796. The best part was the wine itself was pretty damn good.
For a time, Lauren basked in the adulation of the crowd. She was dying to know what Camila was thinking of it, but she hadn't spoken to her yet.
Finally Lauren felt a tap on the shoulder, to see a smiling Camila. "Lauren. Your performance was marvelous. I was quite impressed. You are a consummate actress."
Of all the praise that night, Camila's was the most important. But the words consummate actress bothered her. It only reminded Lauren that she was still acting and had been the whole time. That feeling of guilt quickly returned and with a vengeance.
Lauren for a while longer mingled and danced with several other young men, but this time she had a harder time pretending to be enjoying herself.
"I'm a liar and a fraud." Lauren thought to herself as she danced with a young military officer. As she danced, the thoughts and doubts kept coming. "Camila is so pretty and good. What right do I have to seduce her? I just need to save her. Do we belong together."
Across the room, Camila kept watching Lauren. While she initially appeared to be enjoying her dancing, Camila quickly realized she wasn't and guessed she hadn't been at all. It only further confirmed her suspicions that Camila preferred the company of women.
After Lauren danced with all she had said she would, she decided to have a walk in the gardens outside the mansion to think. This severe attack of guilt had come at a most inconvenient time and Lauren just needed some time alone.
She wandered out into the moonlight and rather immaculate gardens trying to think of what to do next. Finally she found a bench behind some tall shrubbery that was rather secluded.
For almost half an hour Lauren stared up at the Crescent moon thinking about Camila. The more she thought the more her conscience bothered her.
"I love Camz, but all I do is lie to her. Am I no better than Austin. What am I here for, to seduce Camz or to save her from a disastrous marriage?" Lauren mumbled to herself.
Meanwhile I single figure crept into the garden. It was Camila who, not having seen Lauren in some time, decided to look for her. She soon found Lauren sitting on a bench, sitting alone.
Seeing Lauren alone, Camila once again found herself happy to have Lauren to herself. But there was a sad look on Lauren's face that Camila quickly found bothersome.
"Lauren?" Camila said softly.
Surprised Lauren looked up to see Camila standing a few feet away. She couldn't help but think how beautiful Camila looked in the moonlight. At this point, Lauren no longer could go through with any plans to win Camila's heart. It just didn't seem fair and it felt wrong. It wasn't the right way to build any kind of relationship on and Lauren knew it.
"Hello Camz. What brings you out here?"
"You. I hadn't seen you in a while and wondered where you were. Why are you out here alone." Camila said
"I just needed some air. That and I wanted to enjoy the night."
"May I join you."
Lauren felt another twinge of guilt pass through her heart. "Yes of course."
Camila quietly sat down next to Lauren and thought how good it felt just to be sitting next to this fascinating woman. A woman she now knew she needed to know even better.
For several minutes the pair sat in silence as they both looked at the moon. Lauren though was preoccupied by her dual feelings of guilt and desire.
"Lauren? I just wanted to say how glad I am go have gotten to know you. I will be most sad when you leave us. You're quite an extraordinary individual."
'Thank you." Lauren said with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Camila her heart beating like mad, made a decision. "Lauren, I know you have a secret."
Lauren's eyes momentarily bugged out as she looked back to Camila. "What? I don't know what you're talking about." Lauren immediately began to fear that Camz somehow figured out she wasn't from this time. It was an absurd thought, but Lauren couldn't help but think it as she quietly began to freak out.
Camz then inched herself a bit closer to Lauren. "Don't fear. I know what it's like. You can trust me."
Lauren was now really starting to freak out. "What is she doing?" Lauren thought quickly.
After a moment of Jade not saying anything Camila said in soft tone. "What was her name?"
Lauren's heart began to beat faster and faster. "Who...Whose name?"
For a moment Camila gazed into Lauren's eyes invitingly, then quietly took Lauren's hand in hers. "The woman that broke your heart."
Lauren audibly gasped as a whole sequence of thoughts plowed through her mind. "Ally, who in the hell did she know some woman broke my heart? Oh my god, here I am debating if I should seduce her and now SHE'S SEDUCING ME. IS SHE A FUCKING PSYCHIC?!"
Camila seeing the rather shocked look on Lauren's face, knew her guess was correct. Camila then took Lauren's hand into her lap and with her other gently caressed Lauren's cheek. "You're so beautiful. And you're not alone. I too enjoy the touch of a soft female hand. I love the touch of yours it's so soft."
Camila knew she had the urges and couldn't, nor wanted to resist them. In the back of her mind she rationalized it away by telling herself in order to purge them, she had to give into them. But deeper still, she was falling for Lauren. Like Miss Grande had her, Camila decided she would have Lauren.
Lauren opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out, as her brain suddenly went haywire.
Camila smiled, knowing full well she had Lauren right where she wanted her. "Nothing to say?" Camila said playfully. "I'll guess I'll just have to kiss you. I can't leave those beautiful lips untouched for one second longer."
The next thing Lauren knew Camila had wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a soft, succulent and passionate kiss.
Lauren's mind exploded with joy and her nipples hardened instantly, as Camila deepened the kiss. For Lauren the kiss was beyond anything she had ever imagined and the fact that Camila was seducing her, negated those doubts instantly. Not able to hold herself back any longer Lauren slowly pressed her tongue into Camila's mouth and lovingly touched her tongue.
For nearly 10 solid minutes the two young woman kissed with wild abandon. Other than an odd moan of pleasure, nothing was said. They spoke with their lips, their hands and passion.
However just was Camila was thinking of how to steal away with Lauren a familiar male voice broke the air.
"Camilla?"
It was the unmistakable voice of Austin only a short distance away, which broke the spell between them abruptly. Camila remembered that he had been invited but said he had business and couldn't attend. She guessed something had changed.
Lauren made a "Sh" motion on her lips. "We can hide." Lauren then whispered.
Camila however, found herself calling out as she stood up. "I'm here." It was that part of her, that wanted the normal husband and the life that went with it, that did.
A few seconds later Camila looked to her right to see a happy looking Austin come around the corner of the tall shrubbery. She quickly planned to tell Austin that Lauren and her were catching a quick breath of air.
"Ah...There you are. What are you doing out her all alone?"
It was then; Camila realized that Lauren who was sitting on the bench to her left only a few seconds ago was gone.
"I was just having a breath of fresh air. Why are you here? I thought you couldn't make it."
Austin leaned in and stole a kiss. "I couldn't keep away from my lovely fiancé, besides whom am I to dance with. Let me escort you to the dance floor."
With very mixed feelings, Camila smiled and allowed Austin to lead her to the dance floor. She couldn't help but feel terribly for calling out when she could have remained hidden with Lauren. But she was with her soon to be husband and that moral part of her was quite pleased. Her heart however was not.
As they finished the dance, Camila's father walked up and warmly shook Austin's hand. "Good to have you here son. My daughter looks happier than ever. I can't tell you how forward I am to having you as a son in law."
"Thank you sir." Responded Austin.
"Father?" Camila asked, realizing she hadn't seen Lauren since their moment in the garden. "Have you seen Lauren?"
"Oh yes. She had Robert take her home just now. He will return shortly. She said she had to work early in the morning and needed some proper rest. Quite senseable on her part."
"Oh...I see." Camila said, barely able to cover up her feeling of remorse. Not for kissing Lauren, but stupidly ending it in the way it had. it left her stomach tied in knots.
Austin who didn't even notice the brief look of distress on Camila's face, took Camila's hand and led her towards the dance floor. "Come on, I feel in the mood for another dance. The night is young. Let us celebrate."
Camila though smiling, didn't feel like celebrating at all.
Some people have the worst timing, don't they?
How will Lauren react? Will Camila try anything again? You'll just have to wait till the next chapter.