Chapter 3

             Madra had been back inside for almost 15 minutes and she looked around impatiently for Lance.  She hated to admit, even to herself, but he intrigued her and she longed to know more about him.  She wanted to know where he was from, what schools he went to, if he went on the customary tour of Europe like other well bred Southern gentlemen.  But most of all, she wanted to know what his lips felt like against hers.  Madra was extremely ashamed at her own impure thoughts and felt the heat rising in her face.  None of the county boys had ever had this effect on her.  Suddenly, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and she knew that he was behind her.  She didn’t dare turn around though, for she feared that he would see her thoughts clearly in her eyes.

             “Would you like to dance?”  He asked softly, his deep voice soothing and calm.

             Madra curtsied in answer and let him lead her out into the sea of people.  The darkie band struck up the beginning cords of the Virginia Reel and Madra felt the blood immediately quicken it’s pace through her veins.  If there was one thing that she loved to do, it was dance.  All previous thoughts left her head as she concentrated on the complicated steps.  Lance proved to be a very accomplished dancer and he led her through the Reel with ease.

             “Thank you ma’am.  You’re a very fine dancer.”  Lance complimented her, then, bowing deeply at the waist, he was gone.

             Madra stood at the edge of the dancing area with her mouth hanging open.  He didn’t even give her a chance to say anything.  ‘Well!’ she huffed to herself and stalked off to find her sisters.

             Lance stood from his vantage point at the back of the crowded room and watched Madra glide across the floor as if she were walking on air.  He didn’t know what it was about her that enchanted him so much, but he was already completely hooked.  Then and there he made the decision to actively court her, the past be damned.  But for tonight, he would request only one or two more dances so as not to look suspicious.  After a few subtle inquiries, he’d learned that her father was the owner of the largest plantation in the state, and that in itself was a bit daunting.  Lance imagined Madra’s father to be the picky, domineering type.  And he was sure that her father would feel that no one was good enough for his daughter.  Lance knew that he’d have to keep his wits about him in order to make a flawless impression.  He did what he thought was fitting and danced with a few other of the young ladies at the party.  But never did his eyes lose sight of Madra for more than a few seconds.

             Madra turned to look over her shoulder.  She felt his eyes on her again.  She didn’t know if he thought that she didn’t know that he was watching her every move.  In fact, she was more acutely aware of it than she thought possible.  Everyone’s voices rang dully in her eyes.  She only pretended to participate in the conversations that she had absolutely no interest in.  What she really wanted was to be in his arms again.  Not long after the thought passed through her head, he was beside her, asking her to dance again.  Had he read her mind? 

            Unknown to the handsome couple lost in their dancing, pairs of older knowing eyes took in the sight and smiled inside.  They knew in each of their minds that they were witnessing a legendary love in the making, even if the two young people didn’t realize it yet for themselves.

             Madra’s father emerged from the library with the other men and searched the large ballroom for his daughters and his wife.  He found his two youngest daughters standing at the edge of the room with their mother.  And Madra, he saw, was where she normally was, dancing.  He frowned because he didn’t recognize the young man that she was spinning around the floor with.  And he thought that they were dancing awfully close.  Before he could work up his temper enough to go demand a little space between the two, the reel ended and he watched Madra walk to where her mother and sisters were standing.  He decided to follow, thinking that it was late enough to return to their plantation.  They’d made all the necessary accommodations and conversations for the evening with their well to do peers.

             “Are you ready to go my ladies?”  Mr. Carlson asked as he came upon his daughters and his wife.

             There was a chorus of ‘yeses’ and they headed for the door, making polite conversation and saying their goodbyes on the way out.  He’d informed the butler that they were getting ready to leave, so the carriage was waiting for them when they stepped out through the massive front doors. 

            “Who was that young man that you were dancing with last, Madra?” 

             “His name is Lance Bass, Daddy.  He’s visiting from Charleston, though I didn’t inquire who he was here with.”  Madra replied dutifully. 

            “I see.  I will find out tomorrow so that I can know who my daughter seems to be so taken with.”  Her father teased.  Madra started to get upset, but noticed the twinkle in his eyes.  She knew that he was just looking out for her.  She rested her head on the back of the carriage and they all rode the rest of the way home in silence.