Bound for the Outer Banks (25 page)

Now it was Ella’s turn to try on her gown. The gold dress was stunning. The golden, metallic lace and petticoat gave the dress a royal flair. The ladies were all complimenting Ella on her beautiful gown when Lacey lifted her champagne flute and declared, “The name of Belle’s dress is Grinding for Gold!” Everyone let out a collective laugh and toasted Ella’s ball gown. Lacey was pleased with naming the gowns which she and the others truly believed were examples of applied art.

The ladies talked into the evening about the upcoming ball. Everyone filled Ella in on what to expect from the catering to the different people who regularly attended, to the two main dances, The Pavane and The Minuet. Ella informed the ladies that she had no clue how to perform the dances. Melody smiled and told Ella about the dance lesson offered one hour prior to the ball for those who had never attended or wanted to brush up. Period balls were sometimes given at the stately Tryon Palace in New Bern. Completed in 1770, it was the first permanent capitol of North Carolina and home to the Royal Governor. A period dance instructor from the North Carolina History Center next door in New Bern donated her time for The Peacock Ball. The charge for the class was ten dollars with all proceeds going to the animal shelter as well.

Not wanting to look ridiculous at The Ball, especially in front of Elise Winslet, Ella said, “Sign me up.”

Chapter 24

The night of The Peacock Ball, Chief picked up Ella early to escort her to the early dance lesson. He was in awe when he saw Ella in the dress Lacey had dubbed Grinding for Gold. Ella grabbed her ivory opera gloves and they headed down the street to Pinkie’s. All the ladies attending the lesson were ascending the stairs to the ballroom, holding up the long skirts of their dresses. None of the gowns were as stunning as Ella’s creations.

The first dance was The Pavane. One reason the party was called The Peacock Ball was The Pavane had also been known as The Peacock Dance from the Spanish word “pavon.” Melody had done research on dances from the 1700’s and came across The Pavane. She also thought it was appropriate that a fundraiser for an animal shelter have an animal in the title. The dance was a kind of strut like motion similar to the walk of a peacock. It was also a popular dance for showing off the new fashions of the era. The lady would rest her hand on the back of her partner’s. The dancers took long, gliding steps in a procession with curtsies, retreats, and advances.

It was clear Chief had danced The Pavane before. Ella picked up the dance quickly and moved gracefully. She figured it would’ve made BeBe happy she’d carted Ella back and forth to ballet class all those years.

The next dance Edwina the dance instructor taught was The Minuet. Edwina spent a few moments discussing the history of The Minuet. It was known as “The Queen of Dances.” In the past, kissing was as much a part of The Minuet as the steps themselves. For the eighteenth century it was known as quite a seductive dance. The dance was made up of lots of quick, small steps, curtsying, and breaks where the gentlemen stood still and watched the ladies hold lifted hands and dance with one another. Chief informed Ella that The Minuet was his kind of dance, giving her a mischievous look while he stood still watching Ella and a leggy blonde with long hair hold hands circling one another. During this time Edwina was yelling out directions. “Eye contact ladies! Admire one another!”

When Ella returned to Chief she said under her breath “The Minuet, prelude to the modern day ménage a trois. Who knew?”

“I told you it was my favorite dance,” replied Chief. Ella smacked his chest with her gloved hand.

Once Edwina felt like everyone had a grasp of the two dances, she dismissed them. There was fifteen minutes before The Peacock Ball would officially begin. Chief and Ella left the ballroom by way of the back staircase and stepped out on to the boardwalk connecting the marina to the waterfront shops and restaurants. Chief held tightly to Ella’s hand, proud to be attending The Ball with a beautiful woman in a stunning, sexy gown she’d made herself, a woman with whom he was falling deeply in love. He continued to assure himself that he would just enjoy the relationship until his assignment ended. Chief noted that Ella had not felt compelled to tell him of her plight even though she knew he worked for The Bureau, so he assumed she felt the same way.

The couple walked down the main dock to the large waterside gazebo. They could see the costumed actors on the Elizabeth II replica ship lowering the sails for the day. Ella loved how Southerners clung to history, honoring it whenever they could. She believed there was always something to learn from the past.

The sun had set an hour before. Chief pointed out that he and Ella had missed the mandated sunset kiss.

“We were inside,” protested Ella.

“It doesn’t matter. We have to pay our penance.” Chief wrapped his arms around Ella and kissed her. After the long kiss, Ella turned to look at the lights along the waterfront and take in the moment.

“It’s beautiful here,” she said.

“It has its moments,” Chief replied.

“People never appreciate what they have. They always think the grass is greener on the other side. Trust me. I’ve seen a lot of grass lately, and a place really is what you make it,” avowed Ella.

Chief thought about this. He’d left Roanoke Island at eighteen to attend West Point. Never had he been back to the island to live as an adult. Ella was right. Roanoke Island was beautiful and had a lot to offer. He looked at the lovely young woman before him in an exquisite ball gown, thought about the swanky event they were attending and the good cause it was supporting, and then he thought about the many people arriving soon that knew him and loved him. Chief smiled and knew Ella was right.

Ella shivered in the cool night and Chief immediately took off his coat and placed it around Ella’s shoulders. She wasn’t sure what Chief had worn to The Ball in previous years, but she was sure this year he’d be the most handsome, well-dressed man in attendance. She had finally convinced him to allow her to sew his attire for the evening. His coat, waistcoat, and breeches were a subdued, burnt bronze color and his cravat was a traditional white. The coat featured frog closures down the length of the piece mimicking the military influence on fashion at the time. Given Chief’s past in the service, Ella thought it was appropriate.

After they ascended the back staircase, they could hear the music had already begun. When Melody came up with The Peacock Ball idea, she considered hiring a trio or quintet from The New Bern Symphony to play, but reconsidered when she thought about the fact that their fee would take away from the proceeds for the shelter. A patron of the arts got wind of this and approached The Symphony’s musicians with the idea. Most of the players were animal lovers and volunteered to supply The Ball each year with musicians. It turned out to be great advertising for the individual musicians. Attendees of The Ball would hire the players for weddings, anniversary celebrations, corporate functions, and any other reason they could find to throw a snazzy party.

Chief went to the bar and ordered a white wine for Ella who usually had Merlot, but didn’t want to look like she’d been slaughtering chickens if she spilled some on her gold dress. Chief got a tonic water with a twist. Ella loved seeing what everyone was wearing as they entered the ballroom. She hadn’t seen anything similar to this since her days costuming for her high school theater. When Desiree walked in with Steve in the Orchid Orgasm her heart swelled with pride. The dress was stunning and Desiree looked beautiful with her long hair in a soft updo with loose curls framing her face. As each of the other ladies entered in their gowns Ella had lovingly designed and sewn, she felt the same way.

The hostess, Miss Melody, entered the room with Harmony and her husband, Dr. Patel. Following closely behind was a young man who was clearly of Indian descent. Ella wondered if he was one of Raj Patel’s relatives. He was tall and slender and reminded Ella of a Bollywood star who oozed sex appeal.

After about twenty minutes the first brave souls hit the dance floor, or if not necessarily brave the libations had kicked in to give them courage. Lacey informed Samoset that it was time to Minuet. He asked, “Can’t we wait a few more minutes?” And then after surveying the room said, “I can’t believe I’m wearing these ridiculous knee britches. All the men in the room look ridiculous.”

“It’s more authentic this way. Come on. Your masculinity is safe. I promise.” Then Lacey led Sam to the dance floor and with an eye roll and a begrudging look he bowed to Lacey beginning the dance.

Desiree led Steve to the dance floor as well but Ella informed Chief he was off the hook for a while because she wanted to watch a few dances before she attempted it herself. Tanqueray stood with Ella and Chief surveying the eligible bachelors at The Ball. Melody sauntered over with her sister, Dr. Patel, and the handsome Bollywood guy.

Chief shook hands with Raj and said, “It’s nice to see you again, Doctor.” He nodded his head at Harmony, “Mrs. Patel.”

“Likewise,” said Raj. He motioned toward the young man. “This is my nephew, Vinn. Vinn, this is Chogan Montauk. I treated him when he was a boy which is making me feel like an old geezer about now.

Vinn and Chief shook hands. Chief then introduced Ella and Tanqueray.

Harmony said, “If you’ll excuse us, I’m going to force my husband to dance with me.” She pulled Raj toward the dance floor.

Ella downed the rest of her wine and placed it on a passing waiter’s tray. “I guess I’m ready to try this,” she said.

“You’re going to be fine,” assured Chief, offering Ella the crook of his arm.

Tanqueray told Ella to break a leg. Ella smiled back at her. It turned out that both Ella and Tanqueray had a love affair with theater in high school.

Vinn gave Tanqueray a confused look. She explained the theater idiom to Vinn. He smiled. He told Tanqueray that he had seen Mamma Mia in New York with his ex-girlfriend who was a theater buff and he secretly liked it. The “ex-girlfriend” part of that confession was not lost on Tanqueray. She asked Vinn if he knew how to do The Pavane or The Minuet.

“Oh yes. I was a member of The Student India Society at Cambridge and we had an annual ball,” said Vinn.

“I’ve been attending The Peacock Ball for a few years now but I may be a bit rusty. If you don’t mind me possibly embarrassing you, we could dance,” suggested Tanqueray.

Vinn extended his hand to her and said, “I don’t think there’s any possibility of that Miss Tanqueray.”

Not a single comment on my name, thought Tanqueray. She smiled and took Vinn’s hand as they made their way to the dance floor.

After several dances Chief went to the bar to order another tonic water. The layering of the shirt, waistcoat, and coat combined with the dancing was causing quite a thirst. Elise Winslet quickly made her way to the bar as well. She was already incredibly miffed that the girl Chief had danced with first had on a gorgeous gold gown which made her rented ball gown look like a shabby, store bought Halloween costume.

“Hi stranger, did you save a dance for me?” asked Elise.

“Sorry Elise. I have a date,” answered Chief.

“Is she too intimidated to let you dance with me? We both know how it ended last time,” Elise smirked, running her finger down Chief’s lapel.

“I don’t think so, Elise,” said Chief. “And whether she is or not is a moot point because I don’t want to dance with you. Like I said, I have a date.”

Elise huffed off in disbelief that Chogan Montauk was not the least bit tempted. Elise Winslet was not used to her advances being spurned.

As the evening progressed, the men loosened up and actually appeared to enjoy the dancing. Occasionally Sam would make a comment about his shortened pants, the prancing dances, or how he would prefer to be fishing. Lacey kept reminding him of her participation in the “redneck raft race” and telling him to hush.

Unbeknownst to Ella or Chief, a photographer from The Manteo Times Recorder came by to take pictures for the paper. Ella looked up to see him taking a photo of a couple from New Bern who were headed down the procession line during The Pavane. Chief had his back turned and was facing Ella. After snapping a few pictures, the photographer quickly left. Ella assumed his deadline for the next day’s Sunday paper was fast approaching. Ella debated on telling Chief that she might have been photographed. Instead she convinced herself it was no big deal. Even if she was in the shot the focus was on the dancing couple and she knew there was no chance a member of The Crown was scouring the tiny Manteo Times Recorder for photos of Eleanor Augusta Barrantine, federal witness extraordinaire. Mentioning it to Chief would also inform him of her present situation and she knew that the fewer people who were aware of her real identity the better.

Melody Gainsborough, with great fanfare, presented a check to The Outer Banks No Kill Animal Shelter and thanked every attendee for supporting such a great cause. She then singled out the members of New Bern’s Symphony who’d volunteered their time and talent for the event. There were many shouts of “Bravo!” from the crowd as each member bowed with their instrument after being recognized.