The fast, joyful, music swirled around George, causing the colorful skirts of the women to bob and dance around him. His feet pounded their way through his part of the dance with angry stomps but no one seemed to notice, which put him in an even worse mood. Finally the dance came to an end and George bowed to his partner with irate, embarrassed, humility. The moment that the dance was over and his obligation to the young lady in question was over he marched back to the wall to continue with the discussion that he had been having before the music started.
“They can't end the war, just like that. Boney can make all of the promises he wants to but he will never stop. They can't believe that he will honestly keep his word.”
“They don't have much of a choice George, this country can't take any more war,” said his friend, Alexander, shrugging. “Incidentally if I hadn't known that you were angry about the news I would have been rather insulted by the way you danced with my sister like it was an unwelcome chore.” George had the grace to look slightly ashamed, he couldn't afford to offend Alexander. Without Alexander George was just another impoverished captain who had spent the remains of his family's money on a commission. With Alexander George was the close friend and confidant of the second son of one of the most powerful families in England. Most of the time George could forget that Alexander was anyone special, he was far more down to earth then most of the aristocratic officers George had met. Now was one of those moment that it was thrown into clear relief that Alexander had very few concerns outside of society. While peace would mean that Alexander would have more time to spend at parties, balls and less time roughing it, it meant possible starvation for George. Of course George, in his pride, could never have mentioned this to Alexander. George had never borrowed any money from anyone, no matter how hard things got, and he wasn't going to start. Part of his shame at the moment was connected to the ball they were at now, a celebration of peace, where there were people wearing clothing worth more then he earned as a captain in a year.
Alexander's sister came to join them, a girl only about a year younger then George, but she had been so sheltered that George thought of her more as a child then a woman. She was one of the ones who was dressed in clothing that made George feel like he was in rags in his regulation uniform. Alexander was wearing a uniform as well, but it had been made by his family's tailor and therefore while a regulation uniform it was still three times the worth of George's.
“Do tell me you and your friend aren't talking about politics again Alex. It's so tiresome,” George was reinforced in his impression that Annabel was a total airhead.
“My dear sister,” said Alexander, laughing and kissing his sister on the cheek. “This ball is for political reasons. You don't complain that we discuss the reason you are getting to enjoy yourself so much do you?”
“I personally am overjoyed that we will be at peace with France now, gloves and wine have fallen in quality since the trade ban, and it would be unpatriotic I was assured to have bought them when we weren't supposed to be able to get them.” George wondered if she even realized that what she was talking about was smuggling or if she was too stupid to even know that. She was a lovely creature, graceful, with a way of making everyone else feel ugly and clumsy but when she opened her mouth he ceased being amazed.
To be continued...
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