Archie was feeling positively sick.

He knew it had nothing to do with the dainties that were being offered, swept about on platters by servants. At any other time he would have been tempted by the tiny pastries and sweetmeats, but today he was certain he could stomach none of it.

He took a glass of dark red wine from a tray, needing something to keep his hands busy. His gaze flicked easily over the heads surrounding him - height was often an advantage in crowded rooms. From the opposite wall, Charles Henry Winchester met his eyes with a grin, thrusting an arm into the air to ensure Archie saw him.

Archie lifted his glass in acknowledgment, then lowered his gaze to search for a path through the crowd. He didn't quite remember how Charles Henry had become simply "Lee," but it was an old childhood nickname they'd grown up with, and now it rather startled Archie to hear his friend announced with the full title. Charlotte's name, likewise, had been morphed beyond recognition by their childish tongues, and Callie she would always remain in their intimate friendship.

All too soon, he had reached the circle where the Winchester siblings chatted, their mother currently dominating the conversation between several other ladies. Callie was speaking as he stepped up, presumably in response to a question from another lady.

"...and theatre," she was finishing. Lady Winchester immediately broke in.

"Of course, acting is only a minor hobby," she added hastily. "It's rather a common pastime, and Charlotte is certainly more widely cultured than most girls her age."

He took Callie's arm as he slipped between them, and she flashed him a smile before returning an attentive gaze to her mother. Archie marvelled at her composure under her mother's flippant remarks. No matter what the woman said, he thought, Callie was definitely an actress at heart: smiling and agreeing with her mother's every word, nodding politely at every guest when he knew she'd prefer to be anywhere but here.

"Yes, Charlotte is quite accomplished in the refined arts. She plays the piano and the cello with a distinct touch - her music teacher says she is naturally gifted, but of course I expect nothing less from my daughter." Louise Winchester bestowed a gracious smile upon her audience, drawing her daughter a little closer into the circle. Callie mimicked the serene expression on her mother's face perfectly.

"Perhaps later you will hear her sing," continued Louise. A lilting accent graced her every word, and she used its effect to the fullest. "She has spent so long at boarding school, ma cherie, I have nearly forgotten the sound of her sweet voice. It is a pity my children must be sent away to the continent, but quality education such as we insist on can only be found in my France."

A few ladies nodded their appreciation for the Winchesters' consideration. The buxom woman across from Archie sniffed rather disdainfully. "I dare say there may be such a thing as too much education for girls nowadays. Why fill their heads with dusty book-learning and modernist nonsense when all a girl needs is a decent husband? Men don't appreciate their wives to be more educated than they are, you know. My Lucretia has a governess. She is taught only the essentials, and a lovelier young lady you couldn't find with more suitors."

Louise remained unfazed. "If it is true that men prefer to have more knowledge than their wives, I have only secured an even more educated husband for my daughter, have I not? We must be forward-thinking in this day and age. And as you can see, suitors are not to be lacking."

All at once, Archie found himself under the scrutiny of half a dozen ladies as Callie's mother grasped his arm, pulling him forward.

"I may not have introduced Charlotte's fiancé," she began smoothly. "This is Archibald Crawford, tenth of that name. You may remember his parents, distant relatives of the late duke..."

Louise continued to ramble on about family connections, but Archie had stopped listening. Fiancé? Was the woman putting on a show? She knew as well as he that nothing had been agreed yet. Perhaps he could understand the desire to exaggerate before the vulture-like women around them, ready to pass judgement on the slightest faux pas. He could feel his breathing quicken, becoming shallower.

Vaguely, he registered Callie's whisper next to his ear. She stood on her tiptoes despite the flamboyant heeled boots she was sporting, murmuring softly: "Close your mouth, Archie. Don't worry about it - we can talk later."

He made a conscious effort to relax, contorting his face into what he had intended to be a charming smile. The way he was feeling, it was more likely to frighten the ladies away - which might have equally served his purpose.

There was a rustle behind them, and a short black-suited man laid a hand on Louise Winchester's arm to draw her attention. She turned with a scowl at being interrupted, but her expression relaxed when she saw the folded, fabric-wrapped contraption under his arm.

"Pardon the interruption, Madame," he began, but she didn't wait for the rest of his sentence.

"Oh, the photographer," she exclaimed. "Ladies, you must excuse me. They want our photographs for the paper, of course. Come, Charlotte. I shall return, ladies. Charles Henry, we are needed. Do pay attention."

Lee extricated himself from a petite blonde who clung to his arm and the Winchesters followed the dark-suited man.

"We are ready for you in the library, Madame," he was saying.

"The library? I thought we had arranged..." Lady Winchester's voice faded as they passed through the crowds. Archie suddenly found himself alone in a circle of middle-aged ladies, all looking vaguely disgruntled at the sudden disappearance of their hostess.

"Pardon me," he stammered, and bowed out of the group.

Breathing a sigh of relief as he stepped away, Archie realized the blonde girl had followed him. He blinked in surprise. "Excuse me," he managed, searching about for her name. "Er, my apologies, Miss—?"

"Macmillan," she supplied, looking a bit perturbed that he didn't know her name. "I thought, Mr. Crawford, that since our escorts are detained, we might perhaps entertain each other in the meanwhile."

"Ah, so you are the lovely Miss Macmillan who has captured the attention of the young Winchester. I've been told of your many charms." The compliments rolled off Archie's tongue as he searched for a means of escape.

"Have you?" She frowned slightly, but the expression disappeared before he could be certain it had ever existed. "It's very kind of you, Mr. Crawford. I dare say you've seen more of Charles than I have since he returned from school."

Again Archie was taken off guard by the name. He felt a twinge of surprised satisfaction that Sara Macmillan wasn't aware of Lee's preferred name. Somehow it wouldn't have been right - like letting a stranger into their close friendship. "You may be right," he started cautiously. "I did catch a glimpse of him this morning when I stopped by to see his sister."

"Charlotte?" Her expression was serene. "She is a very... interesting young lady. I'm not surprised you fell prey to her advances."

Archie stared. Not liking at all where the conversation was heading, he cast about for a new subject. Finding the wineglass still clenched in his fingers, he made an effort to relax, taking a sip. Yes, that was it - he would offer Miss Macmillan a drink, and then they could spend a moment or two summoning a servant, which would allow Archie to—

A muffled crack was heard over the voices of the guests, instantly disrupting the party atmosphere. The blonde young lady in front of him glanced up sharply.

"What was that?" she asked, a faint quaver in her voice. Archie barely registered the question. His blood ran cold - there could be only one answer.

Seconds later, his instinct was confirmed. A woman's scream pierced the confused chatter, and the gathering fell deathly silent.

His thoughts came in jerky images.

Charlotte.

The library.

And suddenly he was running, pushing his way through the panicking crowd.

Behind him, the shattered pieces of a wineglass lay in a pool of crimson liquid.

*****

And let the action commence... don't forget to vote & comment please! Thanks so much for the support!
~KaciaM❤️