Dancing

Chapter 2

Sumary and Author’s Note: This is a slow buildup to the inevitable Hillary/Lara stuff, but I hope that, in the pursuit of a good tale, this can brgivrgiven. As I’ve just been re-reading Jilly Cooper’s novels I couldn’t resist sneaking in Rupert and Taggie-somehow their world and the world of Lara Croft seem to fit together quite neatly (to my mind at least!). Love to know what you think!
Rating: PG at the mo. Higher for later chapters.

Whatever Lara’s questions about Hillary’s behaviour were, she had no choice but to put them on hold for the rest of the day, and into the evening. She hurriedly towelled herself dry, cursing the fact that she was running late after spending time with her favourite horse in the stables. The briefest of showers had removed most of the grime, and she hoped that she wouldn’t be close enough to the ambassador for him to notice the darkening bruise on her upper arm where the horse had accidentally tossed its head and caught her. As she quickly dd und underwear and her dress, she checked the clock in her bedroom, wishing that she could forward time to the end of the evening without actually having to live through it.

The dress she (or rather Hillary) had chosen was long and dark, a sheath of chocolate brown velvet that complimented her dark eyes and fair skin. Strapless, it clung to every curve of her body but was demure enough to avoid showing too much of Lara’s rather ample cleavage. Simple sandals completed the outfit and as she quickly twistp hep her hair into a chignon, Lara’s beautiful long neck was emphasised by the ensemble. The bare minimum of makeup and she was ready, on the outside at least, to face her guests and the ambassador.

Half an hour later, she was the picture of the perfect hostess. The party was going swimmingly, every guest had enough to eat and drink, and Lara was circulating the room as if this was the most natural thing in the world. Daddy would be so proud she thought wryly as she was accosted by yet another Harrow-educated chinless son-of-an-earl.

“Lady Croft, how simply dee-lightful to see yaw!” the old Harrovian brayed, taking Lara’s hand and shaking it for all it was worth. “Jolly good party this is, and I hear the Ambassador will be putting in an appearance soon as well!”

“Good to see you too, Henry,” Lara replied, politely disentangling herself from his grasp. “I must go and check on the staff. Do help yourself to more champagne.” Sighing with relief, Lara wandered away quickly, clocking the fact that Henry de la Mare, fifth Earl of Blagdon, had made every effort to stare down her dress. Bloody men, she thought. Or, to be more precise, bloody public schoolboys. It didn’t matter that the Croft family tree went back five generations in England, she was still a little uncomfortable with wholwhole class issue. Of course, she was no fool, she knew better than to mock a system inside which she had been brought up with honour and privilege, but that didn’t make her any more patient (on the inside, at least) with those who could trace their lineage back to the Norman Conquest, and made no bones about telling everyone they could meet so.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Hillary circulating with a tray of champagne. Although he had no obligation to do so on these occasions, as there were plenty of hired hands brought in for the night, Lara knew that he liked to keep an eye on proceedings, and that this was a good way for him to do so unnoticed. He worked the room with practised grace, his immaculately pressed white shirt contrasting effortlessly with the dark tail coat and trousers. His long fingers held the silver tray delicately and he had mastered the art of being useful but unacknowledged. Lara watched him for a moment longer, feeling a sudden heat colour her face as she remembered the embarrassment she had felt that afternoon, before she remembered herself and continued to mingle.

A little while later, Lara was dancing with the elderly ambassador with relieved ease. He led her gracefully around the dance floor and chatted kindly to her as they danced. “It really is very kind of you to host this evening, Lady Croft,” he said graciously as they spun round the floor to the music of the string quartet. “I am sure your father would have been proud of the young woman you have become.”

“Thank you, Ambassador,” Lara replied, smiling. She felt a great relief that at his kindness and civility. Here was a man who had seen many changes in the world in his lifetime, a man who had been a good friend of her father’s. Suddenly the evening did not seem so arduous after all.

They parted when the music stopped, and the silver-haired ambassador bowed and, with a twinkle in his eye, kissed her hand. “I mustn’t keep you from gentlemen who are far more energetic than I on the dance floor,” he smiled. “Good evening to you Lady Croft.”

Lara spent some time chatting with Rupert and Taggie Campbell-Black. She had been at school with Taggie’s younger sister Caitlin and so knew Taggie’s family very well. Rupert and her father had been associates during Rupert’s showjumping days, and so she felt quite at home in his company. It had seemed only natural to invite them to the ball, and they were a welcome relief from the other guests.

“It’s lovely to see you both,” she said, hugging Taggie warmly and receiving the customary kiss on the mouth from Rupert. “How’s Caitlin these days?”

“Oh, fine,” replied Taggie, beaubeautiful face softening at the mention of her rebellious younger sister. “She’s just given birth to her first child, a boy. She and Archie are over the moon.”

“That’s wonderful!” Lara replied. “I must give her a ring soon.”

“Well, I must say you look stunning, sweetheart,” Rupert said smoothly. “But then you’ve probably been hearing that all night.” He mock shuddered as he looked around the room. “I don’t think I’ve seen so much blue blood in one room since Edward and Sophie’s wedding-bloody hell, old girl, your family has more connections than Southern Electricity!”

Lara laughed. Not many men got away with calling her ‘sweetheart’ but Rupert had known her since birth, so she let it slide. “So long as I don’t get any marriage proposals from the de la Mare brothers, everything will be fine,” she replied. “Henry’s already tried it on at least twice this evening.”

Rupert shuddered again, his clear blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “Fortune hunters, the lot of them,” he said with relish. “Ravishing as you are, darling, I’d watch the family silver when they’re around. The title is about all they’ve got left these days.”

“Rupert!” Taggie said reprovingly. “Leave poor Lara alone.” She smiled at Lara once more. Barely thirty, she didn’t look a day older than Lara herself, but knew how to placate and handle her handsome husband.

“Thanks for making it tonight,” Lara said, smiling at them both. “I’d better go and mingle.” Hugging Taggie again, she strolled off to circulate.

The rest of the evening was a success, apart from Henry de la Mare coming back for another attempt at Lara’s cleavage, and it wasn’t long until the guests were beginning to depart. She politely wished person after person goodnight, until she was stood alone except for the staff that were wearily clearing up the debris. Slipping off her shoes, she padded quietly up the stairs to the drawing room, selected some soothing music and sat on the chaise lounge.

Where to now? Now that I have been lost and found
Buried in the afternoon
Breathless and snowbound…

“My Lady?” Lara started suddenly at the break in her reverie, then relaxed as she realised who had called her.
“Hilly, is everything alright?” she replied.
“The staff are just finishing the clearing up, and I shall sort out their wages when they are finished,” Hillary replied. He picked up Lara’s empty glass, which she had brought up to the drawing room. “Can I offer you another drink?” He asked.

“No, thanks, Hilly, I’m fine. I just wanted to sit down and relax before calling it a night.” She grinned up at her friend. “You were right about the dancing, it was fine.”

Hillary smiled and Lara thought how attractive he was when he did. It was something that she didn’t see very often, as his job required him to be alternately aloof and courteous. Normally there was little room for unguarded smiles.

“If there’s nothing else I can assist you with, theshalshall see to the staff and retire for the night,” Hillary said, glancing at Lara once more.

“Goodnight Hilly,” Lara said softly. She tucked her feet up underneath her and relaxed back onto the chaise lounge. Then without thinking, she added absently “Sweet dreams.” She blushed as she looked up at him once more, and felt her face grow even hotter as she saw the look of surprise on Hillary’s face. “Sorry, Hilly, I don’t know where that came from! I must be more tired than I thought.”

“That’s quite alright, my Lady,” Hillary recovered himself and turned to leave the drawing room. Lara sank further back onto the chaise lounge, closing her eyes in exhaustion. She heard Hillary softly open and close the door behind him, and she was sure it was her imagination that made her hear “Sweet dreams, Lara,” through the creaking of the door.