Chapter 5 Terrace Talks (Cat's POV)

Beautiful. 

That was the first thing my mind came up with when I saw him. If sinful and angelic could materialize as a being it would be the man that had just walked out onto the terrace. Impossibly tall, he barely fit through the doors. Long caramel-honey blonde locks swayed behind him. His beige skin color complimented the clothes he was wearing. He wasn't dressed in a suit as every other man at this venue seemed to be inclined to do. He had on a loose long sleeved black shirt that was opened at the chest. His black pants seemed tailored to fit him perfectly as they showed the lithe muscles that hid beneath the cloth. His black knee high boots completed his attire.

The thing that caught me most off guard was the dark cerise sharp almond shaped pink eyes that stared back at me. The way the dying light caught them it almost seemed as though they glowed. Dark blonde lashes brushed his cheeks when he blinked. A small beauty mark rested under those striking eyes.

I think I have a good idea of whose attention the ladies from earlier wanted. For the first time in my life I was sincerely in awe and a slight bit envious of the beauty a man held.

He stopped with his champagne held up a tad high as he closed the door. His cocked head was turned in my direction.

"My bad, I didn't think anybody would be out here. Everyone seems keen to dance with someone tonight it would seem." He mused.

Even as he stride toward the banister I could tell this was a confident man. There was no hesitancy in his steps about whether he should be here in this area that had briefly been my refuge. 

He leaned over the banister as he looked back at me with a raised eyebrow, "So, what brings you out here? Are you hiding from a pack of suitors for you hand? An ambitious mother trying to sell you off to the highest ranking nobleman?" He joked as he took a sip.

It had finally occurred to me that I had yet to speak a word to this gentleman. I shook my head a bit to clear my thoughts before speaking.

" Ah neither I'm afraid. I had an encounter with someone's lost hand while dancing and it's put me in bad spirits for dancing the rest of the evening I'm afraid. The terrace looked a bit lonely though so I thought I'd keep it company for the evening." I informed him.

A look of understanding passed over his face, "Ah, how unfortunate indeed. Well hopefully the lost hand makes it's way back to the owner quickly. Wouldn't want the scoundrel scaring anymore young ladies tonight. Young men these days seem to have trouble figuring out how to not invoke a woman's ire. Unfortunate really. I imagine the birth rate will plummet in a few years."

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me, "You're acting as though you yourself are not one of those young men."

He gave me a small wink before standing back up and finishing off his drink.

"Sadly, I'll be celebrating my thirties in a few short years. If my mother was here there's no doubt she'd have all the single eligible women lined up like it's some sort of interview. Lucky for me, she isn't."

My eyes went wide, "Oh, pardon me sir. I didn't realize." 

He waved his hands dismissively before his face curved into a smile.

"It's quite alright. I don't mind at all being considered younger. Like it in fact. So, are you a friend of the grooms family or Cinderella's?" 

I blinked in rapid fashion for a few seconds before voicing my confusion.

"Cinderella? The brides name is Silvia though?"

He gave a little snort before he clued me in, "Ah, then you have been blessed so far not to hear those vicious things called ladies in there gossiping about the bride. Since she's coming from a small baron's family and marrying into a viscount's family who will likely be promoted to an earl in a few years, so people dubbed her Cinderella. They've been arguing with each other how she managed to catch him. Whether it was from a magic spell or her tricks in the bedroom they're all still debating. I'm quite curious to know as well to be honest. Though, like they say curiosity killed the cat and if I've learned anything from my early twenties, it's that the truth eventually comes out. That and it's not very pleasant having paparazzi outside your window while bathing."

This was surprising news to me. Everyone that I had chatted with during dinner seemed so supportive of my sister and Jacob. A sudden nervousness and awkwardness came over me. I wasn't quite sure why though. I loved my sister and my family and for the most part wasn't ashamed of them or her. My father and brother put a lot of work into the family business to make it successful and us comfortable. My eldest sister worked hard as a professor at the academy. Silvia had worked hard to become a socialite who everybody wants at their parties. The twins were young but I'm sure they'd succeed in whatever they chose. Lucy was still a child, and an adorable one at that. And I.... I wasn't ashamed of them. 

I stood up and made a few steps toward him. He gave me a curious look and stood up as well. It felt as though I had a large ball of cotton in my throat as I swallowed few times and kept my eyes downcast. 

" I see. Thank you for divulging that information to me. I didn't know people thought so low of her. And I believed we haven't introduced ourselves yet," I steadied my breathing, " I'm one the bride's, Silvia's, younger sisters. I'm Catalina Raine Windsworth. Thank you for your short and informative company this evening. Goodbye and Goodnight sir whoever you are." 

Before I could catch a glimpse of his agape mouth and wide eyes I rushed past him in a hurry through the doors to the ballroom. I made my way through the dancing individuals toward where they had set aside a parlor for women to rest and freshen up. 

I ended up falling asleep on one of the chaise lounges they had placed in there for guests until it was time to go home.

I didn't see the handsome stranger again the rest of the evening.