Social Hour 1.1

 Mary Elliot sat on her embroidered green couch in the living room, waiting for something interesting to happen. Her sister Florence was directly across from Mary, practicing her embroidery. After a few minutes of staring out the window, their maid Helen walked in.

 "Good afternoon Ms. Mary. James Nathan's butler has asked me to pass along the message: James will be here tonight to see you." A smile spread across Mary's face. She would see James. Tonight. She hadn't seen him for almost a month, his family was in Paris.

"Oh, and one more thing, his butler also gave me a gift from James to pass along to you, it's upstairs on your night table." Helen said and left the room. Mary couldn't help but grin out of pure happiness. James had been sending her little gifts, usually every week, since they had meet one year ago. At the time he was 19 and she 15. Their first year together had been a wonderful one filled with first love and youthful romance. Helen was the only one who knew about them, she knew she could not tell her parents, nor Florence.



 Mary walked up stairs, she felt an urge to run but didn't, her mother Elisabeth was in the house and would kill her if she knew. After all, running was simply not lady like.

 The gift was wrapped in beautiful purple in yellow paper, Mary's favorite colors. She carefully opened it, and read the card:
"Mary,
I love you and have missed you terribly since I have been away. We returned last night, a week early, and I was honestly happy. Paris was extraordinary, but simply not the same without you. I will see you tonight, around midnight? Meet me outside.
P.S: Hope you loved the gift.
Yours truly,
James Nathan"
Mary opened the box, and inside was a beautiful lace headband. She immediately walked to the bathroom to put it on.

 Mary pushed back her hair and slid the band on. It matched her dress perfectly. She admired her reflection and smiled, wearing the headband made her feel closer to James.
"Mary! Mary!" Her mother Elisabeth called. "Come to my sitting room please!" Mary sighed and speed walked over to her mother's sitting room.

 She plopped down on the imported Indian couch and zoned off as her mother lectured her.
"The winter ball is to be in precisely two weeks. Because you are a member of the committee now, I expect you will help with the planning. Now, for the guest list..." Elisabeth droned on and on as Mary thought of nothing but James.

 "Mary. Mary! Are you listening?"
"Yes mother." She snapped out of her trance.
"Good. Now remember, Florence is in great need of a husband. We are thinking of that Henry fellow, he is sure to make a fine match. I want you to help your sister prepare for her courtship, alright?"
"Yes mother."
"Oh, and be downstairs in five minutes for your piano lesson."

 Elisabeth got up, brushed off her skirt, and exited the room.

 After her lesson and dinner, Mary lay on her bed and day dreamed, waiting for midnight to come. Finally when the hour came, she quietly crept downstairs and outside to meet James.

"James!" She exclaimed. They embraced, and kissed.

 "Come upstairs with me. Everyone is sleeping." Mary pulled on his arm, but he stayed still.
"I can't. I haven't got much time. Mary, you don't know how much I have missed you." James said, and pulled her in for another kiss.

 "By the way, I love the head band." James commented after they broke apart.
"Thank you so much. It's beautiful." Mary smiled up at him.

 "You are very welcome." He said, smiling his classic sneaky smile.
"James, I know you hate me to ask you of this, but still, I must. When will we get to be together? When will we not have to hide things anymore?"
"Soon. Your parents are working on finding your sister a suitor right now. As soon as she is married off and out of the way, I can ask for your hand in marriage."
"Oh James, I can't wait until then."
"Me either."  He stroked her cheek. "Look, I must leave. I will call for you soon. Write me if anything."

"Goodbye James." They came together for one last kiss, and then said their goodbyes.

"I love you!" Mary shouted after him as he began walking away. She watched his figure fade into the night before returning inside.

Mary changed into her nightdress and climbed into bed, thinking about the days events. She missed James already. The only question now was, when would she see him again? She blew out the candle, and closed her eyes. Mrs. Mary James Nathan. Mary liked the sound of that.


Thank you for reading! Again, sorry about all the blumblobs in the shots. (Little green dimonds) I will do better on that next time! I still have a little more time before I won't be able to use my computer again, so I will try to get a few more chapters in! I hope you enjoyed!