~CHAPTER FOUR~



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The crowd oo-ed as they watched the ravishing woman descend the steps, now walking in front of King Richie. She didn’t say a word, but everyone was silently awed. They waited quietly for her lips to bless their ears, but she didn’t.

Her dress draped down her frame, properly outlining her muscular physique. She tucked her sleek dusky bob shyly behind her ear, before turning around to hold on to King Richie’s privileged arm. Truly, a walking heart-attack, her dress hung dangerously low. She had a tattoo of a raven on her back. Even Lady Moustache considered her- indulgent.

The music played again, this time much more drawn out and softly. King Richie and Pansy L’Amour slowly slithered their way through the packed crowd to Lady Turncoat and Lady Moustache. Mr. Capgras found a way to dissipate into thin air, uncaught by his brother. She walked with an enticing step, her heels clicking, keeping perfect beat with the music.

King Richie and Lady Turncoat had huge grins on their faces. Lady Moustache didn’t even notice, completely unaware of the big joke. He was too distracted by the woman, now more visible, he noted her exquisitely intricate makeup.

“Lady Moustache,” He introduced himself. He gingerly picked up her hand to kiss it, leaving the mark of his lipstick just below her wrist.

“I’m absolutely enchanted- by your presence.” Lady Moustache stood up straight again, now returning his gaze to her face. Her eyes pierced him like thunder clouds of the night.

“She’s very beautiful!” Lady Turncoat remarked while shimmy-ing her shoulders.
“She is.” Lady Moustache concluded earnestly.
“Of course I know who you are, Lady Moustache.” Pansy stated. Her voice sounded like home.

“You do?” He asked, hoping his reputation graciously preceded him.

“Hmh. Yes, we’ve met before.” She laughed. Lady Moustache wracked his brain. Certainly, he’d remember meeting such an impressive person.

He smiled to play off his own daftness. Miss L’Amour promised she’d return, Lady Turncoat and King Richie lurked behind Pansy as she walked the floor making light talk with as many people as she could. They all heartily welcomed her, laughing and cooing as they conversed.

Lady Moustache peered into his glass. He took another sip to try to ease his developing headache.



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Lady Moustache hovered around the buffet, now with a half full glass and no luck finding the finger sandwiches. Lady Moustache looked around the crowds. Pansy L’Amour with a full glass of rosé, looked thrilled to finally see a familiar face.

“Darling!” She cheered in a low voice. Lady Moustache reciprocated her greeting, they pulled each other into a relaxed embrace.

They gab-ed fondly with each other, conversation flowing naturally. Lady Moustache looked around once again.

“You seem distracted… Is there something on your mind?” Miss L’Amour was concerned. Lady Moustache looked like he felt sick.

Lady Moustache attentively looked back to her. “Oh, I’m alright… just had a bit much to drink.” This was a lie, he didn’t know why he was so dizzy, but this was the only reason he could come up with.

“I was, however, trying to find a gentleman I had met earlier. I wanted a chance to talk with him again.” He looked, seeing Pansy giving a slightly hurt look. “Although, he doesn’t matter now. I get to- delight, in your companionship- Miss L’Amour.” Lady Moustache steadied himself on the table behind him.

“Would you like to dance?” She asked shyly.

“I would.”

The pair lost their glasses and giddy-ly pulled the other towards the centre of the room to join the waltzing couples. Lady Moustache patiently taught Pansy the proper steps as she attempted to keep up. They laughed and joked about their imperfect steps, eventually just completely stopping to talk. Lady Moustache started to feel his body go numb.

Pansy noticed how sluggish her friend grew. Her concern developed as she cautiously watched the people bustling around them. Everything felt so constricting.

She was about to ask him if he wanted to sit down when a man rudely ran into Lady Moustache, his red wine spilling down the front of his shirt.

Lady Moustache froze. He didn’t think to look at the man’s face as he fled into the...