#Chapter4

Dysfunctional Body Parts

My body froze.

Mr Ambrose looked at me as if I just wasted his time and money. Believe me, those two aren't a good combination to waste especially if it's his. Karim stood beside him with the same gruff expression whenever he sees me. Even from a distance, I could confidently say that they're happy to see me.

I forgot that I was in the middle of the dance floor, with Captain Carter in front of me. I had one of my hands over his neck and one of his hands were on my waist while the other held my other hand. I also forgot the chastising glare I received from Aunt Brank, as if to tell me to just get on with it.

"Are you feeling well?" Captain Carter asks, my eyes snapping back to his.

I blinked my eyes, "Ah, yes. Of course."

"Are you sure?" He asks, concern was all over his face, "We could pass for the next dance..." he trailed off.

I bet Aunt Brank wouldn't like that idea. Besides that, I also don't feel like going anywhere near where Mr Ambrose is standing. I shook my head, "No, I like this song."

So we danced until I felt my feet go numb. We were talking while dancing, his smile never fading. I would accidentally step on his foot every two minutes, and he would make a funny face. I really didn't mean harm, but I was too anxious by the stares I received from Mr Ambrose's direction to think about the next dance step.

Apparently, my next step is on Captain Carter's right foot.

Captain Carter made yet another funny face as he twirled me around, "Such tough love, I'm receiving."

I gave out a heartily laugh, forgetting for a moment who I'm avoiding at all costs. "I'm feeling generous," I said.

We swerved as a couple of dancers were in our way and I, being very much ladylike, stepped on his foot once more. Only the difference this time is that it's on his left foot. I bit my lip as he chuckled, "We have to get rid of your footwear."

I huffed, "Please tell my aunt just that."

"I think it just squished my little toe," he says, and I started to burst out laughing. Tears of joy started blurring my vision.

"Nothing you can't handle."

"It feels like I've been ambushed by a lawn mower," he says, and even if he did feel the pain, he was smiling down at me. As if nothing happened.

"You whine like a baby."

"I do have a baby face," he says before he winks. After that, I accidentally stepped on his foot once again. He winced, "I'm taking that as a no, then."

I was about to answer when I noticed something oddly different. I didn't feel like my back was frozen anymore. I glanced at where Mr Ambrose stood, only to see him gone. I frowned at Karim, who stood alone with a deeper frown than I. People started to avoid him by not going his way. It's such a pity he lacks social skills. Maybe Aunt Brank could teach him. I bet they'll both get along very, very well.

Captain and I continued dancing with a smile on his face and a puzzled look on mine. Where did Mr Ambrose go? I don't really mind him as the one being ambushed by a lawn mower, as long as he pays me. Yes, that's the only reason why I'm looking frantically around to find him.

"Is everything all right?" Captain Carter asks, making me feel guilty. I was with him, but at the same time, I wasn't. "You seem a little distracted."

"Everything's just dandy." Except maybe my next pay cheque. Or probably my lack thereof.

Then, as if answering my question, I heard murmurs around me. I looked around to see surprised faces. They all looked at one direction. I followed their line of eyesight, only to witness something more horrible than Ella torturing my hair. More terrifying than all the footwear in England combined. Even scarier than Aunt Brank's smile.

...Mr Ambrose was dancing with a lady, specifically Elizabeth Higgins.

Let me rephrase myself; he was moving the lady rather than moving with the lady. Immediately, my blood started to boil as hot as the boiling water that Leadfield used in cooking the potatoes in our every meal. He acts as if women can't dance, and that he has to manipulate her every move. My inner feminist was on edge. That chauvinistic son of a bachelor!

Without me realizing, I just stepped on Captain Carter's right foot once more. He whistled lowly, "Such violence," he said, reffering to my feet, "This is why we promote world peace."

I looked up to Captain Carter's smiling face, "From one to ten, rate how painful it feels."

"Eleven," Captain Carter looked as if he was in deep thought before he gave me a playful smile, "Close enough to twelve."

I looked back to where Mr Ambrose was entangled with Elizabeth. I narrowed my eyes at him. A lot of violence entered my mind. I was thinking of my next step being on Mr Ambrose's face, rather than Captain Carter's foot. I was also thinking about his face being ambushed by a lawn mower. Really, Captain Carter doesn't deserve the pain he's feeling right now. But Mr Ambrose does, and more.

If my every step is as painful as being rated eleven out of ten, then I wouldn't mind stepping on Mr Ambrose's face.

I was busy glaring at Mr Ambrose as he moved on the dance floor with such precision as if he measures his steps. His face never showed any expression at all. However, the woman in his arms... Why does Elizabeth look like she's enjoying it?!

I didn't know that I accidentally stepped on Captain Carter's foot once again, only this time it was more painful than the rest. It was only until Captain Carter halted, making me stop as well. I look up to him with a questioning look, "Don't you want to dance?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he says, giving me a sad smile as he pulls away. "But I think you're tired."

He started to guide me back to the chair where I sat before we danced, away from the dance floor. "But—"

"Do you want something to drink?" He asks politely as we reached the chair, only to find that Karim stood just beside it. The mohammedan towered the chair as he was busy glaring at everyone.

I think he has anger management issues. He really should have a talk with Aunt Brank.