Chapter 136 - – Malfoy Betrothal (1/2)
Christmas Eve, the twins were off being distracted by Sir Knight Prince in a valiant effort as Reginald Prince studied his reflection in the clock on the mantelpiece that read, a quarter till eight. ”You needn't worry, Reginald, I shall see to it that the children are in bed by ten,” Sirsa said from behind her husband.
Reginald whirls around to reveal himself in elegant navy robes lined with silver in the Prince family colors. Nodding in approval at the full outfit, Sirsa reaches over to his chest and says, ”Bend down, dear.”
”Yes, dear,” Reginald automatically replied as he bent down enough for his wife to easily reach his shirt collar.
Carefully adjusting her husband's collar to her satisfaction, Sirsa says, ”I want you to behave yourself, Reginald, you hear? I know that there will be plenty of faces whom you no doubt will sneer at, but at least try to keep a civil tongue. I've warned Georgine as well, I want the both of you to be on your best behavior tonight.”
”Yes, dear,” Reginald obediently said, but not necessarily promising to do as he is told.
Satisfied, Sirsa takes a step back as Reginald rises to his full height. ”You look most handsome,” Sirsa complimented her husband as Reginald turned to the side proudly. Hiding a smile, Sirsa merely ruefully shakes her head at her husband's antics.
”Good, you're finally ready to go,” Georgine's voice can be heard from behind them, where she leans against the wall.
The older Prince couple startles at having failed to hear her approach with heels and all. Sirsa sniffs and says, ”I shall expect both of you to return no later than eleven.”
”Yes, dear,” Georgine and Reginald said in unison as Reginald cast a glare in Georgine's direction at her tease.
Georgine merely raises her slender neck to reveal a gorgeous goblin silver forged jewelry necklace with sapphire gemstones. She was, in fact, wearing the entire jewelry ensemble with the exception of the tiara as she hated wearing the da*n thing. But as if in apology, Georgine did carefully avert her eyes as Sirsa placed a peck on Reginald's lips in goodbye, before elegantly striding away.
”Well, shall we depart?” Reginald asked his younger sister as he offered her the crook of his arm.
”What a gentleman,” Georgine mercilessly teased as she took her brother's arm.
With their arms safely entwined, Reginald tossed a spray of floo powder into the fireplace as the flames burst green and he says, ”Malfoy Manor.” The two of them stepped into the fireplace and effortlessly vanished from view.
A minute later, the two arrived and elegantly stepped out of the fireplace on steady feet. At the side of the mantelpiece, a rather pretty young hostess awaits and says, ”Welcome Sir Prince and Miss Prince. May I take your cloak, Miss Prince?”
Georgine removes the clasp from her throat and allows the cloak to float over to the young woman to reveal a matching colored gown in blue and silver. Despite her age, Georgine was still tall and slender with a face nary touched by wrinkles except for faint crowfeet around her eyes. She certainly looked younger and better than most women her age. And though she was no great beauty, there was a wild beauty about her akin to that of a tiger.
Extending her white elbow gloved hand, Reginald raised the crook of his arm, while a pair of great doors before them were opened by the manservants. Sniffing at the lavish décor, Sirsa says, ”The Malfoy's always so extravagant. When will they learn that sometimes less is more?”
”Well, they certainly have the money for it,” Reginald said as they passed the Malfoy family portraits. The two of them chattered as they quickly arrived at the end of a line before the ballroom. Patiently the other guests waited to be greeted by the hosts of the evening, the Malfoy's before passing into the ballroom.
Glancing around at the guests, Georgine snorted and said, ”Well, it would seem that the cream of the crop is all present.”
”Oh, I'm sure there will always be those that remain uninvited,” Reginald drily said as he thought of a certain Hogwarts' headmaster.
”Yes, well, I'm sure that might be in good taste,” Georgine huffed.
The line quickly moved ahead as Reginald's voice dropped to a soft whisper, ”And Georgine, no drinking.”
”Really, the same should be said about you, beloved brother of mine,” Georgine said with a matching arched brow.
”Fair enough,” Reginald sheepishly muttered as there were only two guests before them. The two guests before them greeted Malfoy, before entering the ballroom.