Chapter 138 - – Malfoy Betrothal Ⅲ (1/2)

Reginald was barely keeping his eyebrow from twitching as he listened to the incessant words spouted out of Barty Crouch's mouth. This close to pulling out his wand, Reginald with relief sees his sister coming towards him. Not caring if he was rude, Reginald interrupts, ”Crouch, I hate to be rude, but my sister seems to be calling me. It was a pleasure to see you and Mrs. Crouch as well.” Nodding once at them, he rushed away to meet his sister halfway.

Grabbing a drink from a passing server, Reginald downs half of the glass as Georgine reaches him with a familiar woman in tow. Squinting his eyes for a moment, Reginald's eyes widen at recognizing the older looking witch. ”Dorea Black?”

”It's been, Potter for thirty-two years now, Reginald Prince,” Dorea teasingly chided him.

”My apologies, Mrs. Potter,” Reginald sincerely said as he bowed his head in an apologetic bow. Turning to his sister, Reginald arched his brow. ”And to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure, dear sister of mine?”

”Seeing as we are no longer blushing maidens,” Georgine glared at her brother who loudly coughed. ”We both request at least one waltz.”

”I see, now that I can do,” Reginald said as he shoved his glass into Georgine's hands. Turning towards the petite witch, Reginald extends his white-gloved hand. ”May I have this dance, Mrs. Potter?”

”It would be my honor,” Dorea accepted as she placed her own gloved hand into his.

Georgine grumbles as she places the glass onto a passing waiter's tray and waits for the waltz to be over. Glancing about, Georgine sniffs at spotting the wretched figure of Abraxas Malfoy approaching her. Although older than her by over ten years, Abraxas was in the market for a second wife as his first had passed away some sixteen years ago. And no, Abraxas wasn't in the market for a younger wife as he already had an heir, but rather one who would add to his family name.

With cold eyes, Georgine lips curl as she rather stiffly says, ”Malfoy.”

”Miss Prince, may I have the honor of this dance?” Abraxas asked as he offered his hand.

Noticing all the pairs of eyes on them, Georgine reluctantly accepts the host's offer. Taking her hand, Abraxas smoothly leads them onto the dance floor as they began to waltz. ”You are still light on your feet, Miss Prince.”

”As are you, Malfoy,” Georgine politely murmured with a stiff smile.

”I denote a lack of a partner for the evening,” Abraxas carefully prodded.

”No, I do,” Georgine carefully replied as it was no lie. Her brother indeed was her partner for the evening.

”Ah, I must have not seen him,” Abraxas frowned as he whirled her around.

”He is here,” Georgine tilted her head in the direction that her brother was last seen at.

”Mm, is he one of us?”

”Yes, that he is.”

”It would be most unfortunate if another Prince wed rather ill-advised spouse again.”

”I shall take that under consideration.”

With a final whirl, the orchestra finished playing as the dancers came to a still and clapped in thanks. Politely clapping once, Abraxas took her hand and placed a kiss on the tip of her gloved hand. Georgine hid her distaste and forced herself not to wrench her arm from his tight grasp.

Nodding once, Abraxas turned away as Georgine away to search for her brother. Seeing a flushed Dorea resting by the wall, Georgine apprehensively rushed over. ”Are you alright, Dorea?”

”Oh, I've just not danced in many years,” Dorea huffed. ”I'm just a bit winded. But don't mind me, go and have fun you two.” Seeing both of them unwilling to leave, Dorea climbed to her feet.

”Go on now, shoo! I'm going to go over to chat with my cousin, Lucretia.” Dorea pointed at her cousin seated only a few seats away with her large-nosed husband.

Glancing over at his sister, Reginald offered his hand as Georgine accepted and the two entered the dancefloor. Whirling Georgine around, Reginald asked, ”And how did the dance go with Malfoy?”

Georgine's lips curled as she said, ”He's was not very subtle when in inquiring if I had a partner or not for the evening.”

Knowing his sister, Reginald chucked. ”And I'm certain that you replied that you had a partner, which is not a lie.”