Chapter 1
"Miss Parkinson," A voice cuts in smoothly, "A dance, if it pleases you?"
Pansy is no fool: it is an obvious distraction. What are the odds that this interruption occurs only when she is about to approach Miss Potter? She turns to face the youth, all well-trimmed copper hair and eyes that in contrast are alight with mischief. It makes her doubt he likes to trim his hair. He seems like one of those boys whom their mothers drag to the salon.
It doesn't take her long to place him. He looks much like his father.
"How could I say no to such a charming company, young Mr. Hurst?" Pansy says, and her voice is sweet and carries no hint that she has been interrupted in a task, "It would be my pleasure."
"Please, call me Leo," The boy replies.
"Then I shall be Pansy to you."
She takes his hand, and is surprised to feel its roughness. His toned muscles. It feels like the hand of a fighter. She doesn't let her surprise show, of course.
The melody starts playing, and Pansy curtseys.
"What do you tend to do in your free time, Leo?" Pansy asks as they begin their first steps. She loves her first interactions with people, gauging their motivations and personality.
"Duelling." Leo says wryly, "People enjoy challenging me, and I find it difficult to say no."
An interesting response, Pansy thinks.
"Indeed? I would like a fair hand with you myself, then," Pansy says, curious as ever.
To his credit, Leo doesn't look like he underestimates her. She wonders if she has the hands of a fighter, too.
"I'm sure that would be a match to watch."
"Indeed," Pansy smiles as she gives a graceful twirl.
"And you, Miss Parkinson?" Leo's smile is like a shark, "What do you do in your free time?"
"I love unicorns." Pansy says, "and horse riding."
There is something that passes his eyes then, sharp and swift, and Pansy only manages to catch the tail end of it. Is that bitterness? The look of someone who is… disappointed? As though he expects something from her that in forgetting a fact he hasn't received.
"Of course you do." His gentler smile is back, "Nothing befits a lady such as yourself more."
"I thank you." Pansy says, and skips the classic invitation to join her, until she knows more about what has him troubled. "Are you currently working anywhere?"
"I work at Maywell Clinic," Leo says, "Just some paperwork."
Pansy repeats the words and tone in her head until she's sure they are a lie.
"Oh." She portrays confusion, "I'd have thought you in some positions of leadership." She is almost sure of it. The self assured way he holds himself, the way he almost protectively talks of being challenged, and the way he feels entitled to expect a certain answer from her. A leader to the bone.
There is surprise in his eyes, and something satisfying, "Caught you."
"Caught me? " Now Pansy is surprised, "Whatever do you mean?"
He twirls her again before saying, "You are indeed a brilliant social butterfly, Miss Parkinson." And leaves it at that.
Somehow, she knows he doesn't mean it the way others do, that he sees through her mask and knows she is reading him to be steel while she herself is something as sharp. Somehow, he has gotten to know her in this short time more than she has him.
"It was an interesting dance, Leo." Pansy says, dropping some of her sugar-coated words, "I look forward to more such."
The melody ends, and they part ways.
As the guests depart, she feels someone pause by her side.
"Pansy?" It is Leo, "I have an offer."