His Brown Eyes

She had never seen anyone quite like him before and was immediately mesmerized. He was tall, as most men were to her short frame, standing a whole head above her. He seemed both familiar and foreign at once. Warm brown eyes like cocoa and tanned skin, topped with an unruly mop of dark brown curls, almost black but not quite. He seemed at ease in his well-built frame and the smiles he flashed seemed so natural on his face, as if he never made any other expression. She couldn’t help but compare herself to the women who flocked around him. She was rounder than them, but only slightly. Shorter, definitely, but maybe that was just the high heels they wore so confidently. She could never brave more than an inch or two before she started to falter when walking. Her hair seemed much more mousey and unruly than theirs. Her maids had barely been able to get all her hair into a braided updo when theirs all seemed so tidy in their golden waves and intricate braids. A heavy sigh escaped her as she resigned herself to that place on the edge of society, as she always had.

“Anything good?” a voice whispered near her ear.

“Only the appearance of yet another handsome man that Everly seems to want to get her claws into,” she sighed again.

“Oh, well you know Everly and her ways. Always has to have the newest, shiniest things,” replied her friend, Jacob. He always knew just where to find her at these sorts of things.

“Such a shame,” she commented, shaking her head, “I think Kelsey really likes this one,” she noted, nodding towards the blushing girl who couldn’t keep her eyes off the man.

“What about you?” Jacob asked.

“He is rather handsome, seems to be from abroad, from his clothing.” He was dressed rather strangely, wearing brighter colors than even some of the women, who resembled a flock of peacocks. “He almost looks uncomfortable in what he’s wearing.”

“How could you tell?” Jacob asked, confused, “He looks just fine to me.”

“Look how he keeps adjusting his sleeves and shifting his weight around on his feet. He’s either uncomfortable in his clothes or he’s uncomfortable surrounded by Everly and her flock,” she looked at him closely, waiting.

“How do you always notice these things?” Jacob looked at her admiringly. Because I wish someone would notice me like that, she thought.

“It’s just a skill you pick up when you watch people as much as I do,” she brushed off the compliment with a wave of her hand. Jacob chuckled and shook his head.

“Do you think he needs saving?” he asked. She hesitated a moment, watching the man closely before nodding serenely.

“Yes, I believe he does, Jacob. Maybe a glass of water or wine and some air would help,” she said, giving Jacob a meaningful look. He nodded and smiled, doing a little bow.

“As you command, milady,” he joked before walking off to grab a glass of something and go to assist the poor man.

Delwyn chuckled and smiled, watching Jacob grab two glasses of champagne from a passing servant and head towards the group of people. How easily he fits right in, she thought, as Jacob smiled widely, handing the glass to the man and grabbing his arm, only slightly dragging him away from the girls and towards the terrace. As soon as they were away from the flock of women, Delwyn could see the man relax slightly, seeming to thank Jacob for the rescue. Jacob smiled again and gestured towards Delwyn, obviously telling him about how she had spotted his uneasiness. She blushed heavily, quickly ducking behind the pillar she had been leaning on. Curse that man, she thought, embarrassed. Why does he have to do this to me?

Jacob laughed, “Actually, that was my friend, Del,” he gestured in her direction, “She’s incredibly good at reading people, it’s almost scary sometimes.”

The man nodded, “You’ll have to thank her for me, if I had to listen to one more story about their lessons or families, I think my ears would have started bleeding,” he chuckled. He had a nice laugh, deep and gentle, almost like rolling waves. His accent was subtle, but there, and probably very attractive for some of the girls here.

“Jacob,” he stuck his hand out for the man to shake, “Third son of Baron Whitmore.”

“I always forget you people introduce yourself by your father’s station,” he smiled softly, “My name is Julian, heir to Duke Carrasco, of Spain.”

“Oh, wow. Duke to be, and in Spain no less? Impressive. Now I know why all those girls were interested in you. They’d do anything to get out of here,” Jacob chuckled.

“I rather like it here,” Julian commented, “except it rains so damned much,” he laughed.

Jacob laughed, “Yeah, that never ends. Rain all year round. But it’s easy to get used to. Just don’t go to the beach, then you’ll really get sad. Very bleak and not at all like Spanish beaches, I’d assume.”

“Indeed, much sunnier there,” Julian chuckled, smiling. “I’d love to show you someday. Maybe after the Season ends, you can visit. We have very mild winters at home.”

“I think I’d like that,” Jacob smiled. “What brings the son of a Duke here?”

Julian’s smile faded slightly, “Father wants me to find a foreign bride, to help strengthen relations.”

Jacob nodded knowingly, “Firstborns have it rough. My brother got sent all the way to Prussia to find his bride. To help with trade routes or some nonsense.”

“Unfortunately, that seems to be the way of things,” Julian nodded, “Unfortunately for me, all the women here seem rather… uninteresting,” he frowned. Jacob chuckled again.

“That’s only because you haven’t met Del yet,” He smiled. “I’d be happy to introduce you,” Jacob gestured towards the pillar that Delwyn was still, very obviously, hiding behind.

“I think I’d like that,” Julian smiled.

Delwyn was about as red as someone could be, embarrassed that Jacob had so quickly pointed her out, obviously telling that man about her. She chewed on the end of her nail, chastising herself for trusting him like that, as if she hadn’t known he would do exactly as he had done, embarrassing her to no end. She quickly caught herself and dropped her hand, still anxious enough to fiddle with the fan her mother always insisted she carry. She jumped as Jacob tapped her on the shoulder, startled. Just as she turned to berate him for his actions, he grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the terrace. She knew already that struggling was useless against his strength.

“What are you doing?” she hissed at him. He only laughed in response.

“He asked to meet you,” he told her. She stopped for a moment and he almost dropped her arm.

“Him?” She asked, surprised.

“Yes, him,” Jacob chuckled again, “The handsome one you asked me to save earlier.” Delwyn blushed but followed along obediently.

Julian watched as Jacob appeared, practically dragging Del behind him. She seemed very embarrassed but was coming along anyway. Her maroon dress was modest but mostly matched the style the others wore. Her hair, however, didn’t particularly match the others’. It was tightly braided in an updo that seemed it would burst apart at the slightest bit of movement. It was obvious she had entirely too much hair to be trying to force into that style. He liked that about her, though. He smiled as Jacob and Del approached.

“If I may introduce Miss Delwyn Westbrooke,” Jacob released her arm, gesturing towards her with his arm before turning to her and gesturing towards Julian. “Del, this is Julian Carrasco, heir to Duke Carrasco of Spain.”

Delwyn curtsied and held a hand towards Julian, “It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Carrasco.”

Julian grabbed her hand gently and bowed, “The honor is mine, Miss Westbrooke.” He smiled gently and released her hand as they both stood upright again.

“Jacob told me you’re quite the keen observer of others,” Julian told her.

“He often embellishes when it comes to me. It’s just a small hobby of mine,” Delwyn waved her hand dismissively.

“Oh, you quit that,” Jacob chided. “You see far more than anyone else here, and you make me act on it,” he chuckled. Del blushed harder and looked down.

“I’ve usually nothing better to do, so I end up just watching people from afar. Not exactly an interesting hobby, or very useful.” She cringed a bit at the last part. Her stupid mouth just wouldn’t stop when she wanted it to.

“On the contrary,” Julian chimed, “it was rather useful in saving me from that horde of women.” He laughed as she blushed harder, quite close to becoming a similar shade to her dress. “I’m sure you see most of the things people don’t want other people seeing, don’t you?”

“She always knows the best gossip before anyone else does,” Jacob told him, “usually, she even knows who will end up matched with who by the end of the season.” He seemed proud of Delwyn for some reason. She started fiddling with her fan again.

“I’m not always right, though. People aren’t always easy to read.”

“I’d love to hear all about who’s with who here,” Julian told her, “so I know who to avoid when asking for dances. Why don’t we all go back in and Delwyn can fill me in.” He smiled. Del debated with herself for a bit before deciding it would be fine, maybe even fun to share her observations with someone other than Jacob for once. She nodded. Jacob smiled and nodded.

“Yeah that sounds like a great idea,” he turned back to the door, “let’s go!”