The Shadow of Great Britain

583: Chapter 296: Early Human Love Issues 583: Chapter 296: Early Human Love Issues In the ballroom, Gladstone was sitting in the corner with a glass of red wine, looking somewhat distracted.

He stared at the reflection of a young face in the blood-red liquid, one hand on his forehead, shaking his head uncontrollably.

He murmured to himself, “William, look at what you’ve done.

You promised the voters that you would eradicate the corruption within the Government, yet today you simply watched a corrupt deal unfold right before your eyes.

And you, you plan to do nothing—how is this not a betrayal of Sir Peel and the Duke of Newcastle’s expectations?”

At this, he couldn’t help but rub his face vigorously with his hands until his cheeks turned apple-red, which made him feel slightly better.

Just as he was about to go outside for some air, out of the corner of his eye he suddenly caught a glimpse of a striking red and black dress approaching him.

Gladstone was initially startled, then he slowly lifted his bowed head to look up, and there she was—the girl he’d been longing for—Miss Catherine Roseville.

Catherine also seemed a bit nervous; her hands were folded across her stomach, seemingly trying to mimic the composure of mature ladies who flourished in social settings.

But a 17-year-old girl could hardly feign such poised demeanor, as no amount of expensive and delicate makeup could hide the blush of shyness on her cheeks, not to mention her lace gloves that were nervously crumpled.

“Wi…William, are you just going to watch me stand here embarrassed?”

“Ah…”

Still groggy, Gladstone replied thoughtlessly, “Sorry, Catherine, you must be tired from standing.

Why not sit by me?

You look like you could use a bit of sherry; I’ll go pour you a glass.”

Catherine, both embarrassed and annoyed, looked at Gladstone.

If it weren’t for hearing that Gladstone would be at this ball and her father’s persistent coaxing, she would have never wanted to come to this suffocating place.

And to await Gladstone’s invitation to the first dance, she even turned down several impertinent suitors.

However, she had waited in the ballroom all evening, and Gladstone had not approached her.

Later, she even realized that the gentleman had disappeared altogether.

If it weren’t for Mr.

Roseville holding her back from going home, and the servants not daring to disobey the master, Miss Catherine would probably be sound asleep in her own bed by now.

Yet, after waiting and waiting with no sign of Gladstone, Catherine finally decided to take the initiative, only to receive such a response, making the conservative Miss Catherine feel insulted.

Mr.

Roseville, who had been keeping an eye on the situation, noticed something was amiss and quickly excused himself from his friends to smooth things over.

Mr.

Roseville quickly came to his daughter, who was on the verge of breaking down, and whispered softly, “Don’t be upset, dear.

Today William and his father had important business.

He probably got dizzy from the negotiations, and I noticed he hasn’t invited any ladies to dance—that spot must have been reserved for you.”

Having said this, old Mr.

Roseville then cheerfully moved the hands on his pocket watch along the scale until he was standing in front of Gladstone, ticking away and matching up the social newcomers.

“William, why don’t you ask Catherine for a dance?

She doesn’t have a partner this evening.

It’s quite rude to let a lady lack company at a dance.”

Gladstone, finally catching on upon hearing this, quickly stood up and said, “Ah!

Catherine, sorry.

I…I meant to ask you to dance, but just now…Sorry, really sorry, a lot was going on, my mind was a mess.”

Catherine, seeing that Gladstone was not intentionally making her uncomfortable and already holding a favorable impression of him, quickly resolved the awkwardness in her heart.

She became curious about what could vex the usually composed Gladstone so much.

She boldly sat beside Gladstone, “William, what exactly is wrong?”

Mr.

Roseville, seeing that the two slow starters were finally engaging, quickly and leisurely returned himself back into his pocket.

He gradually stepped back, while encouraging the pair, “That’s right, chatting to get to know each other is also beneficial; socializing doesn’t always need dancing.

William, remember, don’t bring up the Bank of England’s rate increase, nor talk about business in the Levant and America.

Unless you want to attract not a beautiful and charming girl like Catherine, but an old copper-smelling geezer like me.”

Catherine, upon hearing this, just glared at her father.

And Gladstone, whether he noticed these little exchanges or not, chose not to speak out.

He also scooted closer to Catherine, the fragrance of the beauty entering his nose stirred the vigorous hormones of youth, causing his recently sobered mind to become dizzy again.

“Well…it’s really nothing big.

I was just upset about the conversation my father had with Inspector Hasting…

Catherine, sharing the sentiment, nodded, “I sometimes dislike what my father says as well, like just now…Of course, William, I don’t mean the part about you.”