Chapter 17: Charming

After her father's announcement, Lyall came over to her almost immediately.

"Abigail!" He exclaimed, a broad smile on his face, "Congratulations."

Lyall leaned in towards her and placed a light peck on her cheek, and Abigail stumbled a little. When had they become such close friends?

"Oh," Abigail struggled to think, as Lyall stood next to her, his hand on her back. "Thank you, I guess."

She tried to side-step him, but there was someone to the left of her, and her dress was a little bulky. So she waited for the woman to pass.

"Abigail," Lyall said to her again, before she could make a clean escape from his side. "Would you do me the honor of a dance?"

And for the first time that night, Abigail silently cursed her sister's absence. Maybe Olivia was good for one thing, after all. Keeping Lyall away from her.

"Sure," Abigail agreed, thinking the best way out of this would be through on torturous dance.

Lyall led her to the dance floor, that was already occupied with so many couple