Photo prompt courtesy of Roger Bultot
“Mark his progress, Antonio. He descends halfway and pauses, bathed to striking effect in the chandelier’s glow, adjusts a cuff, then hastens down to retrieve Isabella’s dropped fan, leaning close. She blushes. Is she the one?
“No – look! Lady Francesca faints. He rushes to escort her to a chair. He caresses her waist. She’s entranced – he has her!”
“Ha! They can’t resist!”
*
“Watch, Julietta. See how Isabella drops her fan, then tilts her head as he leans in, her hair brushing his cheek.
“But no! Francesca has diverted him. Observe how charmingly she swoons. She has him! Francesca is our champion tonight!”
*****
This is my contribution to Friday Fictioneers this week. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this weekly flash fiction event. You can find all the 100 word stories here.
He sounds a lucky man,they’re all fighting for his attention
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Or maybe they just like the challenge. 😏
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Oh I do like this a lot.. The two views, and you wonder who’s really prey or hunter… At least it seams attraction is mutual
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Glad you enjoyed it, Bjorn. And I’m glad the double perspective came through OK. Thanks for your feedback.
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Clever use of two points of view – let’s hope Isabella’s fan-dropping technique wins the next time!
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Thanks, Liz. The better woman won this time, but I’m sure Isabella will have her day.
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Nice, views from both sides. Sounds like they’re all “players” at this party 🙂
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They are – you’re right, and I’m thinking the rules of play might be very complex. Glad the two perspectives worked. Thanks, Ali.
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Dear Margaret,
The two points of view were effective in this story. Oh the lengths a woman has to go through to snag a man. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. They put a lot of effort into outdoing each other, and I wonder if this man is worth all their trouble.
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Nice thoughts on the thrust and parry of courting.
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I like your way of putting it. Back then it was a very complex and mysterious procedure, I think. Perhaps it still is. 😉 Thanks for commenting.
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Adorable little romantic entanglement. Fun story.
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Glad you liked it, Anne. Thank you.
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Nice play by play. Lol
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It was all about strategy, and watching the experts at work. Thanks, Dawn.
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A dual narration and a unique take on the prompt taken back in time with striking use of language. Well done.
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, Ellen.
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Well deserved Margaret. 😇
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This is great. When everyone knows how to play the game, it is much more fun to win.
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Glad you enjoyed, it Gabriele. They’re all watching the players and that way they might improve their own techniques.
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No wonder women swooned in those days. I would too if I was tightly corseted. That happened in the Pirates of the Carribean. Women always felt faint. It seems to have worked out well in this story.Good writing, Margaret. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Ha. I think the swooning in my story was 100% fake. However, I agree that those corsets must have been unbearable. Thank goodness we can dress more comfortably these days – although I’m astounded that very high heels are back in fashion. I really thought we had freed ourselves from such things. Thanks for your nice feedback, Suzanne.
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