Hello all! So the inspiration for this fic actually came to me in a dream (yes, literally). I told my friend Amanda (WithPaperAndPen if you want to read her other stories) about it and we decided to write a collaborative fanfiction around the idea. All the odd chapters will be written by me and all even chapters will be written by Amanda. The entire story will be posted on this account. Enjoy the first chapter!
"Mother, I can't possibly wear this."
Cordelia Carstairs merely smiled lovingly. "Emma, it's your father's and my gift to you. Please, I want you to wear it tonight at the ball," she said.
Emma sighed, running a hand over the soft fabric of the stunning new dress her mother had bought her. She didn't know how she could; it was almost too pretty to put on. Especially when she was anything but excited for her engagement party tonight. But over the years, if there was one thing Emma had learned to do, it was to put on a smile and act happy. So smile she would, and hopefully the night wouldn't seem so daunting.
Cordelia came and rested a hand on Emma's shoulder. "Sweetheart, you will look beautiful tonight. I'm so proud of you," she murmured. "Jaime is a lucky man."
Emma's heart sunk at the mention of her fiancé. Jaime Rosales was the son of her father's business partner, and quite an eligible man for Emma to wed. The Rosales family was just as rich as the Carstairs, if not more so. It hadn't mattered that Jaime was five years older than Emma; her father had agreed to the betrothal nonetheless.
It wasn't that Jaime was horrible to look at; in fact, quite the opposite was true. Emma found him handsome enough, but his personality left something to be desired. He was flashy and false; everything he said and did seemed to come across as insincere or egotistical.
"Will you send up Helen to help me prepare for the ball? I'd like to get started on my hair," Emma said, turning to face her mother. "And thank you. This dress is stunning; it must have cost a fortune!"
Cordelia grinned, the crinkles in her eyes appearing. "It's no bother, Emma. Enjoy this night, darling. It will be one you'll remember for the rest of your life."
Patting her cheek, Cordelia exited the room.
Emma swallowed and sank into her bed, clutching the dress to her chest. A few moment later, there was a knock, and Helen appeared.
"Helen!" Emma sat up quickly and smiled. "Thank goodness you're here. I have absolutely no idea how to wear my hair tonight." Emma pouted.
Helen gently took the dress from Emma's hands and held it up, studying it carefully. "I think I know just what to do, Em," she said, and placed the dress back on the bed. "Come to the vanity so I can fix you up," Helen requested.
Emma dutifully sat, preparing herself to be relatively motionless for the next hour.
. . .
As Emma studied her reflection in her full length mirror, she couldn't help but let out a sigh. "Oh Helen, you've outdone yourself this time," she mused.
Helen laughed. "Miss Emma, it isn't me. You just keep getting prettier."
Emma blushed and turned from the mirror. She wrung her hands nervously. "I guess it's time for me to go, yes?"
"Yes, Miss Emma. You'll be just fine, darling. I am sure you'll be in the spotlight the whole evening."
"Thats just what I'm afraid of," Emma mumbled, but Helen didn't seem to hear her. She merely opened the door and waved Emma out.
As she descended the grand staircase, all eyes were on her. Most of the guests had already arrived, sipping champagne and gossipping quietly, but all conversation halted when Emma appeared.
She spotted Jaime at the foot of the stairs, ready to take her arm and lead her through the crowd and into the ballroom. She swallowed nervously, but plastered a pleasant expression on her face. Trying to behave with propriety was hard when she could barely take a few steps without shaking.
Jaime took her arm and smiled at the crowd, speaking before she could. "We would like to thank everyone for attending. Miss Carstairs and I are very pleased to celebrate our engagement with you all this evening. Now if we could all proceed to the ballroom," he smiled and gestured to the massive double doors.
The guests surged forward as the doors opened. Emma glimpsed a peak at the ballroom and found it lavishly decorated for the occasion. She barely registered Jaime leading her through the doors.
Both familiar and unfamiliar faces greeted and congratulated her. She thanked all of them graciously, but soon, people blurred together in her mind and she felt herself grow tired of all the attention. Jaime was a constant presence at her side, and although he was not bothering her, she did wish to escape him at some point in the night.
When Cristina Rosales, Jaime's younger sister, made her way over to her, Emma thanked God. It was a perfect opportunity to excuse herself politely. Over the weeks, the two had become fast friends. It was a relief to see her smiling face.
"Emma, there you are! I was beginning to think I'd never find you in this crowd," Cristina jested.
Emma smiled genuinely at her. "Its good to see you, Cristina," she acknowledged. Turning to her fiancé, she said, "If you would kindly excuse me, Jaime, I think I'll have some punch with your sister."
Something like a glare appeared on his face, but it was gone and replaced with a smile before Emma could give any thought to it. "Of course, dear. I'll be waiting when you want to start dancing."
She detached herself from her arm for the first time that night and breathed out a sigh. Cristina chuckled at her expression. "I had to save you from my brother; you looked positively miserable!"
Emma cringed. "Was I really that transparent?"
Cristina merely smiled knowingly.
"I thought I was doing well," Emma sighed, discouraged.
"Oh Emma, let's just focus on enjoying the night. Come on, do you see any handsome strangers for me to marry?" Cristina whispered playfully.
Emma grinned slyly and made a show of turning slowly around the room, scanning the crowd. Cristina laughed, and Emma joined, but her laughter soon faded as her eyes landed on one man she didn't expect to see.
Julian Blackthorn.
He was serving a young woman slightly older than Emma, courteously offering her something to eat from the silver platter he was balancing with ease. She graciously took an hors d'oeuvre from the tray and smiled flirtatiously at him. Emma felt her stomach clench with jealousy. He smiled politely at the woman, but soon moved on and continued his job professionally. She had always admired that about him.
Julian had been the object of her secret affections for nearly five years. They had been childhood friends and playmates, being born only a few months apart. She still remembered those days as if they were yesterday. She didn't know if she would ever forget the feeling of resting her head chastely on his stomach, looking up into the cloudy blue sky on a warm summer day. Seeing how his cute boyish features had matured into a strikingly handsome man over the last few years made her heart warm. She yearned to tell him how she felt, but what use would that be? She was engaged, and besides, he probably didn't even remember her all these years later.
Maneuvering between guests, he moved through the crowd with a grace that she didn't think was possible. With a start, she realized he was heading in her direction. Looking up at his face, she blushed as they locked eyes.
"Would the lady of the evening like something to eat or drink?" Julian asked, a playful note in his tone that was only meant for her to hear.
Emma's heart stuttered. "I'll have some punch, please," she managed to say.
Julian smiled and her blush deepened. "I'll be right back with that, Miss Carstairs."
As he walked away, Cristina turned to Emma with wide eyes.
"What was that?" she whispered, albeit loudly.
"What was what?" Emma replied coolly, feigning indifference.
Cristina shot her a look. "Don't play dumb with me, Emma. Do you fancy him?"
Emma shook her head and laughed, trying desperately to cover up her secret. "Ha! No, of course not! Him? He's just a footman. Why on Earth would I fancy him?"
Raising her eyebrows, Cristina smirked knowingly. "Emma Carstairs, you are a terrible liar. But I'll let this one slide. It's obviously just a petty crush. You are engaged to my brother."
Emma almost breathed a sigh relief, but she noticed Julian making his way back to her, two glasses of punch in both his hands.
"I brought a glass for Miss Rosales as well," Julian said, handing a glass to Cristina. "And for you, Miss Carstairs." Their hands brushed as she took the drink from him, making her shiver.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to attend to other guests. Miss Rosales, Miss Carstairs," he said, giving a small bow to both women. Turning on his heel, he disappeared into the crowd.
"There you are, sweetheart!" came a voice from behind her. She turned to see Jaime striding up to her, immediately hugging her to his side. "We don't want to be separated for too long! What will the guests think? This is our engagement party."
Emma forced a playful smile, looking up at Jaime's face. "A girl has to get away some time, don't you think?"
He didn't respond, but his gaze darkened and she felt his fingers dig harder into her arm. Swallowing a hint of worry, she allowed him to lead her back into the crowd. She looked around for Cristina, but she had disappeared.
The rest of the night, Emma's mind wandered. She couldn't shake the feeling of Jaime's clammy fingers dragging her away, or the image of Julian's handsome face smiling back at her.
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