A/N: Thanks to everyone who left kind reviews...I appriciate it! Keep them coming! Here is more...Enjoy!


Chapter 2: The long afternoon

Look around everywhere you turn is heartache
It's everywhere that you go (look around)
You try everything you can to escape
The pain of life that you know (life that you know)

When all else fails and you long to be
Something better than you are today
I know a place where you can get away
It's called a dance floor, and here's what it's for, so

Come on, vogue
Let your body move to the music (move to the music)
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, vogue
Let your body go with the flow (go with the flow)
You know you can do it

All you need is your own imagination
So use it that's what it's for (that's what it's for)
Go inside, for your finest inspiration
Your dreams will open the door (open up the door)

It makes no difference if you're black or white
If you're a boy or a girl
If the music's pumping it will give you new life
You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it

Beauty's where you find it
Not just where you bump and grind it
Soul is in the musical
That's where I feel so beautiful
Magical, life's a ball
So get up on the dance floor

Vogue, (Vogue)
Beauty's where you find it (move to the music)
Vogue, (Vogue)
Beauty's where you find it (go with the flow)

Vogue, Vogue.

-Vogue- By: Madonna


"Oww, mother stop that you are hurting me"! cried Brenna as Isabella pulled the pink corset tighter making Brenna's chest lunge up to her neckline.

"Sorry, darling but this is how it is supposed to go." replied Isabella as she pulled it more making Brenna claw her nails onto the expensive wood of the screen.

Robin could not help but laugh from where she was sitting. She, on the other hand, was used to the corset unlike her sister.

"Did you come up here to mock me or help me, my dearest sister." sneered Brenna.

"No, I did not come to mock you, but I could not help myself." giggled Robin as she went and handed Isabella the pannier.

As soon as the pannier was in place, Isabella took out a teal gown from within the depths of Brenna's trunks. She would always bury the silk expensive gowns to the bottom, to only leave her simple chemise ones at the top. This of course, would always irritate Isabella.

"Brenna, must you always put your gowns at the bottom, you will wrinkle them". scowled Isabella as she slipped the gown over Brenna's head.

"Sorry". muttered Brenna.

Once her dress was slipped on, Isabella led her over to the vanity. They struggled to put her brown tresses into a elegant tower, it kept coming down. Isabella sighed for they were already late, she decided to put in more pins to hold it up. It worked and Isabella was content, while Brenna was not. She was struggling to sit in the small settee, tears coming down from her eyes.

"Brenna, why are you crying?" asked Robin as she wiped her tears.

"It...it hurts". She replied as she looked up at Isabella who was clasping a necklace on her neck.

"Cherie, I told you before to start wearing one for it will be much tolerable. I am sorry but I will have no daughter of mine prancing around without one." replied Isabella as she gathered her fan. "Come, for we are already late, my darlings".

"We will be right out". replied Robin. "Here, I have an idea...I will loosen it a bit". Robin took her behind the screen and did that favor to her little sister.

"Thank you". Brenna choked out, for she could hardly breathe.


They finally arrived to Wydemere palace. It was a wonderous place, complete with lavish gardens and a small lake. Through out the entire carriage ride, Brenna kept scowling in her head. She hated these type of gatherings, they were so dull. Not just that, but these elite woman would always be kissing up to her mother, all to win her favor and invitaiton to the next garden party or ball. But alas, she would go through this hell for her mother and also for her father. But in the back of her mind, she was screaming to get away from all this upper class nonsense.

As they stepped down from the carriage, they were greeted by Charles Crawling. He was not a very handsome young fellow. One could say he was barely tolerable. He was tall and lanky, though he had a nice shade of golden blonde hair and a nice pair of aqua eyes, but that was all. He was always nervous around Brenna and Robin. But his grandmother, Lady Elaine Crawling would always push him towards Brenna. Hoping to get a marriage, it would be a great alliance for the Crawlings to unite themselves with the Norringtons.

"Good afternoon Duchess Norrington, Miss Robin, Miss Brenna". Charles kissed each of their hands. But when he got to Brenna, he lingered a bit, resulting in Brenna quickly pulling her hand back and not even looking at him.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Crawling." Isabella bowed with true grace placing her hand over her heart. "Is your grandmama in?"

"Yes, yes...right this way". replied Charles leading them into the sitting parlor, where the little old, yet elegant old lady was sipping tea. "Grandmother, Duchess Norrington and her daughters have arrived".

"Oh, how wonderful to see you Duchess Norrington". Lady Crawling kissed both of Isabella's cheeks and proceeded with Brenna and Robin.

Brenna held in her breath, Lady Crawling had this unusal smell of peppermint that Brenna hated. "Good afternoon, Lady Crawling". Brenna bowed gracefully like her mother had taught her.

"Pleasure to see you again dear girl". smiled Lady Crawling.

"How are you Lady Crawling?" asked Isabella as she sat down on a small sofa next to Robin and Brenna.

"Very well, my dear. But exhausted most of the time because of my old age".

"Go figure". muttered Brenna under her breath, Robin quickly pinched her arm. Brenna turned to her and mouthed off "Oww".

"Be nice". Robin said through her pearly whites as she smiled.

"And how is your handsome Admiral doing?" asked Lady Crawling

"He is well and sends his regards, as well as Nickolas." said Isabella

"Oh how nice, where is dear Nickolas?"

"He is with James, you know trying to learn all there is about the navy, as he will take his place". replied Isabella.

"That sounds wonderful". smiled Lady Crawling.

"Madame, tea is served in the sun room". annouced the maid.

"Shall we". Lady Crawling stood and led the way to the sun room.


As they came in the bright room, they all took a seat at the round table. It was filled with all kinds of scones,small cakes, biscuits, jams, butters and various varities of different teas for everyone to enjoy. The fine china shining in the sunlight. They all engaged into an endless conversation that seemed like a blurr to Brenna who was not paying attention whatsoever. She was lost in her own little world, her safe place where she loved to be.

But she was snapped out of it when Robin gently kicked her leg from underneath the table. Much to her dismay, a comment was directed towards Brenna.

"Doesn't she look stunning Charles". said Lady Crawling as she glanced at Brenna from across the table.

"Y-yes...yes indeed she does".replied Charles shyly. Brenna gave him a fake smile.

"Oh Duchess Norrington, when will you offer Brenna's hand in marriage?" asked Lady Crawling curiously. "Would it be wonderful if my Charles began courting Brenna".

Brenna looks over to her mother. "Um...well." Isabella turned her gaze to her daughter, her emeralds glistening, pleaing to her mother to decline it. "I am afraid Brenna is not completely ready for courtship yet. I am barely just bringing her out into society, its best we wait. James also advises that we wait until she is eighteen."

Brenna eyes softened, as signal to her mother giving her a thank you. She breathed in relief.

The afternoon continued to drag on, but soon enough it was time to go.

"We hope to see you soon Duchess Norrington". Lady Crawling waved off as the carriage began to leave down the dirt road.

"You, you best start winning Brenna's affections, if we want you to win her hand in marriage. This will be good for our family". scowled Lady Crawling to Charles who was always naive to believe everything his grandmama told him. "You better get a move on before someone else comes and sweeps the young girl off her feet, which is what I fear".

"Who do you think can possibly do that. Duchess Norrington barely lets her out into the world".

"I had just gotten word that Duke Jude Beckett is due to arrive to Port Royal within a week".