AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thank you HUGELY for the simply incredible response this received!
Everyone who reviewed, I am immeasurably grateful as always, and hope you received my individual message of thanks.
For those who alerted and favourited, it is really flattering and I only hope to keep you captivated!
I've been working supremely hard to manage to write this next chapter AND chapter 13 of 'UES', but I've finished both, and so here is Chapter Two! Enjoy!

- Maddy x

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Title:Love Wears a Mask

Author: Madeleinex

Pairing: Chuck/Blair

Summary: 'He may have only seen Serena Van der Woodsen from behind a mask, but it was enough to known that she was brunette, whilst his apparent fiancée was most
definitely a blonde. Chuck Bass, for the first time, had no idea what had happened.' Historical AU. C/B!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Gossip Girl characters, just the plotline. (I wish I owned Chuck Bass *sigh*)

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Chuck Bass was, once again, considering getting drunk.

In front of his fiancée and her mother.

With his father present.

It seemed the only possible way in which he could smoothly continue the conversation, after having found his fiancée had been swapped with someone who, although also beautiful, was not who he had found himself … lusting after. And in any case, anyone who had seen Chuck Bass drunk knew that he was as much a charmer then as he was when he was sober, if not more so.

Unfortunately, he had only turned in the direction of the scotch when he felt a vice-like grip around his elbow, unsurprisingly belonging to the Earl. Trust him to focus his attention on me now of all times. One intimidating glare later, Chuck found himself sitting on the chaise longue next to Serena, making small talk about what style of wedding dress would suit his new bride. Apparently it was ivory, not white, which was in fashion, but Chuck couldn't care less. If he was in charge, the bride would be wearing purple and he'd be in a matching purple and lilac suit. Now that was how to make the main article on the society pages!

"Empire cuts are so very now, Serena dear," gushed Lily, actually taking out a sketch of Lady Mapleton at her wedding.

"But mother, they are for women who need to hide their hips! I'd much rather a corset design," argued Serena, smiling brightly. Chuck realised he hadn't seen her without a smile on her face during the whole meeting…it was slightly unnerving.

"Well I'm sure we can find you something marvellous, not to worry."

"The bridesmaids could be in gold, I think that would look ever so smart with the ivory. Oh, I know! Why don't we have a gold and ivory theme? So traditional yet charming!"

"What a fabulous idea!"

Chuck could practically see the exclamation marks as the blondes' faces almost split with the wideness of their smiles. He was tempted to yell out 'dead babies', just to see if their mood would change in the slightest. The whole conversation was turning into a nightmare, and when Bart excused himself, Chuck was pretty sure this was all a joke, played on him by his father. It was a form of punishment for being a disappointing son.

It was the only solution.

"You'll make such a dashing groom, Charles," smiled Lily. Do you ever stop smiling?!

He managed a nod, and was fairly impressed with his performance. Not one crack in his mask yet. Definitely some sort of achievement. The talk slowly changed to wedding dates, and to his relief he heard the suggestion of next summer. A full year away. That gave him enough time to sort out this whole mess, and find the real Serena Van der Woodsen…or whoever she was. As the afternoon progressed, he realised there was no doubt that the two women before him were related, and why would Lady Lily feel the need to swap her daughters? He'd already agreed, hadn't he? And this girl was charming enough, she'd find a suitor in no time at all!

"My lord, I should like that?" questioned Serena sweetly. Damn, what is she talking about?

"As would I," he answered in the only way he could.

And with that, Lily gave them an affectionate look and left the room. Ah. They suggested time alone. He realised he could definitely use this time to his advantage; after all, a woman was supposed to obey her husband, and although he had no intention of forcing her to do anything, she was definitely the type to feel the need to please.

"Miss Van der Woodsen," he turned to her with a charming smile and was rewarded with a blush, "I know I wouldn't forget your face, but I can't seem to remember when we met! You must remind me." He softened the request with a flirtatious smirk.

"I, um, I seem to be suffering the same as you…" The smile faltered. Well at least she's human.

"In fact there is only one name that springs to mind which I remember hearing you were present at. It was your last ball in Paris, I think my father mentioned, Countess Geraldine de Batteau's?"

The nervousness on her face was as clear as the sky that morning, and Chuck knew he'd hit the mark. He kept his expression neutral, and she obviously didn't suspect anything because she cleared her throat and plastered a smile back onto her face. Her hands folded demurely in her lap, she took a moment, to prepare her story I'm sure, before speaking.

"Oh, I was meant to go, but then I was ill and I had to decline at the last moment…"

"Really, because I'm very sure I heard your name announced." Chuck was not going to let this opportunity escape him. Someone had been at that ball under her name, and he wanted to know who.

"You must have misheard," she stated firmly, sparing him an anxious look to ensure he'd not been offended. When he softened his intense stare, she smiled and continued. "I was certainly not there."

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The visit had concluded shortly, as the engaged couple were not supposed to be alone for too long, for society's sake. The whole notion was ludicrous to Chuck, but it allowed him to leave and clear his head, so he did not complain when the Van der Woodsens announced their departure. The moment their carriage had disappeared, he collected his deep plum-coloured coat and fastened it over his attire, before strolling into town. He'd only made his way down a few streets before he spotted a familiar head of chocolate brown curls ahead of him. His heartbeat quickened.

Following her from a short distance behind, he tried to think up a way to talk to her without appearing audacious. Luckily for him, as she turned away from a display window, an older gentleman knocked into her and only paused to leer at her before continuing. Frowning, Chuck stepped forward and reached for the packages that she'd dropped. She was already crouched down, gathering them when he placed the final one on top of the small stack.

"Thank you, sir, there was really no need!" She spoke in a warm voice, her gratitude clear as she got to her feet, eyes still downcast. Chuck definitely liked the idea of her being thankful towards him. As she gathered herself, he looked at the window she'd been gazing at.

Bright fabrics were looped across the window, fashioned into scarves on the mannequins in the window. Glancing down at her bowed head, he took in the lilac strip of material that she had used to keep her locks from falling into her eyes. The effect was enchanting, and he definitely had an idea to what she'd been inquiring after in that particular shop. 'If he was in charge, the bride would be wearing purple and he'd be in a matching purple and lilac suit' – ironically he noted the colour, lilac. He laughed and realised he needed to form a reply.

"It's not a problem," he drawled, rewarded by the jerking up of her head at his voice. So she remembers me. "It's the Honourable Serena Van der Woodsen, I seem to recall?"

She blushed, creamy skin turning a deep red, and there was no mask to hide it this time. He greedily drank in the sight, appreciating her refusal to meet his eyes as it enabled him to stare openly. She's going to deny it any second-

"Actually no, it's Blair Waldorf." There we go.

"That seems a little strange," he purred, gently leading her down the street to a leafy promenade. She came without a fuss, obviously too distracted by being caught in a lie. "After all, I heard you announce yourself as such…"

"But there you are wrong, my lord. I never said such a thing, you greeted me as such and I just did not correct you," she answered confidently, her eyes triumphantly meeting his.

She's definitely something else. He took in her confident stance, her hands delicately turned out on either side of her, a subtle sign that she was not a shrinking violet. No, she had opinions and she was going to let you know them. She raised an eyebrow at his scrutiny and his smirk widened, greatly enjoying her discomfort. There was a satisfaction at getting under her skin, with all the bravado she had to declare that she was a self-assured maiden. He liked to think of it as an achievement, to be the man to get past the walls she put up.

"It's rude to stare, and you're not even staring. I would definitely classify it as leering."

"I can't say I've ever heard leering is rude. There are no rules about it," he smirked. Just talking to her put him in a good mood.

"There may not be rules, but the result is the same; a woman who finds you impudent and greatly unappealing," she declared boldly. Her lips pouted slightly and he was drawn to the movement.

"Now that is an unfavourable reaction indeed. But a wrong one, I feel."

"Wrong? You mean to say that I should not think badly of you for looking at me in a way which is inappropriate?" Her tone was sarcastic and the mocking look on her face was very attractive.

"Yes, I mean exactly that. You should be flattered that I am so tempted to look at you like that. One must hold great beauty to deserve a leer," he teased, leading her further down the street.

"Now that would have been poetic, had it not been justifying a leer. Why could you not just say that alone?" she questioned.

"Because that would not distinguish me at all. You shall go home this evening and remember me, I promise you that!"

She stopped walking and turned to look at him. He met her gaze and held it until she shook her head lightly. The motion made her curls bounce and against the backdrop of the tall English oaks in front of golden-stoned buildings, she was a vision. The wonder in his eyes made her glance down and back up coyly from under her lashes, and when he let out a low chuckle she laughed as well, clearly surprised at her own flirting. It was hardly usual behaviour for a young socialite.

"I think it fortunate you are not a girl, my Lord Bass. You would not be proper at all," she declared, her eyes amused.

"Even as a man, I find myself improper on occasion," he said lightly, earning a soft giggle from his companion.

"And that gives me cause to return to my duties, Lord Bass." With a graceful curtsey, she turned to go but he reached out an arm and clasped her hand in his. He heard the sharp intake of breath and when she twisted round, he fixed his eyes on her, not allowing her to break eye contact.

"I should buy a red headband, Miss Waldorf. The colour would set off your complexion," he said simply, releasing her wrist from his grip. She looked at him in wonder and stayed motionless for another moment. Then, a small smile flitting over her features, she curtseyed again and moved off down the street. He was unable to take his eyes of her until her slight figure had faded into the throng of people on the busy London streets.

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"He is a handsome gentleman, and I am sure he will be a very kind husband," concluded Serena, her tale of her meeting with her fiancé finished.

"What did you even talk about? I should imagine it to be very awkward at a first meeting!" laughed Blair, trying to imagine how she would converse with a man she'd met only briefly but who she'd be married to forever.

"Oh, nothing much, just light conversation," rushed Serena, and if her best friend picked up on the change in her speech, she did not show it.

"You are not the only one who talked to a gentleman this week, you know," Blair sighed wistfully. Since her last encounter with Chuck Bass, she'd been sufficiently distracted by memories of their short walk that her maid had announced her 'love-struck'. She'd laughed it off, knowing that dear Dorota had no idea about her encounter, but ever since the description had been floating around her mind, taunting her.

"Oh B, you have a suitor?" gasped the blonde in delight.

"Not exactly…but it's the second time he's come to speak to me, and he's of nobility so it's definitely flattering," Blair added, trying to keep her friend's interest. Not everyone can have suitor after suitor knocking on their door.

"Is that suitable? You being out for the season, and him having not put forward a suit?"

Blair sighed. This is what she hated about society. A man and a woman could not talk for more than a few moments before gossip began to fly. She didn't see the reason for such a fuss, after all her conversations with Lord Bass had been more enjoyable than a lot of the petty talk she had to endure when spending time with the other girls in their social circle. Blair knew she was of a more modern and brazen attitude than her contemporaries, and it was times like this when she wanted to scream in frustration.

"S, you shouldn't be so concerned about it being suitable. We were just having conversation. He's perfectly respectable," her lips twitched at the word, "and he treats me just like a man should." That's stretching the truth a little…but then a memory came of him looking deeply into her eyes and she decided that that was exactly how a man should look at a woman.

"Alright B…I just don't want you to let this man flirt with you and then break your heart. If he has honest intentions, he should put forward a suit to your mother."

Blair knew Serena was being reasonable, but really the girl didn't know what she was talking about. He'd only just discovered her real identity, how could he have done anything differently? For all she knew, he was talking to Eleanor Waldorf this moment. Smiling happily, she decided to let the manner pass for now – there was no point making a fuss when it would probably be resolved in a matter of days. Mother will be so happy that a Lord, heir to an Earldom, has shown interest in me, me and not Serena!

"Relax, S. Everything is fine… It's perfect, even."

Serena was easily mollified and the two continued in easy conversation, discussing the latest fashions from Paris and how to accessorise an outfit tastefully but originally. The headband Blair had created was praised by Serena, and the idea quickly evolved further, until Blair could see herself wearing one for all occasions.

"Maybe, even in a hundred years, girls will still be wearing them!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, maybe they will even show their legs!"

"Up to their knees!"

The pair burst into hysterics at the ridiculous ideas. They knew the fashion would not change that dramatically in the slightest; when the twenty-first century dawned they would still be in long skirts and dresses, but it was enjoyable to entertain the idea.

"Imagine, women in pantaloons!"

Once again they were consumed by laughter, and when Lily Van der Woodsen entered, she clucked her tongue lightly at them, fixing them with an amused yet disapproving look. They both regained their composure and sat still as they waited for her to speak. After waiting for a few moments to increase the drama of her announcement, a smile broke out across her face. There we go, I knew the smile had to be coming at one point or another, Blair thought, trying to keep her face from betraying any signs of rebellious amusement.

"Serena, your fiancé has just asked if you would like to take a turn around Hyde Park with him after lunch! It will be delightful!"

"Oh that's a lovely idea! How romantic!"

Why do they always have to speak in exclamation marks? Blair couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes, but managed to turn her head so the action was indiscernible. Their enthusiasm was irritating if you had to listen to it for too long, and Blair took this as her cue to leave. She eagerly wanted to meet the man who had managed to catch Serena, but assumed this would not be her opportunity. Standing up, she waited 'til their attention had been captured, before saying,

"Thank you for having me, Lady Lily, but I must be getting home, it is a busy day!" Oh goodness, the exclamation marks are infectious! There I go again!

"Of course Blair, I am sure Eleanor needs you. Lovely to see you, dear!"

"Bye B!"

"Bye S, goodbye Lady Lily," Blair nodded to her respectfully and bobbed a quick curtsey before leaving the house and walking the short distance to her own. It must be the first time she chose to leave the sanctuary of the Van der Woodsen home and return to her own. She was definitely more welcome in the former, after all. Stepping through the wooden door, she bestowed a smile on her maid Dorota and carried on down the hall.

"Blair, is that you? Finally, I've been waiting for you for the last half an hour…"

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Chuck had decided to give his fiancée another shot.

When he'd first considered the concept of marriage, he'd assumed his wife would only be there as a partner to social events, someone to look after him when he needed it and bare him children. It sounded a bit brutal, but at least it was brutally honest, and he wouldn't be the first man to take a mistress or two. However, the longer he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of being with someone who he actually loved. The times where her company would be compulsory would be very much more enjoyable, and he could always choose to spend the time with her which he would otherwise be using on bars and whores.

The problem though was that 'her' was being quickly interlinked with 'Blair'.

That he should be so taken with a girl he had only talked to twice was definitely strange, and so he'd chosen to give the real Serena another chance. Maybe he was just responding to a lack of female companions recently; since returning from France he had been celibate, and although by choice, it was still something he was adjusting too. The appeal of the loose women had disappeared, but he was sorely missing the activity itself.

And so, clinging to his identity as the infamous Chuck Bass, he found himself walking around Hyde Park, arm in arm with Serena.

"You are looking quite charming this afternoon, Miss Van der Woodsen," he offered, breaking the moment of silence that had fallen upon them.

"Why thank you, my Lord, that is most kind of you."

And here's the silence again. He couldn't help but make comparisons to the easy exchange he'd had with Blair Waldorf, even though their relationship should have made her reluctant to even be seen with him, let alone converse out of choice. Serena, on the other hand, had been told she'd be spending her life alongside him, and yet was not making the walk easy at all. Maybe she's nervous? It shouldn't have been surprising; he'd met hundreds of upper-class young ladies, who all acted the same – nervous, shy and awkward to their suitors. Hardly attractive, is it?

"Your mother tells me you have an interest in fashion?"

The choice of conversation topic must have seemed unexpected to her, because she immediately floundered for a response. I'm not asking her about the latest government international policy, he groaned mentally. And yet somehow he knew that Blair would have an opinion on it. The thought made him smirk in amusement, and lessened the pain of talking.

"Well, I like to wear the current trends, although it's my friend Blair who keeps me updated. She has the greatest ideas, very original and unconventional, such as using pieces of material to keep your hair off of your face." Serena laughed lightly, clearly having found something she could talk about easily and so didn't notice the paling face of her companion. "I'm sure you don't see the ingenuity of it, but for a young lady it is most useful!"

The first mention of her name had Chuck poised to bolt, and then all doubts were removed when she continued. Of course he knew exactly what she was talking about, had seen the accessory worn by the creator herself.

Blair and Serena were friends.

Blair Waldorf and Serena Van der Woodsen were friends.

The girl he … admired, and his fiancée, were friends.

Why is there no scotch in Hyde Park?

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Blair had needed to get out of the house, and take a breather from her mother. She loved Eleanor, of course she did, but their relationship was strained at best, and Blair's compulsive, daring side did not impress her mother. After spending a few hours with her and her friends, she'd needed to escape the patronising and dull conversation of the upper circle matrons, and when this happened, she went to Hyde Park.

By this point, she'd completely forgotten that it was the destination of Serena and her fiancé, and in fact had barely registered it when Lily Van der Woodsen announced it. However as she was slowly taking a turn along the banks of the Serpentine, she caught a glimpse of sunlight reflecting off golden hair, and knew instantly it was her best friend. The blonde was drawing closer, arm in arm with a tall, dark stranger, and Blair's curiosity flared at the identity of the man. This is the legendary man, the 'respectable future husband'…

Knowing it would be impolite and improper to call out, Blair continued to walk in their direction until Serena noticed her and let out a happy laugh. She exclaimed, once the distance between them had shortened dramatically, loudly to catch her friend's attention, and so the brunette was able to turn and fake surprise at the encounter.

At least, that had been her intention. To fake surprise.

But one look at her friend's escort made her gasp lightly in surprise. And when she saw the pained, yet anticipatory look on his face she knew that she'd been used.

"Serena," she greeted her friend calmly, "Lord Charles Bass," she curtsied, refusing to give him the satisfaction of upsetting her. He knew all along. It was a game to him.

"Oh, you've met before? How lovely!"

The blonde babbled on, oblivious to the intense stare her fiancé was bestowing upon her best friend, who had fixed her attention on Serena and was declining to even acknowledge the man's presence. She slowly trailed off when she realised neither was paying attention, and tension crackled through the air as the three paused by the Serpentine.

"I understand what you mean, my Lord, when you talked of being improper on occasion," remarked Blair at last, puncturing the silence.

Chuck could only stare at her.

Blair realised that the beauty of Hyde Park had been destroyed in a single second.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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Your reactions are so important so I know what to change, what to keep doing etc. If you have a minute, write a review, it'll make my day! I promise to reply and tell you so personally!

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Thank you infinitely,
- Maddy x