Chapter 2 – A Trade of Identities
Not half an hour later the carriage passed through the black iron gates of the LeBeau mansion before coming to a complete stop at the entrance stairway. Thankfully, to Graydon's relief more than any other's, there were still at least two-dozen carriages still arriving and more than enough by-standing arrivals in the entrance hall. The doors were pushed open by a pair of masked servants, who stood clad in maroon and black velvet. As soon as these doors were pushed aside, the five found themselves amongst a multicoloured sea of people, clad in the many different colours and masks. Some sprouted feathers from their masks, others, streamed beads on string and delicate ribbons. Marie had to stifle a snigger as she glanced at a man dressed in an almost blinding, vulgar lime green coat and mask that was shaped like jester's hat with bells and all! She and Keira had to quickly walk past the flamboyant guest without bursting with laughter. However they both fell silent when they passed into the entrance hall.
Like so many that had already wandered through the doors, Rogue's mouth parted in a gentle gasp of astonishment. The entrance hall was large and rounded, like a cylinder, and instead of the usual homes of New Orleans, seemed based upon a Greek model. The limestone walls were framed by pillars of limestone and lined with drapes of red and black velvet while the walls themselves were painted in a honey- yellow that Rogue mistook for gold. Above head, the arched ceiling was painted a midnight blue, dotted with stars that, from the sparkle of each one, Rogue was certain were engraved with real jewels. A grand chandelier hung over them, setting the grand room in a warm glow. Rogue nearly tripped in her attempt to go down the stairs, her attentions too focused on the striking surroundings. Keira however, was not so star-struck and steadied her before she could trip on her skirts or worse. Rogue gave her friend an appreciative smile and they followed the line of guests down one of the imperial-style stairwells that parted at the lined the walls and met at the centre of the grand entrance hall.
Rogue had become separated from her party and wandered down the stairs at her own pace, taking in her surroundings. She had only heard rumours of the LeBeau town manor's unusual splendour. Aside from being the most expensive strike of unusual in architectural design that the current Lord LeBeau's grandfather had built to favour his Greek wife's tastes, it was grandest in the quarter. The guests were being lead through the main entrance and down the pair of conjoining imperial stairs and through a pair of heavy oak doors, down a long corridor and into another architectural spectacle that was the ballroom. Velvet decorations in black and blood-red embellished every room, the corridors were lit in gentle candle light with a footman at every door between the entrance hall and the ballroom. It was a lavish testament of the family's wealth and power. Rogue felt herself walking into a castle and not a mansion at all.
"Rogue? Darlin' do ya want me to take your coat?"
Rogue turned, stunned slightly by the suddenness of her brother's voice. She nodded and handed him her coat. Her eyes however, remained stargazing. The LeBeau family crest was artfully placed about the manor, on ceramic pots and carved into the marble floors, stitched into the multiple hung tapestries of velvet and silk. The 'L' for LeBeau was delicately encompassed in black thorned vines and an unusual white lily. The crest was also set into the ceiling, painted in a shade of blue just a few tones darker than the night sky so that it neither stood out too much or too little.
"Beautiful…" Rogue murmured more to herself than to anyone else. Olivier handed the footman their coats, giving the architectural magnificence around them not much interest. He chortled at his sister though, and when she didn't react to his obvious amusement, he did the only thing he thought necessary. He reached out and waved his hand over her eyes dramatically.
"Hello…? Anna-Marie Louise D'Ancanto, are ya still with the living?"
She broke from her trance abruptly. The surprise across her face quickly turned to an irritated scowl as she pushed past her brother unceremoniously. He smiled impishly, amused by her reaction.
"Just didn't want to leave ya staring at the ceiling all night. Who knows, ya might get stuck staring like that and ya'll would beh a new ornament for the LeBeau's home."
"Who was staring at the ceiling Olivier?"
Aunt Marian was suddenly between them, with Graydon and Keira not two paces away from her. She turned from one to the other with inquisitive eyes before turning her head to the ceiling as well. She stared a good two seconds more than Olivier did before giving a discerning 'hmm' and turning back to her niece and nephew.
"Yes, that would be the works of old Lord Mathias LeBeau, God rest his soul. He took a wife from Athens Ah believe and wanted t' appease her homesick tendencies…"
She began to tattle pleasantly as Graydon wordlessly took his Aunt's arm, sharing a knowing smile with Keira as she took his other arm with a small giggle. Olivier took Rogue's arm, both grinning ear to ear as they watched Aunt Marian tattle endlessly about how unorthodox the LeBeau clan were. "Unorthodox but respected," she called it. They followed the crowd down the wide corridor that became dimmer as the amount of candles lessened. There was a murmur of curiosity and confusion as this occurred but soon enough, these murmurs turned to exclaims of delight and awe. It was only when the D'Ancanto clan came to the end of the corridor did they understand what all the commotion was about.
Rogue felt a gasp escape her lips as her gaze swept over the room that, she decided, was grander than the previous room. A ballroom stretched before them, rounded like the previous room but grander in comparison. The room was set in a dimmed, warm glow while a white-marble floor stretched across its length. Similar decorations from the entrance covered the banisters and hung from the walls while already couples danced to the melodies of a large ensemble. Across the entire ballroom, people laughed around dozens of large tables while others stood around the edges of the dance floor to chatter and gossip accordingly. However, what truly inspired awe was the glass chandelier that hung form the ceiling. It was dimly lit but even so, it sparked much attention from the onlookers below. The crystals were tainted red, causing a rich glow of red about the room.
Rogue had never seen such a place and would never, most likely, be able make comparison to anything she would see in time. The seventeen year-old had, until recent months, been in the care of her parents back in their plantation in Mississippi. She was used to small parties at the county hall or picnics in the field where nearly thirty or forty odd families of good society gathered together. Here, she felt like she had stepped out of the reality she knew and walked into the twilight of dreams. She tried not to look so taken aback by the splendour as Olivier led her into the ballroom.
As soon they entered the room, Olivier disappeared into the midst of the celebrations with a final "See ya'll later!" while Aunt Marian insisted upon finding a table for her setup her post. Graydon herded the remaining of his clan towards a vacant table. Once seated,Keira took Rogue by the hand and squeezed it, excitement practically bubbling in her voice as she spoke.
"They must have invited half of New Orleans tonight! I've never seen so many people at once, I'm sure!"
Marie grinned. Her heart beat with the same intensity of excitement as her friend's. After weeks of staying at Aunt Marian's being practically locked away in her room not a minute before nine each night, she was determined not to sleep until sunrise. Excitement intoxicated the air and the two young women were already well under its influence. They took in the atmosphere with growing interest and wonder. The many guests were unrecognisable in their embellished and fanciful ensembles and therefore there were no real pretences or social hierarchies to be recognized. Who could tell who was from New Money and who was from Old Arcadian Roots? It was a game of masquerade on such a grand scale.
"Oh there's a buffet! Come, let's get some champagne. Weneed to toast to a wonderful night!"
Rogue grinned and allowed Keira to lead her away only to for them to stop mid-step when Graydon crossed their path, a determined scowl spread across his face. Thought he was half-hidden in shadows and his high-forehead mask hid away most of his expression, Rogue knew that look only too well. His southern drawl became mixed with chastisement as his finger pointed accusingly at the two.
"You two will be doing nothing of the sort! Ah can't keep track of ya'll if ya head off on your own. Ah will get the drinks. You will stay with Aunt Marian. Now stay put."
Rogue heaved an irritated sigh as her eldest brother disappeared into the crowd, her glare burning after him. Knowing him, he would likely shadow her like her very own poltergeist for the rest of the night. He would scare off anyone who was not, in his eyes, deemed fit for his baby sister-
"Excuse moi mademoiselle. Would y' honour moi with the next dance?"
Rogue startled slightly but was quick to compose herself. A young gentleman garbed in silver and black had appeared before her. He held out his hand graciously, a charming smile spread across his lips as he awaited her answer. What timing!
Rogue smiled gently and was about to accept but stopped when she felt a familiar presence appear at her side. It was no surprise to have Graydon appear, as ever, on guard at her side. Like clockwork, Graydon told the young Gentleman that his sister had no plans to dance this evening and sent him on his way. Rogue didn't know what was worse, being so overly protected or so overly embarrassed by her brother. The young gentleman though a little disappointed, was courteous enough to bow and wished her a pleasant evening before disappearing. Rogue waited until the gentleman was gone before turning on her brother. To no surprise, he was actually proud of his efforts.
"There now! Ya'll don't need to worry about him coming around here again, Marie-"
Rogue folded her arms, her anger bubbling beneath the surface of her scowl. Graydon, though lovable and caring as he was as a brother, he was notorious for seeing to it that she was left well alone by any and every man that so much as paid her a hint of interest. It had been this way since she was fifteen years old. Balls, parties, picnics, He was her shadow and self-employed guard. And now with their parents absent, he was worse than ever. A most un-lady-like growl escaped her lips causing Graydon to give her a bemused look.
"Really Marie, no need to get dramatic. Ah was only-"
"Oh stop it Gray! That was embarrassing! He only wanted a dance! What harm is there in that?"
Graydon met her glare with equal stubbornness as he retorted.
"Anna-Marie. Papa instructed meh to keep an eye on ya. He also told you to obey me as ya would him. Ya are too young for beaus and ah don't want ya being taken advantage of and this masquerade ball is just the place for that kind of thing to happen!"
While her father's last words to be obedient to Graydon did make her hesitate a moment, the moment passed and she was as determined as before. Her voice was raised high but the ambience of the festivities prevented her making a real scene.
"Well Papa told meh to not let you get too ahead of yourself! Ah'm seventeen years old Gray and it's high time ya stopped treating meh like a baby that needs protecting!"
For a moment, Graydon looked quite taken aback by her outburst but was quick to match her scowl. He even ignored Aunt Marian as she tried to intercept the argument. There was a tone of justification in his voice as he replied shortly.
"Ah'm only doing what any brother should do. Ya know nothing about the ways of the world Marie."
A sarcastic laugh escaped Marie's lips before she retorted angrily.
"Oh really? And whose fault is that?"
Graydon rolled his eyes.
"Marie, ya don't know what men are like. Ah don't want t' see ya get ya heart broken. Don't you see that I'm trying to do right by ya?"
When Aunt Marian had asked her to come stay with her in New Orleans for the season, Rogue had jumped at the opportunity. Country life in the South rarely changed but New Orleans seemed always to burn through trends and changes and buzz with adventure. Her elation at being on her own in New Orleans had been great until Graydon insisted upon coming as a chaperone. As a consolation, Aunt Marian extended the invitation to Olivier and their distant cousin Keira Spencer. At least with them around things would be a little more bearable. At this moment, that bearably had frayed to its last thread. Marie huffed with annoyance and stood abruptly. Her chest heaved heavily with her anger as she reprimanded her brother.
"Fine! If you won't see sense, then there's no sense in meh being here! Ah'm leaving!"
She heard Graydon and the rest of her family's attempts to call her back but with her heart pounding in her ears, she neither cared nor noticed much else. She weaved in between the crowds of people, ignoring all the delights she might have enjoyed if she had decided to stay. Bitter disappointment was quick to find her after that realisation. She had to remind herself that if she did stay, Graydon was only going to guard her like a crazed mother hen and ruin any pleasure she might take in the festivities. She was picking the better of two evils, she told herself. However the disappointment still held her in its grip. So distracted with such feelings, Rogue bumped into an elder-looking gentleman dressed like some kind of Robin Hood character in the corridor. She apologised quickly and ignored the look of concern he sent her, and merely hurried past to escape the ballroom's reach and into the entrance hall. Once clear of the ballroom, her heart fell a little lower as she came to a stop. She folded her arms and sighed disappointedly.
"A perfectly wonderful night ruined…"
"Rogue!"
Before she could begin to drag herself up the stairwell, the familiar call of her nickname stopped her in her tracks. She turned to see Keira hurrying towards her. Rogue felt her heart swell with appreciation and fall with disheartenment. Had Graydon sent Keira to retrieve her? She had behaved quite awfully in front of Aunt Marian. Perhaps Aunt Marian had sent her? Before she could begin to question her however, Keira took her by the hand and led her to a small corridor alcove beneath the mezzanine. It was then that Keira began to speak, her harsh whispers echoing in the open space.
"Where do you think you are going? You were not actually thinking of leaving? The night has barely begun!"
Rogue heaved a resigned sigh and nodded. Keira made a disbelieving scoff, but her eyes were kindled with sympathy. She tried to soften the situation.
"Rogue, I know Graydon can be an overbearing older brother, but he means well-"
Rogue gave her an incredulous look.
"Did you see what happened in there? How am ah gonna have any fun tonight if he's there snarlin' at any man that comes near his baby sister! Ah can't stay if that is what ah'm in for the rest of the night."
Rogue heaved a heavy breath. Years of barely contained frustration towards her brother weighed heavily on each breath. She pushed one of her unusual white curls out of her flushed face. However she stopped when she noticed Keira was silent. She found that her friend's gaze was drawn elsewhere…to a mirror of all things. Rogue gave a bemused frown.
"Keira? Why are you-"
For a good minute or so, Keira's gaze had found its way to a framed mirror hanging on the wall opposite them. A wide smile spread across her features. Before Rogue could ask what she was smiling about, Keira reached out and suddenly grasped her by the shoulders and turned her around to face the mirror. A bewildered Rogue demanded to know what had suddenly gotten into her cousin. Keira's voice held an almost giddy tone as she replied hurriedly.
"Just trust me and listen, dear cousin! If Graydon wasn't keeping an eye on you all the time, you would stay, yes?"
Rogue nodded and made to question further when Keira began fiddling with the ribbons holding her mask in place. Rogue grasped her friend's gloved hands with her own as she exclaimed.
"Keira what are you up to?"
Keira merely swatted Rogue's hand away as she continued to untie the ribbons. There was an impish tone to her voice as she continued to untie ribbons.
"Just trust me Rogue. I have an idea."
The black leather mask slipped off Rogue's face before she could retort. Keira carefully straightened the mask's many embellishments. Ribbons streamed from each corner while several dainty diamonds were crafted around the eyes of the mask. The colourful tips of peacock feathers had been sewn on to the sides and fanned out, hiding most of Rogue's unusual coloured streaks.
"Keira what are you thinking?"
Keira didn't reply her cousin's question, instead she told Marie to help her take off her own mask. When they both stood with masks in hand, Rogue turned to her cousin. She hadn't quite got what Keira was attempting yet. A mixture of excitement and mischief danced in Keira's expression as she held up their masks for comparison.
"See? Our masks are practically identical except that mine is white and yours is black. And the peacock feathers hide your white locks! The ballroom is so dimly lit we can barely make out what mask is on what face. If you and I were to switch masks for the night, it would confuse Graydon and keep him distracted! In fact he may not notice at all! If we keep moving about, you could stay and no one would know the difference!"
Rogue was left speechless for a good ten seconds before she was helping Keira put on her mask. It also made no difference that Rogue's gown was midnight blue and Keira's a dark emerald colour. With the lighting or lack there of, there was barely much difference between them. Upon inspection of the mirror, they looked quite similar indeed. The plan was ingenious!
"Keira darlin', ah don't know what ah'd do without ya here."
However the two women finished re-applying their swapped masks, they did not take notice of the pair of unusual coloured eyes that followed them from the shadows of the mezzanine level above the stairs. An amused grin spread across the figure's face as he slipped out of the shadows, straightened his coat and moved towards the grand ballroom.
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