HOLY SHIZZ look at me! I am actually updating! Hehe. Let's see how long this lasts. Love the reviews, guys, and for the person who asked what time period this is set in, think either Renaissance/Romeo And Juliet/Pride And Prejudice Time. I didn't really make a specific time period. So yeah. Sorry about that. :)

Anyways... Enjoy the next chapter!

Music Of The Night

~Herondale~

"Why don't you go to the town dance tonight, and dance a couple dances with the ladies there?" Linette suggested, starting to nag her son again about his lack of a wife. "I mean, there are plenty of people there to meet, and you never know. You could find someone."

Will straightened out his shirt, hands at the collar of his tailored suit. "I was going to. Why do you think I'm all dressed up like this? What would be the point of going to a tavern in attire such as this? Oh yes, the lovely ladies in the taverns. Wouldn't you just love for me to marry one of them?"

"You wouldn't dare," his mother scowled. "Angel knows what that could do to our reputation. Our high class son, marrying a prostitute. The dirt of the bottom class."

"Some of them aren't too bad," Will replied with a smirk. "In fact, some of them are plain lovely."

"Hush, William," she said hastily. "Your bad habits are disgusting, and I don't wish to hear about them anymore."

"Fine with me," he said, slipping on his jacket and shoes. "I've got an entire year. I don't know why I'm starting so early with this whole marriage thing."

"Just shush and go," Linette replied, rolling her eyes. "And try not to bring disgrace to the name of the Herondale family."

"Yes, mother," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. He made his way to the front door, bidding both his parents a goodbye. "Don't wait up for me. I just might end up at the Taverns after the dance."

He got no reply, as he headed out to the stables, hitching up his favorite horse, and getting onto the saddle. He nodded to the stable hand as he passed, and rode off to the manor where the town dance was held. The owners of the mansion, the Branwells, consisted of two of the high ranking, well known society members.

They would have dances once a week, always expecting a high turnout, and it was always a success. Will dropped off his horse off in their stables, tipping the stable hand to take extra good care of his horse. Then, he entered the grand doorways, beautifully ornamented to show their place in the social hierarchy

Still, the Branwells were generous and kind folks, always welcoming in company with open arms. Seeing Will, they exchanged pleasantries, inquiring how he and his folks were. Answering them politely, he replied, and they released him to go join the party inside.

"Such a nice boy," Henry Branwell told his wife, smiling slightly from the corners of his mouth, as soon as Will was out of hearing distance. "I don't see why he's got such a poor reputation in the towns. He seems like a gentleman."

"That's only to us," Charlotte laughed. "I like his as well, but we must be sure that he doesn't cause any trouble. I doubt he will, but you can never be too sure."

"I suppose so-," he said, before cutting off and motioning to the horse that was making it's way to the stables. "Is that… Oh, it must be? Charlotte, it's the Carstairs boy! You can tell by the silver hair, can't you?"

"Such a tragedy that was," Charlotte replied, glancing outwards. She smiled, however. "He's such a nice boy. He comes here every week and dances most of the dances. Never any attachment, though. I suppose he's just waiting for the right person."

"Probably, Henry replied, and they turned to greet Jem as he entered the manor, bowing to both of them respectively.

"James," Charlotte smiled, "How nice to see you again."

~Carstairs~

Exchanging small talk with the Branwells was pleasant as always, and Jem had found himself, over the years, coming to view them as second parents, people he could be open and honest with.

"Yes, my father and mother have mentioned that to me," he admitted openly, a faint blush coming over his cheeks. He moved to the side as other guests entered and bowed in the company of the Branwells. "That I should be married soon. Really, I am just waiting for the right person."

"Thats wonderful, Jem. I look forward to attending a wedding in the future, hopefully," Charlotte smiled, picking her skirts up from the floor as she walked over to the hall where the decorations and music was playing. "There are plenty of young ladies in town. I'm sure it won't be hard for you to find one."

"I can be rather picky, sometimes," he admitted, shrugging. "Though I would never not give someone a chance."

"That's the attitude to have, son," Henry laughed, following Charlotte and motioning for Jem to follow. "There's the Collins girl, Sophie, I think her name was. She's a sweetheart, and very lovely. Or the Gray, Tessa Gray, was it? She doesn't come around here often, but we're close with her parents. They're very well respected, and all.

"I shall think over that," Jem assured them, bowing once more. When he stood, he made his way into the ballroom, looking around in amusement.

He had been quiet, and he supposed he still was, though he was never rude. Nevertheless, he was so at home at the town dances, and with all the guests, that he found himself easy amongst them, going back and forth with a glass of sparkling water in his hand.

There was one young man, however, who he hadn't talked to before. And though he seemed extremely familiar, he couldn't place a name. Feeling like he must introduce himself, he bowed in greeting, and the other young man did the same. His eyes glistened as he looked around the room, both intrigued and disinterested at the same time.

"Have I met you before?" Will stated, devoid of emotion, though he kept a polite disposition. "I haven't come around here before, on days like this."

"I don't think you have," Jem replied, holding out his hand to shake the other boy's. "James Carstairs, though I prefer to go by Jem."

"Oh, you're a Carstairs," Will said, a smirk playing on his lips. "I've heard about your type."

"And you are?" Jem frowned at the other's familiarity.

"Will Herondale. Given name, William," he replied, sticking his hands into his pockets rudely. "My parents have quite a bone to pick with yours. People pleasers, kiss ups, they call the lot of you."

"I refuse to comment on that," Jem replied politely, his calm smile fading. "But I have heard alot about you. negative facts, I must admit. I would never hold you to them unless I know for sure that they are true."

"They're probably true," Will shrugged, his face indifferent. "Let me guess, taverns, women, money. Is that about it?"

"Yes," Jem replied gravely. "That's exactly what I had been thinking."

~Gray~

The carriage ride to the town dance had been bumpy, and Tess found it very difficult to read in the dim light that the kerosene lantern provided.

"Put your book down, Theresa," Elizabeth scolded, smoothing out her skirts, a nervous habit. "You know how much this night is going to impart your future."

"I know, mother," she sighed, placing the book down and blocking out the light on the lantern. The carriage was engulfed in darkness, and she sighed. "You want me to find someone suitable to marry. I get all that."

"Exactly. now, be polite and courteous to the Branwells. We're close friends, and you needn't ruin any of that," her mother lectured, as the carriage pulled up alongside the driveway, and the driver jumped out to help Tessa out of the carriage.

"Turn around, honey," Elizabeth demanded, studying her daughter's outfit for any fatal flaws. "You look decent. "Now, one second. Leave that book here. You won't need that inside."

Tessa sighed. throwing the book through the open window. "I'm going to go inside, mother. Remember, I wish to be picked up no later than twelve."

"Of course," she got as a reply, as the carriage pulled away, and she was left standing at the curb. After taking a deep breath in, she walked up the steps, curtsying to the doorman who let her inside. The branwells were out of sight, not at their usual place of greeting anyong who entered, and a maid pointed out which room the dance was taking place in.

She missed her book, wishing instead to be curled up in her bed at home, reading A Tale Of Two Cities by the open window and fire burning in the fireplace.

"Tessa, darling," a girl a couple years older than her said, reaching out to give her a hug. "I don't know if you remember me. Sophie Collins. Oh, it's so nice to see you here again!"

"Sophie, pleased to see you again," Tessa replied, returning the hug. "Do you come to these events often? I haven't been here in ages. but it's ever as nice as the last time."

"Yes, the Branwells really are wonderful people," Sophie replied, tracing the thin scar on her cheek. "There are so many people. I love the social aspect of it."

"How are you doing?" Tessa asked, motioning to the scar that ran across her face. "It looks like it's healing very well. And your adoptive parents are decent?"

"Decent? They're lovely," she laughed, clasping her hands together. "I'm so lucky to have been taken in by such nice people. I couldn't have asked for anything better."

"I'm glad," Tessa replied, scanning the expansive room. "I think that you're the only person I know here, other than Nate, who came earlier. Things like this are more his style. Did you know he has been courting Jessamine Lovelace for almost a year?"
"Really? I had no idea," Sophie said, scanning the area as well. "Oh, You know James Carstairs, don't you? He's over there by the window."

"I barely know him," she admitted, looking over to where Sophia had motioned.

Jem glanced up, seeing the Theresa Gray Henry had mentioned. Eyes locking with hers, he smiled slightly, and decided to talk to her.

"Oh, Sophie! He saw us looking at him! He's coming over here!" Tessa exclaimed, biting her lower lip.
"That's my cue to leave," Sophie replied. eyes laughing, as she looked over her shoulder. "Get to know him. He really is a nice young man. I've danced with his many times."

"Good evening, ladies," Jem said, bowing as he reached the two, though Sophie curtsied in greeting, them promptly left. Jem turned to Tessa. "Miss Theresa Grey, correct? Would you care to dance?"

I apologize for any confusion, because I might have some mixed up names. Basically, right now, since everyone is formal with each other, Tess/Jem/Will should be calling each other by their proper name. However, I sort of forgot about that, so it's a little screwy. Those of the same gender and status can call each other by their given name. i.e. Sophie and Tessa. Youngers must call elders by their proper names, but elders can call youngers by their given name. Got it? Cools. :)

~Jillessa Heronstairs~