Again, I'm not Shakespeare and the band owns me.

Getting ready for the party, and announcing possible engagements ahead…this is a short chapter but reviews make me post faster! The next chappie is quite long...

Act One, Scene Three

Lady Ellie walked down the corridor to where Rowan's room was. She opened the door and found her daughter speaking to Hannah, the nurse. She stood in the doorway a moment to survey her daughter. Her thick red hair fell straight to her shoulders. She was growing up nicely. If everything went according to plan, she would make Adrian a happy man.

"Nurse, a moment alone with Rowan please?" Lady Ellie asked her section mate and friend.

"Of course, I shall be outside in the hall if you need me." Hannah bowed to her section leader and hurried out of the room.

Lady Ellie looked at the sophomore sitting in front of her and immediately lost her nerve. She didn't like speaking to the younger members and wouldn't if she could help it.

"Hannah!" She yelled. The nurse reentered the room within seconds.

"Yes, my lady?"

"Stay here. I will need your help." Rowan watched as the two upperclasswomen talked. Why did this always have to happen in her room, when she wanted to be alone and practice? Finally, Ellie took notice of the young trumpet player in front of her.

"Rowan, it has been decided by Lord Jack and myself that it's time we find you a husband. Now, before you protest, you will not marry a woodwind. Doesn't that take a lot of anxiety off you? Your husband will be a brass player, and a good one. We are not going to marry you off to some silly boy who doesn't know D# from Eb!" Lady Ellie looked at the girl. "Well?"

Rowan was a little surprised by all the sudden attention. She thought that marriages were arranged when members were seniors, not when they were as young as she!

"Well of course you're so young, but that's why he likes you. You're fresh meat to him." Hannah stated. She didn't like Adrian. She always thought that he was annoying little boy who didn't know which way was the front of his baritone. Needless to say, she didn't approve of the match.

"Hannah!" The Lady admonished.

"Well it's true! He only wants her because she's young and pretty, not for love! But what is love but a physical attraction? But if she doesn't feel the same, it's not worth it. She's never seen him before."

"Nurse, it's alright. If I see him, and I am supposed to like him, I will. I can't promise love. But I will try."

Hannah and Ellie seemed happy at this response.

"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get some practice in before the party." Rowan said. She really wanted to be alone and think right now. The senior pair smiled at her and left.

How am I supposed to be a wife to a husband I don't even know? How am I going to love someone I've never met? She picked up her trumpet. Music helped her relax. She lifted the horn to her lips and buzzed. Rowan's troubles seem to flow away from her like the music from her trumpet.

Rowan was in the middle of a difficult jazz piece some time later when she was interrupted by a knock on her door.

"What?!" She yelled irritably. She hated being disrupted when she was practicing.

"Sorry dear!" Came Hannah's voice from the other side of the door. "But Lady Ellie says you should start getting ready for the party!" Oh yeah…that's tonight…

"Alright, tell her I'll be down in an hour!" Rowan shouted. She put her Bach back onto its stand and headed over to her closet. She rummaged around in it until she found what she was looking for. It was a frosty blue-white strapless dress that fell to her knees. The dress made her feel like an angel. She carefully put the dress on her bed and dug in her closet for the small silver heels that go with it.

After two mini avalanches and several profanities when being buried by things and getting frustrated, Rowan finally came up with the shoes. She got dressed and looked in the mirror. As a typical 15 year old girl, she hated the way she looked. She was short, her hair was bright, and her eyes were green and unusual. No wonder I don't have many friends. She thought glumly, picking up her mask, which matched the dress perfectly and was sequined. Rowan took a last quick glance at herself and hurried out the door. She couldn't wait to get this party started, so it would be over sooner.