Love Wears A Mask

by Madeleinex

‘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 definitely a blonde. Chuck Bass, for the first time, had no idea what had happened' Historical AU. C/B! R&R

4. Chapter 4

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hi Everyone, I have to say a big 'sorry!' for not getting this up sooner, when I did promise many of you otherwise! I'm still as ill as I was before, and it's just made it very hard to update. However I have managed to write this chapter and upload it FINALLY, and it's longer than any of the others, so hopefully that makes up for it!

I still can't get over the amazing response I've received, and I can't put into words how much each review, alert and favourite makes me smile.
THANK YOU, and I hope you really enjoy this next chapter!

Here's Chapter 4!
- 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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Blair waited nervously at the bottom of the stairs for her best friend to descend,

It had been three weeks, the longest period of time that Blair had not seen Serena. Although she didn't blame her for the horrible revelation in Hyde Park, she didn't feel that she would be able to cope with seeing the blonde, surrounded by sunshine and smiles, when her own world was reflected in the colour of her hair; dark, heavy and with only glimpses of something brighter. Despite her envy of her best friend, Blair had always loved being a brunette, and she had to acknowledge that if she was cursing this feature, then things were not going well.

Since her meeting with Chuck, she'd entertained countless fantasies of him arriving at her door and telling her – while the rain poured down outside, making him look even more dashing – that he'd ended it with Serena and wanted to marry her that moment.

Of course, she would happen to have a beautiful wedding gown in her size there with her, and her mother would happily let her be whisked off into the sunset with her new husband. As the days had passed, the details on her dress had been finalised and each aspect of the wedding was now crystal clear in her mind; not that there would be crystals, she refused to have anything less than diamonds adorning the clothing and tables. He was Lord Charles Bass after all.

Nevertheless, poor Serena would be losing her fiancé in the process, and Blair knew it would be a hard time for their friendship. As the days dragged by without a word from Chuck or Serena, she began to fear for the worst and realised the broken engagement must have caused more trouble than she'd previously hoped.

It was for that reason that she shifted from foot to foot, waiting for the angry shouts of her best friend when she discovered who it was who had called on her.

"Blair!"

Instinctively she winced, before realising that the voice was as light and happy as it usually was. Could she really not be angry at me? Is she happy I've found someone? A tentative smile forming on her lips, Blair looked up at the blonde floating down the staircase.

"How lovely to see you! I had been thinking earlier how much I missed seeing you, and now here you are! It's perfectly marvellous!" The beaming expression on Serena's face was infectious.

"I guess it is, yes!" Apparently so were the exclamation marks. "I'm so sorry S, but after what happened in Hyde Park I thought it would be best…"

"…if I left you alone to regain yourself, I completely understand!" Serena smiled.

Blair looked at her, greatly puzzled. Even if she was happy with the new arrangements, surely the engagement – or lack there of – would have quickly come up in conversation? Smoothing out her skirt compulsively, she cocked her head and surveyed the beauty in front of her. Perfect hair, the skin around her eyes devoid of any red, easy smile, clothes in pristine condition… Nothing about the girl in front of her suggested anger, tears or any form of breakdown at all!

"I have to apologise about everything," Blair said, laying heavy emphasis on the last word so that Serena couldn't miss the meaning.

"Not at all! Really, you needn't worry, everything was sorted out very quickly, there was no trouble at all," she replied easily, leading her friend to the conservatory.

The wide glass windows allowed the daylight to filter in delicately, and a small table was set with tea and neat triangles of cucumber sandwiches. Taking a seat, Serena proceeded to pour the tea as she continued to speak.

"Charles, I mean Lord Bass," she corrected herself, Blair realising that it was probably incorrect for a maiden to call a man to whom she was unattached by his first name, "was very gracious about it, and in fact he apologised to me! I was very surprised!"

Now Blair was very confused; even naïve, sweet Serena couldn't expect her fiancé to break their engagement without a word of remorse, surely?

"In fact, he felt so terrible that he has arranged more than three trips to the theatre for us to go to together! It's a most wonderful idea, I told him!" Serena reached for a sandwich and nibbled at it, waiting for a response.

"Surely it's inappropriate?" Blair blurted out.

"I thought you weren't one to care about propriety!" laughed the blonde. "And it will be most respectful; our parents will be with us."

"And he arranged this himself?" she asked, clutching at straws. If he didn't want to marry her, why is he now making plans to spend time with her? Surely a bouquet of flowers is apology enough?

"I know, it's the sweetest thing! I couldn't wish for a more attentive fiancé!" Serena gushed, her eyes bright.

"The engagement is still on?!"

Blair felt the walls closing in as she fought to find an excuse for this. She'd waited three weeks, given him more than enough time to end things – something that he'd suggested! 'I can't not be with you' – he doesn't expect me to be his mistress, surely not?

"Why of course, the awkwardness at the Serpentine in Hyde Park wasn't enough to end an engagement," she answered in confusion. "I know it wasn't the most successful of meetings, but I told you, he apologised and it is all alright again!"

The rest of the afternoon tea was strained to say the least, Serena trying to make conversation but finding her best friend very uncooperative. The brunette excused herself after an hour of tension, and quickly scurried home, her thoughts purely focussed on finding comfort in her bedroom and Dorota as quickly as possible. Even Eleanor didn't press her for an explanation when she rushed into the house and up the stairs in record time.

Standing in front of her mirror, Blair couldn't find a single highlight in her brown locks.

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When he heard, on the final night at the opera that he'd scheduled, that Blair had been acting very strange about their engagement, Chuck froze. Serena seemed distraught that her best friend didn't approve of the match, and had been begging him to go and see her, to 'clear the air'. Somehow, Chuck didn't think that it would do anything of the sort.

Finally agreeing to call on the brunette, he dreaded their encounter. He'd promised to end the engagement and had done no such thing, which meant that she would not be happy to see him. He thought over how he could try to justify his actions, but as she'd expressed at the park, she would not be sympathetic to his plight of trying to impress his father. When he arrived at the residence without a plan, he realised ironically that the weather reflected his mood; overcast with promise of rain. Even as he waited for the maid to answer the door, drops began to fall, soaking him instantly.

This was how Blair saw him; drenched and all the more sexy, and she noted that the sight definitely outshone the image of him in her fantasies.

"Blair…"

"It's Miss Waldorf to you," she replied stiffly, not moving an inch closer from the foot of the stairs. He knew she must have seen the pain flash across his face, but her mask did not show any signs of it.

"Blair," he continued anyway, "you have to let me explain!"

"It's Miss Waldorf!" she all but yelled, her composure falling. "You are in no way aligned with me, a choice you made, so you do not get to call me Blair!"

Chuck stared at her. Her rage only enhanced her beauty, the colour rising in her cheeks giving her a most agonisingly flawless complexion and the fire in her eyes reminding him of what drew him to her. She was nearly shaking, so great was her anger, and he reasoned that maybe it was better if she remained on the other side of the hallway.

"Fine, Miss Waldorf then! Look, I know I promised you that I'd-"

"-end the engagement? Not embarrass me and go behind my back to continue your alliance with Serena? Be decent?" she hissed, her arms folded tight across her chest just so that she wouldn't reach out and hit him.

"I'm sorry! I wanted to, I did, but you don't understand!" Chuck yelled back, desperate for her to understand the situation.

"I don't understand? I don't understand?" screeched Blair. "I think I understand exactly what happened! You thought you'd have your cake and eat it too, dangle me along as you got the perfect society wife! You didn't care one bit about my feelings in this!"

"That's not true, you have no idea about the expectations I have to face!"

"No idea? I was the one who told you that we couldn't work out! I was the one whose hopes were built up when you promised me you'd find a way!"

The onslaught continued as Blair heated up even further. Every second of her pain was turned into fury, and she didn't hesitate at throwing all her ammunition at him. Slowly she came closer and closer, so blinded by her rage that she wasn't aware of the decreasing distance between them. He stood there, completely unsure how to proceed, his thoughts in a whirl. Damn she looks delectable all fired up. Finally, the barrage of insults stopped as suddenly as they'd started, and all that was left were two panting individuals and a roomful of lust.

Knowing that it was stupid but unable to stop himself, he pulled her against him and crushed his lips against hers in a kiss that released all the pent-up emotion that he'd been gathering these past few weeks without her. His senses were overwhelmed by her; the feel of her body against his, the scent of her hair and her skin, the soft mewing sounds she emitted as his hands stroked her lower back, the taste of her…

Blair retaliated in kind, her arms reaching behind his head and pulling him closer, her lips devouring his. All reason having floated out of the open window, he parted her lips with his and allowed himself to suck on her lower lip very gently. This caused her to moan and then he was making an unintelligent decision and his tongue was snaking into her mouth and she was pushing him away and all he could see was Blair, dishevelled and flushed in front of him.

"How dare you? How DARE you?" she gasped, trying to sound angry as she took in lungfuls of air. The sight of his tousled hair and fiery gaze was making it difficult enough, without the overload her senses had just received.

Then, figuring it was the only way to respond, she slapped him hard.

There was silence, then-

"What was that for?" he cried, raising a hand to the inflamed skin. "You certainly seemed to be enjoying that! I highly doubt that your little performance would impress the ladies of society, Miss Waldorf," he hissed in anger.

For a long moment they glared at each other, both trying to fight down the lust that threatened to overpower them. He wondered if she was going to kiss him again when she stepped closer uncertainly, biting her tantalisingly swollen lower lip, and looked deep into his eyes. Taking in a shaky breath, he waited for her to move. Then with precision, she parted her lips and spat:

"Get out of my house, Lord Bass!"

He didn't miss the mockery lacing the last two words, and he knew that he'd lost this particular battle. Straightening, he allowed his face to form his cold mask of contempt and strode towards the door with four, long, purposeful strides. He threw it open and took a step, before turning back once more to face the beautiful, ruffled girl before him.

"I'll see you at the engagement party," he sneered.

And then he was disappearing into the hansom cab waiting for him, his mind branded with the image of Blair Waldorf standing forlorn in her empty hallway, a single tear snaking a path down her cheek.

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There was not enough scotch in the Bass home.

He'd drained the remaining contents of the bottle he'd found in the wine cellar, but after failing to find another, the slight haze he'd welcomed had disappeared as reality hit him full on. Downstairs the sound of pretentious society chatter was making his headache steadily worse, and even the proud speech of his father, letting his guests into the 'secret' of his still unannounced engagement, failed to draw a smile from him.

Whether his eyes were open or closed, all he could see were images of Blair.

Blair dancing at the masked ball.

Blair looking up at him, a twinkle in her eyes, as she reprimanded him for drinking scotch at a public, social event.

Blair's hitch in her breathing as he reached out and grabbed her hand.

Blair framed by a single lamp, glowing with beauty.

Blair kissing him, Blair panting after kissing him, Blair slapping him, Blair watching him leave with a solitary tear marring her perfect face.

"For God's sake, leave me alone!" he finally erupted, throwing the empty bottle against the wood panelling of the library he'd been hiding in and finding only slight satisfaction as it shattered on impact.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realise it was a bad time…"

He whirled around at the voice to see a slight, young boy with the typical Van der Woodsen complexion and golden hair, but without the blinding smile – which wasn't surprising, considering how Chuck had just greeted him. Burning with remorse, Chuck mumbled an apology and gestured to the vacant chair to his right. The youngest Van der Woodsen shuffled nervously towards it and took a seat.

"I'm Eric," he announced simply, fixing the older boy with his wise gaze.

There was a moment's pause as the two surveyed each other openly, which was then broken when identical small smiles appeared on each of their faces. Chuck liked the look of him; although not like his usual companion, the boy exuded maturity and confidence, a characteristic Chuck greatly approved of – he had more than enough himself.

"I'm Chuck Bass," he replied in equal simplicity.

"Oh, I know," Eric smirked. "I decided to meet the great Chuck Bass myself and form my own conclusions on my new brother-in-law to be."

Chuck tried to ignore the sudden chill and instead fixed his signature smirk in place. After all, there was not harm in meeting the boy, and he'd always wanted a protégé. "And the conclusions so far?"

"Slightly bi-polar…"

A bark of laughter filled the room, and Eric relaxed further into the large chair.

"I'll concede that point," Chuck nodded.

"Any particular reason for that…explosion earlier?" the blond boy questioned tentatively, more than aware that expecting Chuck to share his inner feelings with a near-stranger went against everything he'd ever heard about the heir to the Earldom of Wexford. "I mean, I know we only just met but, I'm a good listener."

The phrase didn't seem nearly enough, but Eric refused to take back his offer. The boy before him definitely seemed like he needed to talk.

To both of their surprise, Chuck began to unload the burden of being the son of Bart Bass onto the young Van der Woodsen, his speech at first uneven but quickly turning into a torrent of words. True to his word, Eric simply listened and nodded, not once attempting to comfort the older boy in what he knew would be a patronising manner. When quiet fell upon them, signalling the end to the 'sharing', Eric surveyed Chuck with his intelligent blue eyes.

"Well, firstly…I'd hate to be you."

Chuck's broken expression warmed slightly and humour sparked in his eyes. "I can't say I'd want to be a short, adolescent blond either," he shrugged.

"I'll grow," Eric affirmed with confidence, ignoring the sceptical look he received. "Serena's tall, my mother's tall, my father was tall – it'll happen."

An awkward calm formed at the mention of the other Van der Woodsens, and Eric realised that maybe some comfort would be needed. He thought over how he was going to say what he needed to, and once he'd decided upon his course of action, sat up and moved slightly closer. Keeping his face as open and honest as he could, he called the brunet's name. When Chuck reluctantly met his gaze, he smiled and said,

"I've always wanted a big brother. You're already a part of the family to all of us, if you want it. I guess I just wanted to tell you that I'm really happy you're marrying Serena. She could do a lot worse," he finished with a smile.

A flash of something crossed Chuck's face which Eric couldn't identify, but the burning stare that he fixed on him conveyed to the blond that he was grateful for it. Understanding passed between them, and they both then leaned back into their chairs, the atmosphere once again changed into casual friendship.

"So, little brother, I think it's time I educate you in the ways of men," he smirked, suppressing a chuckle at the panicked expression on Eric's face.

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"Oh Blair, I do love how you've arranged your curls," simpered Hazel.

Deciding that recent events shouldn't interfere with her life, Blair had returned to the social scene with as much vigour as she'd entered it. Her return had been received very happily by the other girls, and she slipped back into her 'royal' shoes with ease. She dismissed the lesser girls who were either mutinous or not up to standard, and with her ranks now back to their original strength, Blair was determined to pick up where she'd left off.

At this moment in time, she was leading the girls around the quaint shops that she'd been frequenting when her second encounter with Chuck had happened. Her followers ooh-ed and ah-ed appropriately when she showed them where she'd purchased the material for her headband, and each purchased their own strips of fabric to do the same.

"Blue is definitely your colour, Kati," smiled Iz to her best friend, with whom she had linked arms with.

"And pink is definitely yours, Iz," returned Kati.

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Blair fixed her minions with a steely gaze before picking out Penelope from the rest. She looked her up and down, her eyes lingering over the bold sash around her waist, and then stated with distaste,

"Penelope, where did you purchase that sash? The colour looks positively dreadful against the hue of your dress, and does nothing for your figure."

The dark-haired Penelope flushed as the other girls tittered, and kept her mouth shut when she saw Blair raising an eyebrow to see if she'd talk back. Nodding with satisfaction, their Queen turned around and continued down the street to pause at a small bookshop on the corner of the street. When they realised she intended to enter, they began to protest dramatically.

"Oh no, we can't possibly go in there, Blair!"

"Look at the dirt, I would hate to get any on my new dress!" agreed Hazel.

"What could we possibly want to buy in such a place?" questioned Kati.

Penelope kept her mouth shut.

Blair did roll her eyes this time, and shot them a withering look. They all cowered under it and dutifully trailed after her into the dimly lit shop, where a dark head could be seen peering at a cover of a book. The sound of their dainty footsteps, made even lighter by their reluctance to touch the floor which was bound to be covered in germs, alerted him to their presence and he jumped up to greet them. His eyes flickered over the various girls and landed on Blair, which made a wry smile appear as he stepped forward.

"Blair, lovely to see you," he said with teasing sarcasm.

"Humphrey, a pleasure as always," she returned in the same tone.

The other girls looked him over and clearly found him lacking. He chuckled and gestured to Blair to follow him upstairs to the more antique books – a private place to talk. She nodded, surprising her friends greatly, and when she offered that they could join her, refused vehemently. Perfect, just what I wanted. Faking disappointment, she left them to stand awkwardly in the dingy interior, and followed Dan to his employer's office.

"Blair, I'm under the impression something has happened?" he asked sympathetically.

"To be honest, it's more that something hasn't happened," she admitted.

"Do you…want to talk about it?"

Blair smiled at her unorthodox friend. They'd met by accident when she'd sneaked into the shop to have a look at a book by Jane Austen that had caught her eye. Both had been surprised by the other's presence and had formed a quick, strange friendship. Although each had a very strong personality and came from very different backgrounds, they shared a love of literature and Dan must have been one of the only men who accepted her for all her unconventional ways. He never questioned whether she should read what she did, and always listened to her opinion – even though they disagreed on most subjects.

Eleanor was aware of their relationship, and to everyone's shock – including her own – had approved. As long as they didn't flaunt it in public, she was relieved that there was someone to talk to Blair and listen to her ideas; meaning she didn't have to. There was no question of his morality, and so she tended to turn a blind eye when her daughter left and returned a couple of hours later with a package of books in her arms. They were like brother and sister; fiercely loyal yet prone to arguments and debates.

And so, like true siblings, she revealed everything to him that had happened. Dan's jaw locked when he heard of what had happened, and although he couldn't approve of what she'd done – he'd caught glimpses of Serena and thought her perfection personified, he was still sympathetic.

"I really thought I might have…loved him," she confessed through tears.

Dan was stupefied, having heard many things of Lord Charles Bass, none which seemed cause to fall in love with him. However his 'sister' was clearly broken before him, and so he did the only thing he could; comforted her.

"You're the most beautiful girl in England, you'll have a million men falling at your feet," he said, laying a hand on her arm.

"Well could they please hurry up and fall, because Eleanor keeps pressuring me to receive a suitor!" she replied, a hint of the usual Blair shining through.

He laughed, sure he'd sorted it out, but then she was choking on sobs and crying into his shirt. Patting her back awkwardly, he strained to hear what she was mumbling. At last he made out 'I only want him. I love him'. He struggled to think of a response, and then said the only words he felt he could:

"And does he return these affections?"

A pause ensued, then she sat up and looked at him. "I think so…he told me he couldn't not be with me…" The confession surprised Dan once again; he'd never thought Chuck Bass capable of such a sentiment – it's almost romantic! "He just makes it so complicated when it doesn't have to be!"

"Blair, you're asking him to break off an engagement which is probably the biggest announcement London will hear this year," he said honestly. "It's not an easy task for anyone, and we all know how intimidating Earl Bass can be."

Blair considered this and frowned. "But I told him that and he promised anyway," she whispered.

"Then you have to trust that he'll do it."

"The way we ended things, it's very unlikely," she admitted.

"Then you have to try and change his mind," he said with a smile. "And we all know how persuasive you can be!"

With that, Blair jumped up and kissed him on the cheek impulsively. He blushed, which made her laugh, and she thanked him before bidding him a good day and practically dancing down the steps. I am a young lady with a plan! Nothing can stop me now!

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I've got to make a choice.

Chuck was sitting in his room, trying to decide upon a course of action. Blair or Serena? Blair or his father? Blair or Eric? Blair or his reputation? It seemed to him that picking Blair over that many people would be crazy, but then he just had to wait a second or two before visions of her filled his mind and he had to admit that she was growing more and more important to him.

He sighed in frustration. "Why are these choices never easy?" he muttered.

After an afternoon out with Eric, he'd discovered how much he'd missed out on, being an only child. The boy was humourous and entertaining, yet completely ignorant to many experiences which Chuck himself had gone through at a far younger age than the blond. He took delight in educating him on a subject that he knew about – women, although the response from his 'younger brother' wasn't nearly as enthusiastic as Chuck's had been at his age. Maybe he won't be my protégé after all, he'd decided ruefully.

Still, it made the easy choice – Serena – all the more appealing, which then led to a significant increase in self-loathing. Why is it so difficult to take the jump? Chuck had always been a rebellious individual, one who took risks and caused many a scandal, so the fact that he couldn't do this seemed ridiculous.

Memories of Blair yelling 'You thought you'd have your cake and eat it too, dangle me along as you got the perfect society wife! You didn't care one bit about my feelings in this!' came back to him, and he knew that there was only one way to go.

He had to make a decision, and fast.

***

Three hours later, and he had an idea of where he needed to be. The night had been painful, but he'd realised there had only ever been one choice to make – anything else was denial. He slept on his decision, and when the sun rose again the next morning and found him of the same opinion, he speedily dressed so that he could visit her already.

Pink shirt and grey waistcoat in place, he selected a fuchsia bowtie and smirked into the mirror. Irresistible, if I do say so myself, he decided, and almost flew down the stairs, such was his haste to have his choice made known. He hated to hurt one of the girls, but he'd made the necessary decision and there was no going back. The smirk slowly faded to an expression of grim determination, and Mr Vanya was so intimidated that he didn't even attempt to make the young Lord switch to a more conservative colour.

"I must make a visit, Mr Vanya," he announced.

With a quick, even gait he made it to the stagecoach and whistled sharply for his driver. Arthur appeared from behind a lamppost where he'd been smoking, and tossing away the cigar into a gutter, he set off for the address given to him by Chuck. Raising his eyebrows, he remained silent and kept his surprise to himself.

Chuck could barely keep a hold of himself as they rumbled through London. Nerves filled his stomach, and he debated whether he'd made the right decision. In his head he compared Serena to Blair and vice versa, trying to be impartial. He took into account all of the other factors, and then reminded himself of his time with each. Nodding slowly, he came to the same conclusion and breathed deeply in preparation.

"Lord Bass, we've arrived," said Arthur.

Giving a quick word of thanks, he darted out of the coach and up the front steps. Maybe she won't want to see me? Maybe her mother will think me rude for calling so early? Swallowing, he rapped on the door and then was greeted by a footman he'd never seen before.

"I'll inform her you've arrived, Lord Bass," the man stammered nervously, before vanishing up the staircase.

Nervously he waited for his chosen maid to descend the stairs.

He could only hope he'd made the decision.

I'm sorry, he finally thought. There was never really a choice. I had to.

Praying she'd understand, he composed himself just in time to hear the light patter of footsteps down the stairs.

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TO BE CONTINUED

I'm so sorry to leave it on a cliffhanger to who it is! Blair or Serena, who do you think?
As always, I really want to hear ALL your thoughts on this chapter, so I can keep improving and make the next one better than this one!

Love it, hate it, favourite parts, worst parts, I don't mind what - I just want to hear your opinions :)

I promise to update VERY soon, quicker than I updated this chapter.
Feedback is what makes me work harder, so you know how to make me type faster -- write a review!

Hope you liked it,
- Maddy x