**I DO NOT OWN THE CHARACTERS, I AM JUST BORROWING THEM**
**Just so everyone knows, I may not have the grammer perfect from the 1800s so please be patient with me lol. Also, I am sorry if this chapter wasnt of your liking...i was not fully motivated to write due to having sick children over the weekend and I had little to no sleep because of it. Just realize that I am sorry if this chapter sucks. Love you all, enjoy!**
Chapter 7 – Masquerade
The morning sun was a wonderful reminder of tonight's Ball. I smiled as I raised up out of my bed, taking the sheet with me to the bathroom.
After a nice, relaxing bath, I returned to my chamber to dress.
"Good morrow dear sister," Heather said, causing me to jump and turn in her direction, "You scared me Heather."
"Sorry Catherine. Have you decided on a dress yet for the Ball tonight?" she asked in excitement.
"Not yet, but since you have one already, mother and I were going to head into the city and find ourselves one. Would you like to come? I could use some advice from some one with youth rather than mother's. You know she doesn't have that much taste when it comes to clothing."
She nodded and hugged me in thanks for asking her to come along as we started giggling at my choice of words for mother. Before going to the city, I wanted to head to the little general store in the village to find a gift for Vincent. I'm not too sure of what exactly this was between us, but I must admit that I liked it and wanted to see where things led.
As I head outside and begin walking further into the village, I instantly hid behind a tree when I saw the slithering snake of man, Gabriel Lowan pulling out his luggage from a carriage in front of the hotel. Luckily for me, he did not notice me. What in God's name was he doing here anyways?! Some nerve he has bringing his presence here.
I watched my father come out and greet him and this boiled me to my very core. After what he had done to me, was my father willing to forgive him? I had hoped not.
I pulled my hood over my head and tried to cover my face with it as I began walking past when, "Ah, Catherine. There you are." I came to a complete stop as my father spoke to me.
I pulled my hood away from my face as anger filled it soon after, "Not to be a prude father, but why on earth is he doing here?"
"Catherine, my love. I have come to beg of your forgiveness my dove." Gabriel said as he grabbed my hand to kiss it.
I pulled away instantly and said, "I did not give you permission to kiss my hand. I do NOT give you permission to do anything."
"Calm now daughter, he is only trying to be sincere. Can't you find it in your heart to forgive him?" my father said sternly.
I turned towards Gabriel, looking slightly past him to see Vincent behind a tree. "Gabriel, I forgive you. . .But, I wish to forget you ever existed as well. I bid you good day." and I pushed past him.
He grabbed my wrist and I turned only to slap him across the face, "Unhand me at once!"
My father then growled, "That is enough Catherine! Gabriel has come all of this way to make amends to you for forcing himself upon you. I did not raise my children to be disrespectful in any way. You need to apologize at once for striking him!"
"But father. . ."
"NOW!" father demanded and I looked at him with disgust and anger, then back towards Gabriel as I blinked repeatedly to hide the tears in my eyes, "I apologize, Gabriel. . ."
"That's better daughter."
"I apologize that you traveled so far for nothing. I refuse to be in your presence any longer. Sorry father." and I walked off towards Vincent.
Gabriel looked back at Thomas and sighed, "Perhaps I deserve this."
"Nonsense Gabriel, you are more man to have come this far to apologize for your actions. Come, lets grab a glass of wine whilst we talk about my stubborn daughter."
Gabriel nodded and took one more look back towards Catherine. He saw her go behind a tree, soon after being kissed on the cheek by another man. There was something about this man that seemed off and Gabriel would figure it out one way or the other.
I cupped Vincent's face as I said, "So you couldn't bare to wait for me for tonight?"
"I've missed you. Seems like a lifetime since I saw you last. Are you alright?" he said in deep concern. Perhaps he over heard my conversation with Gabriel.
"Yes, I am fine." I said as I looked down to the ground. He took his index, placing it under my chin as he responded, "Who is he? That man besides your father that you were talking to?"
I turned away as I responded, "He's a nobody. He used to be my lover in New York City. I ended it due to him forcing himself onto me one night and I had thought that my father had come to terms to end things with him as well. Obviously not." I still couldn't believe my father would act so dull about this.
"You needn't to worry about him whilst with me Catherine. I will rip him apart before I allow him to further any more pain upon you. You are worth much more than what he has given you."
I looked up into his eyes, tears stained my eyes. He caressed my right cheek with his thumb as he slowly bent down to kiss me. It was soft and quick and he looked back into my eyes, our noses brushing against each other as he said, "Catherine, I love you."
Those words made my knees feel weak, and I knew that one day those words would be the death of me yet. I swallowed hard as I responded, "I lo-"
"Catherine! Mother is taking her leave for the city. Come on!" my sister shouted from the carriage. Damn her! I looked back to Vincent as I said, "We must part, but I will see you tonight for the Ball."
I placed a quick peck onto his lips as I took off for the carriage.
Once we arrived back home it was beginning to grow dark. Heather and I practically ran inside to begin readying ourselves for the Ball. I was in shock to see that Gabriel was still present but I tried to ignore him during his visit.
As I started to walk past, my father called out to me and I turned to face him.
"Catherine? Gabriel will be accompanying us to the Ball tonight."
"Father, with all due respect. . . I must refuse."
"Catherine, I'm not asking you to reconsider courting Mr. Lowan, I am asking that you accept his apology."
I thought about it and felt sick at my stomach. The thought of him and Vincent in the same room as I was terrifying. But I was, too, relieved that my father still disapproved of Gabriel. All at the same time, it seemed bittersweet.
"Alright, fine. I accept. But I will warn you that if you so chose to come near me in any forceful way again, I'll kill you myself." i said to Gabriel and I walked away, Heather giggling at my choice of words.
My dress was perfect in so many ways. It was a dark emerald color, soft silk and light weighted. Beautiful white lace underneath the skirt, and a light brown tie up vest to perk my breasts up higher than my gurdy did. It was low cut of course, Heather had to make damn sure of it too.
I didn't want to come off as a whore to Vincent, nor anybody else there. I actually had second thoughts about it in all honesty once I had put it on, but Heather would not have it. She loaned me a white thin, light scarf.
I wrapped it around the back of my shoulders, pulling it to my front in hopes to cover my exposed breasts.
She twisted a halo out of my hair on top of my head and left the rest hanging down onto my exposed shoulders. Heating up a piece of steel in the fireplace, she curled my hair into light waves.
She blotted make up on me and lightly lined my eyes.
"I shall return sister. I have one more thing to get you." she said as she left the room.
I stared into my reflection and felt ties inside my stomach. Nervous, I was. Scared to death of facing my one true love looking like this. I grabbed my wooden box that I kept my jewelry in and pulled out one of my grandmother's chokie necklaces. It was a black fabric with green emeralds all around it.
Once I tied it around my neck, I felt sick by my thoughts. Was it all too much? Was I courting too quickly? How did he feel about us? And was there even an us?
Too many questions lingered inside my head and I did not realize my sisters return, "Okay Catherine, I bought this a while back. . .but I think it would look darling on you with your dress."
It was a golden mask with green and purple gems on it. It looked extremely expensive! "Heather, how did you afford such an item as this?"
"Matthew makes a wonderful amount of money. I was invited to a Masquerade back in New York, but mother and I came here instead. I did not have the chance to wear it, so I wanted you to. Besides sister, I will use my make up to make my own mask."
I was truly amazing what she did, and has done for me for years. I'm the eldest, yet she treats me like the young one. Always taking care of me, introducing me to new things like that make up she brought and her way of curling hair. It was all truly nice of her and I truly enjoyed her company.
"I'm scared you know?" I said quietly.
She looked at me and smiled as she ran her right hand down the left side of my face, "You should fear not sister, but let your love grow fonder. If he is as amazing as you have said, and he loves you just the same, then no worries. Have you ever thought of telling him how you feel?"
I didn't respond, instead I thought about what could come of this night. Good, or bad.
Vincent hovered over the rose which only had 3 petals left. Such a misfortune to have such a curse as this. If only he had respected the ugly peasant woman whom was lost in the forest; if only he had the ability to possibly speak to her again, maybe if she had seen the difference in him, maybe she would take back the curse.
Nonsense, he thought to himself as another petal fell. That only left 2 more.
He sighed in frustration as he moved the rose to the dungeon.
"Master," James said startling him, "I apologize for startling you, but the guests are beginning to arrive. Where would you like for me to take them?"
This was surprising news to Vincent, for he knew not that a single soul besides Catherine and her family would even want to show up at the manor. "Take them to the ballroom."
"What seems to bother you sir?" James asked.
Vincent shook it off and turned to face the servant as he said, "Tell me, would you be displeased with me if I stayed a beast?"
"What do you mean, sir? I thought that this night would be the very key to setting us all free?"
Vincent sighed as he licked his bottom lip, "There are only 2 petals left and I fear that it will be too late for me now."
James shook his head in protest, "Now, now master, fear not. I'm sure everything will work in your good graces tonight."
"I fear that they will not, James. What if I am pushing things to quickly with Catherine? What if she does not feel the same as I?"
James sighed, "I think you are over reacting to say the least. I am very confident of Catherine braking this curse."
"And if she doesn't?"
"Something tells me that perhaps if you turn beast forever, that she will love you just the same."
"I doubt that. Her past lover has come to the village to make amends with her. He may have done wrong but I can't help but feel that he is more man than I. She deserves a normal life, and besides dear servant, who could ever love a mere beast?"
"She does. And you know that as well. You are fearing too much, thinking about too much. Just see where things go. Let everything unfold naturally."
Vincent nodded in agreement as he looked at the rose one last time. He turned back to face James, "I have only until midnight to express my love for her, her for me as well. Without those 2 confessions, I am stuck as this demon forever. I can't help but fear the worse."
"Fear not sir. Perhaps some wine will help clear your thoughts? Not to mention, your guests are here. I'll host them until you are prepared to take over." and James bowed and left.
Vincent took one last deep breath as he stood straight and fixed his jacket. He tied on his black mask as he headed back upstairs to tend to his guests.
"Catherine! Heather! Are you ready? We are running late as it is. Come now darlings, the coach is waiting outside." called my mother.
"Coming mother!" I shouted in response.
Side by side my sister and I walked outside. Seeing Gabriel's face ruined my mood, but his words make me sick, "You look amazingly beautiful Catherine."
I nodded hesitantly and entered the coach, not to speak one word to him.
As we arrived, my sister tied on my mask.
My father and mother hooked arms, Matthew and Heather following behind them doing the same. Gabriel reached his arm out to me and I continued walking behind my family away from him.
As we entered the castle seemed more relaxed and calm than it had before. My heart completely stopped at the thought that this many people were present, especially after the rumors they had spread about Vincent. Not one soul shed fear behind the doors of darkness.
My eyes searched for him, but I didn't find him. Heather and Matthew were already acquainting with villagers and mother and father had took off into the middle of the ballroom. They looked so happy, very much in love. Was I ever going to be destined to have such a love like theirs?
I felt a hand grab mine and lips had softly touched it. I smiled thinking it was Vincent but as I turned my body around, the lips that had touched my very hand belonged to Gabriel.
That vile man!
He bent over enough to whisper into my ear, "May I have this dance?"
"Burn in hell!" I whispered through my gritted teeth.
He smiled as he looked over at my parents then back to me, "Now, now my dear, you wouldn't want to create a scene in front of your father now would you? Come now, let us float around the room like angels."
"Your right about one thing Mr. Lowan, I do not wish to cause any scene. But you sir are no where near being an angel. Let's just get this over with, shall we?" I said frustrated.
We walked out next to where my parents were dancing and he placed one hand into mine, another on my back as we swayed to the soothing sound of the violins and piano.
I had refused to make eye contact with him and impatiently waited for the song to be over. He spun me unexpectedly then tilted me back. As he brought me back up, a pair of golden eyes were all the way across the room behind Gabriel.
Vincent was finally here and my attention stayed on him as the song finally died out, "Please excuse me." I said as I began walking through the crowded ballroom towards him.
"Good evening Vincent." I said as my eyes met his, a smile forming on my face.
"Good evening indeed. Your especially beautiful tonight."
"Thank you. You dress formerly well yourself."
A look of jealousy shot across his face as he looked out in the crowd then back at me, "Sorry to have interrupted your dance." he said.
"Actually I am grateful that you saved me from another moment in his arms."
Taking my hand, he pulled me towards the hallway. "Where are we going? Is something troubling you Vincent?"
Little did they know that they were being followed.
No response.
We continued down the hallway, up the stairs leading into the west wing, and down the staircase of leading into the dungeon.
We walked past the showers and we stopped as we came to the end of the room. "Vincent, why are we here?"
"I need to show you something."
He stepped onto a loose stone in the floor and the wall began to move, leading into a tunnel of sorts.
He grabbed a lit torch and we walked through the darkened tunnel.
We arrived inside of a hidden room, a barn perhaps? Hay laid everywhere, and Vincent threw his torch into a metal box causing a bigger flame to rise, lighting up the room into a sensual glow; And there sat the remarkable legendary rose, that held this place under such darkness. It wasn't glowing like it had before, as a matter of fact, it had grew dim and had lost most of its petals since the last time I saw it.
Ghostly reminders of how he was damned as a beast for a lifetime if it had lost all of its petals. Tears stained my eyes as I turned to face him, "There is only two petals left?"
"Yes." he said with sadness as he slowly pushed my mask off of my face.
I removed the mask from his face as I said, "We will over come this Vincent. There is still time. Is there something I can do?"
He sighed, "There is but it would only make you think I had used you, whereas I did not."
"Just tell me!" I demanded.
He kissed me softly on the cheek as he said, "This is the end of us Catherine. Once the last petal falls, I can't see you anymore. I don't want to hurt such a beautiful woman as yourself, I couldn't live with myself, nor would I want to."
"So there is an us?" I said as I sat next to the fire, "You know Vincent, I had pondered for weeks about what we were. A connection so strong between us that we both felt within our very souls. . . I for one was confused. I did not know what it meant at first, until now. . . Such a short time meeting and yet here I am everyday, pondering when the next time will be that I see your face again." a tear fell down my cheek as he sat next to me, taking my hand into his.
"I have fought so hard not to feel what I have felt from the very second you stood in front of me. Yes, I was afraid, and yes, I wanted away from you. . .but it did not stop the feelings I had or you." I stroked his face, pushing his hair out of his face, "Vincent, I don't care if your man or beast. . . I will not run, nor be pushed away from you. Vincent I- . . . .I love you. I'm in love with you. And words could not begin to describe how or why. But I do."
I looked down at the floor as another tear fell down my cheek, then back up into his eyes, "And I accept you for what you are, man and beast."
Vincent kissed Catherine hard. She wrapped her arms around his neck, almost as if it was natural. He pulled back, brushing his nose against hers as he said in a low whisper against her lips, "I am completely, madly in love with you." and they kissed passionately again. Vincent laid her back onto the hay, not once removing his lips from hers. To allow Catherine to breathe again, he moved his lips down to her neck, sucking and nipping from her jaw down to her collar bone. He raised up, not removing his eyes as he reached down to untie the vest on her dress, and pulling it loose. He laid on top of her crushing his lips upon hers once more as he rubbed his hand up her leg, pushing her skirt up.
Quivering moans escaped her lips as he kissed on her jawline. She clung to him, offering her body to him in ways he had never imagined.
Standing far into the shadows was Mr. Lowan. He had heard the entire conversation between them and knew that Vincent was a beast. What in hell is she doing?! He thought. Is she really about to commit the crime of fornication?! I must tell someone at once. Maybe this will help me to receive her father's blessing for her hand again.
And as he disappeared, he knocked over a bucket and came to a halt in fear that he had startled the couple before him. Neither moved so he knew they did not hear it. He finally inched his way out of the passage and up the stairs and out of the dungeon.
I wanted to stop. Fornication outside of marriage could put us both to death. Betrayal not only to my father, but to myself and Vincent.
I forced myself away and looked away from Vincent, embarrassed by my actions, "What is it Catherine? Have I done too much?"
My head shot up, "No! Of course not! My body craved your touch in ways that I cannot explain, it's just. . ." I said as I sat up looking away again.
He cupped my face forcing me to look up into his eyes as he said, "Perhaps we are moving too fast?"
"Perhaps you may be right." I agreed in disappointment. Even though his words were very much true, when he touched me, kissed me with nothing more than pure passion, it felt like it was meant to be.
I wanted him to love my body completely, but we hardly knew each other.
He raised up onto his feet and helped me up to mine, taking both of my hands into his. "Shall we return to the Ball and dance madam?" he asked with a smile on his face.
I tied my vest back and dusted off my dress as I responded, "Yes, we shall."
As we returned into the ballroom, and walked out in the middle of the crowded floor, Vincent pulled back pulling my body into his as he placed one hand onto the small of my back, the other joined with my own.
We danced through 2 songs when I caught my father in the corner of my eye approaching us, "Father, so glad that your here. This is Vinc. . ."
"I know who the hell he is and I know both of your previous actions. I just spoke with Gabriel and he told me things that he had seen between the two of you."
"Father, I know of nothing of what you speak of. Vincent and I were just out on a stroll." I said defensively.
"Daughter, with all of the lies that you have told me since our arrival makes it highly difficult to believe anything you say. Fornication is against the law! You know this daughter."
"Fornication? Is that what Gabriel said he saw? Well he is lying father, I have done no such thing. I am as pure as a newborn child." I was speaking the truth. Vincent and I had not went that far even though we started to.
"Get your sister, go to the carriage and wait for me. We take leave in the morrow."
"But father. . "
"NOW!" father demanded.
Tear stained eyes, I looked up to Vincent in hopes that he would save me. Tears stained his eyes as well. "I'm so sorry Vincent." I whispered as I walked away. I turned out of sight of my father, facing Vincent as I lipped the words, I love you to him and I turned and left.
"Vincent, I want to thank you for a wonderful evening. Though the rumors turned out to be a lie, I do not wish for my daughter to see you again after we have parted. You can come see her in the morrow and wish her farewell, but after that I want you to never try to contact her. Understood?"
Vincent was heart broken by this, but maybe it was for the best anyways. Even though they had confessed their love for each other, nothing seemed to have change. He nodded as Thomas turned and left.
Come morning, our carriage arrived and it was time for us to leave England. My heart ached at the very thought of it because I would be leaving behind a huge part of myself here. . . Vincent.
A stray tear fell down my cheek as I walked out with my luggage to the carriage. I wish that Vincent was here so that I could see him one last time. I hadn't left yet, but I already missed him.
As we got inside of the carriage and it began to leave, I turned around when I heard my name being shouted.
Vincent came! " Stop the carriage!" I shouted.
"What now daughter?" my father asked.
"I said stop the carriage! I forgot something!" I demanded.
I jumped out of the carriage and ran to Vincent as he ran to me, claiming his lips with one last kiss as he lifted me up in the air and spun us around.
I cupped his face as tear flowed down my cheeks, "I'll miss you Vincent."
He placed a folded letter inside of my palm as kissed the top of my hand and said, "Do not read it until you have boarded the ship. I love you Catherine, and I too will miss you dearly."
**Have to end it here because I feel as if I am rambling now lol. I am so exhausted from such an eventful weekend with sick children that I have lost touch in my writing. I apologize for any mistakes and I hope you stick around to read more. Also, there will be a part two of this chapter, and yes it will be short. I hope I have not bored you with this chapter, it is just my motivation has come out full force lately. Thanks for your love and support of my fics and I hope you enjoy it. XOXO!**
