Oh, I'm sorry its later than I said it would be . . but at least its here right? Enjoy . . .
Chapter ten - (New Orleans, Louisiana Christmas Eve 1861)
The Carriage rocked and jolted to an abrupt halt, shaking once more as the driver jumped from his perch at the forefront of the phaeton and just a few moments later did Rogue feel the distinct brush of the night air as the door to the roofed transportation was pulled open at her side. She watched silently as Kitty stepped out first from across her and then gingerly she accepted the drivers awaiting hand to help balance herself as she too stepped out into the chilled December evening - her eyes widened and her lips parted in quieted awe as she took her first look at the architectural magnificence before her. The tall, Romanesque columns framed the white stone stairs leading up to the grand front entrance, wrought iron-work then continued around the open terraces on both the ground and upper floors, festive wreaths and garlands festooned and looped between the molded metal - the splendidly large main entrance raised over the sweeping stairway below, bellowed warm and glorious light out into the darkened sky and swarms of elegantly dressed and merry folk could be seen through the long sash windows mingling and talking whilst others danced to the jovial music that could be heard from outside.
"Isn't it great? This is going to be so much fun!" Kitty giggled excitedly beside her, the younger girl stepping closer to Rogue and hooking her arm through hers - Rogue couldn't help but smile and laugh in return as she looked on at the people meandering on the balconies and terraces, joyfully chatting away and enjoying themselves despite the fresh bite of the air outside. She felt astounded and thoroughly impressed with the grand bravura of the building in her view, having not barely noticed any of its pure majesty and elegance when she had last visited - albeit, she had been anxiously trying to get news to Henri over Mercy going into labor, so it wasn't as if she had much chance to get a tour of the stately New Orleans residence - but now she was quite content to admire its splendor.
"Come along girls, lets not keep the party waiting" Raven called to them as she followed Owen and Priscilla Pryde, arms linked with Kurt. Kitty turned to her and giggled excitedly, a little squeal emerging from the over-enthused girl and she immediately set off after her the rest of their party - the tug of her still looped arm forced Rogue to be pulled along, which she did so abidingly and easily caught up to Kitty's zealous pace.
The second she stepped into the crowded foyer, did her eyes widen at the sight of the festively bejeweled Christmas tree positioned to the side of the sweeping marble staircase. Presents littered the floor beneath it, candles sat between the evergreen pines, scarlet and gold tinged bows and delicately carved, molded trinkets hung from the branches - garlands bedecked with decorations and cones hung, wrapped and twisted between the iron wrought banisters. She felt herself be pulled through the joyous ensemble of people in the foyer and through into an even more impressively decorated and overall awe-inspiring room - huge-beyond-belief crystal chandeliers cascaded from the sky scraping ceiling, bathing the entirety of the room in a golden hue as elegantly dressed men and women mingled and danced about the floor, swaying gracefully to the small, but perfectly talented orchestra at the head of the room.
She followed Kitty deftly through the festive throngs, the other girl clasping her hand as she maneuvered them through the admiring crowd to their destination - unexpectedly stopping as Kitty halted in her tracks, causing Rogue to nearly collide into the back of her. Looking over the smaller girls shoulder, Rogue repressed an agitated sigh as the one person she was hoping to avoid the entire evening - stood before Kitty. Belladonna smiled charmingly to herself and Kitty - her blue eyes lighting up at the prospect of more admirers, the soft violet satin of her floor-sweeping gown setting off her tumbled golden locks and other features perfectly.
"Bonjour Katherine, bonjour Anna . . its a pleasure t' see y' again s' soon" She greeted pleasantly to which Rogue acknowledged with a polite bow of her head and a closed smile as Kitty flew into overdrive gossip mode. Two other unfamiliar women stood at Belle's side listening intently to the conversation at hand and occasionally adding in their own opinions and such in the few and far between intervals in which neither Belle or Kitty were talking - Rogue found herself losing interest after just a few minutes and as if on cue, a wigged gentleman server weaved his way through the multitude of people in her direction, an arm raised before him balancing a tray offering glasses of steaming mold wine. After a few more stops along his route, he finally reached her and handed her a warmed glass of the darkened drink - she raised the glass tentatively to her lips and allowed a small sip of the hot liquid into her mouth, the beverage instantly warming her throat as it slid down her esophagus - from her current stance she was able to see out onto the center of the ballroom where couples danced in sync with the classical composition that the orchestra were currently playing, her eyes followed the elegant dancers memorably around the room, not noticing a figure approach her at her side.
"Y' promised m' a dance chére?" A deep voice filtered into her huskily - making her breath hitch unconsciously as she turned her head to whence it came. Her gaze instantly drinking up the appearance of the tall, attractive man at her side - fully dressed in a dark shaded tail jacket along with a white shirt and burgundy cravat for the occasion, hair slicked back neatly - though she could see that it was already beginning to slide unruly at the sides.
"Ah didn't promise ya anythin' swamp rat" She replied, her voice lowered a little so as not to bring attention to the nickname she spoken to him. Her eyes meeting his in an amused stare as he smirked at her response.
"Y' mean t' tell m' dat y' do not mean t' dance at all dis evenin'?" Remy asked in return.
"Ya really shouldn't put words in peoples mouths" Rogue retorted, hearing Remy chuckle softly beside her as she removed her gaze to look back onto the dancing couples beyond, who slowed to a standstill as the composition ended and those watching and taking part gave a short applause to the musicians and fellow dancers.
"So may I have de next dance Mademoiselle?" At his request she looked back over to him and after a moment smiled and nodded her head in acceptance. Remy smirked victoriously in response and raised a hand, taking the half empty glass of mold wine from her hand and placing it on another passing server's tray before offering her his arm, which she took politely and allowed him to lead her toward the center of the room.
They stood opposite each other and as the orchestra started up yet again, the couples bowed and curtsied to their partners before reaching out their arms and placing them in their partners. Rogue placed her small gloved one in his larger one and took a step closer to him, the order of the dance making them turn about each other in unison with the other dancers in the long line of people.
"Y' look trés belle dis evenin'" Remy admired, allowing his gaze to slip barely noticeably over her form - the floor-sweeping emerald gown only accentuating her figure, long dark gloves covering most of her arms leaving just a little skin on show between the short sleeves of the dress and the opening of the gloves - her long brunette tresses pulled up neatly, although a few strands were becoming loose at the sides.
"Flattery will get ya nowheah Mistah LeBeau" She admonished flippantly, stepping away from him to turn with the person beside her and then the other opposite before coming back to stand opposite Remy once again and putting her hand in his to repeat the process.
"Well, I mus' b' doin' somet'in' right b'cause I'm dancin' wit' y'" He replied smugly, the hint of a smirk upon his handsome features. Rogue simply looked at him with a raised eyebrow and held back a roll of the eyes at his apparent flirtatiousness.
"Yoah Fathah has certainly put on a successful party" She changed the subject without a moments hesitation of what had been said before, noticing the shallow chortle of laughter as Remy realized what she was doing.
"Oui, he pulled out all de stops dis year. M' sure he will b' delight'd t' know dat y' t'ink so" He replied. Rogue looked up to him and felt her breath hitch in her throat as she met his eyes - her feet continued to dance in sync to the music, the chattering guests and such beyond filtering out of range leaving just the melodic sound of the orchestra in her hearing, though she barely heard it as she and Remy moved around to the dance, never taking their eyes from the other - it almost felt like they were the only two in the ballroom as they sashayed around the other as they were supposed to, eyes locked in a rapt, captivated gaze, as though seeing into the others soul uninhibited. The music finished an the crowded audience about them applauded the partaking dancers and musicians for their show, though neither noticed as they continued to fall into the depths of each others gaze.
"Oh, Remy! Dere y' are . . . y' promised m' a dance cher" Belladonna's light voice interrupted, Rogue immediately taking her eyes from Remy and looking away as he too tore his to look at the young blonde woman taking hold of his arm beside him. He seemed to struggle for words for a moment before Rogue felt his eyes upon her once again and taking a silent intake of breath she looked up at the couple before her and bowed her head to politely submit before stepping away quickly back into the audience beyond, not allowing herself another glance at Remy case she fall into the odd reverie that she had just experienced again.
The evening drew on and Rogue found herself dancing with various others, the rest of the time spent chatting to Kitty and being introduced to new faces by Owen and Priscilla. Some people had left already, allowing a little more breathing room throughout the grand house - although a great many guests still remained to enjoy themselves and celebrate the on coming of Christmas day. She currently found herself standing alongside her Mother as she chattered intensely to other women of the same age and her eyes wondered off to the center of the room where a new dance was just beginning and she watched with a small smile as her brother and Kitty partnered up. The one person she was looking for was not to be seen though, in many ways she was grateful - but at the same time a little disappointed - she assumed that he was probably off with Belle or some other in the large building.
Quietly, she stepped away from her Mother's side and weaved herself into the still numerous crowd surrounding the room until she finally got to one of the many ajar French doorways out onto the wrought-iron framed terraces outside. The night air was crisp as she slipped past the door and her shoulders involuntarily shuddered as a small but chilled wind blew into her, causing her to cross her arms and rub them to ward of the cold. She walked alongside the wrought-iron frames, the terrace on this side of the house now completely devoid of human presence, having all taken shelter inside from the bitter night air.
Finding a nice spot that looked out onto a large, flowing fountain settled between a maze of coiffed hedging foliage and flowers set in the vast garden of the LeBeau estate - she sighed and watched as her breath condensated before her, before looking out onto the garden once again and noting the way the silvery light from the moon danced upon the garden below, illuminating it against the dark sky.
"Bit cold t' b' standin' outside isn't it?" Rogue whipped her head around to the owner of the familiar voice, eyes widened at the unexpected intrusion on her momentarily found sanctuary.
"It's not so bad" She replied quietly, though the slight tremble of her shoulders as another shiver ran through her body contradicted her words. Remy simply smiled and let the observation pass, stepping up closer to her beside the iron lattice.
"Y' have a good time t'night Rogue?" He asked after a few moments.
"Yes, ah did. Did you?" She returned, looking up at him - at once wishing that she had not as their eyes met. She waited for his answer, noting the hesitation of his reply after her question and her heart raced a little at the silence. Suddenly the French doors leading out onto the open terrace opened and both looked around abruptly to the person in the doorway.
"Rogue? Oh there you are, we are leaving now," Kurt told her, looking suspiciously between his sister and the man beside her.
"Alraght Kurt" She replied, noticing the narrowing of Kurt's eyes toward Remy before he stepped back into the ballroom. Rogue shivered a once again and turned back to Remy, trying not to meet his gaze like she had before.
"Ah gotta go . . goodnaght" She explained weakly, flashing him a quick smile and stepped past him in the direction of the of the French doors - though she was brought to a halt as she felt a hand brush her arm and reach for her gloved hand, making her twist about to look back up to the offender.
"Merry Christmas Rogue" His voice was thick in the cold air and before her very eyes she watched him lift her gloved hand to his lips and press them lightly against the soft fabric. An odd feeling rushed through her veins as she felt her hand returned to her and observed quietly as he took a step away. After her momentary lapse of movement, she made to turn away to carry on leaving until on an unexpected whim she twisted back to him.
"Merry Christmas to you too Remy" She replied with a smile before turning around yet again and walking quickly toward the ballroom once more, missing the warm smile that the object of her words adorned as she disappeared from his view.
I really don't know if they had electricity and light bulbs and stuff at that time, so history buffs - please don't kill me, because they couldn't exactly have a Christmas party in the dark could they? Anyways, its later than I said - but its the longest chapter of the story so far and I'm quite pleased with it - so let me know what you think!
Musagirl15 - Thanks for your review honey, hope you liked this chapter too!
lee Thanks for your review! Very happy you are enjoying the story so far !
BlackClove - Thanks for your review hon! This ones a little later than expected - but I hope you enjoyed it!
Rogue-Slayer13 - Thanks for your review sweetie! More romyness in this one, hope ya liked it!
Enchantedlight - Thank you for reviewing, hope you liked this one too!
Ramalot4 - Thanks for your review hon! Yes, I think I'm going to try and stay with just Rogue's point of view - I think it would be too hard to incorporate Remy's or any of the other characters views as well and writing from Rogue's perspective seems to be working well so far. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Cajuncrazy - There it is, the grand ol' ball. Hope you liked it and thanks for your review!
So until next time . . .