X.
Linka looked at herself in the floor-length mirror. The masquerade ball was tonight, and it was almost time for it to start. A month had passed by and she almost wished that she hadn't agreed to the ball. Why was her sister so intent on getting her married? Linka sighed as she looked in the mirror. Her dark brown hair was done up in a loose bun with a dark green ribbon tied around it. The rest of her hair flowed around her shoulders. She wore a dark green and silver dress that had a low neckline, short sleeves, and showed off her figure beautifully. To finish it off were dark green slippers. The only jewelry she wore was the emerald necklace that Erik had given her for her 13th birthday.
A knock sounded on the door and she turned toward it. "Yes?"
"Sister, may I enter?" Malika's voice wavered through.
"Of course. Come in."
The door opened and Linka saw her sister walk in and smiled. She was dressed in a beautiful red, gold, and black dress. It accentuated her body perfectly, which probably made Erik a very happy man. She giggled softly, "What?"
"Erik's favorite colors?"
Malika smiled back at her sister, "He loves his flare. I don't blame him though." She walked up to Linka and saw nervousness in her eyes. "Are you ready?"
"Not really. I feel really nervous."
"Don't worry. I don't expect you to find a husband the first ball you go to. Just have fun."
"It's easy for you Malika. You and Erik are soulmates. How will I ever find mine? And most men don't want a smart woman. They want a wife who bears children and hangs on their arm." Linka replied as she looked at her reflection.
Malika wrapped her arms around her sister and reminded her, "You say it is easy for me, but let me remind you that Erik and I did not get along at first. We had a lot of arguments with each other before we finally realized that we couldn't live without each other. Erik and I clashed because we both are strong-willed, and he didn't like that in a woman." She smiled and Linka could see that it was a devious one. "But he does now. If at first you don't succeed; try, try again. Believe me Linka, you will find the right one."
Linka couldn't help but giggle. "My, my, Sister. I wonder if you and Erik will ever stop."
"Erik will be on his death bed and ask me to have sex with him." The two sisters laughed at this thought then Malika said, "The masquerade is about to start. Anne will come and get you when it is time." With that said, Malika waved goodbye to her sister then left the room.
xxxx
"Welcome my friends!" Erik announced as he started to descend the grand staircase. Malika held onto his left arm and smiled as a crowd of their friends and several of the youths, both male and female, gathered around. "I am so glad you could make it to our gathering. Please enjoy the refreshments, the music, and have lots of fun!" They continued down the grand staircase and saw that the crowd had separated and began talking amongst themselves and enjoying the atmosphere. "Well my love, do you think Linka will enjoy it?"
"I hope so Erik. She seemed nervous." Malika replied.
"Everything will be fine. Don't worry. She will find someone sooner or later." Erik said then turned to another subject, "You look ravishing by the way."
She laughed softly, "Well, we had to match."
He laughed with her, then they began to mingle among the crowd and hoped that Linka would find someone to talk with.
A while into the ball, most everyone started to dance among the music. Linka, who had been talking among the other females, still felt nervous. A young man came up and asked her to dance. She didn't want to disappoint her sister, so she agreed. She did this for a while. Dancing with a few young men before finally stopping.
Linka, feeling bored, walked out to the second floor balcony and looked at the star-filled sky. "Rather boring for a masquerade ball huh?" A voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned and discovered that a young man, a little older than her; with long, dark blonde hair and deep blue eyes was standing beside her. "Forgive me Mademoiselle. My name is Jacques Dubois. I did not mean to startle you."
"It's alright. My name is Linka. Linka Kovach." Linka replied.
He took her hand and kissed it then commented, "So you are Madame Garnier's sister?"
She blushed. "Yes."
"I can see that beauty runs in the family." Jacques complimented as they turned to the masquerade and saw Erik and Malika dancing. Their eyes on each other with nothing but love in them. "They seem so happy."
Linka giggled, "After so many years of being together, they are still in love and a passionate love it is."
Jacques laughed as well. "He doesn't seem as bad as the rumors I have heard."
"What rumors?" She asked with concern.
"When I was younger, about 13 or 14, I heard rumors while listening to my father and his friends. They said that he raped girls and hated women."
Linka huffed, "Totally unfounded rumors. Erik is the kindest person I know. He has a temper, that is true, but my sister can match it quite easily."
Jacques laughed again, "So that is why they work together so well?"
She smiled, "Yes. They're alike in many ways. I think this is what makes them so compatible and what has made them fall in love so easily."
They turned back toward the balcony and Jacques asked, "So you find masquerades boring?"
"I hate being the center of attention. This was my sister's idea." Linka explained.
He laughed, "Well, what do you like to do?"
"Huh?"
"What are your interests?"
She paused. She had never been asked that before, except by Erik and her sister. "Well...I...you tell me yours first."
Jacques smiled at her, "Alright. I'm going to school right now. My interest is to become a chemist." He smiled again, "You probably aren't interested in hearing about that though."
"No!" Linka yelled out, surprising Jacques. "I mean..." She blushed now, "I find it very interesting."
"You do?" He asked in surprise.
"Yes." She replied with a blush forming on her cheeks. "You probably think me crazy."
"Not at all. I prefer smart women. I can't stand women who are dumb or act dumb. It drives me crazy...Ooops." He laughed. "I said too much."
"I thought most men didn't like women with smarts."
"Well I don't know about others, but I do. Anyway, you find chemistry interesting?"
Linka blushed again, "Yes. It's strange. My brother is going to school to be a biologist and one of the classes he had to take before going was chemistry. After he was through with his course he really didn't need the books and I was curious..."
"So you read them, and it interested you?" He asked curiously.
"Yes. However, chemistry isn't the only subject I find interesting. I also like physics as well."
Jacques raised an eyebrow in amazement. "A very smart woman."
Linka laughed at him. "I just couldn't stand living my life doing domestic things. I won't be satisfied doing that." She paused, "It's not that I think bad of my sister. I think she loves her life. She loves giving Erik babies and having babies, but we'll be getting into a new century soon and women should be able to have educations."
"I agree with you Linka."
She flashed him a small smile, "I would like to have children sometime in the future, don't get me wrong, but I don't see it as a priority."
"Well I think that we are going to get along very well Linka." They turned back to the ball and saw that it was starting to wind down. He sighed, "It looks like I am going to have to leave. The ball is ending."
"I wish that you wouldn't. I haven't had this long of a conversation in so long."
He laughed then kissed her hand, "I enjoyed our conversation as well. Maybe if Monsieur Garnier will let me, I can see you again."
Linka smiled a sly smile, "Oh I think I can convince him of that."
"Well then, adieu and have a wonderful night." Jacques said then bowed and left her side with a wave goodbye.
xxxx
It was about 2:00 in the morning when Malika entered her sister's room and found the younger woman combing her hair. "I see you are happy."
Linka turned towards her sister and smiled, "I think I might have found someone."
"Already?" Malika asked in surprise.
"Yes. However, I know you two will want to meet him. Do you think Erik will invite him over?"
The older sister smiled, "I think I can get him to do that."
"I'm tired. Can I tell you everything in the morning Sister?"
"Of course. I'm tired too. A ball takes a lot out of you." She smiled then kissed Linka on the head. "Have a good night's rest." She then bade her sister good bye and left.
xxxx
Malika joined Erik in bed. The two were much too tired to do anything but talk for the moment. "I think she's found someone."
"Already? She seemed so hesitant a month ago." Erik responded in surprise.
"Yes. I know." She paused then continued, "She wants to invite him over for us to meet."
"Of course. I won't bar her new beau."
Malika laughed. "Very well. Linka will tell us everything in the morning. Now, I don't know about you, but I am tired and need my rest."
"I as well. I love you."
"As I love you Erik."