Chapter 11
"Preparation"

"You're going without him?" Deana's voice was filled with a mixture of worry and amazement.

"Why shouldn't I?" Evangeline asked. "The sight of him now makes me sick. I'm certainly not going to pass up an evening because of him, but I refuse to be on his arm."

"He had a bit of a temper yesterday…aren't you worried that he might get upset?"

Evangeline paused a moment. "What on earth can he do about it? I'm not his property…and if he finds me there tonight," she held up hand and pointed to her ring finger, "this goes back to him. I never thought Cedric could be more boorish than a pirate."

Deana smiled. "So, at the moment, we could say that Jack isn't on the top of your list of hated people?"

"I wouldn't go that far. I believe it's a tie." Evangeline inhaled sharply as Deana tightened her corset. "I have the feeling you did that on purpose, Deana. You don't need to worry, I hold nothing against Jess simply because of his…relative."

Deana smiled once again, only this time her eyes possessed a far off look. "He's absolutely wonderful, Ev. He's everything I've ever wanted – ever…needed." She shook her head. "I sound like a driveling idiot."

Evangeline's face lit up for the first time that day. "I think someone's falling in love."

"Falling, fallen…you know, one of those two." Deana picked up her mask. Meant to cover her eyes only, it was black in color, the edges lined in silver. It was the perfect pairing of simplicity and elegance. It matched her gown beautifully. A black, fitted bodice with long, belled sleeves sat upon a full black skirt that held the same silver trim as her mask. The bodice contained silver as well, in its lacing. She looked every bit a dark goddess.

Evangeline looked into her cousin's eyes. "You really mean it, don't you? You've only just met him, but…" She found herself fighting off a tear. "Does he feel the same way?"

Deana nodded. "He wants to be able to stay here longer and…This is like a fairy tale…Do you think it's too fast?"

"I don't believe love works on a schedule," Evangeline said, her face changing ever so slightly. "When two people meet that are destined to be with one another…time and distance don't play a part in it. If he's meant to be your love, then things will find a way of working out." She wasn't sure she believed one word of what she was saying.

"What about you?" Deana asked, probing.

Evangeline pinned her last curl in place. Her hair was up for the evening to bring more focus to her gown. She was every bit the opposite of Deana when it came to clothing. Her dress was a combination of pink and white with gold trimming. The sleeves were short, and the neckline rather daring. She had hoped that Cedric would be home in time for Governor Swann's ball, and, in case he was, she wanted to be as enticing to him as she could. Now, however, she simply wanted to flaunt what he would never again have. Her mask, also only meant for covering the area around her eyes, was pink with a few white feathers decorating the edges. "What about me?" she asked.

"You thought that Cedric was…your love."

Evangeline sighed. "I can't say that it was pleasant being with someone who was away all the time. God only knows what other things he's done that I don't know about." She quickly thought of Jess. "Not that every man is like that, Deana. I'm beginning to realize that I was simply decoration for Cedric's arm in times of his convenience. I was probably only going to be appreciated for bearing him a couple of sons and nothing more. Not once in the time that I've known him has he looked at me the way that I've seen Jess look at you."

Deana couldn't help but smile. As badly as she felt for her cousin, she knew that Evangeline spoke the truth. She felt that she could see into Jess' soul through his eyes. She knew that Cedric had never been perfect for Evangeline, but she had seemed happy enough…Deana began to understand that her cousin was a better actress then she let on. "There will be someone for you, Ev. You know that, right?"

"Well, I promise that I won't sit around holding my breath for Prince Charming," Evangeline laughed.

"You're too motherly not to be a mother, which means that you'll have a husband, which means that you are going to meet that person that you're meant to be with and…"

"Slow down, Deana. I'm not to be of any concern. Tonight you are going to focus on that pirate that you are either falling or have fallen for. You never think solely of yourself – promise me that tonight you will."

A sly smile crossed Deana's face. "I promise that, one way or another, I will."

"Wonderful," Evangeline laughed. "Is Jess coming to escort you, or are you to meet him at the ball?"

"I had a feeling that you'd be stubborn and go alone, so I told him I'd meet him." Quickly, she added, "I swear, I'll forget all about you once we get there." The two young women giggled and left their home.