I entered the back door somewhat hesitantly, not sue what to expect, and found that only the cook was there. She was punching bread dough with her beefy hands, pausing only for a brief smile at me before returning to the chore.

"Look Cookie." Rush's voice came through the swinging door just seconds before she entered. I smiled; even her voice was ahead of the rest of her. She came rushing into the kitchen and held the door open for the person that was behind her.

Walking with the grace and serenity of a dancer came one of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her honey colored hair gleamed in the sunlight, falling in a graceful fall to gently brush the middle of her thighs. Her eyes were the color of forget-me-nots, and her skin a perfect peaches and cream. I had no doubts now, of Lilly's previous statements that I would fall short in comparison to the woman that worked above the stairs in the Black Swan.

It was the negligee, however, that had everyone's attention. While it brought back the cursed blushes, it was also quite possibly the most beautiful garment I had seen. I longed for it as one does after a pretty bauble, but I had no doubts that it would never look as lovely on anyone as did on the woman who currently wore it. The rich violet made her eyes all the more vivid, and accented her creamy skin. Both the negligee and the gown were made of georgette, a fabric that was shear, but with one over the other it made it almost modest. Only the curves of her body were outlined against the shadowy entrance that she had stopped to pose in. The wide sleeves belled to her wrists and were embellished with shimmering gold and purple beads that formed irises. Matching beadwork ran along the hem completing the ensemble.

"Oh, Rush dear, it's your best one yet." Cookie replied smiling and clapping her hands in girlish glee, sending puffs of flour and bits of dough everywhere. I nodded in amazed agreement. It was something rather spectacular. "And Iris, ya look positively beautiful, but then that's not very hard, is it?"

"We all have our charms Cookie, otherwise we wouldn't be here." Iris told her, though she smiled at the compliment. Her eyes fell on me and she offered me the smile. "You must be Bianca, welcome."

Rush looked over at me and her eyes lit, I couldn't remember any time anyone had ever been as excited to see me. She moved with her customary swiftness to my side as Iris held out her hand. I shook Iris's hand, while Rush seized my other one and started for the door.

"We've got to get you fitted, I have to finish the fitting for Ivy's new dress and then we'll get started on you." She told me without a greeting, giving me little choice but to follow her.

"Have you decided what you'll put her in?" Iris asked curiously from behind me as I was towed along in Rush's wake, without even being allowed to bid adieu to the cook.

"I thought that wine colored dress I made for Rose. Thought with Rose's red hair it would be stunning but it turned out to be all wrong. Rose's skin has too much red in it to look right." Rush replied without turning around.

"Odd you never make a mistake on how something will look on someone." Iris mused.

"Almost never darling, almost never." Rush chuckled. "I've already given her the gold one that Marigold decided she did not want. It was fabulous on her, but well you know Marigold. "

"Yes, ever finicky Marigold, did she decide she didn't like the color?" Iris asked, her voice laden with amusement.

"No it was apparently too risqué to wear in public and not risqué enough to wear for work." Rush sighed. "Some of these girls need to learn that less is more."

"We all have our own styles." Iris responded in the tone of one who is used to playing referee. I had spent so much time looking from one to the other I didn't realize we had made our way up the stairs and were now standing in front of the very door that Rush had herded me into the night before.

"Welcome to the Black Swan Bianca." Iris said before exiting into what must have been her room, the brass plaque on the door with an Iris engraved on it gave it away. I found myself still feeling rather bewildered and windblown as Rush threw open the door and entered leaving me in the hall to follow if I chose to.

"Rush, honey this dress is too short." The soft drawl of a southern belle met me as I entered. Glancing around I saw a woman standing before the picture window, her golden blonde hair pulled on top of her head in a truly haphazard manner. She glanced over at me as I entered and held out her leg to show that the soft yellow nightgown she work reached a few inches above her ankle.

"That would be because I'm not done with it yet Marigold. "Rush replied in the tone of someone who is trying to be patient and failing miserably. "If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times, don't rush an artist. I haven't had a chance to add the trim to it. I'll try to finish it this evening, but I have Ivy's dress to finish, and Bianca to fit for her new dress. I simply can not do everything and Lilly would skin me if I let her wear the same dress two nights in a row."

"I'm not to wear the same dress twice in a row?" I queried my brow puckering with confusion. I was not unused to this idea, but in my current living situations, such a luxury was not offered.

"We have regular clientele that come in on occasion on consecutive nights. None of the upstairs women of course wear the same clothing twice of course, but we won't embarrass you any further than I already have."

"Why do I not have a uniform as the wait staff does?" I asked her trying to fight the blush that invariably came to my cheeks, at this point I was just beginning to decide I would have to get used to it.

"You rank higher than the wait staff and lower than the girls upstairs." Rush told me as she turned to riffle through different piles of fabric. I glanced at the woman who stood still posing in the sunlight. I recognized as one of the women at the table when Lilly had offered me a job. She eyed me warily and I returned her look blankly. I had no idea how to handle this situation. Rush seemed blithely oblivious to us both as she hummed beneath her breath. I would bet my undergarments that she would be just as oblivious no matter what was happening. With a hesitant smile she started toward me her hand out.

"I am Marigold." She said her voice sweet and pure. "You must be Bianca, we've heard quite a lot about you. I caught a bit of your playing, you're quite good."

"Thank you." I replied softly, she seemed so sweet, but I felt a twinge telling me she was not as sweet as she seemed. Perhaps it was something lurking in her eyes, but I had a feeling she was not as sincere as she seemed.

"Well it's been delightful, I'll see you later honey." She said to me, the later for Rush, I smiled just as sweetly at her. I knew how to play her game, I knew it well and I had been trained by the best.

"Don't worry Bianca, you'll get used to the way things are around here." Rush said reassuringly from where she had managed to bury her self in a trunk full of expensive cloth.

"I am sure I will." I murmured suddenly for the first time feeling like I was on my own ground again. I understood the rules of this little society, it was no different than the rules in the ballroom, except these doves were a little soiled.

"Ah, here it is." She cried in triumph as she started to separate a bit of wine colored velvet from the rest of the cloth. "Oh and there is the rust, try them both on, there is a screen over there if you need privacy."

As I took the dress from her the door opened and admitted another occupant of the Black Swan. This woman wore a black sati robe that matched the black satin fall of her perfectly straight hair. Her skin glowed a healthy color that told me she was of Indian decent. Her surprisingly vivid green, almond shaped eyes surveyed both Rush and I as she waited for something.

"Ah, Ivy, there you are." Rush said as she caught sight of the new woman, from her response I gathered it was not unusual for people to come and go out of her little fitting room as they pleased. "The dress is on the couch if you would try it on I will see about finishing it before tonight."

Ivy still said nothing as she walked to the couch. Iris moved like dancer, Marigold like a butterfly, Ivy, however, moved like a cat. She was soft on her feet, silent as a ghost and almost in a predatory.

"Marigold asked me to give this to you." Ivy told her, her voice solemn as she handed Rush the dress Marigold had been complaining about earlier.

"Perfect." Rush spluttered joyfully as she took the gown from Ivy and proceeded to pull out a silk night. Ivy untied the sash of her robe and shrugged it from her shoulders completely unabashedly. I looked hastily away hating the sting of the color that was once again in my cheeks. I heard the sound of silk sliding across bare skin and glanced in the mirror to my right. Ivy stood silently as Rush, with a mouthful of pins, tucked and pinned the nightgown so it flowed around her lithe athletic body, hugging and accenting everything it was supposed to. I had to admit Rush knew her craft well. I waited in silence listening to Rush's bright cheerful chatter until Ivy swept from the room not saying a word.

"Ivy's a woman of few words." Rush told me "Now what are you doing standing there get changed."

I glanced down and realized I still held the velvet in my hand and had yet to try it on. Shaking my head at myself I turned and slipped behind the screen. Quickly I removed the clothing I had hastily thrown on to help Molly work, and I donned the dress. It was wonderful to feel the softness of velvet under my hands as I stepped from behind the screen to let Rush fasten the tiny velvet colored buttons up the back. Glancing in the mirror as she did, I gasped, the gold gowns neckline had plunged, but this was indecent.

"Oh, no." I said interrupting whatever it was Rush had been saying. "I can't wear this dress."

"Why not?" Rush queried her head popping up over my shoulder to look herself.

"It's far too low." I replied my hands going to cover the flesh that was so indecently on display. "It shows far too much. I couldn't possibly allow myself to be seen in this dress."

"Bianca honey, you do work in a house of ill repute, to put it mildly." Rush said in the same done she had used with Marigold. Rush wasn't one to take criticism of her work well. Especially when she knew as I did it looked wonderful.

"Yes, but I do not work upstairs and I refuse to look like I do." I snapped, she took one look at my mutinous expression and turned around muttering. I watched warily as she searched the drawers that had been built into the wall just behind the screen before she finally turned around, her expression yet again triumphant. In her hand was a length of georgette close to the same shade as the dress I currently wore.

"Alright take it off." She said moments later as the last of the buttons had fallen free. "Try this rust colored one on while I work on this one."

I reached for the dress that lay across the settee and returned to the small alcove behind the screen, listening to the whirring of her sewing machine as she started foot pedal. The rust colored dress had been made for someone far bustier than I and I had to hold the dress up as peaked around the corner expecting to see Rush still at the Machine. Instead I found her poking though the pile of dresses in search of the next one for me to try on. Coming to stand behind her, I fingered the dress she had fixed with admiration. Within the short time it had taken me to smooth the new dress over my corset an petticoats, she had created a two inch bit of trim out of the georgette and it looked as though it had been part of the original design.

"You are a genius." I told her in awe; she only smiled as she went to work fitting ht new dress. So involved were we that neither of us saw Lilly until she had seated herself on the settee and had been watching for a few minutes.

"No, I don't think so Rush." She said startling both of us. Unfortunately for me I was the one who was not holding the pins. I felt the prick and squeaked my protest. She apologized and took a step back looking at the dress for a moment.

"You're right Lilly, it's too soft of a color." Rush sighed. "It looks nice, but not spectacular."

"Precisely, Bianca has the makings of a spectacularly beautiful woman, lets exploit it shall we?" Lilly responded smiling warmly at me. I felt uncomfortable with her compliment.

"I am not as spectacular as the women I have met so far today." I said both pleasure and confusion warring within me.

"Oh, but you could be." Lilly told me holding up a hand at my automatic protest. "You were once the most beautiful girl of the New York elite, and you knew it. You cannot tell me that now you don't find yourself as beautiful as the other women here. Desire begins in the mind Bianca; it is not always beauty of a face that attracts a man. Though a woman with an attractive face need not work as hard as a woman without to gain that attention. You are smart, with a quick mind, that combined with beauty is a powerful thing. Don't ever underestimate your own power."

Molly's words to Mush came back to haunt me, Cinnamon certainly knew her power, and she exploited it. I was beginning to wonder if it hadn't originally been Cinnamon's nature to act as she did. Perhaps Mush had been right in telling me not to work at the Swan. Still Lilly was smiling at me and I did not want to disappoint her. I had built a friendship with the woman and I felt fear of losing that assail me.

"Yes Lilly." I said softly as Rush helped me out of the gown and shuffled through the other gowns looking for another.

"Now tell me, how did Molly take your new employment?" she asked as Rush pulled the new dress over my head.

"She gave in rather ungracefully." I told her with a wry tone as my head popped through the top of the dress. "But she did give in with a little prodding from Mush."

"Ah, my nephew to the rescue again." Lilly said, her eyes twinkling. "I understand he had become interested in yet another one of my flowers."

"I suppose." I replied not looking at her, I wondered if all the women working for her were her flowers, or if it was just the ladies upstairs. I shoved the feelings of unease aside, this was Lilly, and she was my friend now. Besides there were many questions I had that I wasn't sure Mush would answer. So many questions that dealt with the ghost of the woman who had held his heart before me. "He really did love her didn't he Lilly."

"He did." She told me honestly not bothering to ask whom it was I was speaking of. Rush glanced at Lilly from around me, but fell curiously silent.

"It's hard to fight a man away from the ghost of another woman." Lilly mused to Rush who had not lost her disapproving look. "It's best she knows what she is up against. I will assume you know Cinnamon and Mush grew up together. They knew each other back before the newsies renamed them. Cinnamon was Rebecca then and Mush was Beau. He was such a handsome little boy, the apple of his mother's eye. She was just as sweet it wasn't until she got older and realize she was beautiful that she became as she is. It went straight to her head and Beau just wasn't enough. He was mad about her though, he loved her from the first moment he saw her and when they were old enough he swore he would marry her."

"Oh." Was all I could say, I felt a stab of doubt and fear in my heart. How could I hope to compete with that? How could I hope he would ever care about me as he had about her? The fiery feeling of jealously was starting to seep into my heart. No longer did I just feel distain toward Cinnamon, I felt the stirrings of a much deeper emotion.

"Lilly, the customers are starting to trickle in." Marigold said from the door way dressed in a baby blue robe.

"That's both our cues." Lilly sighed "You get dressed, let me know if you need anything tonight Bianca."

I nodded and took the first dress I had tried on from Rush as Lilly slipped out the door. I sat silently as Rush buttoned the back of my dress. The comb she pulled through my hair was relaxing as she tamed my hair into an elegant coif. She tied a band of red velvet around my neck and sent my one my way.

The dinning room lights had been dimmed, but the fading golden light made the ruby colored room feel like the inside of a plush jewelry box. This time I saw the gleam in the men's eyes as I passed on my way to my chair and I wasn't sure I liked the look. I had enjoyed being beautiful, but this look was more than admiration, more than simple admiration. It was the dark beast that had lurked in Aidian's eyes. I prayed he would never choose this establishment for an evening of pleasure. This early there was no one I recognized and I thanked my lucky stars for that. I sat at the seat I played in the night before and ran my fingers experimentally over the strings. The sound was sweet and pure just like Marigold's voice. Smiling softly to myself I began to softly play. I had been turned again in shadow so my face was hidden and as I added my voice to the harp I forgot the men around me all together.

I didn't see Mush slip in, but I knew the moment he was there. It was as if I could feel him there. I glanced up to see his chocolate colored eyes fastened on me with a look of intensity that I wasn't sure whether to be frightened of or not. I smiled at him and he answered it, though I was certain he could not see my face. At least I hoped he could not.

When the clock struck one I covered my harp and started for the kitchens. Mush followed, I didn't have to look back to know it. It was quiet here, the kitchen had shut down for the night and a bag lay on the table, a gleam of gold. A note lay on top of it from Rush telling me the original dress I had been given and two more dresses had been added to my skimpy wardrobe. There would be more to follow, eventually. Carefully I lay my harp in the sack and took it from the table. Mush was the door waiting silently for me and I followed him out.

The cool air hit me making goosebumps rise on my arms and I mentally berated myself for forgetting to bring a coat. I moved down the steps into the yard, Mush following me as before.

"I missed you." I said softly, though he was behind me he was close enough I could feel the warmth radiating off his skin.

"It was only a day Bianca." He pointed out practically. I sighed, at his evasion of voicing any affection.

"It seemed like forever." I replied turning to face him, smiling at him and thankfully he smiled back. It was a soft sweet smile that would have made any woman melt.

"Pretty dress." He offered his eyes lingering on the still rather daring cut of the neckline. He licked his lips and forced his eyes back to mine. "Pretty girl."

"Thank you." I responded feeling a warm glowing feeling down to my toes. "Handsome man, you need a hair cut."

I reached for his hat before he could move away and plucked it from his head. He gave me a slightly annoyed look and reached for it, but I evaded his grasp. I grabbed my skirts feeling light and free now that I was finally in his company. All the fears and doubts had vanished now that he was here. Perhaps it was the moonlight that affected me making me act in such a childish way, or perhaps it was the giddy feeling of being in love for the first time, but I turned from him and ran with a look that dared him to follow. It was certainly not something I normally would have done, but it was instinctive and I was beginning to realize I was going to have to follow my instincts in order to win Mush's heart.

There was something wonderful about racing through the nigh with him on my trail. He muttered at first, but I knew he really didn't' mind. Just as I didn't mind the soft breeze that made me shiver with cold. Finally he caught me against Molly's house as he pried my fingers from their death grip on his hat.

"I didn't know ya were one for makin' men chase after ya Bi." He whispered teasingly, my wrists both held in one of his hands in a grip I couldn't break no matter how hard I tried.

"I am not." I said in a mixture of distain and insult. I did struggle a bit, but I knew I wouldn't be able to be free until he wanted me to be.

"Ya just wanted me to kiss ya." He said wriggling his eyebrows and smiling to let me know he had only been joking. I looked at him with wide eyes and he fell silent.

"I know it's wrong of me, but I do." I whispered simply. His hands loosened and one touched my cheek in a soft affectionate manner.

"It's not wrong to want to kiss me Bianca." He said his tone serious. "It's not a crime. I promise I'll take care of you. I won't ever take advantage of you, you can trust me."

I let my guard down as he gently cupped my cheeks and lowered his head. The kiss was sweet and gentle and with each gentle touch of his lips I lost another piece of my heart.

"Beau." The name slipped from my lips on a sigh. Suddenly he was rigged in my arms.

"What did you say." He snapped. Wounded I pulled away from him. "What did you call me?" He demanded.

"Beau." I replied almost tearfully. "Lilly said your real name was Beau."

"I am not Beau anymore." He growled, I could almost feel the pain rolling off of him and I felt a stab of pain. There had only been one other woman that had called him that when he had kissed her. One other woman that stood in the way of him opening up to me.

"So you won't even allow me the use of your real name." I spat. "You'll protect me and care for me, but you won't ever let me too close right?"

"What are ya talking about?" he snapped back. "I don't like to be called Beau any longer that's it."

"No that isn't it, Mush is the mask you hide behind to save yourself the pain of feeling." I said unable to keep the note of desperation out of my voice. "Beau is the man you are, the one you won't let anyone near any longer. I want to know the real you, the man who helped a stupid girl that was more trouble than she was worth. You saved me Beau."

"I didn't do anything..........................." His protests were broken off when for the first time I kissed him. It threw him off guard to no longer be in control , he responded instantaneously. I found myself against the wall drowning in the kiss. When he finally pulled back he sounded like a drowning man gasping for breath. "Ya tempt me to want too much."

"I won't hurt you." I promised. "I trust you Beay, you saved me and I will be eternally grateful."

"Ya wouldn't think that if ya really knew him." A voice said startling us both. I heard a chorus of male chuckles and felt Mush whirl around. He pushed me behind him, his muscles instantly tensing for a fight. One arm remained outstretched in a protective gesture.

"Get the hell out of here Spot." Mush snapped. "This ain't none of your affair."

"Oh, I think it is." The voice replied as Spot Conlon stepped from the shadows and into a ray of moonlight that turned his hair to a silvery gold. "After all she should know what she's gettin' into, don't ya think? Ya reputation's better than mine when it comes to women Beau." His name was said with a sneer.

I looked from Mush to Spot and back again, my heart in my throat. I wanted to throw my hand sup and cover my ears, but I had a feeling it would do no good. I could feel Mush tense even more and I felt a flash of fear. Fear that would turn to sorrow for the disillusionment and main that would come at Spot's hands.

I want to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter, it's been so long since I've posted, I'm trying to get this up as soon as possible. So I am sorry I am not posting individual S.O's. Still I made this an extra long chapter to make up for it. Thank you!!!!