A/N: AHAHAHAHAHA XD I have now reached a 100 pages (in appleworks… might be different in word…) so I'm quite pleased with myself, this one is deffinetly longer than BBBS :P
Oh and the next chapter I'm pretty excited about… much will b revealed folks ;) if you review me please!! I miss my lovely reviews from my awesum readers :(
Anyway- XD enjoy chapter 12 folks!!
12. The Arrivals
The carriage had be big, it housed the oldest boys, two of their daughters, a grandmother and the lord and lady of the family. As such it was an unusual amount of horses pulling such a thing along.
Dylan sighed and gazed out the window, tugging on the deep blue of her dress. It was crushed silk, puffed out quite about around the skirts, her sleeves were long and netted while the neck line was none existent as the top cut straight across her shoulders, across her chest, dipping slightly to reveal a little cleavage.
Again she was feeling incredibly uncomfortable. It had been Lily's idea. Margaret had complained, and loudly, that such a dress was not suitable for someone such as Dylan, but she had been over ruled when Albert pointed out it was Dylan's suitor holding the party (though she complained it should have been for Charmaine).
She glanced across at her sister who was excitedly peering out the window, to see where the carriage was being drawn to. She had always been a painfully plain girl. Though she had the unusual mix of blonde hair and wide brown eyes, her petite bone structure and sweet face was something people had become used to as they looked at her. Charmaine, luckily, had never been aware of such a trait, thanks to her sister, mother and grandmother she had always felt the prettiest sister.
Yet dressed in a soft pink dress, with her blonde hair piled up upon her head, Dylan was worried the little girl might have her heart broken. People could be so harsh.
As her eyes travelled across to her parents, she was met with the harsh blue green gaze of Margaret Garland, who had insisted she come along too. Dylan bit her lip and removed her eyes from her, forcing them to the ground.
Beside her, Albert touched her hand.
"You all right?" he asked softly.
"I'm fine," she replied, smiling, "just…" she rolled her eyes, "incredibly bored."
"We should be there soon."
"I hope so. I'll tear my hair out in a minute."
The brother and sister shared a smile briefly before turning away.
Still unable to take the absence of speech or general noise, Dylan began humming nursery rhymes under he breath.
Half way through 'baa baa black sheep' Margaret finally admitted Dylan's existence.
"Will you stop making that awful racket," she snapped.
Sighing, Dylan did not stop, but she did turn to look at the older woman.
"But… mother… Dylan has a beautiful voice," Lily complained, "besides," she smiled at her step daughter, "it's nice to have some sound in here."
"Bah," Margaret complained, "it's childish nonsense that's all it is."
"I am a child," Dylan replied simply, refusing to stop humming.
Charmaine looked between Margaret and Dylan for a moment, rather apprehensive, then said, "I like Dylan's singing, grandmother."
Both women turned towards the girl in surprise. It had been the first time Charmaine had openly defended her big sister.
"Sorry?" Margaret spluttered in surprise.
Even Lily seemed to be shocked, though yet again Alfred took no measures here.
"I like Dylan's singing," Charmaine repeated happily, she held her hands out to her big sister, "how does the one with the black birds go?" she asked.
Dylan blinked in surprise, then smiled, taking her hands. "Sing a song of sixpence," she started slowly.
"Oh… that was it," Charmaine beamed, then began singing, "sing a song of sixpence a pocket full of rye-"
Dylan grinned and joined in. "Four and twenty black birds baked in a pie."
The two girls ended up singing almost the rest of the way there, much to Margaret's annoyance. Somehow Lily joined in with a few of her own, even Albert suggested a few. Though Sebastian said nothing on the matter of the songs, he managed to hide a smile and looking at his father… he was certain there was a smile hiding in his eyes too.
It was not too long later that the family arrived at the enormous estates. Dylan felt like a little girl again as she and Charmaine leaned out the window to get a better look at huge house as well as huge grounds. Behind her she could hear Lily speaking to Alfred, as though she could not hear (though she doubted most people would have been able to).
"If she agrees to this, she could be living here!" Lily was saying, "she'd have no more troubles and she could be so happy with him."
To her surprise, Sebastian was the one who spoke against it: "I would not be so sure, mama," he said, "she still has a mind of her own. Not very becoming of a woman to speak it so brazenly, but somehow it do not think it would be suited to someone such as master Malfoy."
"I still don't know why Charmaine hasn't been proposed to by the master Malfoy," sniffed Margaret, "surely she would benefit from such a match far better than that girl."
Dylan chuckled as she withdrew herself back into her seat, soothing down her hair.
"Hey Dylan," said Bert suddenly, "look at me a minute."
She turned to look at him frowning, "what?" she asked as her studied something just above her head then moved his hand and flicked a lock of hair back into place.
"Just that," he grinned, "you look stunning."
Dylan suppressed a scowl and turned back in her seat. "Not really."
The carriage lurched to a halt, and one by one the men got out before the women. Then Lily was helped from the carriage by Alfred, Charmaine by Bert and Margaret by Sebastian.
Again Dylan was left on her own, not that she minded, it displayed her independence better. But when she leaned out of the carriage to get out, there was a hand there waiting for her to take it.
Surprised she followed the suited arm down to meet the eyes of her long time friend. Recognising him from beneath his top hat, Dylan grinned and took his hand gratefully as she descended from the carriage gracefully, her skirts gathered in one hand to stop them from getting in the way of her feet.
"Dominic, what on Earth are you doing here?!" she asked, accepting his arm.
"I just arrived," he shrugged, "more or less the same time as you and your family, and I was hardly going to leave you all alone now was I?"
"Well I'm just glad to see you," she replied, discreetly squeezing his arm with her hand, "I won't feel like a complete outsider."
They arrived at the huddle of the rest of the Sedgewell family.
"Mama, father, you remember Dominic Crehador," she said smiling, she was almost happy to note that her father, Bert and Sebastian looked less than pleased at his presence as they shook hands with Dominic firmly. Somethings really did not change.
"Oh, Dominic," beamed Lily, "oh my you've grown, you're a handsome man now. It's been so long since we've heard from you. I hear your gift has been giving you your own taste of personal fame."
"Lady Sedgewell, you are far too kind," Dominic bowed towards her, and took her hand and kissed it gently, "and as beautiful as ever."
"My my," blushed Lily, "a flatterer, I believe you have yet to meet my mother."
Dominic turned to Margaret. "Lady Garland," he said grandly, "your reputation proceeds you." Again he bowed at the waist and kissed the older woman's hand. It was a thoroughly good thing everyone missed the glance that passed between Dominic and Dylan as he spoke those words.
"Oh, Dom," Dylan started, spotting her little sister blushing a little behind Lily, "do you remember my little sister? Champ- I mean Charmaine?"
At her name the younger girl came into view, a blush still in her fair cheeks.
"Though I'll admit… I can hardly call her my little sister any more," chuckled Dylan, on seeing how shy poor little Charmaine was. Oh the naïvety of little girls.
"Charmaine, I hardly recognised you there," smiled Dominic kindly, paying her the same respect as he did to her mother and grandmother; a bow at the waist and a kiss on her hand, "you truly have grown."
As discreetly as possible, Dylan pushed the heel of her shoe into his foot. Taking the hint he stepped away from her, trying not to yelp in pain.
"Well he had better not stand out here chatting all day," said Sebastian loudly, "we should all go in."
"Agreed," nodded Dominic, "my lady," he added, offering his arm to Dylan.
"Thank you," she smiled, taking it gratefully.
Lead by a scowling Alfred and light hearted Lily, the others followed on in pairs. The only two who even seemed to be having a vaguely good time were Dylan and Dominic, Dominic updating Dylan on everything that had been happening recently.
Glancing round briefly at Charmaine, Dylan just caught a look of jealousy towards her. She had entirely forgotten the enormity of the crush Charmaine had felt towards Dominic. Though she had figured it had been too long for her to remember, apparently her little sister was persistent.
"Hey Dyl," Dominic said suddenly, "tonight… be careful."
She grinned lopsidedly. "What's that supposed to mean? It's not like our Earl friend is coming to this."
He frowned. "What?"
Dylan chuckled. "I guess he didn't tell you," as her brother glanced back at them as they were about to enter the atrium of the house she covered her mouth as though embarrassed, "he and Jean got into an argument… ending in the earl punching Jean in the face." Her mischievous eyes studied Dominic's smirk. "So I truly doubt that he will be invited tonight."
"Perhaps not," he agreed, "now, play nice for your to-be husband."
"If I feel like it."
They arrived just as Margaret Garland had finished showing off Charmaine (who was looking incredibly flushed and embarrassed). As both Pierre and Jean turned to look at the approaching Dylan and Dominic.
"Miss Dylan!" beamed Pierre as Dylan dropped a curtsy before him. He too bowed before her taking her hand in his, "you look as ravishing as ever."
"Father," growled Jean beside him, a blush flushing his cheeks.
"Oh hohoho, I believe my son is getting rather jealous," he winked at Dylan happily, kissing her fingers. He turned his attention to Dominic as Dylan stifled a giggle. "My lord Crehador!" he beamed, "my my my, I was unsure if you would come or not, what an unexpected pleasure."
"The pleasure's all mine, my lord," Dominic said, mock grandly, "it has been so long since I have seen either you or your son."
Dylan's eyes slide up to study Jean as he kissed her fingers. Instead of looking at her, his black eyes were instead trained on Dominic, almost suspiciously. Hiding her eyes once again, she rose from her curtsy, still listening to the other conversation.
"If I remember rightly," Pierre said slowly, "you were but a boy of seven when we last set eyes on you or your family. You had a most remarkable gift."
"That is correct, I'm flattered that you remember," Dominic bowed his head. He turned his attention to Jean, "it is good to find you well master Malfoy."
"Please call me Jean," he said, as the two shook hands. It seemed only Dylan noticed both seemed to be squeezing the other's hand harder and harder. "But, my lord Crehador, what is this gift my father speaks of, I am most curious."
"He speaks with spirits," said Sebastian, coming to stand beside Dylan, his hands in his pockets, "has done for many a year." He grinned sardonically, "it has given him much fame in recent years."
"Is this true?!" Jean was astounded, "that's amazing!"
Dominic smirked a little, and bowed a little again. "I thank you for your admiration, but it had become far too normal to me now."
"Understandably," boomed Pierre, "but would we be able to trouble you for a séance during this party? I'm sure my late wife would have enjoyed such a thing. She had a taste for danger."
"No doubt," nodded Dominic, "I don't see why not. Say… tomorrow evening?"
"Fantastic!" grinned Pierre, "what do you say Jean?"
There was a hesitation before he replied, "we'll see… thank you, lord Crehador."
"As I said before," smirked Dominic, "the pleasure is all mine." He looked around, a few more guests were entering, "we have been hogging all your time, for give us, my lords, we should prepare our rooms."
"Ah of coarse," Pierre shook his head, "I had forgotten. I must explain something quickly. This is of coarse a large house but a single room per person is still impossible. My lord and lady Sedgewell will of coarse be sharing one room and my lady Garland shall have a room to herself as well."
"Oh you're too kind," beamed Margaret, curtsying quickly.
"Masters Sebastian and Albert will be sharing a room. And miss Dylan and miss Charmaine will be as well."
Charmaine squealed, "it'll be fun! Dylan can help me get ready in the mornings!"
Dylan chuckled. "I'd help you anyway," she teased, winking at the younger girl.
"Unfortunately, I do hate to spring this on you, but I believe miss Mary Weather Hargreaves, Earl Hargreaves' little sister is a friend of yours," said Pierre unexpectedly.
"Oh yes, we've been friends for years," Dylan replied without thinking, "why?"
"The siblings have been invited, though I am unsure if they will come," the lord shot his son a disproving glance, to which Jean bowed his head in shame, "however if they do so, miss Mary will be sharing with you."
"That will be fun," said Dylan softly, and turned to Charmaine, "she's quite a bit younger than us but she's so mature and has a great sense of humour."
Charmaine hesitated, then beamed. "Well, three girls in a room… it'll be like a slumber party!"
"Crehador, if it's not too much trouble, you will be sharing with the Earl Hargreaves and his friend Oscar Gabriel."
"No trouble at all thank you my lord," he glanced around, "I think it best we settle into our rooms now."
"Agreed, we shall see you all later," Pierre beamed.
As he turned to greet the new guests, Jean reached out and tugged on Dylan's arm. She paused and turned to him, her eyes large and innocent.
"I hope you have fun here," he said, sincerely.
"My dear Jean Malfoy," she winked, "why on earth would I not? You truly have invited everyone. I expect the party to be extraordinary now." She glanced around, seeing the new guests preoccupied with Pierre, and only her step mother, Sebastian and Dominic watch, she leaned up and pecked his cheek. "See you," she whispered and darted off to join her family and her friend.
A little while later, outside the grand house, Cain leaned out of the carriage and stepped to the ground, a hand to his top hat to stop it from falling off. The grounds as well as house were most certainly awe inspiring.
He turned and held his hand out to help his sister down from the carriage. The little girl's already large blue eyes were now the size of saucers as she stared up and up at the house.
"It's so big…" she murmured, a hand to the back of her hat to stop it from succumbing to gravity and falling to the floor.
"Wealth does that," Cain shrugged, taking her hand, "they want to show everyone how much more money they have than the next man down and try to ignore the size of the house of the man up from them."
"Jeez… they went over board with this place!" complained Oscar, jumping from the carriage, "my apartment block is about half this size."
Cain rolled his eyes, "remind me why I brought you with me."
Oscar's grin faded. "Because you wanted to keep an eye on me the whole time we were here…"
"Oh yeah… well I have good reason to. If you so much as touch Mary's hair I will cut off your hand… is that understood?"
"Yes," grumbled Oscar, "can we go in now?"
Mary laughed at that and tugged on Cain's hand to go inside.
A moment later they were being greeted by the Malfoy's very warmly. Pierre complimenting Mary's beauty, Oscar's loss and finally Cain's infamy.
"I must admit, I feel as though I am tempting fate by inviting you here, but you are such an enigmatic character I could not help myself!" beamed Pierre, he glanced at his son, "I also hope that you can forgive my son his snide comments from a few days ago."
Cain smiled and shook his head. "No no, my lord, I feel that it is I that must apologise. It is understandable for master Malfoy to become rather protective of miss Sedgewell. Since the young lady stayed with me to visit my sister much of the upper class has jumped to conclusions of wedding bells between the two of us."
He chuckled.
"I must tell you now, nothing of the sort has crossed my mind. Besides, it is I who struck Jean out of anger," he turned to the heir, "for that I must give my deepest apologies, I did not mean for my anger to get the better of me."
Jean smiled and held out his hand to the younger man. "I accept your apology, Earl Hargreaves, and I hope you accept mine."
Taking the hand, the two men shook warmly.
"Of coarse," Cain nodded.
"This is great!" beamed Pierre, "Earl Hargreaves I hope we may become great friends."
"As do I," nodded Cain. Beside them Mary yawned a little. "I hate to be rude, but it has been a long journey, would it be possible to settle into our rooms?"
"Of coarse, but I should explain the sleeping arrangements."
The three looked a little confused.
"Miss Mary will be sharing with the two Sedgewell girls, I believe you and miss Dylan are good friends."
"Oh yes," beamed Mary angelically, "she's more like my big sister really."
"Then that arrangement will work very well. Now, Baron Gabriel and Earl Hargreaves, the two of you will be sharing with Dominic Crehador, I trust that will not be an issue?"
Cain and Oscar both shook their heads.
"We shall meet again for dinner," Jean smiled, "I hope you enjoy your stay here."
"I'm sure we will," grinned Oscar, as Cain lead Mary away.
As they walked away, Cain hauled Mary into his arms.
"I'm proud of you, Cain," smiled Mary happily as they made their way up the stairs, "I know how much pride it would take you to swallow to say so-"
"I wouldn't start celebrating yet Mary," sighed Cain.
"W… What?" she asked.
Cain grinned as he looked up at her. "Let's just say I have ulterior motives to get on the Malfoys' good side," he winked at her.
"Dear God Cain," muttered Mary tiredly, "I'm suddenly very glad I am not sharing a room with you this time."
He just laughed as they arrived at the first floor.