(A/N: Nerdsinatree, I get it. Note to self: don't take "three guesses" comments seriously (rolls eyes at self).

Allyrwhitney, you'll just have to wait to see what Cedric's project is.

I own nothing!)

Sofia looked herself over. Violet, with some help from one of the Hexley maids, had outdone herself. Sofia's hair had been done in an intricate updo that had taken the two maids over an hour to complete. And the young lady was still blown away by the gown that Winnifred had ordered for her. It was a vibrant purple short sleeved dress with a very full skirt and white lace over the bodice and lots of intricate white embroidery covering the skirt. Elbow length gloves had been donned and a white mask with a purple border was waiting to be tied on with matching purple ribbons.

"You look dazzling, Miss," Violet said.

"A vision," Suzette, the Hexley maid, agreed.

"All thanks to you two," Sofia said.

"Lord Sebara won't be able to keep his eyes off you," Violet said.

Sofia felt her cheeks heating up.

"Indeed not," Suzette agreed again. "It's no secret that you two like each other."

"We're just friends," Sofia insisted.

And those dreams of more do not count.

"Sure, for now," Violet said. "But perhaps you two will have more after tonight?"

"Lord Sebara is quite the catch," Suzette said. "Lady Hexley used to invite some young, single ladies here five years ago to see if any of them would suit Lord Sebara. He paid none of them any attention. But since he's returned, Lady Hexley has not invited any young single ladies over for matchmaking."

"She must realize who he really likes," Violet observed.

"Okay, you two," Sofia said. "Enough of this conversation. We're not here to gossip."

"Of course, Miss."

The two maids curtsied. A knock on the door interrupted the three women.

"Come in," Sofia called, having a good guess who it was.

Winnifred entered, confirming Sofia's guess.

"Turn around, let me see," Winnifred said.

Sofia did as told. Winnifred smiled widely.

"You look radiant," Winnifred said. "Cedric won't be able to stop looking at you."

Sofia could feel her cheeks heating up as the two maids giggled behind her. Leave it to her blunt hostess to say something like that moments after two gossipy maids did.

At least Violet knows what not to so much as consider gossiping about.

"Something's missing though," Winnifred said.

"My Lady?" the two maids look perplexed.

Sofia seemed just as confused. "What could be missing? My hair is done, the dress is on. Sure, the mask isn't on just yet but…"

"Jewelry," Winnifred interrupted. "Did you bring any with you?"

"Would it surprise you if I said no?"

Winnifred shook her head. "Not one bit, actually. Wait here. I think I have the perfect thing for you."

Winnifred stepped out of the room and quickly returned with a small black jewelry box in her hand.

"My Lady, is that the-"

Suzette was silenced by a sharp look from the marchioness. Sofia looked on in curiosity as Winnifred opened the jewelry box and pulled out a small leather pouch. Inside was a large but beautiful amethyst gem on a silver chain and matching earrings.
"They're beautiful," Sofia said. "I can't accept this."

"Sure you can," Winnifred said. "I haven't worn these in quite a few years. They deserve a night out and they match your dress so perfectly."

Sofia nodded and placed the jewelry on their respective places on her.

"Take a look, Dear."

Sofia looked in the mirror again. As her hostess and friend said, the jewelry did complete the look.

"Oh my…"

Sofia tried forming the words to say what she was thinking and feeling, but she couldn't. Winnifred smiled as Violet grabbed the mask and tied it on, truly completing the ensemble.

"You, Dear, will truly be the belle of the ball."

Sofia stared at her reflection. "My family is not going to recognize me at all. They're probably expecting me to have chosen something dark and drab."

"You wouldn't have gotten away with it if you tried. Now come on. Cedric is waiting for you."

Sofia felt her cheeks heating up again. Winnifred grinned as she took Sofia's arm and pulled her to the doorway. Outside the door and down the hallway a few paces was Cedric, waiting as his mother had predicted. At the sound of the door opening, the young lord looked up at the ladies. His mouth dropped open at the sight. His eyes caught hold of the jewelry and he was even more stunned.

"Sofia…" Cedric was at a loss for words.

Winnifred smiled at her son before walking over to him and lightly elbowing him in the ribs.

"She looks wonderful doesn't she?"

Cedric felt more flustered than he already was. His mother's 'help' was not actually helping in any way. Finally, after a few long seconds, Cedric got a hold of his senses and knew what to do.

"You look exquisite tonight, Sofia."

Cedric took Sofia's hand and bowed over it, kissing it as he did. Sofia's cheeks continued to heat up. And the mask did little to hide the fact.

"Thank you, Cedric." Sofia curtsied elegantly. "You look ah-mazing yourself."

Cedric did look very handsome in his dress suit. And Sofia was pretty certain Winnifred had given him hints as he had some purple accents that matched her dress perfectly. Cedric placed Sofia's hand in the crook of his elbow, the two smiling at each other the whole time.

"Now just remember something, both of you." Winnifred looked at them.

Cedric and Sofia looked at the older lady.

"You two have a habit of calling each other by just your given names," Winnifred continued. "I realize it's because of the friendship you two share. Here at home with no guests, that is fine. I don't care. But tonight, you two do need to follow societal rules."

Sofia and Cedric nodded.

"Now off you two go," Winnifred said. "I'll see you soon enough in the ballroom."

Cedric and Sofia quickly went down the hallway. As they got closer and closer to the ballroom, it got noisier and noisier.

"I think I might have a problem," Cedric said.

Sofia looked up at him, confused. "What's that?"

"I don't think I can call you 'Little Girl' anymore."

Sofia felt her cheeks heat up slightly. "Admit it, you enjoy using that moniker."

"As much as you enjoy 'Scoundrel'."

Sofia giggled. "Well you are my scoundrel afterall. You said as much in the note you sent with the roses. Which, by the way, I loved."

Cedric smiled. For a moment, the two walked in silence.

"Thank you for being here with me," Sofia said. "It means a lot to have you by my side tonight."

"You're welcome." Cedric smiled at his companion. "Are you ready for this?"

Sofia nodded. "I think I am."

"Good. Here we are."

Sofia looked ahead. Sure enough, they were now at the ballroom. Guests had been arriving for over thirty minutes, greeting Goodwyn before going in and mingling, anticipating the dancing. The aging marquess smiled when he saw his son and the guest of honor. He caught sight of the jewelry Sofia was wearing and raised an eyebrow momentarily.

"I wondered how long it would take for you two to get here. Happy birthday, Miss Sofia."

"Thank you, My Lord," Sofia responded.

Goodwyn nodded in acknowledgement at his son before motioning for the two to go in. Inside, Sofia took a moment to really look at the decorations. Everything, while a little extravagant to her simple tastes, was actually very nice. Looking around, Sofia spotted her family. At least, she was very confident it was them.

"I think I see my family."

Sofia started to take a step towards them but stopped when a hand grabbed hers. She looked up at her escort, slightly miffed.

"What?"

"Patience. You won't give them a chance to recognize you on their own if you just go to them."

"Your mother has a hand in this, doesn't she?"

Although Sofia couldn't see Cedric's full face, she could still see enough.

"Give them a chance to really see the new you first."

Sofia nodded. "Fine."

Underneath his mask, Cedric smiled. He held his hand out to Sofia.

"Come."

Sofia took Cedric's hand and he pulled her towards the dance floor.