Margaery and Caroline return from their trip, to find the man of the house and his younger daughter not there just yet.
''Well, I suppose we've the house all for ourselves, Caroline.'' Margaery remarks, and Caroline giggles in mirth.
''When Helen and I were younger, we made such a mess of this place! Oh, how Father did scold us, but it was all fun and games.''
''The wallpaper in the bedroom I share with your father looks a bit odd.'' Margaery mentions. The pattern it holds is not one of stripes or flowers. Rather it's more strawberries and music notes, alternating neatly.
''Oh, yes! When Father bought this house, he and Mother and Helen and I all painted the walls. it was an excuse to spend time together. Father hasn't done things like that in a long time.'' Caroline continues, remembering well those sad days when Father had just sat in his room after Mother's death, one half of the time, and the other half focusing on his circus so he wouldn't cry. But all the same, he did.
She unties her bonnet and hangs it on the rack, along with her shawl. Caroline is fond of shawls. She thinks they make one look elegant, and that is why she wears them. In that one respect, she supposes she is like her father. She wants to make a name for herself. She will be Caroline Barnum, the ballerina. That is how she wants it.
''Do you like reading?'' Margaery cuts in. Caroline smiles and nods. ''In my spare time, yes. Father encourages it greatly.''
''Do you have a favorite book?'' Margaery asks, going and sitting down in the parlor.
''Yes, I do. Dickens' stories are far too bleak, except for Nicholas Nickleby, Oliver Twists, and A Christmas Carol, but I enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters.'' Caroline confides.
''You like Elizabeth Gaskell?'' Margaery perks up. ''I adore North and South! I do think your father reminds me of Mr Thornton.'' she says, and Caroline laughs as she sits across from her stepmother.
''Does he? How charming!'' she leans forward, clasping her hands in her lap. ''I have read the novel, but I do believe that if am American writer had wrote it, Margaret would have been from the state of Virginia, perhaps, and Mr Thornton might have been from our own New York!''
Margaery explodes into a torrent of giggles. ''I never thought of that. Loras prefers to fence, and Garlan to ride, but Willas has developed a love of reading due to him having a broken leg. I used to read to him while he was bedridden.''
''How very sweet.'' Caroline smiles. It is the sort of thing she would do if Helen became sick and had to stay in bed.
Their conversation lasts for a few more minutes, before Phineas finally returns home, exhausted after a long rehearsal, Helen by his side.
''Philip will be doing the show tonight. How did the shopping go?''
''Wonderfully, Father.'' Caroline gets up and kisses her father on the cheek, and embraces her sister. ''Stepmama chose this lovely apple-green silk, and I'll be in pale blue mousseline de soie-that's silk tulle in French.'' Caroline exclaims in excitement, and her father smiles.
''Lovely. You'll both be lovely. Now go upstairs, girls.'' he ushers his girls to the stairs, and kisses them on the forehead. Then he takes Margaery by the hand and leads her upstairs to their room.
''You like green so much.'' Phineas comments, closing the door.
Margaery shrugs. ''Tyrell colors were green and gold, back in the medieval era. We still wear those colors. Besides, green suits my hair and coloring.''
''Does it now?'' Phineas smiles. She is right; she does look very fetching in green. Green suits Caroline too. ''Should I wear my ringmaster coat?'' he asks teasingly.
''No!'' Margaery exclaims in mock horror. ''I should think not!'' She takes a pillow from the bed and throws it at him. 'So don't you dare do so!''
Phineas picks up the pillow and tosses it onto the bed. ''Very well, then, Your Majesty.'' he says, bowing. And Margaery tugs off her dress and throws it on his head.
XXX
The ball is two days later, and the dresses for Margaery and Caroline are delivered that morning. Helen, who is not attending, will be staying with Philip and Anne. But she is happy to help ''Stepmama'' and Caroline get dressed, and admires the dresses extensively.
''Oh, Caroline. You will look like a fairy!'' Helen says, stroking the lovely pale blue ball-dress, trimmed in cream tulle puffs at the sleeves and a rose silk underskirt edged in cream tulle puffing, the bodice fitted to Caroline's body perfectly. Caroline's soft, fine brown hair is gathered back with pale blue ribbon hair ornaments and falls to her elbows in long ringlets, and there is a slim gold chain, from which hangs a single pearl, around her neck.
''It should be a sapphire.'' says Margaery, ever the fashionable young lady. ''It matches your dress.''
''But a pearl is delicate, like the fabric of my dress.'' Caroline replies, tugging on elbow-length pale blue gloves. ''Such a pretty hair-comb, Stepmama! Was it a wedding present?''
''Yes, dear. My mother gave it to me.'' Margaery comes over and ties Caroline's sash into a neat bow, and Helen admires the apple-green silk of Margaery's dress.
''How lovely, Stepmama! And the flounces are so clever!'' Helen says, referring to the alternating flounced tiers of apple-green and eggshell-white white silk that covers the crinolined, full skirt of Margaery's ball-dress. Her hair is swept up and braided and coiled at the back of her head with an emerald and gold bead-set hair-comb, the style crafted by Helen's own skillful hands.
When Margaery finishes, she pulls on an emerald bracelet, not bothering with gloves. However, she does wear a corset, which she only wears for balls. Phineas himself merely wears a black swallowtail coat and white waistcoat and shirt and black trousers, his hair combed neatly.
Before they leave for Casterly Rock, Philip's carriage drops by to pick up Helen, who waves good-bye, and they climb into their own carriage, and the driver sets forth for the Lannister estate.
XXX
The Lannister estate is bustling, and Caroline is excited and nervous at the same time. Her first ball of the season. Her first ball attended with her stepmama. At least her father is here with her, and he pats her gloved hand as she sits besides him in the carriage.
''Don't be afraid, daughter.'' he whispers in her ear, and she nods. The coachman stops, and Father helps her and Stepmama down, and escorts them inside. The ballroom is lovely, Caroline thinks. She has been to a ballroom once, when Father brought Jenny Lind for a tour and he had to go away for a while. But she is older now, and it is an entirely different experience.
The ladies wear all these beautiful gowns;silk, satin, velvet, taffeta, adorned with flounces, and bows and pleats and puffings. Oh, and their hair! So elaborate and elegant, braids and curls and ringlets woven and crowned with ribbons and pearls and lace caps.
Sansa Stark comes over, and greets Margaery happily, admiring her dress, and Caroline's too.
Caroline, instantly reminded of her manners, smiles politely and compliments Lady Lannister on her dress, Lannister red and gold, silk and satin, with an off-shoulder, winged neck leading down to short silk sleeves through which are drawn puffs of golden satin. Personally, she thinks that although Lady Stark looks nice in the dress, the red parts of the dress would be better off blue. Blue would bring out Lady Lannister's lovely eyes, while red clashes with her hair.
Sansa tugs Margaery off to the refreshment table, and they share a bit of gossip over the latest fashions,catch up on family matters, and talk about the dresses they like the best. ''Look how pretty my dear niece Myrcella looks. So charming in gold silk taffeta, don't you think, with the skirt looped up to show green silk flounces?''
''Oh, yes. Where's your charming sister-in-law?'' Margaery asks, and Sansa sighs dramatically, gesturing at the right of the ballroom, where Cersei Baratheon stands, clad in resplendent ruby-colored brocade with a low neck and her golden hair up, with a ruby and gold necklace around her neck, her features sharp. Her husband Robert Baratheon stands beside her, as do her two sons, Joffrey-the dreadful one-and sweet Tommen, barely a two years younger then her and Caroline. ''Remind me not to talk to her.'' Margaery tells Sansa, and Sansa nods.
Phineas stands next to his wife just as the dancing begins, and asks her to dance, much to her delight. And they dance, to the slow strains of a waltz by Johann Strauss Sr, the Loreley Rhinklange. Her husband is a very good dancer, Margaery thinks, but she supposes that he could have a tad more grace. Grandmama says that when you dance, you must have grace.
Caroline watches as her father and stepmama dance together, and she admires the way they sweep gracefully across the floor. Stepping closer to the refreshment table, she smiles shyly at another girl there, and tries a glass of champagne.
It is bubbly and light, and makes Caroline want to giggle. Luckily, she composes herself, and the girl steps closer to her.
''Hello. You must be Caroline Barnum. Aunt Sansa told me you would be at the ball.'' she greets Caroline, and Caroline instantly thinks of her sister when the girl smiles. ''I'm Myrcella Baratheon. Soon to be married to Aunt Sansa's brother Robb Stark.''
''But if Sansa's your aunt, how can you marry her brother?'' Caroline questions curiously.
''She's my aunt by marriage. She and Uncle Tyrion don't have any children yet, so she's not officially my aunt by blood, and I'm allowed to marry her brother. Robb is very charming, really.'' Myrcella explains, glancing towards a dark-haired young man who is chatting with Sansa.
How sweet, Caroline thinks. Mr Stark and Miss Baratheon were, if you were to put them together, look very much like her father and her mama.
''Have you been asked to dance yet?'' Myrcella interrupts Caroline's thoughts. ''If you reach the age of 20 or 21 without finding a husband, you'll be termed a wallfower. You have heard the term, haven't you?''
''I've heard the term before.'' Caroline nods. She shakes her head right afterwards. ''No, I haven't been asked to dance.''
''Well, I'm sure someone will. During my first season, it took time for men to ask me to dance.'' She giggles. ''I think they were scared of my mother!'' Myrcella confides. She lifts her ivory handled fan to cover her face, perhaps so her mother will not see. Caroline's father finishes dancing with her stepmama, and comes over to her.
''No one's asked my daughter to dance yet?'' his eyes twinkle as he smiles at her.
''No. Miss Baratheon says it will take time.''
Her father bows playfully and holds out his hand. ''Then may I be the first to ask you to dance? You must put your ballet training to good use.'' Caroline chuckles and nods her head. ''Really, father!'' he escorts her out to the dance floor, and they dance a polka that has Caroline laughing as she tries to keep up with him.
''Father, slow down!'' she cries in mirth.
''Dreadfully sorry, Caroline, daughter.'' Phineas responds lightly. ''Dreadfully sorry.''
After they finish, Stepmama's friend Sansa comes over to her to introduce her to Mr Stark, Myrcella's fiancee, and Caroline can see why Myrcella fell in love with him. He is a very nice boy, indeed.
Cersei Lannister and her son Joffrey avoid the Barnum family, but young Tommen and Myrcella delightedly chat with Caroline, and Tommen even goes up to Phineas and asks about the circus. Then there is Jaime Lannister, who is married to Lady Alaesella Icemark, who comes from Sweden.
Such a sweet, lovely woman.
Whilst everyone is occupied, Phineas tugs Margaery out onto the balcony, and they admire the view.
''How lovely it is.'' Margaery says, sighing. ''I could stare at the sky forever, the stars, the moon. All of it.'' Phineas's arm comes to wrap around her shoulders, and she leans into his shoulder.
''You even smell like roses.'' Phineas chuckles above her.
''And you smell like peanuts.' She replies, and he kisses the top of her head. ''Charity would have liked you. Such a pity she never got to meet you.''
Margaery turns to face him. ''Do you think so?''
''I know so.'' he says, and kisses her. Now this is a real kiss, she thinks happily as she kisses him back and entwines her hands around his neck. They do not go farther then that, for fear of being caught, but it is enough for now.
XXX
When they return, Joffrey asks Margaery to dance, and she wants to refuse, but finally accepts, and they begin to dance a waltz, much to Margaery's horror.
Could it not have been a reel? she thinks. That would have been over soon, at least. They dance, and after a time, Joffrey remarks, ''Such a pity we were not married. I would have gotten you with child already.''
''I do not care if I do not have children.'' Margaery replies. ''Caroline and Helen, my stepdaughters, are wonderful girls, and I love them very much. I know I cannot replace their mother, but we can be friends, and I am glad of that.''
Joffrey scoffs. ''Compared to us, they are but peasants. You and I are nobility. They can never measure up to us, no matter how hard they try.''
Margaery feels as though she might slap him. ''How dare you.'' she mutters. ''That is how Americans are. They want to work hard to give their families a better life. Caroline will be a ballerina, a famous one. I've written a letter to Daenerys Targaryen, and asked her to get Caroline a place at the school she teaches in. Caroline will be a great American ballerina, just you wait and see, Lord Baratheon.'' she retorts, and steps away from the dance floor before the dance is over, even though she knows people will see.
Joffrey insists on following her, though, and when he grabs her hand to drag her back to the dance floor, she lifts her other hand and slaps him so hard he staggers back and others turn to look.
''Leave me alone!'' she exclaims, and Phineas looks about ready to punch Joffrey in the face himself, if not for Caroline holding his arm.
Sansa and Jaime hurry over, Cersei behind them. ''What happened?'' Sansa asks, her husband appearing at her side.
''He tried to force me to finish the dance with him in a very forceful manner.'' Margaery explains. ''So I slapped him.''
Tyrion, Jaime, and Sansa look about ready to laugh; Cersei looks furious. Finally Jaime turns to his sister and says,''Perhaps you should remove Joffrey from the premises before he attacks any more married ladies.''
Cersei growls something at him, grabs her son's arm, and marches off.
''Are you alright?'' Sansa questions.
''I'm fine.'' Margaery assures her. ''You should thank my stepdaughter Caroline here, or it might have become a wrestling match between Joffrey and my husband.'' she gestures to her stepdaughter, who smiles.
XXX
When it is time for the guests to leave, Sansa bids Margaery good-bye, and Myrcella tells Caroline the same.
They get into the carriage, and Margaery realizes she ought to tell Caroline the news. She knows Caroline will be happy, to study at such a prestigious place as the ballet of the Opera House, and that is why she did it, posted the letter this morning.
''Caroline,'' she begins, and Caroline turns to look.
''Yes?''
''I've sent a message to my friend Miss Targaryen.''
Caroline sits up straighter. ''About what? Is she going to come visit?''
''Actually, you're going to France as soon as she finds you a spot in the Paris Opera Ballet.'' Margaery says, smiling. Caroline gasps in shocked delight, squeals, and hugs Margaery.
''Oh, stepmama! Thank you, thank you!''
'''When did you find time to send the letter?'' Phineas asks.
''I mailed it this morning.'' Margaery says. ''Caroline has talent, that much I've seen. And such talent deserves a chance in the spotlight.''
Sitting there in the carriage, between her Papa and her stepmama, Caroline feels like the happiest girl in the world.
They get home at the same time as Helen, who bids the Carlyles good-night before pulling Caroline aside and asking her about the ball.
''It was wonderful!'' Caroline exclaims. ''Especially the part where Stepmama hit that horrid boy in the face!''
''Oh!'' Helen laughs. ''Did you dance?''
Caroline nods, and says that she danced with their father. ''So did Stepmama. She really is very nice.'' she adds.
''I cannot wait till I'm two years older and I can attend balls.'' Helen sighs dreamily, imagining what the ball must have been like.
''I still cannot believe you hit Lord Baratheon!'' Phineas laughs, sitting down on his bed to pull off his shoes.
Margaery giggles, pulls off her bracelet, and Phineas stands up to help her with her corset. ''These things are so dreadfully annoying.'' Margaery sighs. He unties the bow at the bottom, and pulls the laces through easily, until the back of the corset is undone.
Then he pulls the comb from her hair, and undoes her hair himself, running his fingers through her curls.
''Grandmama says we ought to have a child.'' Margaery says, unfastening the corset at the front. It comes off, and she puts it on the table. Phineas wraps his arms around her waist, presses a kiss to the tip of her ear. ''Well, perhaps we should start.'' he murmurs, one hand running over a cloth-covered breast.
Margaery gasps delightedly at the touch and presses her body closer to his chest. She turns her head, looks up at him. ''Well, won't you take me to bed, husband?'' she asks softly, and he obliges.
Once they are on the bed, he over her, Margaery hesitantly asks, ''Could we try something different?''
''Like what?''
''Perhaps I could, um, get on top of you?''
Phineas laughs, and flips her over so she sits on top of him. ''It's like sitting on a horse.'' she says, and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. ''My cousin Elinor, she says a woman is more likely to lose her virginity riding a horse then under a man.''
''I'd like to meet more of your family.''
''Perhaps we could have dinner with them, if you like.'' Margaery says. She looks down at her husband, and pushes her hips against his. ''Is this right?''
Phineas nods, arches up into her, and she gasps. ''Oh! I guess it is.''
This is getting to be more enjoyable each night, Margaery thinks to herself, and she is happy to have such a good- ''Now you're acting like a scoundrel!''
''You asked!''
