New Horizons: Chapter Sixteen
By Annie
05-05-2002
"Buffy, we need to leave now!" Sarah yelled up the stairs and Buffy hurried out of her room to join her friend in the hall at the bottom floor.
"Must you raise your voice, child?" Jacob asked reprimanding her in his ever so gentlemanlike way as he walked out of his study located to the left of the front door.
His daughter smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek before shaking her head a little.
"I'm sorry, father, I won't do it again. I just cannot have us be late for Mrs. Jenkins," she explained, looking up as Buffy descended the stairs.
"Ready?" Sarah asked and Buffy smiled, nodding.
"Thank you for the shoes, Jacob," Buffy said turning to him.
He had sent for a new pair of shoes for her and they had arrived that morning.
"Not at all, my dear," he said, smiling, and she returned it easily.
"Wait for me," Spike said, coming down the stairs, and both Sarah and Buffy turned to him.
Buffy tried desperately to smother the smile twitching her lips as he raised his hands to plant a very posh-looking top hat on his head.
He gave her one glance and she couldn't help but let it rip across her face. He tilted his head and then smiled back.
She felt that small stirring around her heart when she saw the unmasked warmness in his eyes and she thought for a moment that if she could just look in them long enough everything she had ever wondered would be revealed to her.
But he broke eye contact as he turned to Sarah, and the latter smiled at him.
"You look quite handsome today, William," she said truthfully and Buffy almost remarked that that was stating the obvious, her eyes widening a little at the realization of her thoughts and she looked down, her face starting to burn.
Why does this have to be so hard? she thought, taking the hat that Sarah handed her and then waiting for her friend to help her secure it on her head. Why can't I just try to figure this out?
The questions Sarah had asked her, before leaving her the night before, was still in the back of her head.
Did she really believe that Spike was ALL evil?
Did she really believe that he didn't, that he couldn't love her?
She looked at him again; he was talking to Jacob now.
She found herself feeling almost bashful to the fact of the possibility of him really loving her and she didn't really understand why.
So many questions and no answers, she thought to herself as Sarah took a step back, signaling that she was done.
It felt strange to wear a hat. It was heavy and felt clumsy, and it was really uncomfortable.
"And this is necessary?" Buffy asked with a gesture to her head, turning to Sarah who smiled and nodded.
"Quite," she answered. "I can assure you that William's hair do wouldn't cause as much stirring as you walking outside without a hat," she added with a wink at Spike, who touched the brim of his own hat with a small courtesy and a smile at her.
Buffy looked at the two.
"And I suppose YOU remember everything about how to act like a gentleman and not a thug?" she asked sarcastically with a glare at the vamp as she walked past him to the door.
Spike laughed a little, then retorted:
"I suppose YOU, as a lady, will keep your curious nose away from my notebooks in the future?"
Aha, she thought, so he hadn't let that go yet!
It was almost two hours ago now and she had spent those two hours waiting in her room for him to get out of HIS room so she could.
She smiled sweetly at him before answering:
"Oh, yes! On my word as a lady, I won't touch your precious poems."
Sarah laughed at that and as they walked out the door to face another drizzly spring day in London she said in a hushed voice:
"I can recite them to you, then you don't have to keep your word."
Buffy felt something close to jealousy at the thought of Sarah knowing so much about his life, about HIM, and then she shook it off.
"You won't have to," she said with a glance back at Spike. "I'm not lady enough to keep to my word."
***
Spike watched her a little ahead of him, walking with all her concentration scattered in every direction at once, pointing and laughing and asking Sarah questions about all that she saw.
My world, he thought and unconsciously straightened his back a little. You're in my world now, Slayer.
He looked around him as well, keeping a cautious eye out for anyone resembling green-eyes, even though he seriously doubted that he would ever see that man again. He had felt foolish after Buffy left his room earlier that morning, getting so worked up over something that really didn't matter.
The thought of Buffy in his room for the first time almost made him wince. She had looked around, so carefully touching the things that were his and. and had almost read his bloody poems! He felt a shiver of discomfort run over his body at the thought of her reading his terrible poetry.
She would look at him, pitiful and teasing and then he would never hear the end of it!
And he hoped she wasn't foolish enough to think that he hadn't heard the little exchange she and Sarah had had as they stepped out of the house. Hello, VAMPIRE! Super hearing included in the package.
He kept walking slightly behind the two, one hand resting leisurely behind his back and the other from time to time touching the brim of his hat as the people they met on the sidewalk politely said good-morning just to turn around and look at the rather un-common looking ensemble.
He noticed the stares he got from the ladies, concluding that the vampire charm was still intact, trying not to grin and then wondering if Buffy would be jealous. He remembered what she had told him at Xander's.not wedding. That seeing him with someone else hurt her.
He sighed; she probably wouldn't really care.
Buffy could feel the tingling sensation at the back of her neck where she knew he was keeping his gaze, she tried to shake it but couldn't and when Sarah stopped to talk with an acquaintance she grabbed the chance to turn to him and he stopped in front of her.
"William," she said in a rather awkward British accent , and he smiled widely, which didn't scare her as she continued: "Were you.eh, aware of the fact that the granite that a large quantity of London's streets are paved with is being grained to fine dust by the horses.eh."
"Hooves," he said helpfully and she nodded.
"Yes, by their hooves, and that it is mixing in the air with soot and the daily dust from the very households of this city creating a very dirty atmosphere to live in?" she finished and he raised his eyebrows in faked astonishment at this fact.
"Indeed?" he asked, slipping into an accent she had never heard out of his mouth, the aristocratic one with which Sarah and Jacob spoke, as he answered her: "I do say, tell me more about this fascinating and totally unprovoked subject."
She could tell that he was teasing her and she couldn't hold back a smile.
"Stop that," she said and he laughed.
"No, YOU stop it," he said, still smirking as he took a gentle hold of one of her arms and walked a few steps away from where Sarah was standing still talking with a rather strict looking older lady. "We don't need you to pretend to be from England, love," he pointed out as he let go of her, lowering his voice and abandoning the aristocratic influences in his speech for the Spike she knew. "Especially not with that bloody awful accent of yours," he added with a grin and she faked a pout as she looked up at him.
"Well, that's not a very nice thing to say," she stated and he could feel himself just melt into her eyes, into the sudden playfulness of her gaze.
"It's just the truth, love," he said, feeling his mouth tug at the need to feel her lips.
Buffy could see the sudden hunger in his eyes and felt a warmth stir inside of her, her body immediately responding to just one look. It scared her, what he did to her without even touching her and she looked away.
It's just wrong, her thoughts told her convincingly. And you know you can't let him in. It's just wrong.
Before she had a chance to reflect on what exactly that meant Sarah joined them and said:
"Goodness gracious, that woman talks slower than a bird builds a nest! I am so sorry that I kept you waiting and even more sorry that. ah, see, now we are surely going to be late for Mrs. Jenkins!" she exclaimed, throwing a glance at her watch which she kept in her jacket pocket. "Let's hurry!" she added before starting to walk down the sidewalk.
Buffy looked up at Spike, the hunger interrupted but still there, and she couldn't help but think that that was all there was between them; a need to satisfy that hunger, to still it, and eventually silence it.
"No British, then?" she still found herself saying slowly, feeling his gaze seem to mix with her own, his eyes burying themselves deep inside her.
"No British," he agreed silently.
"So I'm American, then?" she asked, her head suddenly filled with cotton as she dully tried to look away, not able to.
"You sure are," he mumbled.
"What ARE you doing?" Sarah's voice suddenly hissed between their faces and Buffy realized that their noses were almost touching.
She jerked her head back and then stepped away from him, her heart racing away in her chest.
Oh, God, what is happening to me? she asked in her head, staring shocked into Spike's just as surprised eyes.
"Lord Almighty, this is NOT the twentieth century," Sarah continued. "All your private matters are to be taken care of at HOME, in PRIVATE," she added with a look each at the two.
Then she saw the baffled expressions on their faces and she stopped herself.
"What in the world is going on with you two?" she asked and they seemed to finally snap out of it, both turning to her to try to answer but she held up her hands, waving them off: "Oh, it is more than clear that you are more confused than me so just let it go! Oh, heavens, now we are REALLY going to be late, aren't we?" she sighed before grabbing a hold of Buffy's arm and starting to walk, dragging the Slayer with her.
Spike followed, still with his thoughts running amok in his brain. What the hell had just happened?
What the hell just happened? Buffy thought, her mind panicking over the elusive fact that it didn't seem to have any control over what she did anymore.
She didn't dare look at him as she hurried on alongside Sarah. She hardly even dared to think about him.
This has GOT to stop, she thought now. I can't battle a thousand frigging battles in my head at the same time! First thing's first and the first question was after all 'Is he evil'? Do I believe that he is?
Then they stopped in front of the low iron-gate, which led to the steps of a pretty house bursting with flowerpots. They were posted guard on every available space, that wasn't needed to step on, of the small path leading to the first step of the stairs and on every step leading up to the handsome porch at the top of it.
"Oh, no," Spike grumbled. "I remember Mrs. Jenkins now."
***
"William!" the woman exclaimed as they joined her in the drawing room, having been let in by a somewhat stuck-up looking butler.
She got to her feet from the chair she had been sitting on, rushing up to meet them.
"William Thackary Kinsley!" she squealed with delight as she grabbed his face with both hands and planted a kiss smack on his mouth.
Buffy's eyes grew round before she covered her mouth with one hand, hiding her smile at the sight of Spike's already exasperated expression. The woman let go and took a step back, the smile on her face looking like it was going to pop off at any moment.
"Oh! When Sarah dear told me that you had finally written her from AM-E-RI- CA I couldn't believe it, but here you are, just as she said, and with you your beautiful bride! Oh, it is just amazing!"
Both Buffy and Spike turned to Sarah who smiled her excuse at them.
"We're not married," Spike then calmly stated as he escorted Buffy into the room.
"Oh, I'm sorry, FIANCEE then," Mrs. Jenkins said, still smiling.
"No, she is just.a very dear friend of mine," he said and Mrs. Jenkins stared at him and then turned to Sarah.
"Yes, it is quite so. A mere misunderstanding on my part and we straightened it out the moment father and I picked them up at London harbor. Of course, I was dreadfully pleased since I, for one, do NOT plan to miss my William's wedding for anything in the world," she said with a bright smile and Mrs. Jenkins seemed to collect herself.
"Well, then," she said, turning back to Spike and Buffy. "I am so glad that you got here alright, I was so worried."
"I told you about the letter last week," Sarah said. "I'm sure you do not want to burden William with the thought of having caused you to worry about him?"
"Oh no! I am sorry, Willy," she said and Spike clenched his jaws tightly together, avoiding Buffy's gaze, feeling his whole being want to cringe at the mention of that detested nickname.
Even as a young lad he had hated being called Willy and especially by Mrs. Jenkins for some reason.
Soon they had all found a seat in the pretty drawing room and tea was served.
"Well," Sarah said, lifting her cup carefully to her lips, taking a sip before continuing. "Buffy is not at all acquainted with the English customs nor is she very familiar with large dinners such as the one we are attending tomorrow, and that is why I have brought her here."
Mrs. Jenkins put her own cup down on its plate and nodded, looking at Buffy.
"Yes, of course, Sarah dear," she said. "And I will do everything in my ultimate power to help you. First, let us finish our tea, and then we shall start."
Buffy stared at Mrs. Jenkins and then at Sarah, wishing the latter would have explained this plan of hers. Then again, Buffy hadn't asked, she had simply assumed that this was a social call of some kind that might even have something to do with the research they were doing; this, though, proving to be so much worse.
She didn't even have time to contemplate what had happened, or rather ALMOST happened earlier with Spike. Before she knew it Mrs. Jenkins bid her to stand up and started giving instructions on how best to stand, on how to courtesy, on how to address a stranger and, finally, on how to walk properly.
Spike not being able to wipe the grin off his face wasn't making the whole ordeal any better and she felt like a full-blown idiot.
Then Mrs. Jenkins said:
"Very good, Miss Summers. Excellent footwork. Much improved in just a few tries, the best pupil I have ever had."
Buffy felt her confidence rise with that and smiled gratefully at the woman.
"And now," Mrs. Jenkins said, clapping her hands once as she turned and walked out of the drawing room. "To the dining room."
Buffy turned questioningly to Sarah who smiled and said:
"Table manners."
Buffy's eyebrows shot up in indignation.
"I HAVE table manners!" she exclaimed and Sarah laughed.
"I am sure," she said, "but not the kind of manners that are required at a seven course dinner, my dear."
Buffy stared at her, overwhelmed.
"Do you mean." she swallowed, "silver ware and everything?"
"And everything," Spike said in a foreboding tone as he followed Mrs. Jenkins.
"Can he just leave?" Buffy asked and Sarah smiled, gently escorting her the same way as the others.
"You'll do fine," she assured her. "But we have to go through the dances as well, so let's hurry!"
"Dances?!" Buffy cried. "You have got to be kidding me!"
By Annie
05-05-2002
"Buffy, we need to leave now!" Sarah yelled up the stairs and Buffy hurried out of her room to join her friend in the hall at the bottom floor.
"Must you raise your voice, child?" Jacob asked reprimanding her in his ever so gentlemanlike way as he walked out of his study located to the left of the front door.
His daughter smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek before shaking her head a little.
"I'm sorry, father, I won't do it again. I just cannot have us be late for Mrs. Jenkins," she explained, looking up as Buffy descended the stairs.
"Ready?" Sarah asked and Buffy smiled, nodding.
"Thank you for the shoes, Jacob," Buffy said turning to him.
He had sent for a new pair of shoes for her and they had arrived that morning.
"Not at all, my dear," he said, smiling, and she returned it easily.
"Wait for me," Spike said, coming down the stairs, and both Sarah and Buffy turned to him.
Buffy tried desperately to smother the smile twitching her lips as he raised his hands to plant a very posh-looking top hat on his head.
He gave her one glance and she couldn't help but let it rip across her face. He tilted his head and then smiled back.
She felt that small stirring around her heart when she saw the unmasked warmness in his eyes and she thought for a moment that if she could just look in them long enough everything she had ever wondered would be revealed to her.
But he broke eye contact as he turned to Sarah, and the latter smiled at him.
"You look quite handsome today, William," she said truthfully and Buffy almost remarked that that was stating the obvious, her eyes widening a little at the realization of her thoughts and she looked down, her face starting to burn.
Why does this have to be so hard? she thought, taking the hat that Sarah handed her and then waiting for her friend to help her secure it on her head. Why can't I just try to figure this out?
The questions Sarah had asked her, before leaving her the night before, was still in the back of her head.
Did she really believe that Spike was ALL evil?
Did she really believe that he didn't, that he couldn't love her?
She looked at him again; he was talking to Jacob now.
She found herself feeling almost bashful to the fact of the possibility of him really loving her and she didn't really understand why.
So many questions and no answers, she thought to herself as Sarah took a step back, signaling that she was done.
It felt strange to wear a hat. It was heavy and felt clumsy, and it was really uncomfortable.
"And this is necessary?" Buffy asked with a gesture to her head, turning to Sarah who smiled and nodded.
"Quite," she answered. "I can assure you that William's hair do wouldn't cause as much stirring as you walking outside without a hat," she added with a wink at Spike, who touched the brim of his own hat with a small courtesy and a smile at her.
Buffy looked at the two.
"And I suppose YOU remember everything about how to act like a gentleman and not a thug?" she asked sarcastically with a glare at the vamp as she walked past him to the door.
Spike laughed a little, then retorted:
"I suppose YOU, as a lady, will keep your curious nose away from my notebooks in the future?"
Aha, she thought, so he hadn't let that go yet!
It was almost two hours ago now and she had spent those two hours waiting in her room for him to get out of HIS room so she could.
She smiled sweetly at him before answering:
"Oh, yes! On my word as a lady, I won't touch your precious poems."
Sarah laughed at that and as they walked out the door to face another drizzly spring day in London she said in a hushed voice:
"I can recite them to you, then you don't have to keep your word."
Buffy felt something close to jealousy at the thought of Sarah knowing so much about his life, about HIM, and then she shook it off.
"You won't have to," she said with a glance back at Spike. "I'm not lady enough to keep to my word."
***
Spike watched her a little ahead of him, walking with all her concentration scattered in every direction at once, pointing and laughing and asking Sarah questions about all that she saw.
My world, he thought and unconsciously straightened his back a little. You're in my world now, Slayer.
He looked around him as well, keeping a cautious eye out for anyone resembling green-eyes, even though he seriously doubted that he would ever see that man again. He had felt foolish after Buffy left his room earlier that morning, getting so worked up over something that really didn't matter.
The thought of Buffy in his room for the first time almost made him wince. She had looked around, so carefully touching the things that were his and. and had almost read his bloody poems! He felt a shiver of discomfort run over his body at the thought of her reading his terrible poetry.
She would look at him, pitiful and teasing and then he would never hear the end of it!
And he hoped she wasn't foolish enough to think that he hadn't heard the little exchange she and Sarah had had as they stepped out of the house. Hello, VAMPIRE! Super hearing included in the package.
He kept walking slightly behind the two, one hand resting leisurely behind his back and the other from time to time touching the brim of his hat as the people they met on the sidewalk politely said good-morning just to turn around and look at the rather un-common looking ensemble.
He noticed the stares he got from the ladies, concluding that the vampire charm was still intact, trying not to grin and then wondering if Buffy would be jealous. He remembered what she had told him at Xander's.not wedding. That seeing him with someone else hurt her.
He sighed; she probably wouldn't really care.
Buffy could feel the tingling sensation at the back of her neck where she knew he was keeping his gaze, she tried to shake it but couldn't and when Sarah stopped to talk with an acquaintance she grabbed the chance to turn to him and he stopped in front of her.
"William," she said in a rather awkward British accent , and he smiled widely, which didn't scare her as she continued: "Were you.eh, aware of the fact that the granite that a large quantity of London's streets are paved with is being grained to fine dust by the horses.eh."
"Hooves," he said helpfully and she nodded.
"Yes, by their hooves, and that it is mixing in the air with soot and the daily dust from the very households of this city creating a very dirty atmosphere to live in?" she finished and he raised his eyebrows in faked astonishment at this fact.
"Indeed?" he asked, slipping into an accent she had never heard out of his mouth, the aristocratic one with which Sarah and Jacob spoke, as he answered her: "I do say, tell me more about this fascinating and totally unprovoked subject."
She could tell that he was teasing her and she couldn't hold back a smile.
"Stop that," she said and he laughed.
"No, YOU stop it," he said, still smirking as he took a gentle hold of one of her arms and walked a few steps away from where Sarah was standing still talking with a rather strict looking older lady. "We don't need you to pretend to be from England, love," he pointed out as he let go of her, lowering his voice and abandoning the aristocratic influences in his speech for the Spike she knew. "Especially not with that bloody awful accent of yours," he added with a grin and she faked a pout as she looked up at him.
"Well, that's not a very nice thing to say," she stated and he could feel himself just melt into her eyes, into the sudden playfulness of her gaze.
"It's just the truth, love," he said, feeling his mouth tug at the need to feel her lips.
Buffy could see the sudden hunger in his eyes and felt a warmth stir inside of her, her body immediately responding to just one look. It scared her, what he did to her without even touching her and she looked away.
It's just wrong, her thoughts told her convincingly. And you know you can't let him in. It's just wrong.
Before she had a chance to reflect on what exactly that meant Sarah joined them and said:
"Goodness gracious, that woman talks slower than a bird builds a nest! I am so sorry that I kept you waiting and even more sorry that. ah, see, now we are surely going to be late for Mrs. Jenkins!" she exclaimed, throwing a glance at her watch which she kept in her jacket pocket. "Let's hurry!" she added before starting to walk down the sidewalk.
Buffy looked up at Spike, the hunger interrupted but still there, and she couldn't help but think that that was all there was between them; a need to satisfy that hunger, to still it, and eventually silence it.
"No British, then?" she still found herself saying slowly, feeling his gaze seem to mix with her own, his eyes burying themselves deep inside her.
"No British," he agreed silently.
"So I'm American, then?" she asked, her head suddenly filled with cotton as she dully tried to look away, not able to.
"You sure are," he mumbled.
"What ARE you doing?" Sarah's voice suddenly hissed between their faces and Buffy realized that their noses were almost touching.
She jerked her head back and then stepped away from him, her heart racing away in her chest.
Oh, God, what is happening to me? she asked in her head, staring shocked into Spike's just as surprised eyes.
"Lord Almighty, this is NOT the twentieth century," Sarah continued. "All your private matters are to be taken care of at HOME, in PRIVATE," she added with a look each at the two.
Then she saw the baffled expressions on their faces and she stopped herself.
"What in the world is going on with you two?" she asked and they seemed to finally snap out of it, both turning to her to try to answer but she held up her hands, waving them off: "Oh, it is more than clear that you are more confused than me so just let it go! Oh, heavens, now we are REALLY going to be late, aren't we?" she sighed before grabbing a hold of Buffy's arm and starting to walk, dragging the Slayer with her.
Spike followed, still with his thoughts running amok in his brain. What the hell had just happened?
What the hell just happened? Buffy thought, her mind panicking over the elusive fact that it didn't seem to have any control over what she did anymore.
She didn't dare look at him as she hurried on alongside Sarah. She hardly even dared to think about him.
This has GOT to stop, she thought now. I can't battle a thousand frigging battles in my head at the same time! First thing's first and the first question was after all 'Is he evil'? Do I believe that he is?
Then they stopped in front of the low iron-gate, which led to the steps of a pretty house bursting with flowerpots. They were posted guard on every available space, that wasn't needed to step on, of the small path leading to the first step of the stairs and on every step leading up to the handsome porch at the top of it.
"Oh, no," Spike grumbled. "I remember Mrs. Jenkins now."
***
"William!" the woman exclaimed as they joined her in the drawing room, having been let in by a somewhat stuck-up looking butler.
She got to her feet from the chair she had been sitting on, rushing up to meet them.
"William Thackary Kinsley!" she squealed with delight as she grabbed his face with both hands and planted a kiss smack on his mouth.
Buffy's eyes grew round before she covered her mouth with one hand, hiding her smile at the sight of Spike's already exasperated expression. The woman let go and took a step back, the smile on her face looking like it was going to pop off at any moment.
"Oh! When Sarah dear told me that you had finally written her from AM-E-RI- CA I couldn't believe it, but here you are, just as she said, and with you your beautiful bride! Oh, it is just amazing!"
Both Buffy and Spike turned to Sarah who smiled her excuse at them.
"We're not married," Spike then calmly stated as he escorted Buffy into the room.
"Oh, I'm sorry, FIANCEE then," Mrs. Jenkins said, still smiling.
"No, she is just.a very dear friend of mine," he said and Mrs. Jenkins stared at him and then turned to Sarah.
"Yes, it is quite so. A mere misunderstanding on my part and we straightened it out the moment father and I picked them up at London harbor. Of course, I was dreadfully pleased since I, for one, do NOT plan to miss my William's wedding for anything in the world," she said with a bright smile and Mrs. Jenkins seemed to collect herself.
"Well, then," she said, turning back to Spike and Buffy. "I am so glad that you got here alright, I was so worried."
"I told you about the letter last week," Sarah said. "I'm sure you do not want to burden William with the thought of having caused you to worry about him?"
"Oh no! I am sorry, Willy," she said and Spike clenched his jaws tightly together, avoiding Buffy's gaze, feeling his whole being want to cringe at the mention of that detested nickname.
Even as a young lad he had hated being called Willy and especially by Mrs. Jenkins for some reason.
Soon they had all found a seat in the pretty drawing room and tea was served.
"Well," Sarah said, lifting her cup carefully to her lips, taking a sip before continuing. "Buffy is not at all acquainted with the English customs nor is she very familiar with large dinners such as the one we are attending tomorrow, and that is why I have brought her here."
Mrs. Jenkins put her own cup down on its plate and nodded, looking at Buffy.
"Yes, of course, Sarah dear," she said. "And I will do everything in my ultimate power to help you. First, let us finish our tea, and then we shall start."
Buffy stared at Mrs. Jenkins and then at Sarah, wishing the latter would have explained this plan of hers. Then again, Buffy hadn't asked, she had simply assumed that this was a social call of some kind that might even have something to do with the research they were doing; this, though, proving to be so much worse.
She didn't even have time to contemplate what had happened, or rather ALMOST happened earlier with Spike. Before she knew it Mrs. Jenkins bid her to stand up and started giving instructions on how best to stand, on how to courtesy, on how to address a stranger and, finally, on how to walk properly.
Spike not being able to wipe the grin off his face wasn't making the whole ordeal any better and she felt like a full-blown idiot.
Then Mrs. Jenkins said:
"Very good, Miss Summers. Excellent footwork. Much improved in just a few tries, the best pupil I have ever had."
Buffy felt her confidence rise with that and smiled gratefully at the woman.
"And now," Mrs. Jenkins said, clapping her hands once as she turned and walked out of the drawing room. "To the dining room."
Buffy turned questioningly to Sarah who smiled and said:
"Table manners."
Buffy's eyebrows shot up in indignation.
"I HAVE table manners!" she exclaimed and Sarah laughed.
"I am sure," she said, "but not the kind of manners that are required at a seven course dinner, my dear."
Buffy stared at her, overwhelmed.
"Do you mean." she swallowed, "silver ware and everything?"
"And everything," Spike said in a foreboding tone as he followed Mrs. Jenkins.
"Can he just leave?" Buffy asked and Sarah smiled, gently escorting her the same way as the others.
"You'll do fine," she assured her. "But we have to go through the dances as well, so let's hurry!"
"Dances?!" Buffy cried. "You have got to be kidding me!"