~ You can Run, but you can't Hide ~

Chick-a-tee-in-ur-face

Disclaimer: SM does not belong to me.

Chapter Four: The Emerald Lady

"No." the girl answered firmly refusing to move from her place.

"But milady…" the maid pleaded.

"Why must I be present?" she asked forcefully her jade green eyes blazing "So my mother can find more suitors for me? I think not."

"Milady please." The maid tried pleading again "Your mother only wants what is best for you."

The girl turned around quickly facing the maid. At her 6'1" height she had to look down at the maid before her. With dignified air she scorned the petite lady. "My mother only wants what's best for her. By my marrying well, I would only increase the family wealth." She gracefully walked towards her dressing table. Sitting down she carefully undid her hair letting her locks of brunette fall around her shoulders, her bangs hanging loosely over her eyes. Her tone softened, "However, I will go to the ball for your sake. I will smile and dance with the young arrogant fools my mother has invited. I shall be polite. Will that make you happy?"

"Yes, very much milady. Thank you." With an appreciative sigh the maid carefully laid out an outfit on her double bed before quickly working on putting up the lady's hair and make up.

An hour later she was dressed in an emerald green sleeveless dress, which fell to the floor that sparkled like the stars. It accentuated her eyes and made a lovely contrast to her slight tan. Her slim statuesque enhanced her beauty. Her brunette hair put up in a coiffure with several twists and turns leaving strands to fall over her carefully made up face. Slipping on a pair of white gloves that reached her elbows she twirled in front of the full-length mirror in her room quite pleased with the look. But something was missing.

"Here milady, maybe this will help."

The girl looked at the pair of rose earrings in the palm of her hand. It was perfect.

"Thank you Rose." Rose bowed slightly. She beamed with pride as she watched the young girl put on the earrings. "It's perfect."

A quiet knock on the door caught their attention. Rose quickly went to open the door. Seeing the mistress she bowed and left closing the door behind her.

"Mother." The girl said stiffly with little emotion.

"Lita. How grown up you look. " Noticing the earrings "What lovely jewellery. I never realized you had one." She said fingering it.

"It was a gift."

"You look lovely tonight."

"You approve." Lita said somewhat startled.

"Well," her mother said reluctantly "I do suggest you wear some of the jewels I bought you."

"You mean the big ugly ones." She said narrowing her eyes.

"No Lita, I mean the emeralds. It would suit your attire."

"You mean it would be appropriate for the evening. Emeralds are quite eye catching don't you agree mother."

"Please Lita, don't be difficult." Walking towards her dressing table and opening her musical jewellery box the mistress went through Lita's jewellery. "How about this one?" she said holding up a small necklace. A green emerald embedded in the centre surrounded by several tiny pink diamonds. "It's perfect don't you think."

Without answering Lita pursed her lips and stood still holding her head high. Her mother walked towards her and placed the necklace around her neck with faultless grace.

"There. Don't you look beautiful." She beamed at her daughter once more looking her over.

Lita said nothing, feeling a little flustered. "The guests have arrived my dear. I'll see you downstairs in a little while." Her mother said before leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed Lita slumped onto the ottoman. Clenching her fists she had a mind not to show up at the party.

"Excuse me milady." Rose said re-entering the room. "But the guests are waiting."

* * *

A tall man entered the room and took in everything he saw. Anyone who saw him would have thought he was admiring the surroundings, which he was, but he was also checking the room for video camera surveillance or any alarm systems that might cause his superior problems. After his hesitation to retrieve the crystal from the Fairchild girl and the unfortunate and unnecessary death of Melvin Harrington he could not afford to make the same mistake, so he sent him there to scope out the place and maybe locate the stone. Dressed smartly in his tuxedo the man walked with grace around the room inconspicuously. His chocolate hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. His hazel eyes showing a speck of green seemed bored, his lips grim. His gaze wondered the room lighting when he saw with great delight a beautiful woman wondering the room with the same bored look on her face, only she didn't try to hide the fact that she was bored.

He smiled and slowly but deliberately made his way towards the girl a sly grin on his face. He looked her up and down quite impressed at what he saw.

* * *

Lita wondered aimlessly around the room. She tried to be polite the first couple of hours and got tired of it. Looking bored she let her gaze wonder letting it linger on a tall man who seemed to be heading her direction. She watched, as he looked her over a sly grin appearing. She guessed that he had approved of her looks and smirked. 'Probably another arrogant fool, but he is handsome. More so than the rest.'

"May I have the honour of this next dance milady?" he asked smoothly offering his hand to her.

Without thinking Lita accepted letting him lead her onto the dance floor. A slow song had just started and the man put one arm around her waist his other hand intertwining with her long fingers.

While the couple was dancing Lita's mother was watching them smiling at great delight that her daughter was dancing with a man, an elegant one at that. One of her guests had come up to her a while ago and remembering their conversation her smile deepened.

 * Flashback *

"Why, who is that charming young man dancing with your daughter Elizabeth? I must say they make quite the couple."

Lita's mother startled at this asked, "What do you mean Jane?"

Jane pointed towards the couple on the dance floor "That young man of course. You've been keeping him a secret."

Elizabeth hid her shock at seeing her daughter on the dance floor dancing with an amiable looking young man.  "Well I must say I agree with you. He is quite charming but I have not had the pleasure of making his acquaintance."

"Your daughter must know him. She seems quite familiar with the young man. Maybe there's hope yet Elizabeth." Jane said a spark of amusement in her eyes.

"Yes, tonight may be the beginning of a beautiful adventure for Lita. She may yet be betrothed."

*End of Flashback *

Elizabeth smiled noticing that several dancers have stopped to admire her daughter and her partner dancing quite gracefully matching each other perfectly and that many of the young men had a frown on their faces.

"I do believe we are the only one dancing now." Lita said indifferently.

"Does that bother you?" the young man asked.

"Not at all. I was just making conversation."

Nathan stared mesmerised at the jewel piece on her neck. It was almost mind blowing how the light reflected of its surface. "That's a beautiful necklace you have on." He remarked.

Lita stiffened. Her gaze icy cold. "It was a present from mother."

Noticing the change in her behaviour the man figured if he wanted to stay on her good side he would keep away from the subject. A minute of silence followed. "We have not been formally introduced yet." The man said changing the subject. "I am Lord Nathan of Crystal Manor."

"Pleased to meet you milord." Lita said icily not bothering to introduce herself.

Nathan waited patiently but when no reply came he asked, "And you milady?"

He was interrupted when a middle-aged woman tapped her Champaign glass getting their attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming tonight to my daughter's coming out party." Extending a slender hand she motioned for Lita to go to her.

Nathan gasped as he realised who she was. Daughter of the Lady Elizabeth of Juniper Hall. That meant that…that the gem on her head piece is what he had been assigned to look for. Looking grim he stood with perfect posture as the young lady Lita was introduced to several of the guests. Having learnt what he was sent there to learn he stealthily made an exit disappearing into the shadows of the night.

Lita looked around the room for Nathan but couldn't find him. Disappointed that he had not bid his farewell she pushed the thought of him to the back of her mind.

* * *

"Well?"

"Their security system is very high tech. There's one at the front entrance hidden inside the statue by the door, another just inside by the left corner of the door. There's one behind a portrait looking down the corridor, the only portrait there in fact, another inside the chandelier in the ball room. I have not been permitted in the other rooms but..." Nathan quickly added seeing the scowl on his face, "I have located the green crystal. It is embedded on a necklace surrounded with small pink diamonds and belongs to Lady Lita daughter of Lady Elizabeth Hall."

"Good work Nathan."

"If you would permit me milord," Nathan asked, "to retrieve the crystal myself, I have already made an acquaintance with the fair owner of the crystal."

"No. It won't be necessary. If the others have located the crystals then all will be well. I have a plan to gather all of the crystals in one swipe." Then he shimmered away leaving Nathan in the darkness of the shadows gazing at the great silhouette of Juniper Hall.