Chapter 8

The Ball

As Nicholas caught sight of Clair in her floor length powder blue gown that clung snuggly around her bodice and starting to hanging limply at the waist so that it would spread out slightly if she twirled, but not enough to show more than her glass slippers, with bell sleeves and a princess cut at the top, he could not help but blink in surprise. With her hair done up-after fighting with the maid doing her hair, they had agreed on a style which was half up to display her waist length hair and the top done into intricate braids pilled on top of each other to form a crown-Clair truly felt like the princess that she was born to be. She quickly walked the rest of the way down the stairs and moved to join him when a bunch of women and their male escorts rushed to her to find out who she was and where she was from. They asked all sorts of questions like why she was there, where she bought her dress, who was her escort-which was a favorite for the men, which was followed by a glare and sometimes an elbow in the stomach from their lady friends.

Shoving his way through to her side, Nicholas silently scolded himself for forgetting that they were fighting. But she looks so damn pretty! Once he was able to get next to her, he put his arm around her waist and gently led her away from the mob, giving excuses for her leaving them. When they finally made it clear of the last of the guests and out of ear shot, Clair rounded on him.

"What do you think you are doing? I am not a girl toy that you can lead around everywhere. Take your hands off me." she demanded coolly.

"I am truly sorry Princess, but you looked like you were about to drown from all the people surrounding you." he retorted, just as coolly as she.

"I told you not to call me that years ago. Has our friendship dwindled this much? What am I supposed to do here anyways? I can't just lie to everyone. What does your father think anyways?"

"I think that you are a lovely young woman who has caught my son's eye Lady Saline." came a voice from behind them, which proved to be Nicholas' father when they turned to look at who had spoken. "As answer to what you are supposed to do here, I suggest that you get into the ballroom and find out. Both of you." Earlier that day, Nicholas had told his father what had happened in the city, well, the part about him letting Clair get away from him. His father had scolded him saying that he had better not let her out of his sight again, or else he would be punished like a little boy who disobeyed his father.

"Yes sir." Nicholas said, again leading Clair away. "We are going to have to talk about this later." he muttered in her ear as they walked through the doors.

"I see nothing to discuss. We have obviously gone our separate ways, so once the night is over, I will be on my way home." she muttered back.

"As you wish."

Walking into the ballroom, they saw that most of the guests had already arrived and were happily dancing on the floor. Walking to their table, Nicholas and Clair sat down and began their meal. As part of the noble family and distinguished guest, they were the first to eat by tradition. Later though, the rest of the guests would have their dinners, and afterwards, everyone would dance.

Soon, they had finished and announcements were made that the rest were able to eat. During which, there was to be a special event. "As you can all see, my son has a lovely lady friend accompanying him tonight. In her honor, we shall begin tonight's festivities with the first dance. Nicholas, if you and Lady Saline would come to the center of the dance floor please and entertain us with a dance, we would be greatly honored. Start the music!"

"I don't think I can do this Nicholas." Clair whispered in his ear as he put his hand around his waist, and her hand in his other. "I'm not that great of a dancer. And I only know a few dances. I do not want to humiliate you in front of your guests and father and I..."

"And you talk too much." Nicholas finished for her grinning. "Since when do you care if you humiliate me? You have been doing it since we were little. Don't worry, I'm not that bad of a dancer." So the music started. As it turned out, she did know that one, and it was one of her better dances. After the song ended, more people joined them after finishing their meals. Song after song after song they danced, until the music stopped. With a signal from the conductor, all the dancing partners drew closer together.

"What's going on? What is everyone doing?" Clair inquired of her partner.

"We have to get closer for this dance. I think you will like it. It has a special...treat, at the end of it." he replied, as he pulled her in to him until she was almost leaning on him. Nervous of this position, she let him pull her in. As the music started, she figured out why they were so close. The dance steps were so complicated that they deeded their partners help to do them. As the song drew to an end, the tempo became increasingly slow until all the women dancers were literally swept off there feet and twirled around in the air to come down into a hug and a passionate kiss.

As Nicholas lowered Clair, she figured out what was going to happen. Her heart started to race as she got closer to him. Her head became fogged with the only but only allowing the thought that she hopped it was like the first through. She was on the floor now, and there was nothing she could do about it, because she wasn't even sure if she wanted to kiss him again, for it seemed that he only did that to shut her up. Nicholas wrapped his arms around her waist and bend his head down a little so that they on the same level-he was only a hand taller than her, so he didn't have to tilt his head that far-and brushed his lips against hers. The brush became a kiss which made Clair's head spin. This was nothing like the first; it was much better. All she could think about was that kiss, and how she hoped it would never end.

After what seemed like hours, she thought she felt his mouth open and his tongue brush against hers, so she leapt apart from him blushing, not sure if she had imagined it or if it had really happened. Apparently though, there were still many couples kissing each other that no one noticed. What just happened? Did that mean anything? What was he going to do? Did I really just kiss him? Oh my gosh! Why do I feel so funny? I mean, my head feels like I am on cloud nine, and my heart is racing like I just outran a horse! I need some air. So Clair quickly left the ball room walking towards one of the balconies.

Feeling her jump back, Nicholas put his arms down and stared at her. Was I just about to kiss her kiss her? What was I thinking? What is wrong with me lately? I haven't been the same ever since she got here. Wait, where is she going? No, my father told me not to let her out of my sight again! So he ran after her.

Once out on the balcony, Clair stared up at the night sky. She used to do that as a little girl when she felt confused about something. It turned out that there were already other people out there as well, so she thought that she would go have a walk in one of the gardens on the estate. At the bottom of the marble steps there was a miniature stream, so she decided to follow it. It turned out to run into a miniature pond with fish and lily pads, with benches around the edge. Sitting down Clair let her mind wonder. She hadn't felt this free in a long time, so she enjoyed just sitting there alone, gazing up at the heavens.

As Nicholas ran out onto the balcony, he caught sight of Clair walking along the stream. Where does she think she is going? She is going to get lost again if she isn't careful. Taking the steps three at a time, Nicholas raced after her. He slowed when he saw that she was sitting on the bench alone. He thought that she looked happy and contended himself with just watching over her. Unfortunately, he brushed up against a tree branch which made her turn around to stare at him.

"Following me where you? Well, you can follow me all you like, but I am not going to talk to you."

"Oh come on Clair! You know that it was part of the dance. It didn't mean anything! Please, why can't we be friends again? I was wrong okay! I admit it. You aren't a brat, and you are not demanding. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

It didn't mean anything? Well, maybe to you, but I certainly felt something. Both times. And if I am not mistaken, having your tongue in my mouth means that you did as well! Didn't mean anything my foot! "I told you Nicholas, I am done talking with you! All it has gotten me is into more trouble. I can't do that anymore! Remember what I told you, about my brother Randal renouncing his title? Well that means that I have to become queen! And future queens can not go getting themselves into any more trouble. So just leave me alone!" she scolded him, once again walking off. But this time, there was someone else following her. "I already told you Nicholas to leave me alone! Why are you still following me?" she demanded.

"Because I am not Nicholas, and you never told me that. So you made up a plan to get me out of prison eh? Then you must love me as much as I love you! Well it worked didn't it? You wanted me out, so now you have me!" Jeremy said, reaching out to grab her wrist.

"Jeremy, what are you doing?" Clair cried, trying to shake off his grip on her. "Jeremy let go! You're hurting me! Let go!" She was fighting him now with all her might, but he never budged. One hand he placed over her mouth so that she couldn't cry out anymore, and his free arm he wrapped around her middle making sure to include her arms so she couldn't struggle much either. Once he had this done, he started to drag her into the woods towards where he had a horse tied up waiting for them.

Figuring out what he was doing, Clair bit his hand. When he removed his hand in pain, she welled out. "NICHOLAS! HELP ME, NICHOLAS!" but he just hit her and put his hand back over her mouth. Knowing she couldn't do that again, she ground her feet into the ground as much as she could. One of her slippers fell of where they were standing, and the other when he pushed her up onto the horse. Since she was still wearing her ball gown, she had to ride side saddle. Pulling out a knife, Jeremy told her coolly, "If you make another sound that even resembles a cry for help, I will slit your throat. Do we understand each other?" Nodding her head, he let go of her mouth so that he could grab the reins with one hand and still hold her with the other.

Back in the garden, Nicholas heard a cry from someone that sounded like Clair, so he decided that he didn't care how much she fussed, he was going to follow her. Soon he arrived at the edge of the garden where it met the forest. He looked down and saw one of her slippers and a bunch of marks on the ground, indicating a struggle. Then he saw a continuous scuff mark going into the woods, so he quickly picked up the slipper and followed it, also pulling a belt knife meant for decoration, but still sharp. Just as he got to the clearing where the horse was, he saw Clair and Jeremy getting ready to bolt off. "Clair! Get away from her! What do you think you are doing? Let her go!" Nicholas demanded.

"You think that you have any power over me young lord ling? I don't think so. Have fun trying to explain this to your king!" Jeremy shouted as he kicked the horse to make it go. Getting a quick look at Clair, Nicholas saw that she was petrified, her eyes pleading him to help her.

As they galloped off Nicholas threw his knife hopping to hit Jeremy, but hitting a tree instead, then he noticed something glittering in the dirt beside the other glass slipper. He walked over to it and picked it up. It was a silver chain bracelet with a silver heart charm with an engraving which read: To a wonderful friend with hope that we may never part. Nick, 12. He had given her that bracelet five years ago, just before their friendship seamed to melt! I can't believe she still has this! I mean, I gave that to her when we were twelve! Maybe she hasn't changed as much as I thought, or she just remembered she had it and...but that makes no sense because she hasn't been home. Maybe she left it her when she came last. But that was a long time ago. I bet that one of the maids found it, which means that they know who she is! No, they would have given it to father. I bet that he gave it to her. Yes, that must be it. So lost in thought and worry over what would happen to Clair, Nicholas quickly made his way back to the manor to tell his father what had happened. Everything that had happened. I just hope that I will see her again. Well, and that I will live past my fathers outrage.