"Marianne…"

Marianne jerked awake and glanced over to her sister. Her sister had her head propped up on one of her thin elbows; the elbow looking as if it was about to give way any moment. She was supposed to be resting.

"Dolly, is something wrong? Do you want some water?" Marianne asked as concerned as ever, not even noticing that nowadays her sister didn't even protest on being called her childhood nickname.

Marianne looked at her sister's face for a reply, and visibly winced. She had been such a healthy young girl. The pale face staring solemnly at her now was weak and lifeless.

Lifeless. That made Marianne think of something completely different. Something significant nonetheless. Something that had been eating at her for the past few days. Slowly. Cruelly.

She sighed at her forever drifting thoughts and walked over to her sister.

"Dolly?" she asked.

Her sister rested her head back on the pillow and shook her head ever so slightly. She inhaled deeply before she started speaking. The light was shining clearly on her sweat soaked face, and she looked drunk on illness.

"Marianne…tell me about mama," her voice shook as she spoke quietly. Marianne had to lean in to hear her properly, and when she did she was slightly surprised at the request. It had been quite a while since their mother had died and left them alone. But her sister had always been the curious one, and it was only expected that she ask questions as such, since she never had as much time with their mother as Marianne.

Marianne did suspect that her sister was slightly delirious but she went to sit next to her anyway, stroking her blonde hair as she did so.

"Mama was a remarkable woman," Marianne began, smiling at herself, remembering, "When you were small, she used to pick you up and twirl you around laughing, calling you her little dolly. You used to be so happy, dolly. So very happy."

She paused and checked on her sister who had the resemblance of a smile on her face. She carried on, "Mama used to like cooking for us. She loved cooking pasta, and then adding the herbs that she grew in our garden to it. Sage, rosemary, thyme…" she trailed off.

She looked down at her sister, smiling fondly and discovered she was talking to herself. Her sister had fallen into a deep sleep, which thankfully looked peaceful and free of any sickness. Her dainty chest rose in a steady rhythm as she breathed which was a very good sign to Marianne, but her complexion still looked pasty and white.

Marianne sighed and was just about to get up when she felt her sister clutch her arm. She turned alarmed, only to find her sister still sleeping. She had held onto Marianne only subconsciously.

"Marianne…shouldn't have………mama…"

Marianne only caught a few of the words her sister seemed to be mumbling incoherently in her sleep. Sleep talk, that was all it was, right?

Her sister could not possibly know of what she had done. That she had mu-

No. It was not possible.

She was letting her thoughts get the better of her.

But just thinking about the life she had taken so unfairly, so closely after she had thought about the unfair death of her own mother made Marianne want to pull at her hair and scream. Scream and scream until her lungs burned and her throat turned into ash.

Tears soaked her cheeks and slid smoothly and silently down to her chin, as she stared numbly at her hands yet again.

For surely, she had taken the life of someone's son, brother, nephew, cousin or even father. She had done what had been done to her mother. What she had mourned days for and blindly sought unattainable revenge for.

She had done the same thing as a ruthless murderer. She was as low as the monsters that had taken her mother's innocent life.

She was a cold blooded killer.


"Uncle, you know how much I despise her and her stupid parties-"

"Marianne, as much as I dislike the lady and her ways, I wish you would not speak of her in such a manner. She is family after all," the man who was her sole guardian spoke in a gentle fatherly but stern voice.

"More is the pity."

He ignored Marianne's mumbled reply and carried on, "After all she has done for y- us, it is only proper that we repay her kindness by abiding to her one wish. You know, she personally asked for your presence at her ball."

"Uncle, we both know her intentions lay otherwise. No doubt she is going to 'introduce' me to some certain people or just tell me about what a useless drunkard my fa-"

"Marianne," Phillip Miller said sternly.

"I'm sorry," Marianne sighed, she didn't know what was wrong with her. She was not one to put people down; she was just feeling a bit stressed- yes, that must be it.

She tried a different approach, "But you know I can't go, with Dolly so sick and everything…" Marianne trailed off hoping that her uncle would just let it go this once.

He sighed. "You have done everything in your power to look after her. It is not healthy for you to stay cooped up in the room with her; you know there is a fair chance that the illness might spread to you. You need to get out more often. Don't waste your youth, Marianne. Dolly would not want to be the cause of you missing out on anything."

Marianne refrained herself from making a sarcastic comment about 'missing out'.

Well, her aunt's party couldn't be that bad.

Sure, there would be all those obnoxious ladies looking down on her constantly, but Marianne supposed she had to show her 'gratitude' to her aunt.

After all she had done for them, Marianne thought with disdain, mimicking her uncle's words. Yet again she was surprised at herself for being so hard and miserable. Stress had definitely got the better of her.

She sighed in exasperation knowing that she had lost once again.

"Alright, uncle. But this is the last time…"


"Mary Anne, I'm so glad that you could make it!"

Marianne didn't know which was worse, her aunt actually pretending to be nice to her or acting, as normal, cold towards her. Right now the latter seemed quite pleasant.

She tried to force a smile.

"I was dreadfully sorry to hear about our young dolly."

Marianne gritted her teeth, why her aunt insisted on calling her little sister dolly was beyond her, but it aggravated her nonetheless.

"I would have liked to have invited her too, now that she is of the age, but was disappointed to hear she had been very ill."

God forbid, should her little sister have to come to her aunt's 'balls'.

"Now is there anything I can do to help? Would you require my assistance in contacting a suitable doctor?" Her aunt inquired innocently. But by which she meant, do you want me to use my rich connections to get you a high-ranking, expensive doctor?

Marianne shook her head politely, "No thank you, we have been managing fine. She is getting better."

Her aunt, decked out in a lavish royal blue silk gown and delicate matching pearls, frowned. "That's good to hear." But her thin, drawn on eyebrows were still pulled down to a frown, making her look a little older. She was about to say something else, but, thankfully for Marianne, was called by someone.

Her aunt looked at her almost apologetically, which made Marianne think of all the drama plays her aunt had acted in during her youth, and said, "I must go to greet the other guests, but I'll be back. There is someone I would like to introduce you to. Get yourself acquainted with some of the people. Do not stand around doing nothing."

With that her aunt was off, blue gown trailing behind her as she strode regally to a couple far away from Marianne, for which she was more than thankful.

With the absence of her aunt, Marianne found herself inspecting the ball.

Marianne had to admit, though grudgingly, that her aunt's 'balls' were beautiful and elaborately decorated. Her aunt, the famous Eleanor Clarrisse Marciello was actually famous for her parties and designing abilities. Although Marianne disliked her aunt, she had to respect the lady for her achievement in society as a woman. Marianne often wondered how she had managed it.

Tonight, her aunt had chosen a light, golden theme. The chandeliers were both high up in the ceiling and on stands. Their glass polished to every corner and every inch, so they glistened and reflected the golden light they gave off. They lit up the whole hall beautifully.

On the huge ceiling to floor glass windows, gold coloured curtains stood draped across the smooth surface. Over it was another layer of soft, crinkly cloth that Marianne couldn't name, but it finished the effect lavishly.

There were various flowers around the hall on glass tables, or gold clothed tables. Yellow daffodils, orange dahlias, white lilies and so on. Marianne found herself admiring the whole scene, but also thinking about what a complete waste of money it was.

As a young woman, she found herself wishing that she would meet someone at the ball. Someone to dance with and enjoy it with. She found herself searching for that someone. Wishing that she could enjoy the party as a young woman,

But as the person who had lived her past and carried around so much responsibility, she found herself standing at the corner of the hall, doing absolutely nothing, just as her aunt had warned her vehemently not to.

Marianne's life was full of half hearted wishes.


Landon Daen Le Morgan was bored. Extremely and utterly bored. The so called ball hadn't even started yet. He was early. Annoyingly early.

So early that the beautiful ladies hadn't even arrived yet. There were just some old couples milling around the hall, greeting everyone. Annoying him more than anything else. And it was getting hot.

He sighed. This was going to be a long night.

But just as he was thinking it, he cast a wary eye around the hall, in hope for something. And he caught sight of a beautiful but plain peach coloured orangey gown.

His prayers had been heard.

The lady in question was standing in a dejected corner of the hall, next to a beautiful vase of orange daffodils she fit so perfectly with, looking dejected herself.

She looked different to most of the ladies that attended these kind of balls. Her dress was plain, as he had noticed before, with none of the excessive ribbons and laces that all dresses seemed to be adorned with nowadays. Her neck was bare apart from a single silver chain with an oval amber pendant that matched her dress and her one drop earrings. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a simple bun, no elaborate hairstyle, no unnecessary hairpin. It exposed her light skin, which appeared to be rather soft. Her dress had a square cut neckline, and to his great surprise, refrained from showing her bosom.

A mystery girl that dressed respectably but not lavishly. She was simple, but pretty enough for the evening.

Landon was about to make his way over to her and entertain himself when he was interrupted by none other than the hostess making her way directly over to him, in a long expensive dark blue gown. He stopped and regarded her.

"Ah, Master Landon. Just the person I wanted to see. I trust I find you well?" she inquired, one eyebrow raised in question.

"Quite well, Lady Eleanor."

"That is good to hear. I'm very glad you could make it. I wanted you to meet my niece; I don't think you have been introduced before. She's a bright girl. Of course that is if you were not engaged in anything else."

Landon was on the verge of annoyance, did it look like he was engaged in anything else?

Not receiving an answer, the hostess nodded her head and led the way.

As fate and co incidence would have it, she headed straight towards the direction of the peach coloured mystery. Landon chuckled inwardly. Some things were just meant to be.

As they got closer to the lady, who had was now turned away from them and was unaware of there advancing, Landon thought he recognized her from somewhere.

Must be from another party, he thought to himself. But as he got closer and his eyes glanced towards her neck, something stirred in his memory.

And just as he was watching her, he remembered where and when he had seen her. And how.

He smirked. He had been wrong. This was going to be perhaps the most interesting night in a long time.

Lady Eleanor stopped right behind her and said, "Ah Mary Anne there you are. This is the someone I wanted you to meet. This is Landon Daen Le Morgan."

The lady, Marianne turned slowly, no doubt a fake smile lighting up her features.

"How do you do," she said as she gave a small courtesy. She didn't even seem to be in the room.

That will change soon, Landon thought.

He took her white gloved hand, pressed it to his lips and drawled, "Miss Marianne, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Marianne looked up startled out of her thoughts. Something flickered in her eyes, before they widened in horror and disbelief.

Landon could not resist sending her a mental note, Again.

The look on her pretty face was priceless as she continued staring up at him.

This was proving to be a most interesting night.


Author's Note: He-ello, beautiful people. How's it going? Its awfully hot here in Londodn, almost unbearably... Anyway, this is the next chapter of Cobwebs and Thyme, which I should have uploaded ages ago, but couldn't be bothered to write it. :( I had fun writing it though. I've always loved reading stories set in the past, when it was 'absolutely scandolous' to dance with someone more than three times or something, so its great fun writing it too. Anyway I just want to thank my wonderful reviewers:

The little twitch on my eyebrow: Predicatble of you to maon and whine and moan and whine and...you get the idea? But thanks for the compliment about my mind. :D Twisted indeed. And for your info, he was so not her soulmate, and dude hes not even dead! For crying out loud woman! The guy's not dorky! And no I'm not gonna abandon BOBD, as you might have realiseed. And no-o (looks around nervously), I didn't steal anything!

Doggy- So nice of you to share your rambles with us poor unaware people. And i will get a decent summary...just when I get around to think of one. And yep, the guy's back and nope hes not her soulmate- so you're right on both accounts. And are you by any chance, making fun of me!

Salvatore Shan NW: Yay, for the people! Someone who knows the highwayman! But tell me what you thinks going to happen, I want to know your thoughts...muhahaha. Erm, thanks for the review I really appreciated it. :D

Twilight-staruby: You're one to talk (insert accusing tone):D Thanks for th review and beautiful compliments, personally, I agree with you too. ;) In every aspect. Thnks again. :)

Strekoza: We meet again! And you're one of the clever people who actually got the fact that our vamp dude wasn't dead:) So thats good! He's not really dead anyway! But I do have to meantion, i have a bad habit of killing off my characters, but it probably won't happen in this story. :) Thnx for the review!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one won't be coming out for a month or so. Because I'm going on Ho-olida-ay! (Insert Green Day holiday here).