A/N- Sorry it took so long to update. I had planned to update about a month ago, but one of my very best friends past away from Bacterial Meningitis. I have not felt like writing for a while, so that is another reason it has taken so long. Here is another installment of my story. I hope you enjoy!

4 months later-

Harm sat in his small office and stared at the invitation that lay in front of him. It read:

Mr. Harmon Rabb Jr.

You are cordially envited to attend the annual Christmas Masked ball. It will be held at the Stevenson Plantation, on the 23rd evening of December. We would be honored with your attendance. Please notify us if do plan on coming, as we will need to know how many places to set.

Sincerely,

The Stevenson's

He closed the paper and tossed it on his desk. He sighed and leaned back in his leather chair. His mind began to think back on a beautiful young woman who once told him that she could tell who he was, even if he was wearing a mask. He laughed silently. He was going to attend this ball, if nothing more than to prove her wrong.

Day of the ball- Mackenzie plantation-

Mac sat in her room staring at her beautiful dress. It was a deep red with lace and a low cut bodice. Her father had not immediately approved of the lowness of the front, but once she convinced him it was the style he reluctantly said okay and dropped the subject. She was a grown woman, and should be aloud to show a little if she should like. At least this is how she saw it. She glanced down at her left hand and stared at the diamond ring that was reflecting the light onto the wall. It was not just any diamond ring, it was her engagement ring. Mic had wasted no time in proposing, and she had said yes. Why shouldn't she? She had had no one else who was vying for her heart. She truly loved him; or that is what she continually told herself. Mic was good to her, and he could also provide her with a comfortable lifestyle. Her father adored Mic, and could not be more pleased with the match. There was a light giggle and she looked up to see Martha shaking her head. "There you go daydreaming again Little Missy." Sarah smiled. She had been in her own little world lately. The one that she loved to go to; it was perfect there, unlike her life. "Martha have you heard if Harm is going to be attending tonight?" She asked as she walked towards Martha who was gathering her undergarments together, so that she could begin dressing for the party.

"Why miss I believe that his daddy had mentioned something about him not being able to attend because of work, but that Harm had said that he was going to try and get away. Now that there is no solid evidence, so don't you go and be getting your hopes up." Martha stood and thought. "Didn't he say in his last letter?"

She sighed; there had not been many letters, some but not a ton. "No, most of the time our letters consist of your usual pleasantries." She stood facing her bed holding on the foot of it as Martha tightened her corset. "Uhhhhh!" she gasped as Martha pulled the strings tight. As she pulled she took what felt like to Mac all of her air.

"Sorry miss. I am almost done."

"It is alright Martha. I personally don't know who decided that we must wear these things. I find them simply painful." she fumed. Martha just grinned. Fifteen minutes later Mac sat and stared at herself in the mirror.

"Well Little Missy would you like your hair up tonight?" Martha gathered Sarah's hair in her hands and began to put it in the up position. Sarah gently touched her hands.

"No." she answered quickly. Martha gave her a queer look, but complied and began to try and put it in curls. "Harm likes it when I wear my hair down." she whispered. Sarah stared into the mirror, her mind traveling down its own path. Martha smiled warmly. She knew that Mac had not meant for her to hear the last comment, but she had. Every time she had seen them together or been there when they talked about one another she could see the great amount of love. She only wished that they could see it, before it was too late.

"Down it is then." Martha replied. Her nimble fingers began to do their magic. When Martha had finished Mac's hair looked absolutely beautiful. It was curly and bouncy, with the sides pulled back in sterling silver hair combs.

Sarah gave her a huge grin. "Thank you, it looks beautiful."

"Well I personally think that the beauty comes from that face, not the hair. Although Martha did do a wonderful job."

Sarah looked over at the door to see her father standing there holding a square box. Martha excused herself and quietly left the room. Joe walked over to where his daughter was. "Close your eyes." She looked at him with a questioning look. "Just close them." he stated with a little more firmness. She unwillingly complied, and closed her eyes. "Before your mother died I was instructed to give you this on Christmas of your 17th year." Sarah slowly opened her eyes and looked at what her father had placed around her neck. It was a diamond necklace that had almost a chandelier effect. At the very bottom was a medium sized Emerald.

"Oh daddy! It is simply stunning! I love it! Thank you." She stood up and engulfed her father in a tight hug.

He gently pushed her back so that he could look at her. He was definantly regretting the dress. It did nothing but accentuate her already ample chest. "You are so grown up Sarah. Just imagine it! In six months you will be Mrs. Sarah Mackenzie-Brumby." He said enthusiastically.

"Yeah, six months." she said almost to herself. Was she ready to be married? Yes, she was. To Mic? No.

Stevenson Plantation-

Harm straightened his tie, smoothed his suit and made sure his mask was in the right place. He slowly walked into the lively ballroom. He surveyed the crowd and stared at all of their masked faces. He smiled as he saw her enter the room from the other door. She looked wonderful. The red color of her dress, the low cut bodice, it all fit her perfectly. She was wearing a white mask that only covered the area surrounding her eyes. Anyone else would not be able to tell who she was, but he...he knew every line, every feature, every detail of her delicate face. He slowly crossed the dance floor and began to approach her. He gently tapped her shoulder and bowed. "Might I have this dance?" He said in a deeper tone. She in return curtsied and placed her gloved hand in his.

"Yes you may."

He led onto the floor and they slowly began to waltz with the music. They turned and moved in sync with all of the couples. The swish of the skirts became lost to him; all he heard was the music. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. He placed his lips right on her hair, which was over her ear and whispered, "I see you will dance with any man who wears a mask."

His warm breath and deep voice gave her chills. What did he mean by that? The music stopped and she pulled out of his grasp. "Thank you for the dance." she said politely and began to leave. He caught her hand and stopped her.

"Take a walk with me." he said more in a command than a request.

She had no clue why, but she simply nodded and took his arm. As they walked along the porch in silence it finally hit her. She turned to him and looked into his eyes. Yes it was him. She could tell by those beautiful blue pools. She slowly reached up and untied the mask. She laid the mask aside and ran her fingers over his face. "See, there is nothing to hide. You are not ugly to me." He smiled remembering their conversation from days past. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her and spun her around. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed. Once he set her down she removed her mask. "It is so good to see you Harm! Why did you not say you were coming?" He shrugged. "I wanted to surprise you." She smiled a full smile. "Well you did."

The walked arm in arm along the porch talking like old friends. Harm picked up her left had. "Are you sure your fiancé won't mid you out here with me?"

She looked at her ring, then into his sad eyes. "Yes, I am only out her with my best friend."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Is that all we are?" He leaned against the railing waiting for her response.

She was about to say something when the door beside them opened and Mic poked his head out. "Oh Sarah, that is where you are. Any way come on inside we are about to make our announcement." Without taking her eyes off of Harm she simply nodded, and told him that she would be right in. He said okay and stepped back inside.

"Announcement?"

"Of our engagement."

"Oh," he sighed. "You know Sarah you will always have someone who loves you."

"As will you Harm, as will you."

In that moment everything around them disappeared. It was only them, no one else. As if in slow motion their lips slowly descended on each others. The kiss was not one of sadness, but of love, urgency, and neediness. She pulled away and looked sadly into his eyes. "I should go inside." she whispered. He nodded and she walked towards the door, placed her hand on the handle, and then stopped. "You know we are getting to good at saying goodbye." With that she stepped inside and shut the door.

"Don't worry. This was our last goodbye." He turned and walked towards one of the servants and told them to bring him his carriage. Being a lawyer he was making a decent amount of money and had been able to afford him and his father a carriage. He sighed as he climbed inside. He would stay gone this time, no more goodbyes.

6 and half months later- Smith, Taylor, and Polk Law Firm- D.C.

Harm was now working as a junior attorney at a very distinguished law firm in D.C. He leaned back in his chair and took the newspaper with him. He enjoyed having a larger office, and a more important job. He decided he would try and catch up with the politics. He did not have to look far; it was there on the front page. The headlines read: "Virginia Rumored to be Leaving Union!" He could not believe his own eyes.

"I see you have read the headline for today." he looked up startled and saw Jason Taylor standing in his doorway. "I personally think it is a bunch of nonsense. It will all blow over in a couple of weeks." He said with conviction. Harm folded his paper and placed it on his desk.

"You are probably right." Harm stood and walked towards the crackling fire. "Did you need something?"

"Oh yeah. I almost forgot. This came for you; it's from your little sweet heart." Jason handed Harm a small square envelope. Harm took it and slowly opened it.

"How many times do I have to tell you..."

"She is not your sweetheart. Yes I know. Anyway all I know is that she must really like you if she is still writing to you, even though you don't write back. If that is not love, what is?" Jason raised his eyebrows then turned and left. Harm shut his door, then slowly opened the letter, and began to read.

Dear Harm,

This is just a not to invite you to my wedding. I know you don't like Mic, but he is a good man. I also know you are probably not going to come, but I would really like it if you would. We have had our differences in the past, but thought it all we have remained friends. Please come.

Yours truly,

Mac

Harm stared at the letter in his hand. He lightly tossed it into the fire and watched it disappear. He sat down in his chair. He could not watch her marry another man. He just could not do it. Now that he had made up his mind he just had to find a way to tell Mac.

A/N- Here is a long one. I know origionally that Mac's mom left, but I have changed it and she died instead. I hope you enjoy it and I will try to post soon. Please review.