Author's Notes: Hello again everyone, i have been a bit ont he busy as well as my muse running off or something so not happy. well i am not completely happy with this chapter myself but close. so hope you all enjoy it. so thank you to my reviewers:
hoolihoopergrl131: thank you for your encouraging words.
Masked Dragonfly 0926: Glad you are enjoying it. yeah i love Christine and Derek's personalities too ;)
Cinnamon: Thank you for your encouraging words :)
Eleanor: sorry it took me so long this time, my muse ran off to surfers paradice for a good time ;)
Mistyqueen: I know, young love ;)
QueenTatooine: Yea the mother does have something cooked up, but you guys will just have to wait and see ;)
so i dont wont anything so lets not sue me ;) and hope you enjoy the chapter.
Christine and Derek paused at the top of the stairs before beginning their descent. Looking around there were about two hundred people, all looking at them. Christine squeezed Derek's arm tighter
"Just don't trip, and you'll be fine" Derek said quietly as the reached the bottom.
Together they followed Bethany and Travis on to a small platform on the left side of the hall. Straight away people were lining up, shaking hands and making small talk.
"Christine this is Aaron Parker he is on the Tarlee's advisement council, this is his wife Tracy and son Justine" Christine shook hands with Tracy and Aaron, then Justine kissed the back of her hand, Christine resisted the urge to wipe it on the back of her gown Justine gave her a bad feeling.
Christine then promised to save Justine a dance, as his request.
Many people commented about her looking a lot like the former duke, and some young girls about Christine's age all hinted to her being a fraud.
"Don't worry about them" Derek whispered in her ear. "We are almost finished with the receiving line anyway" They straightened back up and Christine came face to face with her mother and sister.
"You're Highnesses" They curtsied together "Christine" Her mother said at last, looking her daughter in the eye.
"Mrs Garret, What are you doing here?" Travis asked in a calm voice.
"We, were invited your highness"
"That was before; now I suggest you leave quietly before I call the guards"
Christine took the chance and spoke to her mother
"I will be coming by tomorrow morning to talk about the current situation" Christine felt braver knowing the Derek was beside her.
Christine thought her mother might blow her top, but she didn't with one last loathing glance at Christine the two left.
Christine breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was interesting" Christine said at last. Travis just laughed
"I thought your mother would have gotten the message, I invited the Duchess, and she is already here"
"True, though I can't wait to see their faces when I go and talk to them tomorrow" Christine smiled cheekily at the thought.
"Come" Bethany said "It is time for Dinner"
Together the four walked in to the dining room where everyone was standing behind their seats waiting. Walking around to the head of the table, Derek and Travis pulled out Bethany's and Christine's chairs and once they were seated, they sat down themselves, once the four of them were comfortable the guests sat down.
Dinner was a pleasant affair; Christine remembered all the Dinner serving and etiquette rules and even made small talk with Robin Conner, an elderly gentleman, also on the advisory council.
Once dinner was finished Bethany and Travis lead the way in to the spectacularly decorated ballroom. And up to a platform where there were four thrones. Bethany and Travis sat down on two then Derek lead Christine over in to one.
"Why am I sitting up here?" Christine said quietly to Derek
"Because I am your escort, and I can't leave you alone to fend for yourself" Christine glared at Derek, who had a smug look on his face.
"This may give people the wrong idea" Christine said before leaning over to Derek "This wasn't in the contract" She hissed
"You should have read the fine print" Derek said pleasantly.
Christine sighed and turned to have a look around the room. The doors out to the balcony were thrown open to let the night air in and the orchestra was set up in the corner. The guests were mingling and seemed to be waiting for something. And Christine found out what it was when Derek spoke to her…
"Come on Christine, it is time to open the ball" Derek took her hand and walked her out in to the middle of the dance floor, while King Travis stood up to make an announcement.
"Invited Guests, we come here tonight to honour my son Derek, who has returned from his travels, and to Honour the daughter of a great man, who we all presumed dead. Christine and Derek will now open the ball with a traditional waltz. Enjoy the evening" Travis signalled to the orchestra and they began the introduction for the piece. Derek and Christine stood in the middle of the ballroom with the guests forming a large circle around them, leaving them plenty of room for the dance.
"What if I can't remember the steps? Christine asked suddenly getting really nervous with all the people looking on.
"Don't worry Chris, just let me lead, and don't trip over your gown" Christine scowled
"Gee thanks" Suddenly the introduction was over and Derek was leading Christine in the dance. They were going around the room in the circular, flowing motions and best of all Christine remembered the steps. Christine's smiled happily at Derek, who was smiling back.
The room suddenly seemed empty to the two dancing, because they were so caught up in one another.
"Don't they look great together" Bethany whispered to her husband, who nodded in return.
"Let's show them how it is done" Travis stood up and offered Bethany his hand, which she took while smiling lovingly at her husband.
They joined Derek and Christine in the second half of the waltz, and soon other guests were joining in and the ball was in full swing.
Christine and Derek danced together, till a tall brunette wearing a beautiful peach gown interrupted asking for a dance with the Prince.
"You go, I feel like getting some punch anyway" Christine said, masking the jealousy and annoyance she was feeling. Derek seemed a little reluctant but agreed sending one last wink Christine's way.
Walking towards the refreshment table when someone bumped in to her, a Blonde girl about her age:
"You must be Christine" She said sweetly
"Yes, for as long as I can remember" Christine replied not in the mood for conversation, she was more in the mood to cause harm to a certain brunette who was currently dancing with Derek.
"Must be hard to get used to this, after all thinking you were a servant for so long" The girl said in a mock concerned voice "If you need anything you know you can talk to me, my name is Adrianna by the way"
"I knew I was a Duchess, but thanks for the offer, I have to go now" Christine didn't leave her a chance to reply, she just walked off instead.
And right in to Justin. Christine inwardly groaned. There was something about him that Christine just didn't like.
"Christine, I have come to claim my dance"
"Now is an as good a time as any" Christine said as he took her hand and led her out on to the floor.
The orchestra struck up again and Justine held her as close as the dance would allow, but unlike dancing with Derek, Christine didn't feel safe in his arms.
She felt uncomfortable. Especially about the way Justine was looking at her.
"So are you enjoying yourself Duchess?"
"Yes" Christine didn't listen to anything else Justine said; instead she searched the room for any sign of Derek. Finally she found him watching her.
Christine smiled and crossed her eyes at Justine and Derek immediately cracked a small smile.
As soon as the dance was over Christine thanked Justin for the dance and practically ran over to Derek.
"Let's go outside for a few minutes" Derek said taking Christine's hand and walking towards the open terrace doors.
A few minutes later found them in the rose garden and Derek suddenly quiet.
"You ok?" Christine asked after the fourth time Derek had opened his mouth and closed it again.
"Fine" He replied weakly
"Something is bothering you, come on tell me" Derek looked as if he wanted to resist. "The longer you wait the harder it gets" Derek sighed and turned to face Christine determined say it.
"I don't want you to build a cottage and live there" Derek said quickly "I want you to stay here, with me" Christine looked at him carefully "Chris I care so much about you, you are so special to me, I want you to stay here so I can get to know more about you"
"You want me to live with you?" Christine asked quietly
"More than anything, Chris- I love you" Finally he had said it. Christine was looking at him with no expression on her face. Derek felt something heavy drop in his stomach. She didn't feel the same way.
Finally Christine spoke, quietly so that if he hadn't been watching her mouth he wouldn't have known she had spoken.
"I love you too" Derek smiled as Christine reached up and smoothed his brown hair away from his face then leant forward kissing him softly on the lips. It was the first time that she initiated a kiss.
Hope you enjoyed that chapter. i am still trying to finish this story soon only one chapter to go or two im not sure ;)
please read and review i love knowing what you all think
Emma Riddle