Can you believe I forgot what you call this word thing ah...got it disclaimer: (waves white flag) I surrender! I have your update, jeesh you guys are ruthless. I have picked those that will be the characters sometimes using just the names or the attributes or the physical description, a skittle rainbow of characters, thank you one and all. The first one is in this chapter the others will come in the next. Without anymore doo doo, here is what you have been waiting for, I hope I don't let you down.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Abberline!" I shouted banging on his door, "Don't make me come in there to get you. We're going shopping and you're NOT getting out of it!"

A piteous moan sounded from the other side of the door. Gently opening it I found Abberline hidden underneath the covers, a pillow over his head. Walking determinedly toward the windows I flung the curtains open, lighting the room in a bright and sudden flash, the figure under the covers groaned once more.

"Get up," I commanded sweetly smacking what I assumed was his rump. The lump grunted and huddled deeper beneath the wonderfully thick comforter. "Go away, yeh damn Harpy."

"Damn right. Now get up before I resort to grotesque means and make you."

"Do yer worst." Came the hard mumble.

"Fine."

In a quick flicking motion I had ripped the covers off him. Just as fast he was up and scrambling to cover himself.

"Are yeh mad, bloody woman?! Yer damned lucky I wasn't in the nude!"

"Let me know when you will be, Abbie boy," I grinned walking out, "I want to see you dressed in ten minutes, got that? Oh, and good morning."

"Yeah, yeah," he grunted as I closed the door, "and a fuckin' good morning to you too."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

To give the boy some credit he was dressed in seven minutes if not faster and we were finally on our way, two others joining us for the ride. Ellie came to help with my fittings and Sergent Godley came as Abberline's second.

As soon as we entered we were swamped with clerks. Stylishly dressed men and women flocked around us.

"Miss Harlington!"

"It's been months!"

"Still wearing black?"

"We must put an immediate stop to that nonsense!"

"Oh yes indeed, you always looked splendid in green!"

"But blue made her look perfectly angelic..........."

"Are all of you biddies blind?! Her color is red, she looks absolutely breathtaking in it!"

Ever been suffocated by simpering females? No? Good, that's the way it should stay. Meanwhile the men were thrumming around Abberline.

"Dashed unfashionable."

"Won't be by the time we're done with him though, eh?"

"Let's put him in brown!"

"He's going to a ball Mackland, not the office! Make it black."

"With white cuffs!"

"Are there any other kind?'

I wondered how many of these guys were gay. The Fab Five for the old age, I fell in love with them at once. They were doing the wedding reception.

"Miss Harlington.........." Adressed a lanky man, who seemed to be the ringleader of the department. He smiled, his voice like chalk, "an pleasure as always."

I gave him my hand as he escorted us with the following crowd of clerks, "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice." I ventured.

"Psh tosh now," the man waved a hand dismissively, as he smiled his lips pulling back from his teeth in what looked like a terrifying grin. His skin was so tightly pulled on his face that he resembled something like a grisly walking talking skeleington, "we were just about to close up shop in mourning for you. It is about time you came back to us."

I just nodded as I swung a glace over my shoulder at Abberline who was shaking off the clerks hands that kept tugging at his coat.

"If I am to understand correctly now," he said pausing, "you are to be the guest of Honor at your father's charity event?"

I turned my head sharply to view the clerk to see if he was pulling my leg, "I am?"

"Oh yes, the town is beside itself. Everyone has just been attiter with the stories of your coming back into society!"

I hadn't realized I was THE guest of Honor. Damn that Farrel bastard. This meant I couldn't just drop by for a toast and scram, but now I'd actually have to stay and make nice with the nobility.

"And I know just the thing for you and your little friend.........." The clerk wiggled his fingers in a slightly threatening way toward Abberline.

Clapping his hands sharply Abberline and I were herded into different areas of the store. Jus imagine being shoved into one dress after another, your hair being tied one way, pinned, taken down, and put up again. And the inquiries, god, the endless inquiries.

"Blue?"

"Uh............"

"Pearls, Miss Harlington?"

"I don't.........."

"Lady Victoria corset?"

"I..........."

"Lavender perfume from Paris?"

"I really don't think..........."

"One train or two?"

"My, I................."

"This stylish updo from Turkey, Miss Harlington?"

"That's it!" I said dashing away from their prying fingers, "I've had enough."

The women stopped, clutching each of the garments they had been shoving under my nose. I turned to the first woman.

"Blue is too simple a color for this kind of event. I shall require something more bold. Bring me all of the gown you have in a deep shade of red." I continued turning to the next person, "Pearls are too much, like diamonds they laden down the neck, a simple black lace choker will do." I whirled on the awaiting woman next in line, "How tight is the Victoria, dear? If I cannot breathe I do not want it on me. Accent the waist and stomach not on the diaphragm nor lungs." Next, I was on a roll, "I do not wish to smell like an English garden, lord knows enough women do. Some exotic scent from a flower hot house or from the wilderness will better represent my triumphant return to society. Do think outside the box, dear. Oh and one train, please," I added glancing at the other woman, "And as for my hair." I said to the styler who held a brush dangerously like a hatchet, "it shall be styled by my own maid servant, Miss Ellie Miller."

There was a moments pause as six pairs of eyes blinked back at me, then:

"Perfect!"

"Sheer brilliance!"

"But of course, it only makes sense.........."

"Cassandra Harlington, you are a genius!"

All five women jogged off to get the things I had asked for, one remained behind. A tall dark haired beauty walked toward me.

"Why you certainly crack a furious whip when it comes to getting what you want." Her voice was a deep luster and commanding, but very full, "I approve completely."

I cocked my head at the women, "Excuse my asking but.........."

"Who am I?"

"Well, yes, as a matter of fact."

"Rayanna Stewart, at your service, Lady Harlington." She curtsied swiftly showing no sign of actual subservience.

"A pleasure." I replied warily.

"The same." Oh, she was a sassy little one, this woman.

We stood in silence.

"Miss Harlington," One of the other girls came rushing back into the room, "frills or no?"

"Go......away.......Cecy." Rayanna ordered coldly.

The girl hurried away.

"Absolutely not!" I called after her in response to her question. Then turning back to Rayanna I opened my mouth to voice a question of my own.

"My uncle owns this shop," she cut me off, "I'm his second in command, but in all truth I actually run the business he merely works the register. The girls are under my command."

I shut my mouth. Ok she was sassy and she could read minds, hey cool I wish I could do that.

"I must say I am surprised at your change of opinion in fashions. Twas not a month ago but that you adored the color blue and longed to have your skin smelling of lavender."

"Blue is a fine color still, and lavender a calming scent, but I feel like being reckless at the moment." I regretted it as soon as the words were out of my mouth. Young ladies being reckless after important father's death, if I wasn't careful they'd have me in a correctional school for wayward girls, like that!

But if it were the wrong thing to say, Rayanna gave no notice of it. She merely smiled a hungry smile, "Of course you should. You are free at last from your father's hold. If my father were to suddenly die, I would wear my birthing suit to a ball, and nothing else." Her eyes danced wildly and I had the strangest feeling I was standing in front an authentic blooming woman of the revolution, of the dawn of the twentyith century.

"It depends on the father in question, I suppose." I admitted smiling back.

Rayanna's lips quirked in a bitter smile, "The father in question finds me an embarrassement and scorns me for it. I find it only fitting to reward him with the same curtesy." She paused and stiffened as if she had not meant to say even that much. Turning, she admired a new concept, "Do you know Miss Harlington, this is our first real conversation?"

I wouldn't have known but I could probably guess the answer, "I do believe you're right."

She paused again scrutinizing me quite frankly, "You're different."

I tilted my head, "Yes," I confessed, "I am."

"Good." She replied crisply, then her face broke into a truly stunning grin, "Let's find you a scent worthy of such a change." She beckoned with her hand over to a shelf lined with row after row of crystalline jars. Taking one off, she pulled the stopper and a scent like oceanus wafted out, as she held it under my nose.

"How about this one?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~

An hour later I was just now struggling into a gown. Cecy, the maid hand who Rayanna had sent away, had brought back with her a selection of gowns. Among them was a dress of the darkest crimson , if properly described it was the exact color of roses only the kind that are so red in fact that they appear black, like a fine red wine. The Victoria corset was far too tight and I settled on a Bilistone brand which pulled in the waist and stomach instead of the chest or bust.

"It's not very fashionable," one little maid had whispered under her breath, immediately stilled by a sharp look from Rayanna.

"Then we shall make it fashionable." I amended cheerfully as I was laced up. Then settling behind a screen, it took nearly three girls to dress me.

"Ow's it goin' in there, Miss Harlington." Came the heavy voice from behind the screen.

"Godley?! What the devil are you doing here?! Go bother Abberline!"

"I can't. 'e won't talk ta me, he just keeps readin' some soddin' book."

I poked my head out, "Oh really?"

"The world comes ta an end when a man brushes away raunchy stories ta read. The bugger even shushed me. SHUSHED me!"

"Godley, shush..........."

"See, exactly wha' I'm talkin' abou'!"

There was a moment of silence then came a chuckle.

"What?" I inquired back behind the screen.

"Those damndable clerks are prying Abberline from his seat. Be only a matter of time now before he's made into a new man. Do you think they'll put him in blue or green?" He asked lightly.

"Pink, most assuredly." I answered happily.

I heard Godley shudder in mock horror beyond the thin curtain lace of the screen.

"Well, I'm off ta help the poor boy, can't let him suffer in a pink waist coat all alone."

"I'll be out in a minute," I called out to him, wincing as the back was tightened.

"That's what you said two hours ago." Rayanna smirked, glancing through more perfume jars.

I shot a glance at her, "Quiet, you." She put a hand to her mouth as she chuckled.

As it was I still had a while to go. I dreaded having to do all this yet again tomorrow, but once everything was applied it seemed worth it standing in front of a gilded mirror, seeing my reflection. Everyone has an image of the inner self and how we truly look, and my reflection put that person before me. My mouth dropped rather stupidly in my shock. Rayanna came up beside me.

"Yes, I think that just about does it. Now don't gape like some fish, dear. The men are probably done with your friend by now, why don't you give him a little look, hmn?"

I looked at her fearfully as she pushed me toward the other room, I tried to stall her, "He won't notice........" I began weakly.

"Nonsense, and if he doesn't I shall have to deduce that his tastes run to other persons not of the female anatomy. Now go."

With one final push I was in the other room. Godley was the first to notice me as Abberline was still being fussed at by the clerks in front of the three grand mirrors.

"Well I'll be damned!" He exclaimed coming forward, "Now I know what took so bloody long. Ya look spectacular Miss Harlington. Why if I were younger we should elope at the soonest possible momen'"

The comment was so sweet, and I had never in my life been complimented like that, that I wrapped him in a tight hug.

"Thank you, Godley."

"Nofin' to be thanked for," he grunted uncomfortable, "Not so tight love, you'll wrinkle the dress and I'm fast loosing all the air in my lungs."

"Sorry." I chuckled, pulling back smoothing out his coat where I had seemingly scrunched too tight.

He merely patted my hand kindly and turning back sharply he called over his shoulder, 'Oy, Fred man, come an' see our Miss Harlington!"

Abberline had to force his way through the tightly knit circle of clerks. Let's face it the mans a god when he's all roughed up like he just had a major tumble, but seeing him in a tux it was all I could do not to falter under his inspective gaze. The man was just too damn beautiful.

"Well, well, well, don't you look spiffy." I managed to murmur.

Well it was no secret what he obviously thought of me. As soon as his eyes took me in, it was as if he had emerged from the men expecting to see one thing and something completely different, and whatever it was that I had become in the past few hours, he did not like it. A frown pulled at the corner of his mouth as the clerks around him gasped and brightened.

"Oh she's perfectly lovely.........."

"A vision............"

"If only I weren't married........."

"........or dedicated to fashion............."

"Well, come one Freddie Boy," They prodded him, "Doesn't she just look ravishing?!"

I was quite sure Freddie Boy was glaring at me, he shrugged his shoulders, "She's alrigh'"

There was a pause of silence as if a jug of ice cold water had been thrown in everyone's face.

"Dear boy, do you have your eyes closed?"

"The man's obviously blind............" One clerk muttered.

"..........or needs a strong pair of glasses........." another clucked.

"Not a bit right in the head, is he?" one whispered.

The others shook their heads in agreement.

What on earth was his problem? Truth be told I felt sexy for one of the very first times in my life in this get up (sickening I know) but hey, everyone's allowed to feel that way at least once, right?! Hell, I was damn hot in this dress and if couldn't see that then well.............Rayanna was right. He was not interested in women. I wondered faintly if that were the case if he had enjoyed the clerks groping of his person during his fitting.

Approaching, I looked him over disdainfully, seeking to hurt as I had been.

"I supposed you'll do as well. It was too much of me to hope for you to clean up nice, but it'll have to do for the time being. Pack up the suit and any other effects you feel necessary he need not to embarrass me. We will be paying in an hour."

I could hear the ominous grinding of Abberline's teeth. I went to sweep from the room to have Godley catch my arm, "Don't worry lass, 'e's been annoyed ever since the damned fittin' took him away from his book, been sulkin' all afternoon. I'll talk to 'im, but for once the lads," he said gesturing to the clerks, "are right. You look amazin'." He glanced back at Abberline who seemed to positively shake with some controlled emotion equal to that of rage, "I'll talk ta him, but don't yeh doubt you look beautiful."

His words restored some of my confidence, "Thank you, Godley."

Turning I returned to my dressing room.

"Well?" Rayanna asked.

"He is without a doubt..........fancying gentlemanly company."

Rayanna clicked her tongue, "Such a shameful waste."

I gave a half way smile and began to take off the layers of things I had on.

"Oh, I found your scent."

I looked up not really that interested anymore in playing dress up. Abberline's words seemed to strip away any excitement I had felt about it before, "Oh?"

"Yes," she handed me a small brown box, "it is a rare fig scent plucked from this odd farm in the country."

"What makes it so rare?" I questioned turning the box over in my hands.

"To put it simply the outrageous rumor is that the farm is grown by witch, and her figs are widely known for being quite worth whatever price it goes for." She chuckled, "Complete poppycock of course, but I thought this called for desperate measures."

"Hmnn..........." I began to open the box but Rayanna's hand stilled me.

"I would advise you not to open or wear it before tomorrow night."

I looked at her shocked, "Whatever do you mean?"

"Let us just say," she said slyly a twinkle sharpening her eyes, "it has quite an effect. If that doesn't shock your friend out of his stupor then nothing will and he is beyond our aid."

I wrapped my fingers tightly about the box, "Thank you, Rayanna."

She nodded her head in content acceptance. "You're welcome, just invite me to the wedding."

Whoa.........hold up, double take! What the frock?!

"What?!"

"I told you it has a dizzying effect. By tomorrow night he'll be on his knees proposing with a ring he can not afford."

Ok, we're good. For a second there I thought she really was phsycic again. Call me now for yer free readin'!

"We'll see." I said skeptically, shrugging off the remainder of the dress.

"We won't, but you, my unbelieving and unsuspecting friend, will." Taking the box from me she placed it in a brown paper bag.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~~~~

Ok I lied, The BALL isn't coming next chapter, I had no idea I had written this much and there is more to come, namely finding out what is up in Abberline's ass about me now! So one more chapter and then, the ball, the rest of our dear reviewers who sent in tons of reviews just to be the bitch. One I shall say, "Yore hired, and then yore fired." And we meet the new and close to becoming a new leading man, who might just make me forget Abby completely. That is if A will stop flirting with the clerks in time. Review people, it'll just make me work faster. Oh by the way went to Cali and saw the Viper Room, I know you all just wish you were me!