Strongman 8

Chapter 8

Almost before Danielle knew it, the night of the second Masque had arrived. Danielle and Asa arrived along with the Duke and Duchess LaValle. Danielle was wearing her mother's dress which that had been restored to perfection and Asa was wearing a long flowing hooded cloak with an ornate mask on his face that gave him an air of mystery.

Several of the ladies' present, batted their eyelashes at him, as he and Danielle walked by. Asa swallowed nervously and kept walking. He wasn't sure if Danielle had noticed what was going on until suddenly one of the girls who was in mid- bat yelped in pain. Asa's head whipped around just in time to see that Danielle had accidently on purpose put the heel of her shoe into the girls instep.

Asa glared at Danielle who looked at him innocently. She shrugged lightly

"Accidents happen," she said sweetly, as she walked passed him following his god parents through the door he opened for them.

Asa rolled his eyes and followed her.

The court herald announced them, and they began to mingle with the other guests at the Masque. They hadn't been there long, when suddenly Asa heard a shrill voice that literally made him cringe!

"Oh, Duke Asa, you handsome devil, I know that's you!" cried a pushy girl with dirty blonde hair as she hurried toward him.

Asa groaned under his breath.

"Let me guess," chuckled Danielle, "That's Lady Corrinne, you, handsome devil, you."

Asa nodded

"Yeah, that's her," he replied, "and it's not funny either."

A split-second later Lady Corrinne wrapped herself around one of Asa's arms.

"Why don't you and I go somewhere a little more private!" she cooed.

All amusement left Danielle's face. She grabbed Lady Corrinne by the ear lobe and peeled her off of Asa.

"Duke Asa is here with me, you vulture, so get lost!" she growled

Lady Corrinne huffed and stormed off.

"Thanks," said Asa, straightening his shirt.

"You very welcome." Said Danielle.

Just then Asa saw Henry making his way toward them.

"Here comes your Lady Corrinne as it were." He said

Danielle looked up and nodded.

"Danielle," said Prince Henry with nervous excitement, "I-I'm so glad that you came!"

Asa hid a smirk. For the first time in his life Prince Henry was having trouble speaking to a girl.

"Your highness," said Danielle coolly as she curtsied, "Your parents the king and queen were most kind to invite me."

Just then another song started.

"W-Would you care to d-dance," stammered Prince Henry

"Thank you for the invitation your highness," Danielle replied, "but I already promised Duke Asa the first dance."

"Huh?" said Asa before Danielle grabbed his arm and yanked him on to the dance floor.

"Danielle," hissed Asa, "I can't dance, I have two left feet, you know that!"

"Relax," smiled Danielle, "you be fine."

"okay," said Asa, "but when you wind up with a set of crushed toes, don't say I didn't warn you!"

Danielle and Asa started to dance. Danielle managed to help Asa in such a way that it still looked like he was leading. Asa actually started to enjoy himself. He glanced over and prince Henry and fought the urged to laugh. Henry looked like he was about to twist the top off his scepter.

Outside the banquet hall in the outer corridor La Croix was meeting with one of the Baroness's other contacts in the palace. A butler named Gerard.

"Duke Asa and Duchess Danielle have arrived," said Gerard

"Good," said La Croix he pulled out a small vile filled with blue liquid, "do you see this?"

Gerard nodded.

"This," continued La Croix, "Is a very powerful knock out drug. It will put the LeValles and more importantly Duke Asa and Danielle into a deep sleep. We won't have to worry about Asa's strength or Danielle's swordplay if they're both unconscious."

"but we can't put it in the food here," said Gerard, "we could never be sure that they would get it that way. We might drug someone else."

"You think I don't know that." Snapped La Croix, "this party will go late enough that Asa and Danielle are planning to stay at the LaValle Chateau tonight before going back to Danielle's place tomorrow. One of Baroness DeGhent's other contacts is on his way there to lace their food with the drug! After that arrangements have been made to ship Danielle and Asa off to opposite ends of the map!"

After the song ended Danielle and Asa applauded, then decided to take a walk in the garden. They strolled along together in companionable silence, gazing up at the bright array of stars scattered across the heavens from time to time.

Danielle looped her arm through Asa's as they walked. She watched Asa out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't really blame those other girls for eyeing Asa. He was handsome. Just as these thoughts ran through her head Asa noticed her looking at him. as their eyes met Danielle felt a fluttering in the pit of her stomach.

It caused her to stop short.

The last time she felt like this was with Prince Henry at the Gypsy camp. Up till now she thought she was still in love with Henry, and just making him sweat after the mess he had made of things. Now, she wasn't so sure!"

TO BE CONTINUED…please Review

Will La Croix's diabolical plan work?

What is going on in Danielle's heart.