Sorry for the ridiculous delay … So much had been going on! And then there's writers block … But, here it is … I apologize to everyone:-

Anyways, it's finally here! Woohoo!!!

Thank you to all my precious reviewers … --hands out slices of cheesecake--

Dark Knightress: No, there probably won't be a hobo. If you come up with an idea to put one in let me know, and I'll consider it!

InChrist-Billios: Thanks for the review! No specific plans for Genevieve, but ideas are welcome!

Celestial Starlight: Thanks for the review and the encouragement!

Lobuck:Thanks! It was just an idea, I didn't think it would take so well with the few reviewers I hoped to get ... Hope you like what you see next! xD

Oh, and one more thing ... Billios was kind enough to remind me that she was the one who came up with the pastry sayings. I used one last chapter (For the love of all things pastry) and will probably be using more at random moments. But, she wanted credit, and they are hers, so I was happy to comply. --glances in Billi's direction-- Happy now?

"Alright, looks like everybody's ready. Just remember – This is one of our biggest balls of the year!"

Lord Jeffery Maldonado was giving out last minute instructions to the servants who were chosen for the ball tonight. He, Luke Mahoy, was one of those servants. He hoped he would be in the kitchens, but there was no telling what would happen after he finished his coachman duties.

"It is your job to make the guests comfortable, and if they aren't to figure out why and see if you can fix it. Now, seeing as you have had a lot of responsibilities this past week and will have a lot tonight as well, you will each be given breaks. They will be staggered, so that only one or two of you is on break at one time, but they will be semi-frequent. Any questions? No? Well, I think that's the first guest. Places everyone! Someone will come and find you when it is time for you to have a break."

On that final note, Lord Jeffery exited the foyer and the servants scattered, some down the the kitchens to help the cooks with refreshments, some to the ballroom to give it a final once-over, and the rest of them to the front doors, himself included, to open doors and assist the ladies in exiting the carriage.

Upon exiting the manor, Luke saw that someone else had already opened the door of the first carriage and was helping a Lady to exit, who seemed to be followed by a Lord and no children. Stepping out of the doorway to make room, he spotted another carriage coming and made his way for the front walk where it looked to be stopping.

"Welcome to Maldonado Manor. May I give you a hand, milady?" Luke held out his hand to the noble, who took it carefully as she stepped out of the carriage. The lady was followed by a lord, who helped his three children down after exiting himself.

"Allow me to show you to the door," Luke said, turning to walk down the steps. He was slightly preoccupied, though. The young lady in the purple gown had caught his eye. He would have to figure out who it was . He doubted that they would ever talk, because she seemed to have a certain disregard for servants. Most nobles just saw them as tools, but this noble seemed to be truly repulsed by them, having them as tools, property of the lesser value. He could simply sense it in her aura. That, and the fact that she stepped away from him once out of the carriage. Ah well, maybe if he dressed as a noble he could talk to her ...

Opening the doors, he made a small bow and ushered the family inside, where he turned them over to another footman who would show them to the ballroom and take their coats. Still thinking about the mystery noble, Luke returned to greet the next carriage that came his way.

Luke was just helping the last guests in about a half an hour later, the butler came to tell him that he could take a break after his next coach. Thanking him, Luke put the finishing touches on the plans that he had been developing to talk to that beautiful noble. He would go to his quarters and pull on his spare suit, then discreetly enter the ballroom and find the noble. All of which would take five to seven minutes. The perfect plan.

"Welcome to Maldonado Manor. May I help you out of the carriage?"

Luke extended his hand, which was taken by a graying noble who, despite her looks, was quite steady on her feet and put hardly any support on his hand as she stepped down. She was followed by her husband, who looked just as healthy as she did, and then she placed her hand on his arm and he led them to the door.

As Luke jogged back to his quarters, he thought about what he was going to say to the noble once he found her.

Hello. May I have this dance?

No, too abrupt.

My Name is Luke Mahoy. May I trouble you with this dance?

No, too awkward sounding.

Hello Milady. My name is Luke Mahoy. May I have this dance?

Perfect. Now he just had to find her …

By the time Luke was done planning, he had finished getting changed and was on his way to the ballroom. Seeing the doors ahead, he sped up and was almost running by the time he reached them. Stopping a moment to compose himself, he opened the doors and stepped into the room.