Chapter 3

It was the day of the ball. Maria entered her room after Loveday had pestered her to get ready as it had already started. But there was no sign of Robin. Going over to her bed, she picked up the note she had received the day before.

Hope to see you at the ball Princess. Save me a dance?

Save me a dance. This was obviously from Robin, as no one else called her "Princess" apart from the cook Marmaduke. Excitedly she opened her wardrobe to find the dress Loveday had described to her. She laid it out on the best, gasping at its beauty. It was powder grey, with gentle falling sleeves, a tight bodice and a flowing skirt. As she looked closely, Maria noticed there were pearls adorned all over the dress and the skirt had lace embroidery. She tried it on, of course it hugged her figure well. She wore little heeled shoes to match and a small pearl necklace. Lastly, she placed a very small tiara on her free red curls, decorated with pearls and diamonds. She looked in the mirror and could not believe her reflection. Maria did not believe she was naturally good looking despite what others told her, but tonight she looked pretty. Smiling, she decided it was about time to make an entrance as she could hear beautiful piano melodies being played, no doubt by her uncle, and she hoped that people were dancing.

She entered the "piano room" as she loved to call it and found the most beautiful sight. Loveday had decorated the room with pink geraniums, her favourite flower, and there were many merry people talking. As she stepped closer she even noticed Mrs Heliotrope and Digweed dancing, a most adorable sight. She began searching for Robin when-

"Maria!"

Maria saw Loveday rushing towards her dressed in a beautiful royal blue flowing dress.

"Well how do I look?" Maria asked her.

"Maria, you look-"

Loveday's voice was interrupted by a very familiar man's voice.

"Gorgeous" said Robin.

"Oh doesn't she Robin?" Loveday looked at Robin, delighted that his eyes were fixed upon Maria's.

Maria felt her heart do a little jump at the sight of Robin. He had swapped his bandit clothes for black tails, yet he was still wearing his feather necklace and his usually messy curls had been combed.

"She does sister. Maria, may I have this dance?"

"Yes, you may".

Robin, winking at his sister, took Maria's hand and led her to where the couples were waltzing.

"Well Bird Boy, you certainly do scrub up nicely, I must say" Maria knew in her heart that was an understatement. She was beginning to notice how handsome he was. His shoulders were noticeably quite broad and as they were so close, he was slightly towering over her.

"Thank you very much Princess, I hope you got my note" he flashed a cheeky grin but as Maria looked into the charcoaled eyes, she noticed a sort of hunger.

"Yes I did thank you" Maria smiled up at him.

Suddenly, Robin leant forwards and whispered in her ear:

"I think both of our families expect us to be married by now Princess".

Maria blushed, partly because of the assumption of the statement and partly because her face had never been this close to his before. She could feel his warm breath tickling her neck and his lips had ever so slightly brushed her cheek as he turned to whisper to her.

"Well yes I am afraid you are right" Maria replied, catching herself.

"Well what do you think about it?"

"Well I really don't know Robin, its their assumption that we might even get married at all."

Robin stepped back a little. He was clearly quite disappointed. The music suddenly stopped.

"Well then Princess, I shall leave you now, I am sure there are many others who would like a dance with you, I cant keep you all to myself now. If you will excuse me"

And just like that, Robin walked out of the room. Maria was left in the middle of the room, looking slightly starstruck. Loveday, noticing this, walked over to her.

"Maria? What's wrong? Where's Robin?"

But Maria, determined to find him, ignored her and swept out of the room. She searched for what seemed like a long time when she stepped outside into the courtyard to find Robin with his back to her.

"Robin!" Maria called out.

Robin turned around but he was not alone. He was there with the DeNoir girl, Posy. Maria was shocked. She felt as if her heart had just cracked open at the sight of them both. Tears rolling down her cheeks, she fled the scene.

"Maria!" Robin called after her.

It was too late. Maria ran into the stables and grabbed the nearest horse, she had to escape even though it was quite dark. She hoisted herself up onto the stable and galloped away into the forest.