AN: Thank you so much for your feedback. They were much appreciated. Here is the awaited scene where CB meet as they really are.

Part 4

The sun shone bright outside, and they shielded their eyes on the way out to the veranda, where a small breakfast table was set. The events of the night were still fresh, and Chuck grimaced as his eyes adjusted to the brightness. It was satisfactory enough to him that Daniel Humphrey, the secretary who drank nothing the night before, was experiencing the same discomfort as he was.

He speared a sausage with his fork and brought it to his mouth, then started chewing. Daniel bit onto unflavored bread.

"I just might be in love with her, Humphrey," Chuck said out loud in realization. He had been reading his newspaper while he and his father's secretary ate breakfast. While sipping some coffee, he brought the paper down with a frown. Daniel Humphrey had regarded him quietly, as if waiting for Chuck to formulate his thoughts. Chuck gathered that Daniel Humphrey often did that for his father. And that was when he spoke out the stray thought.

Daniel chuckled. "You will pardon me, I hope. My lord, you do not know the young woman in question. You've seen her once, half-dressed, in a club. I daresay til not love, but something else entirely, Lord Charles."

Chuck smirked, then shook his head. "You're right," he gave in. "It must be that infatuation. It's not every day one sees a Society lady for the first time in nothing but a thin chemise. She's a thrillseeker." Chuck laughed slightly. "Now if I could find her again, I can give her the thrill of a lifetime."

Daniel cleared his throat. "My lord, just to keep us on track and back to England as soon as possible, I might remind you of the purpose we're here."

Chuck placed the newspaper down and raised his eyebrows. "Retrieve Lady Blair and take her back to London and Nathaniel Fitzwilliam Archibald's waiting arms," Chuck restated. "Speaking of our mission, have you finagled invitations to Eleanor Rose's ball?"

"Just as you asked, my lord. It was not difficult at all, armed with your name and title," Daniel offered wryly.

The trace of irony in his voice was not lost to Chuck. He spoke the words Daniel likely thought. "With a name and title such as mine, you believe life will be easier?" he asked curiously. Daniel nodded. "And you would have no obstacle to Serena?"

"Wouldn't you agree?"

"If only it were that easy, Humphrey." Chuck brought the cup of coffee to his lips and sipped. "Look at Nathaniel. One of the oldest families in London, yet with one misstep from his father, his entire life came crashing down on him."

Daniel commented, "But he's still noble. He can marry some wealthy girl and be back on top."

"And that would be the girl branded with scandal or so homely no one else will have her," Chuck said matter-of-factly.

"Lady Blair wants to marry him—as far as I know her reputation is intact, and she has suitors lining up."

"Lady Blair is an odd case." Chuck's lips curved. "Makes me wonder what is wrong with her to be so bent on Nathaniel. Something must be wrong with the girl." He turned to Daniel again. "That reminds me—"

Daniel nodded before Chuck could finish his sentence. "Yes, my lord," Daniel interrupted. "I have sent a letter to Lady Eleanor of the Marquis of Hartington's desire to press a suit for her daughter's hand."

Chuck was impressed, and he said so. "Now I know why my father's handpicked you from his stable of young, promising secretaries. You are quite efficient, Humphrey."

"I will take that as a compliment, my lord, rather than an insult to be compared to a horse."

Daniel slid the invitation towards Chuck. Chuck opened the envelope and read through the script. He placed the card back inside and wondered, "You think our Fleur Noire exhibitionist is invited to this particular ball?"

"It will not be surprising if she were, my lord. Society is not that big of a population, and very few outsiders are invited in," Daniel pointed out.

"Well, Daniel, lucky for you, we have an invitation and you can come along."

Daniel nodded, as expected. "And what would you have me do this night, my lord?" he inquired, eager to serve.

"I will be prowling for my Black Flower," Chuck stated. "You, on the other hand, must find out what mask and gown the Lady Blair is wearing, so that I could complete my mission for Nathaniel with haste."

"And once I find her, my lord?"

"Tell me who she is and I will take care of the rest," Chuck advised.

The night arrived quickly, and Chuck made sure that he was dressed in the best tailored costume he could have made for him within the afternoon. No one had wanted to accept the order from Daniel initially until they found out that a marquis would be wearing the creation in the Rose masquerade ball. Within four hours, Daniel carried back the costume to Chuck's hotel room.

Pleased, Chuck donned the red and black costume and the mask. He opened the door and found Daniel wearing a black and white suit.

"This is a masquerade ball," Chuck pronounced.

Daniel looked at the marquis from head to toe, then smirked. "If I had not known, I would have upon the sight of you, my lord. You are the devil."

Chuck grinned. "It suits me. His grace would agree. Pray tell, Humphrey, what are you going as?"

"As a dandy," Daniel shared.

"Quite creative," Chuck murmured, then stepped out into the corridor. "Do we—"

"I have taken the liberty to rent out a carriage for you, my lord."

Chuck patted Daniel's back. "Remind me to steal you from my father's employ once we get back to London."

Chuck presented the cards to the butler, then stood at the top of the stairs. Behind him, he was vaguely aware of the mothers and fathers who seemed to assess him from head to toe, wondering what the Englishman was doing in Paris amidst the height of the London Season.

"Lord Charles Bartholomew Bass, Marquis of Hartington, son of the Duke of Devonshire," announced the butler. "Mister Daniel Humphrey."

Upon the sound of his name, more people looked up at him. Chuck descended the steps and moved easily under the close scrutiny of the parents who were searching for a good match for their daughters. He scanned the room, hoping to find his Fleur Noire, wondering how he would recognize her when he had only ever seen her masked. Yet again, everyone in the place was masked.

"Daniel, learn what you've been asked to find out, and meet me within an hour."

The secretary did as he was told, and Chuck found himself standing alone amidst the predatory crowd. One woman stepped out of the circle and walked over to Chuck. There was no mistaking her identity given the way she carried herself. This was the lady of the manor.

"Lord Hartington," she greeted, holding out her hand. "I'm Lady Rose."

Chuck took the older woman's hand in his, bowed deeply and kissed her knuckles. "Lady Rose, I am fortunate to make your acquaintance." She was, he regarded, a handsome woman. If Lady Blair inherited her mother's looks, then he was certain that Nathaniel would not spend many lonely nights. "You are as beautiful as the flower whose name you bear."

Lady Rose laughed with pleasure. "You are a flatterer, my lord!" she exclaimed. "It is my pleasure to welcome you into my home." She looked around. "My daughter is here somewhere, and I'm certain she would adore meeting you." Lady Rose assessed the young man. "You are much younger than I expected, my lord. When you signed your letter as Marquis of Hartington, I had pictured a feeble old man." She waved the thought aside.

"And yet you agreed to have Lady Blair marry me."

Lady Rose flushed. "Well, my lord, let me see if I can find my daughter in this room."

Chuck nodded. When Eleanor vanished into the crowd, he turned and walked around. Eyes and noses were hidden from view, but lips, bodies could be seen. And those lips were unforgettable. Chuck climbed the winding staircase and looked around. So many lovely ladies, but none was the girl who kissed him outside the gentleman's club the night before.

One door opened, and music wafted out. Two young women stumbled out, then started giggling, with their masks hanging from their fingers. They turned around, and Chuck caught a glance of their faces before they placed the masks back on. He recognized them as the girls who helped her escape. It only meant that she was here, in this ball. Chuck's heart rose to his throat.

He opened the music room door and saw the young woman sitting behind the piano with her back to him. A white jeweled mask lay on top of the piano and he ached to call out to her, to have her turn around, so that he could see her face. She was wearing white feathered wings, he noted, folded up behind her as if they were broken. A silver halo, crooked, sat atop her head. She was a fallen angel. He started to call for her, but the first note sounded, and then the next, and he was struck still where he stood.

"Amazing grace," came the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. He was used to the high pitched singing of the debutantes in London, and was surprised by the girl's singing voice. "How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me." She held the note long, and her voice trembled. Chuck's throat closed at the realization that she was singing out of distress. "I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." She stopped singing, and her fingers faltered on the keys. "Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear," she choked. The music started up again. "And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed," she finished in a whisper. He stepped forward in concern, and heard the quiet sniffle.

She turned her head to the side, and he could only glimpse the smooth cheek, the long neck. "Whoever you are, please leave. This is a private room."

"I'm sorry. I—"

"It's fine," she rasped. "Make your way back to the party," the young woman commanded hoarsely.

Chuck's eyebrows furrowed. "Lady Blair?"

A pregnant pause, and then: "Please," she begged, "leave."

He caught his breath, then stepped outside and closed the door behind him. One of the girls from the night before passed by him, then stopped. "You are the gentleman we met at La Fleur," she pointed out. "Well, not mine. The one that our friend spoke with." She smiled at him. Her voice dropped. "The one she kissed."

"Mademoiselle—"

"Isabel Coates," she provided. "She asked you to leave?" Isabel shrugged. "The music room is very private and very special. She and her father used to play the piano there all the time."

Chuck blinked back at the young woman, who held onto a champagne flute. "I see," he managed.

"Oh, Kati's calling me. If you'll excuse me, my lord." She walked briskly to the end of the corridor.

Daniel Humphrey walked towards him. Chuck nodded at the secretary. "My lord," Daniel called out, "I know what Lady Blair is dressed as."

"A fallen angel," Chuck whispered.

Daniel appeared taken aback. "You know." Daniel shook his head. "Wait, you've met her?"

"She likes to be alone when she's playing the piano," Chuck said softly. He jerked his head towards the stairs. "Come on. You've done your job tonight, Humphrey. Enjoy the ball. Dance with debutantes."

Daniel laughed. "No dancing with debutantes. I have no doubt that the same way you know everything, Serena has a way as well."

"You think she's not dancing through her Season?"

Chuck made his way down the stairs. As customary, he took part in the dance rotation and signed eight dance cards. He spun through the dance floor while keeping his eyes trained on the stairs. His sixth dance was about to end, with an insipid blonde who seemed awestruck to be dancing with him, when the fallen angel emerged from the second floor.

He excused himself from his dance partner, and smoothly moved over to the bottom step. She turned her masked face to him and continued walking down the steps. He raised his hand toward her as she neared him. "May I have the next dance, my lady?"

She placed her hand in his. "My lord."

Chuck escorted her to the center of the floor and held her close. The mothers who had been watching the marquis the entire night pursed their lips at the close proximity as the two danced. Chuck did not pay attention to the forlorn young woman whose card he had signed to be the next dance. Instead, his gaze fell to her slightly parted lips.

"I think you would be very happy if you left with me right now," he said smoothly.

"Surely you jest, my lord."

"The devil never jests. He does present irresistible temptation."

She pulled away. "Then you are presumptuous, my lord." Her eyebrows furrowed. "I recognize your voice." Blair gasped, then pulled away.

"Lady Blair, I came to Paris with one goal and that goal is you," he started, loathing remembering Nathaniel's request when his head was full of her song, of her kiss, of the feel of her in his arms.

"You think that's flattery?" She untied her mask and bared her glimmering narrowed eyes at him. Chuck sucked in his breath at the sight of naked fury and delicate beauty both entwined to produce the broken winged creature before him. Blair turned on her heels and walked away.

Chuck watched her leave, uncomfortable with the rate that his heart beat and the tightening and fluttering in his stomach.

Eleanor Rose walked after her daughter, then pulled Blair aside. Chuck walked towards them and heard the admonishment. "Blair, that is no way to talk to the man who will be husband!" Blair turned hurt eyes towards Chuck.

"Your mother accepted my suit," he informed her quite calmly.

Betrayed, she turned to her mother. "You accepted it, then you marry him!"

Chuck pulled his mask off in frustration. He saw Lady Blair's eyes widen at the sight of his face. She fled to the garden. Chuck moved to follow her but Eleanor Rose placed a hand on his arm. "Best leave her alone when she's acting like a child."

And despite the many silent moments when he disagreed with Eleanor Rose, it was the first time that Chuck realized exactly why Nathaniel was in such urgency to retrieve Blair Waldorf.

tbc