A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Fruitcase, thanks for the great advice on relief for writers block.
Rogue just sat there, shifting uncomfortably on the bed, as two pairs of curious eyes stared at her. During the carriage ride home Kathy and Jane had said nothing about the hasty departure from Colin's house. As soon as they had made it safely back to the Devereux home, the two girls had quickly whisked Rogue up the stairs, bypassing any possible questions from the men in the family. So now here they were, sitting in complete silence, waiting for one of them to work up the courage to shatter the stillness.
"Annabelle, are you going to tell us what is going on or are we going to do this all damn day?" Kathy it seemed could endure her curiosity no longer.
"Kathy!" Jane let out a sharp gasp, "Hold your tongue."
Kathy did not even look ashamed at cursing, causing the corners of Rogue's mouth to twitch up at the corners slightly.
"After what I caught that cad trying to do to my sister, Jane, I really could care less what I say as long as I get some answers."
"But Kathy you are still a lady," Jane shot back.
"Enough already," Rogue could see if she didn't jump in soon this lecture could go on for a while, "Ah'l tell ya but only after ya sit back down and let me get it out with no interruptions. Got it?"
Kathy immediately plopped back down on the desk chair and Jane nodded her agreement. Taking one long deep breath Rogue told them everything from the beginning. She left out helping Rene and Olivia, she didn't want them knowing too much. Finally she ended with what she had discovered in the office and Colin's reaction. Both girls sat in shocked horror as her words sank in; their mouths perfect round "O's".
"You can't marry him," Jane was the first to speak.
"Nah, ya think?" Rogue let the sarcastic remark roll of her lips, "but what else am ah going ta do?"
"That is simple," said Kathy, "We will expose his lies at the ball. He has already broken his agreement with Father. I witnessed what he almost did to you. There will be a scandal of course but will just send you up North to Father's sister until it simmers down. Nothing could be easier."
Kathy was smiling like an idiot at what was probably a good spur of the moment plan. Rogue picked at the idea in her head and had to admit it did sound like it might just work. Unfortunately Jane was the one to bring up the practical issue that the plan faced.
"Where is your proof?" she said in a whisper.
"Proof?" the other two girls said at the same time.
"Yes, your proof. Did either of you grab the papers off of Colin's desk that prove he has broken his contract with Uncle Charles? We can't denounce him in public without proof that what we say is true, else we would just help him to win."
Rogue and Kathy exchanged looks that said she brought up a pretty darn good point. Neither had thought at the time to grab the papers before leaving.
"Well we will just help Annabelle disappear for a while, that could work right?"
As much as Rogue wanted to agree with that she felt a cold realization hit her.
"Ah can't leave. Colin has shown he can be a cruel and heartless man, do ya really think ah could just disappear. He was already desperate enough ta try ta force himself on meh rather then be found out, do ya ever think he would just forget and let meh go. Ah seriously doubt it. No he'll hunt meh down until he finds meh, don't ask meh how ah know but ah know he has people who would do it. He might even try something worse like come after ya, ah couldn't live with mahself if anything happened ta mah family because of meh. Ah have already gotten ya in enough trouble as it is."
Rogue felt heaviness in her heart as she said this. She saw now the path laid out in front of Annabelle, why she had stayed behind. She had done it to protect her family. Colin would never let someone humiliate him in the eyes of society, and if he could get her he would come after them. She knew she had tears welling up in her eyes, but she held them back. Annabelle had sacrificed herself, her chance at happiness, to save the people she loved. Rogue would have done the same, done anything to protect the X-Men who had become her family.
"Will ya both go now," she said sadly, crossing the room to open the door, "Ah think ah have a lot ta think about."
"But Annabelle," Kathy began to plead, "I am sure we can do some…"
"No," Rogue shook her head, "Don't ya see there is nothing we can do. Ah can't risk any of ya, ya mean ta much ta meh."
Kathy let her protests die and gave her sister a fierce hug before exiting into the hall. Jane came up slower, meeting Rogue's eyes. She didn't say anything but understanding flashed through her eyes. Rogue impulsively reached out and gave the other girl a hug, silently promising to give one to Jean if she ever saw her again. Once the two girls left, Rogue slid to the ground resting her hand on her knees. She could hear Kathy and Jane's voices drifting towards her through the wood.
Out in the hall, Jane took one last look at the closed door.
"We can't let her go through with this Kathy, we just can't. It will kill her."
"I know. I have one more idea. I know someone who may be able to help us, it is risky but it just might work. Are you willing to help?"
"Just tell me what to do."
ooooXXXXoooo
The night of the ball was beautiful. The weather was the perfect temperature and a slight breeze blew merrily through the city. Above in the night sky the stars were out in full force, twinkling like millions of tiny candle flames. Rogue however was blind to all of it.
She was standing in the middle of her room in a large towel, drying of from the bath she had. It had taken an hour to fill the small hipbath and the water had been unbearably hot at first. She was really missing indoor plumbing. She had scrubbed herself with the scratchy lye soap, then rubbed the magnolia-scented oil into her skin and through her hair. She had to wait for Kathy and Jane to help her dress since they had both insisted she not have a hired maid do it.
Tonight it would be all over. Tonight Annabelle would tie her future forever to that jerk Colin, and what about her? It appeared she would spend the rest of her life stuck in another woman's body, living someone else's nightmare of a life, and a century away from the people who made up her own.
"Well maybe she wound up killing him during the honeymoon," Rogue spat out as she stared out the window into the warm Louisiana night. Secretly she wondered what became of Rene. Would he continue his daring rescues? Would he meet some pretty Yankee girl and settle in Boston? Would he go his whole life not knowing that there was a woman trapped in a loveless marriage somewhere that loved him desperately. Rogue thought that would probably happen, but didn't have time to dwell as a sharp knock announced the girls' arrival .
Wisely they said nothing as Rogue let them in. Jane had a large bundle in her arms that could only have been Rogues ball gown. They helped Rogue into her undergarments, Rogue silently trying not to curse as they both worked to pull her corset ties tight. When she was in finally tied Kathy sat her down and began to curl her hair. Rogue watched as she brushed and curled the soft waves into intricate little ringlets, tucking some up and letting others fall. She also seemed to be putting some sort of powder on top of every strand of hair. Rogue just shrugged, must be something they did in this time.
While she was doing this Rogue allowed her attention to wander to there attire. Kathy was in a very becoming rose pink gown. Over the large skirt a lace overlay fell to the floor, allowing the pink to peek out from underneath. Her shoulders were covered in little pink cap sleeves with rosebuds decorating the bottoms. Her hair had been pulled into a bun with tiny ringlets falling from the bottom. She looked so sweet and innocent, Rogue couldn't help but wish Pierre could see her now.
Jane was dressed more sedate, since she was married. Her gown was a deep burgundy that set of the flame of her hair and made her eyes seem almost as green as Rogue's usually were. Her shoulders were bare but she had large puffed sleeves that reached to her elbows. When she moved Rogue could hear the velvet of her dress rustle softly across the floor.
When Kathy pronounced her hair finished Rogue stood in the middle of the room as Jane helped her into her hoopskirt. Then gently both girls lifted the dress over Rogue's head, and Rogue got a brief view of emerald silk. Kathy went about straightening the skirt as Jane began to do the tiny buttons in the back. When they were done they turned her to face the mirror.
"What do you think?" Kathy asked.
Rogue felt her breath catch at the vision before her in the mirror. Her gown had a tight fitting bodice with small scraps of fabric across her arms that left her pale shoulders bare. Her dress was a beautiful emerald green silk that draped softly to the floor. The front was parted to show a cream white petticoat that was embroidered with stunning gold ivy vines. Every way she turned they would catch the light and send tiny sparkles dancing around the room. Her hair was upswept from her face but was all delicate curls down her back. It was weird that her hair looked more one color in the light but for once Rogue felt truly beautiful.
"Oh Remy,I wish ya could see ya chere now"
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
"Oh, I almost forgot this," Jane said coming forward with something in her hand. Turning rogue around she helped to fasten a necklace around Rogue's neck. Looking in the mirror Rogue could see it was a pretty cameo pendant on an emerald strand of silk. Unlike most cameos rogue had ever seen this one was not a profile of a girl but of a sculpted rose.
"It's wonderful Jane. Thank ya but ya shouldn't have."
Jane smiled, "Don't worry I didn't."
Rogue didn't have time to ponder the statement as she saw Jane don a burgundy mask. She was confused.
"Kathy ah don't remember ya telling me this was a masquerade."
"Must have slipped my mind," Kathy shrugged as she too put on a pink half mask, "Here you better put this on we should be getting downstairs the ball is going to start soon."
Kathy pressed a mask into Rogue's hand then headed for the door with Jane. Rogue's heart gave a rapid leap as she glanced down at her mask. It was her mask, the one she had bought at the antiques store for Mardi Gras. She didn't know why but for the first time in a while she felt a small string of hope inside her, it had to mean something. Quickly she fastened it onto her face and swept towards the door as the first sounds of music began to drift up from below.
A/N: Yay I got another chapter up. Had a really rough week a few weeks ago and it kicked all my writing idea out of my head, though at least I didn't go as long as before without updating. Going to be moving into my new home in a few weeks so trying very hard to get this story finished before then. I love the idea of masquerades so I could not resist having one. Will try to update soon. Thank you to everyone who likes this story, and reviews are always appreciated. : )