A/N: And now the moment I have been waiting to write since I started writing this story…. the Ball.
Rogue was no stranger to the idea of a masked ball. She had always had a secret yearning to attend one someday. She would always go straight to Elizabeth and Darcy's dance on her "Pride and Prejudice" DVD. She would daydream about being Sarah in the white puffy dress in "Labyrinth". Nothing though could prepare her for the reality when she entered through the double doors of the ballroom.
Rogue had seen this room only once since she arrived, when she came across Jane planning the decorations. At the time it just looked like a pleasantly large room, with cream walls and polished cherry floors. Now candles were glittering in golden sconces, the large velvet curtains pulled back to let there lights reflect back into the room off the three sets of white French doors. Everywhere women stood in dazzling dresses of every conceivable cloth and color. Some were standing, chatting, while others sat of to the sides sweeping decorated fans to combat the heat of the room. Men in elegantly tailored suits moved among them, stopping briefly here or there to inquire if a lady needed any refreshment. In the corner Rogue noticed the younger men eying girls, presumably deciding whom they would give the first dance to. The musicians played soft music to slow to be meant for dancing. Even in the slight heat Rogue took a moment to enjoy the scent of the roses and other fragrant flowers that perfumed the room.
Looking around she quickly spotted Kathy on the other side of the room. Moving as swiftly but as gracefully as she could she made her way over to the younger girl.
"Kathy this place looks amazing."
"Doesn't it though. Jane did an excellent job. I can't wait until they open the doors though it is getting rather hot."
"Why aren't they open now?"
"Oh they won't be until the first two dances are over. Colin did not want anybody to miss him dancing them with you, it shows that you have accepted him as your intended, as if he hadn't already made a point of announcing it to the world," Kathy could barely contain her bitterness on the last few words, "We were just waiting for you to arrive so the ball could start."
"So why haven't they announced it yet? Ah'm sure more then one person saw meh walk in the room."
Rogue was caught by surprise at the mischievous grin that suddenly lit up Kathy's face, "Oh don't worry I am sure they will be starting soon I think Colin just spotted you."
Rogue immediately began to scan the crowd to locate Colin, ready to get this whole thing over with. He was on the opposite side of the ballroom his eyes fixed on someone in the crowd. Confused Rogue followed his gaze until they reached a slim woman who had just entered the room. She was dressed in a Ivory and gold gown, her slim waist accentuated by her large décolletage that even put Rogue to shame. Her face was hidden mostly by a golden mask the only thing visible were her red lips, similar in shape to her own she noticed but what really caught her attention was the woman's hair. It was hanging mostly loose around her face but with unmistakable blond and red streaks. She looked a lot like Rogue.
"Who is that?" Rogue asked Kathy, only to find the other girl had mysteriously disappeared in the crowd. As Rogue watched Colin took the woman's hand and led her to the center of the room. With a bow and a curtsy Colin raised his hand, signaling for the musicians to begin. With a slight sway they began to dance making one full sweep of the floor before other couples began to join in. Rogue stood in shock as Colin passed in front of her with not even a glance of recognition. She was so engrossed in this new scene that she did not hear someone approach behind her.
"Is dis dance taken, Mademoiselle?"
Rogue could feel her body freeze yet her heart seemed to want to beat into overdrive. Turning very slowly she found herself looking at an outstretched gloved hand. Following it up her eyes were met with the a pair of smirking lips and glowing chocolate eyes behind a black mask. Rene. But how? There was no reason for him to be here, in fact, it was dangerous for him to be here.
"Chere, Rene hate to point out," he whispered so the surrounding people couldn't hear, "but it might be a good choice if y' take m' hand."
Mentally shaking herself she allowed her hand to slip into his as he led her onto the dance floor. He swung her around to face him, resting his hand gently on the small of her back. He made the same swaying motion as Colin before he glided her around the floor. Rogue couldn't help but think this must be how flying felt. His face was smiling down at her and his hands were so warm.
"Ya so warm," she accidentally let slip, feeling him tense slightly beneath her hands.
"Is somet'ing happening?" his voice was low but she could detect the small trace of fear.
"No that is not what ah meant," she wanted to kick herself but she felt him relax, she needed to change the subject, "What are ya doing here? Do ya know what will happen if they catch ya?"
He shrugged, "Don't care. I made y' a promise and I intend t' keep it. Could stop t'inkin' 'bout y' chere. Been goin' crazy in Boston knowin' I left y' down here with the likes of 'm." He gestured over to where Colin was dancing. "When Pierre and Liv told me what y' did had t' come back for y'. By the way m' mothers necklace suits y'," he said smiling at the cameo tied around her neck.
"Ya mother's necklace?"
"Had t' make sure I could find y' in the crowd. Was goin' t' give it t' y' anyway but when de femmes came t' Rene with de plan t' get y' out off here and embarrass y' fiancé over dere, well decided it would be as good as any other time."
"Wait, what plan? How ya going ta sneak meh out of a room full of people?"
"Y'r lookin' at it," he once again signaled in Colin's direction.
Suddenly something in Rogue's mind clicked into place, "Rene who is that woman?"
"Dat chere be Ravon Dellacure, de best actress in Boston. It is said she can become just 'bout anyone and tonight she is y'. Y' see she owe Rene a favor and was only t' happy t' help. Everyone in here is watching her dance with y'r fiancé and I don' t'ink he wants t' let what he t'inks is y' get t' far away from 'm. After de next dance dey goin open the doors and we goin' slip out though de gardens. Y' cousin Jane told Rene dat at the end of de ball everyone goin' remove dere masks, imagine everyone's shock when Colin has been seen spending an entire evenin' in de company of another woman under his own fiancés house. When they start t' look for y' Jane goin' go into a story about how hurt y' were and how y' ran out of de party from embarrassment. Colin will have shamed y'r house and be disgraced in the eyes of all New Orleans society, y' chere will be able t' get y'r family out from under his thumb."
Rogue stared at him in stunned silence. She felt hope take fight within her, it was a perfect plan. She now understood why Kathy had powdered her hair and why the girls suddenly decided to have a masked ball.
"How did Kathy and Jane come ta ya though," was all she could think to ask.
"It would seem dat sister of y'rs has smitten m' best friend. She actually contacted Pierre. Since I had already made m' way back down here he sent me a message. By de way I fell should warn y' chere y'r sister about t' run away on a train at de end of de night, and I t'ink it safe t' say it be headin' t' Boston."
Rogue almost giggled, "Well ah guess ah can handle that. Ah think ah enjoy this next dance."
When the music finally came to an end Colin took a bold move and kissed the girl in his arms. Rene let out a small chuck and Rogue smiled, the man had just sealed his fate. Quickly Rene took her hand in his, leading her towards the now open doors. Then gardens were still silent since people were just starting to make their way towards them as the pair slipped through the darkness. They made their way to the small gate at the back that Rogue had snuck out before on a night not so long ago. A single horse buggy waited patiently tied on the other side. Rene lifted her into the seat before climbing up beside her. With a gentle click the horse set of into the night.
A/N: Yay another chapter, I had to write this one while it was still fresh in my mind. Next chapter-do you really think I let it be that easy? Stay tuned. :)