For Disclaimers see chapter one

Olivia didn't think it was possible to become any more bored or uncomfortable than she already was. Alex had chosen deep burgundy dress. She had informed Olivia that brown was far too plain for her, and the burgundy would help bring out the little gold flecks in her eyes, a trait Olivia was still surprised her friend had noticed. Her hair had been another point of uncomfortableness. Alex had insisted she put it up in one of the latest hairstyles. Olivia herself couldn't wait for the day she was officially knighted so it would perfectly alright for her to cut her hair off. Alex had gasped at the suggestion, but once Olivia explained that it could be a liability in battle, she offered to cut it herself. Anything to keep her friend as safe as possible.

In front of her stood Sir Cassidy, a friend of Elliot's who, no doubt, was informed by Alex that he was to introduce his friends to her. He kept jawing away about how he would have lead certain failed attacks and the only thing that ran through her mind was that his attempt would have been far less successful than the original. She could barely suppress her smile when she saw Elliot walking up to her with an apologetic smile.

"Lady Olivia, I apologize, but I must borrow Sir Cassidy. Some of the men would like to hear a few of his battle strategies," Elliot explained. Cassidy beamed with the thought that more people would listen to him.

"Of course, Sir Stabler," Olivia replied graciously. She didn't want to seem too eager to get out of close proximity with this man. "Sir Cassidy it was a pleasure meeting you, and I wish you the best success with your plans." The men bowed while Olivia gave a small curtsey. She sighed in relief as she saw their retreating backs.

"You know, you could have become a performer quite easily, Liv," a voice from behind her said. Olivia smiled, not only at the use of her nickname in what was supposed to be proper society, but also at the sound of her best friend's voice. She turned to see her friend standing with her arms crossed and a smirk firmly in place.

"And how much of that did you see, Alex?" Olivia asked with a small laugh, pleased that out of everyone in the room, Alex wanted to speak with her at the moment.

"Enough to know that you are an incredible actress, Olivia," Alex replied. She didn't want to tell her that she had seen Elliot introduce them, or that she had felt a burning sensation deep within herself at the sight of the two of them talking, even if Olivia was only being polite. For some reason, the thought of any man approaching Olivia made Alex very upset, and she couldn't explain the cause behind it. She now regretted asking Elliot to introduce his friends to Olivia. She decided she would prevent another introduction by coming over and speaking to the beautiful brunette herself. She didn't even pause to think she had just referred to her friend as beautiful. Not only was it true, but it felt natural and right. "Honestly, Liv you were bored out of your mind."

Olivia could only laugh at first. "That may be true, but he didn't need to know that," she responded. "Besides, what are you doing watching me when this room is filled with eligible suitors?"

If Olivia noticed the slight blush presenting itself on Alex's fair skin, she didn't say anything. "All of the men here are boring," Alex complained. "And you were right about Langon. He is a toad. I overheard him saying awful things about you because you rejected him."

Olivia only shrugged. "I don't really care what that man says. The people I care about know the truth and that's all that matters to me."

Alex accepted that answer, and was amazed that Olivia didn't also care what the members of nobility thought of her. They spent the rest of the ball conversing with each other, politely declining any offers made by men who approached them. All in all they had a wonderful time together, totally unaware of the menacing eyes on them.

Lord Langon had been lurking in the shadows all evening, keeping a close eye on Olivia and now his latest prey, Lady Alexandra. Of course, the Cabot's weren't nearly as wealthy as the late Lord and Lady Benson, but with Olivia being in charge of her own affairs, there would be no way he could get his hands on it. It was a very well kept secret that Langon had gambled away all of his family's wealth. The only way for him to maintain his lifestyle was to marry a very wealthy woman. He was still upset that Benson had turned him down, and he knew that in order to get to Alex, he would have to get her out of the picture. If the message her had received earlier that day was any sort of sign, he knew that his plan was already in action. Now all he had to do was be in the right place at the right time, and Alexandra would be his.