A/N I just changed Aunty Fanny's dinner into a may day ball, it seemed best fitting.

Thank You lovelies! I am feeling much better with all your reviews! I am updating within a week! See?! Whoo looong chappy!

Jolly Rodger : Thank you oodles, I adore you much and you see-able reviews! I am glad you love it, it means a ton truly. You made me want to update! And yes, you shall have a Ho Ho! I surely don't want to see your rubber duckies evil wrath, so alas here I am.

Zwidon : Sheesh, your about to make me jealous! I love the dress description, beautiful. I did modify it a tad. But still the winner hands down! (submit ideas ma'peoples!)

Gaurd doggie says "hola!". Enjoy ladies and if there any gents, well enjoy too. :D

I slip on a beautiful dress, a gift from Father just days before he died. I never had the courage to wear it, as it brought too many memories. It was my true Mothers, her dress when she was turning 16. It is a stunning white like silver tulle concoction that ripples with every move. The sleeves reach my elbows, gracefully belling out a little ways. It slowly hugs my legs, flowing out to bell when it reaches my knees. My hair is curled even more than before, pinned in ornate swirls, with a few tiny pink rose buds dotting here-and-there,and an especially large pink flower almost as big as my head, jauntily vegetating on an upper side of my head, a few curls draping down my neck. A few silver bangles rest on my wrists,and a pink rose adorns my bodice. I have my corset laced extra tight. Spinning in my gray dancing slippers I gaze at the girl in the mirror.

She is a girl unknown to me, reduced to desperation,and using her own assets against someone. I'm not happy with how scheming I appear to be, but as I reassure myself. If will lose the blasted Arlington.. I really must, besides, it is nothing permanent, this plan.

I bounce down the stairs actually minding Mother Jane's admonition's about "disgrace if late", and such. She makes a gibe "Well Lilias, you do clean up well."

I smile sweetly and reply "Tut tut, that dress is far too low cut, now did Madame Elise cut that properly? Well I suppose not, I shall have a talk with her." I run and fetch her a shaw, leaving her beet red and stuttering. The carriage ride is well over in a few winks for Aunty and the Forsters live but two lanes away.

The house is done up splendidly for the occasion. It is a splendid outdoor occasion. Garlands of lillies and roses are dripping from chairs,tables, anywhere that will hold up under the beautiful frivolity. Wisteria and ivy drip down the gazebo, and trellises. It is still quite bright out, as children are gleefully running and squealing around the may pole. There is a quartet softly playing,waiting for the dancing to begin. Ladies done up in their finery looking like they "just threw threw on that old thing" but of course. Humph..

Uncle Teddy jumps up at once to assist, just as George makes his way over to the carriage. Uncle assists Mother Pain out of the carriage, and motions for George to follow suit. He pokes and prods me into the crowd motioning for the musicians to start. He prods me into a waltz saying "Well Lila, I have un petit surprise pour vous ",he says making doe eyes at me.

He continues. Sadly. "I have invited a special friend of ours. Oh look there's Jeff no-" He has no chance to finish, I am off like a bullet through the crowd ducking and mumbling appologies,even once my slipper falls off there is no stopping I finally tumble out of the crowd next to the may pole. I don't stop there galloping as fast as I can till I am a few yards away from it all.

I slump against tree trunk, feeling somehow defeated. Suddenly I hear footsteps approaching,and Mr. Horrid saying "Well Lila fancy seeing you here!" He says, almost sounding convincingly shocked.

I scowl at him. "Yes yes, almost daily I run around cavorting with trees." I snap. He chuckles, but it ends mid way when he sees my face.

Coughing he quickly says, "No no, I didn't expect to see you at this gathering. Tell me, are you good friends with the Forsters?"

"Well Aunty Francis says so." I say as stand up and I brush myself off preparing to escape. He, realizing all hope will soon be gone takes notice of bare foot and says "So it was yours slipper I have the fortune of returning to-" Suddenly a musical little voice is heard ringing out "Lili! Lillllli!!"

Suddenly Kitty child of, Aunt Jane Kinsley, pops out of nowhere. Her 3 year old pudgy paws make balled little fists at her sides, as she screws her lips into a horrid scowl. "Where have you been!" she demands grabbing my wrist and attempting to pull me away. She jabbers on "Mattie's said that you would only be on his team for hide and seek, and he's been horrid awful today pulling my hairs, and George has been givin' me candy to stay away just now but I couldn't wait.."

I shush her for a minute madly blushing. "Well thank you Sir, but I really must being going." Not waiting for him to proffer my slipper I grab it, and most unlady like-ly, I skip off Kitty.

For the next 2 hours I hide and seek, re-tie sashes, kiss the maimed fingers, lead the may pole, and make garlands of violets for the little lords and ladies. By late 8 or so they are a sleepy heap on blankets spread out on the lawn, breathlessly begging for "stolies" in their comical lisps.

I tell the a made up tale of a dashing prince a'cursed to be forever tiny in the huge world, and lovely fairy princess who go on an adventure to save our truly real kingdom Baylor, for the best fairy tales always have a touch of the real life in them. They of course succeed in saving Baylor, and are residing happily ever after in the forest. The sluggish still awake few clap gleefully,fighting drowsing off.

I feel a tap on my shoulder, and turn around too calm to be apprehensiveabout who it could be. "Henry! I am so glad to see you!" He assists me up then says. "Shall we go for a stroll?" I readily agree and we go back to Uncle's pride-and-joy garden.

Henry Malloy is my first most best friend since toddling and nannies. I survey him. It must have been at least 3 months since I have seen him, as he looks even more grown up than before. We look a good deal alike, alway mistaken to be brother and sister when younger. We both had the same dark brown curly hair, short stature, the only difference being his dark brown eyes to my blue ones.

We circle the small garden a few times settling on a mossy stone bench, being particularly well concealed by a large hedge. He seems struck silent so I ask him "How your trip to Marllow went?" A town 2 days drive away, that looks like dreariness itself and is a booming bussiness town. "Splendidly Lila." He says thickly staring down at his boots.

I prod on, something is wrong, and I am determined to find it out. "Well how is your sister?"

"Good good, she is most pleasant. She is still upset with Tom for moving her out to Marllow, and hasn't spoken to him for 6 days now. The little Lucy or Marcus is due within three weeks, that is, if Marri can stick with a name."

At this point he is almost listliss, carrying on the conversation soly for me. I start to say something but he cuts me off. "Do you care for him?"

I look quizzically at him. "Oh, Tom? Well no, honestly I always thought his nose was a bit too big, and he was horrid for marrying and sweeping Marrissa away like that."

"No no!" He says slapping his hand down on the bench so hard I jump, and can only stare. Outbursts are usually quite unexpected with Henry,as he is quite laid back. "Do you care for that.. Arlington?" He spits out. Complete shock washes over me, and relief over him.

"No! I Never,no, I did not give consent. Jane did" I say, mortified. "Have you heard?" He nods in affirmation.

I jump up and start pacing "I hate the stupid boy. He won't leave me alone! How on earth will I ever lose the idiot!" Henry looks slightly relieved and is smiling like a mad man.

"What?" I demand.

"Nothing nothing. Well here comes Emma." he says smiling a goofy puppy "I shall leave you two ladies to catch up on what? Three or four days missed gossip, heaven forbid!" He teases, narrowly missing our wrath.

We do indeed gossip and tease, skipping out and even dancing the rest of the party away.

A/N : I wasn't crazy about parts of this chapter, but I feel like I need to get things moving. Big things will happen soon. If you wanna see things happening that aren't, just say the word. Well review, sil vous plais?! ;)