A/N: Another chapter. Hope you enjoy! Read and review.

Chapter Forty-one

Dance With Me?

"Would you rather get some fresh air?"

She nodded. "Yes please." He sent for their coats before leading her outside to wander the grounds. She breathed a sigh of relief to be away from the crowd.

"I feel the same way," he said, letting down his emotional mask. "It's draining to pretend like nothing bothers me. Though, they might not be staring at my mask, I still am not comfortable among people who smile to your face but might turn around and talk behind your back. You can't tell who is your friend and who is not. However did you handle it?"

"I faked it. Occasionally I would have a friend which made it more bearable. But mostly I just stayed with my mother and her friends, talking to them when I wasn't dancing. You get used to it," she said with a shrug. He shook his head. "It's a relief that they know. They seemed to have taken it well. Much better than I expected."

"I wasn't surprised. How could they be upset with you?" He kissed the back of her hand.

They continued walking in silence before Darcey reluctantly broke it. "We should head back. Rumors can be deadly and I don't want them to hate me or you."

"I wish you were wrong but you are not. Will you save at least one more dance for me? I wish I could dance every one of them wish you, and would if it were not for society's odd rules on propriety."

"Of course I will. You may have any dance you like," she said as they came back inside. They shed their coats which were taken away, before Erik kissed her hand and walked away. She watched as he adopted a carefree expression as he mingled with the people around them. Darcey wanted to be alone for a little while but it was not to be. At that moment, her cousin approached her.

"Dear cousin. I was surprised to see you here. You must know I worried about you when I did not hear from you aftrer you left. A sad situation that was."

"Yes, it was," she murmured.

"But enough of that. This is a party after all. Would you care to dance? I would like very much to get to know you better."

"I've been told I was a good dancer," she said, placing her hand on his arm and allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.

"I trust you have been well. Rumor says Monsieur Destler has taken a liking to you and that it is likely that he will ask for your hand soon. I trust nothing untoward has happened. It wouldn't do for a quick wedding to occur."

"No. Of course nothing untoward has happened," she said with a blush. "I must ask though, what would be so wrong with a quick wedding if we loved each other?"

"You know what is said when couples get married quickly. You wouldn't want to stain the family name, would you? What about your children? I'm not trying to deter you from being happy if he does in fact ask for your hand, I am simply trying to caution you. Do you love him then?"

Darcey felt uncomfortable telling her feelings to someone she didn't know all that well but he was family, if a bit distant. She nodded in response, suddenly unable to speak. "And you believe he feels the same way about you?" She nodded again. "That's wonderful! I give my full support. In fact I will help pay for the wedding. A spring wedding would be lovely, wouldn't it?"

"Yes, it would," she mumbled. She didn't now what else to say and was glad when the song ended.

"It was a pleasure to talk to you, cousin. I'm happy to know you are safe and happy." He bowed to her before walking away. She wasn't alone two seconds before a young man approched her followed by other young men who all wanted a dance on her dance card. She laughed to herself about how they only noticed her because she had a connection to a wealthy title though she had no money. Her dance card was quickly filled and she was wisked onto the dance floor where she would dance the next few dances until there was a break. To her confusion, Erik approached her at this time and asked her to dance. She was too baffled to resist until she was in the middle of the empty dance floor.

"Erik, what are you doing? There isn't a dance right now. Everyone is staring."

"Good. They won't want to miss this."

"What are you talking about?" She was very confused and uncomfortable with all the stares and the silence. Everyone wondered what was going to happen. "Erik, what are you doing?"

He grinned and said, "I'm proposing to you," as he dropped to one knee. Suddenly everyone knew what was happening as he took her hand. He then spoke loud enough for everyone to hear if they wanted to.

"Darcey Dubois, I love you so much. You mean everything to me. You are so beautiful and kind. You are my sunshine after the rain and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I asked your coiusin and he gave me permission to ask for your hand. Darcey, will you marry me?"

Smiling through her tears of joy, Darcey whispered, "Yes." He came to his feet and she threw her arms around him as the people around them applauded. All had anticipated this happening but had never expected to be witness to it. After a minute, Erik pulled back and took a box out of his pocket to retrieve the ring he had gotten from her that morning. "Just in case," he had said.

He slipped it onto her finger before nodding at the orchestra that was providing the music. The introduction to "All I Ask Of You" began to play as he began a slow waltz with her. As they danced and Erik whispered sweet nothings to her, nearly everyone went back to what they were doing before the interuption. Most were happy though some of the young people that had hoped for a chance to be either courted by the rich Monsieur Destler or to court the beautiful Madamemoiselle Dubois, were disappointed but there were plenty of fish in the sea.

There was one exception. There was one man who was not happy.