It was the day of the ball, and Molly was rushed off her feet more than normal. She had not only had to do all her normal daily chores, but also had to clean all the outfits they were to wear. As well as to tend the horses and have them looking their best, then she had to help get her sisters ready and then tend to her stepmother. So to say Molly was exhausted was an understatement. When the carriage arrived at 7 she was glad to be alone so she could rest.

She went and sat by the fire on her chair in the kitchen with Toby on her lap, humming and thinking of the ball, and what out would be like tho be there when she heard a rather loud noise coming from the garden.

Although she was scared, this was after all the perfect night for criminals, no-one was at home. She took a deep breath and went to the door, when she opened it she was surprised to see, Mary her only friend after Anthea.

"Oh Molly, you are still here I thought you would be. Well hurry up."

"What? What's happening?"

"Your going to the ball , silly. Anthea has hidden a dress in your room for you and my carriage isn't leaving just yet, so hurry up."

Molly didn't need to be told twice, she ran up stairs to her room and found that a dress had left for her.

She put it on quickly , it was rather dark with light blue roses all over it. Anthea had left the shoes that go with the dress, although they were slightly too big, but they would do.

She went downstairs slowly so not to fall, Mary was waiting for her. Mary held out her hand for Molly and the pair got in the carriage.

Mary did Molly's hair, she put half up into a bun and left the rest loose to frame her face.

Mary was wearing a pink dress and the sleeves were cut off the shoulders , her hair was loose.

"Molly ,you look beautiful." Molly blushed, she was about to say something when Mary interjected "Oh, look it's the palace, we're almost there. Oh Molly I almost forgot to tell you we have to be in the carriage by midnight, got it."

"That will be more than enough time"

"Oh look can you see the fireworks, there so beautiful"

"And probably scaring poor Toby to death"

"Aren't you a barrel of laughs! I'm sure he will be fine."

"Yeah your probably right."

"Just enjoy yourself, and found yourself a handsome gentleman."

"And you."

"We're almost there" Mary said in a hyperactive voice.

The carriage pulled up in front of the castle, the footman opened the door and helped both women out of the carriage.

The pair picked up their skirts and started to walk up the stairs.

"Remember midnight?"

"Yes"

They entered the ballroom together but quickly got separated by the crowd. Molly found herself by the food, she was feeling very anxious, looking for a familiar face , she saw 2 she didn't want to see, her stepmother and Irene. She turned away and pretended to busy herself.

They came behind her and she could hear them chatting.

"Where's Anthea?"

"I don't kind know last time I saw her she was with some man."

"I can't believe that"

"I know she should be flirting with one of the Prince's. "

"I haven't seen them yet"

"Maybe there in disguise"

"Maybe their not coming"

Molly could hear them walk away and decided to have a look around .

"Excuse me, but was wondering if you would like to dance, or maybe have a drink?" A tall male with dark curly hair and handsome features asked Molly.

Molly was definitely taken back she was not used to talking to men and didn't think that anyone would have ever asked her to dance.

"I would love that" Molly said and he put an arm around her waist. He led her to the dance floor. "I must warn you, I'm not a very good dancer."

"Worry not, just follow my lead"

The man did take it slow and when it came to any complex steps he just simply picked her up as if she weighed nothing at all.

But Molly was still glad to be wearing a long dress so no body could tell when she stepped wrong. She wanted to look down at her feet to make sure she wasn't going too wrong, but she found herself captivated by the gentleman's eyes.

"Come on, lets go out to the garden"

As they headed towards the doors that led to the garden Molly saw her stepmother and Irene looking at her. The gentleman felt her tense and led her away quickly.

He led them over to a bench, but before he sat down he picked a pink rose and passed it to her.

Molly looked up at the clock tower and saw that it was almost midnight, "Oh my goodness, I didn't realise how late it was, I have to go"

"Go where?"

Molly was thinking on her feet and that was never good "The Prince! I have to the Prince" Molly said as she started to walk away.

"I'm the Prince!" Molly was horrified.

"The other Prince!" Molly said quickly as she walked quickly.

"Mycroft, you don't want to meet him, all he cares about is politics, that and cake. Please stay, you can spend the night here, or I could take you home myself"

"Goodbye" Molly said quickly heading for the exit hearing the clock strike 12.

As she was running down the stairs she could see Mary waiting for her, when she was halfway down the stairs she lost her shoe , but she kept running as she could hear him just behind her.

As soon as she got in the carriage out pulled away, Molly stuck her head out of the window and saw the Prince holding her shoe and looking completely defeated.

"Goodbye my handsome Prince" Molly whispered.

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