Hey guys, here's the chapter 16! Well, I didn't get any reviews for my previous chapter, :-( So I don't want to do this but if I don't get any reviews for this one.. I am going on strike and not post the future chapters unless I get one or more reviews for this one. :-D Thanks! I hope you enjoy this one… P.S. I made a set for my character, Emily and her friend, Virgina on polyvore website. So if you want to see their dresses, go on there and type in my member name. ixistargirl89ixi. It should be on my fanfiction profile too. Thanks again.

*The day of the ball*

I work up this morning with butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't help but feel that something is going to happen tonight and I feel that I can't prevent it from happening.

We had breakfast in the dining room and Virginia kept rambling on about the ball and about me singing for the crowd. It didn't help me at all, trying not to think about the ball tonight.

After breakfast, Virginia and I went into her room. Virginia went to her dresser and pull out all of her ballgowns she had. She threw them on the bed and went though them, putting them in order by color.

"Well, I already chose the dress I am going to wear tonight. These dresses are for you to choose. I can help you if you want me to." said Virginia.

"Thank you." I say, walking to the bed and looked at the dresses. I must have look at twenty-five dresses before I finally decided on one dress.

The dress has beautiful details on it, the gold flowers all over on blue background and the petticoat underneath is plain gold. My sleeves has the frilly, white lace at end, where it stops at elbow. It's gorgeous.

I pick the dress up from the bed and put it on my chest, looking at it in the mirror.

"It's beautiful on you. The color brings out your eyes. I have the perfect earrings and the hair comb for you. Come here."

I follow her to her dresser, where her jewelry box is. She took out the earrings, which is the simple pearl drops and the hair comb, which is the diamond design on the comb.

I looked at them and gasped.

"It's beautiful. Are you sure you want me to wear them tonight?" I whispered.

"Yes, I am sure. It's perfect with your dress. You're my best friend, and these are for to say.... I'm proud of you." She smiled.

I smiled and hugs her. "Thank you. They're beautiful. I will make sure to keep them safe."

"Oh! Before I forget, here is your fan." She gave it to me.

The fan is made of paper, the color is metallic grey. "Thanks again."

*Tonight*

We got ready for the ball and left in the carriage on the way to General Cornwillis' palace.

I fanned myself with a fan to calm myself down... but it seems that my nerves are getting worse.

Once we got there, Mrs. Simms greeted us and she took me to the dressing room where I can get ready.

I sat down in front of mirror and looked at myself.

"You need to calm down. It's only a song... you'll be fine." I murmured.

There was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I said

"Are you ready?" Mrs. Simms asked.

"Uh, I need to speak to Virginia before the show. If you don't mind?"

"No, I don't mind. I'll get her." She closed the door.

Five minutes later, there was a knock on the door and Virginia came in, and closed the door.

"Is everything alright?"

"No.. I need to talk to you."

"Well, spill it." Virginia says, sitting down next to me.

"You will think I'm daft but I need to say this to feel better.. knowing that you can help me. If something happens to me, I want you to keep writing to Aunt Charlotte, pretending to be me and tell her that I'm going to stay with you because you are ill or something. I do not want you to tell her that something horrible happens to me and it's going to worry her. I want her to stay with children... and I don't want her to worry about me. She's already worried about Father and Gabriel. Can you please do that?" I begged.

She nodded and took hands into her hands. "I promise you that I will do this. It seems silly to me but if it makes you feel better, I will do that."

I sighed in relief. I hugged her and thanked her.

"Now, are you ready to sing?"

I nodded and stood up. We walked out together and I stood behind the curtain. Virginia went out on the floor and sat down on the piano bench.

"Hello everybody, I need your attention!!" Mrs. Simms announced and clapped her hands. Soon, everybody stopped talking and turned around to look at Mrs. Simms.

"I want to make a announcement tonight. Unfortunately, my opera singer cancelled at last minutes but I found a singer. I would like to introduce Virginia Stowe, the pianist and Ms. Emily, the singer!"

Everybody clapped, and I came out of the curtain. I walked to the piano and waited until everybody stopped clapping.

I took a deep breath and nodded to Virginia. She nods to me and began to play.

"Je T'Aime

Je T'Aime tu ju

I am forever yours

Sweet dreams

Sweet dreams mocuer

You're always in my prayers

Softly

Sweetly

Wrapped up in heaven's arms

Sailing

Soaring

Over the moon

Gathering star dust

Be still

Be safe

Be sure...

I looked around as I sing and I saw someone familiar I know. His icy blue eyes. I know those eyes and I can't remember where I had seen them. I couldn't see his face because he was hiding in the shadow.

Je T'Aime

Je T'Aime tu ju

Wishing

Praying

All of your dreams come true

Please remember

Where you are

My heart is with you

Sweet dreams

Sweet dreams mocuer

Always in my prayers

I am forever yours

Je T'Aime

Je T'Aime tu ju...."

The music ends and everybody applauded.

We curtsied couple of times and went back to behind the curtain.

Once we entered into the back stage, we jumped up and hugged, giggling of excitement.

"Oh my god, Emily! You were wonderful! Oh my god, that was so good."

"Thank you. I feel good."

"Now, let's go meet Mother and Father."

I nodded and we walked together in arms. We greeted her parents. They were very proud of us and we were talking about Virginia's music skills when Lord Cornwillis interrupted us.

"Excuse me for interuppting, but I would like to give congratulations to Miss Virginia and Miss Emily. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Lord Cornwills." We both said.

"Um, excuse me. I need some fresh air." I said. Lord Cornwills bows down and I curstied to them.

I moved though the crowd and walked out to outside, breathing in fresh, crisp fall air. It made me smile.

I walked to the garden area and sat down on the bench, looking out to the sea. The full moon is out tonight.

I started to smile because I couldn't believe that I sang in front of the crowd. It made me really feel good and blessed.

A servant came to my side. I stood up.

"Excuse me, Madame. Mrs. Simms would like to see you. She is over there with Lord Cornwillis."

"Thank you." He bowed to me and left to do his business.

I walked out of the garden and walked. Soon, I spot Mrs. Simms and Lord Cornwillis.

Mrs. Simms got excited when she saw me walking up and gave me a friendly hug and a kiss on my cheek.

"Darling, you were wonderful! Everybody is talking about you and Miss Virginia. I am so lucky to have you to sing tonight. Thank you so much for this!"

"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Simms. I didn't mind to help you out at all. What do you need?"

"Oh, I wanted to see you. Have you meet Lord Cornwillis?" She says, pointing at him.

"Yes, Mrs. Simms. I met Emily with the Stowe Family. Emily, how long have you been singing?" said Lord Cornwillis.

"I have been singing since I was five years old. My late mother taught me."

They expressed their apologies about Mother.

"It's alright. She passed long time ago. Tonight was my first time to perform in front of the crowd." I smiled.

We were talking about Lord Cornwillis' problems, especially the loss of his dogs.

"The beast took your dogs as well?" Mrs. Simms asked.

"Yes.. Yes. Fine animals. A gift from his Majesty. Dead now, for all I know."

"Is there no decency?" Mr. Simms says, appalled.

"Actually, you're right. These bastards have no decency." Someone said behind me. I turned my head to see who it was.

My stomach dropped. Those eyes I saw earlier in the evening. It's Tavington.

He is wearing his uniform and has his black, wavy hair tied back. He still has the cold look in his blue eyes.

"Ah, Miss Emily, I would like you to meet Colonial Tavington. Colonial Tavington, this is Miss Emily."

Tavington takes my hand and kiss it.

"It's nice to meet you tonight, Miss Emily."

"It's nice to meet you too, Sir."

"No, please call me Tavington."

"Alright, Tavington."

"You sang beautifully tonight... I'm sorry but have we met before? I feel as I have see you before."

My anger begin to flare inside but I kept it in.

"No, Tavington. This is my first time here tonight." I tried to smile nicely. A servant was passing us by with the tray of champagne and I quickly took a glass, so did Tavington.

I took a sip of it. Before Tavington could say anything, there was a loud explosion behind us. We turned quickly around to see what it was. Lord Cornwillis' ship has exploded!

"Oh. Oh, fireworks! Lovely!" Mrs. Simms began to laugh and clapped. I made a snort. Tavington drank the champagne quickly and threw it to the ground.

Virginia came running to me and she was pale. I move quickly away from Tavington and took her to the nearest tree so no one could see us.

"Virginia, I need to go home now.. because I don't feel well."

"Why? You look fine to me." she was confused.

"Because, you see that man over there? I know him. Virginia, I never told you how Thomas died. Well... Thomas died trying to protect Gabriel and he shot him cold-blooded. I don't want him to remember me at all but He seems doesn't remember me but I am not comfortable staying. Please, let me take the carriage home and I'll tell the carriage to go back to you after he drops me off. Please." I beg.

She looked at me for a while... then she nodded.

"Yes, Emily. I'll tell Mother and Father that you had to go home early tonight. Please be careful. Okay?"

"Thank you." I hugged her tightly. "I will see you when you get home."

She nods.

I begin to walk quickly to the front and found the carriage. I told the driver to take me home. I got in and we began to move.

I looked back at the palace and wondered if I would see it again.

The storm came while we were riding on the way home. It was really bad, that it was windy and rain pouring down so hard.

The driver decided to take a shortcut though the forest to save time, I guess. The driver was going so fast. I don't know what happened next because it happened so fast.

The next thing I know, I heard the driver scream and the carriage flipped over, and I was thrown out of the carriage, hitting my head and I blacked out.

I felt the arms underneath me and picked me up and carrying me. I could feel the raindrops on my face. When I opened my eyes to look, it was a man carrying me. He looked at me with his green eyes. Pain was all over my body and the pain increased..... and darkness overcame me.

Duh duh dud.... can anybody guess who is the rescuer? I will post it up later. Thanks! (I proofread it but I was tired so sorry if there's errors.)