Ugh. Finally. I have gotten 53 out of my system. And it is the longest and most climactic one yet. I poured my sweat and blood into (not literally, ew), so...enjoy it. Yo.
Thanks for all reviews, answers next chap, let's get on with things... :)
At 6:57pm, he had arrived at the cottage. It was at that moment that the last wisps of sunset were slowly fading, giving way to vast navy and tiny bits of floating diamonds. The old-fashioned streetlamps that lined the sidewalks promptly lit themselves, casting a yellowish glow throughout the area. One nearby lamp shed its light on Luke's face as he stood, near the open door of a shiny black town car. He absentmindedly straightened his tie with one hand, the other holding a small bouquet of white roses. This was it.
Lucas Brenshire felt halfway in a dream as the car door was closed behind him and he stepped up to unlock the tiny iron gate. For once in his life, he was happy to be going to a ball. And right then, with everything quiet but the soft rumbling of the car behind him and the usual chirping crickets, he had a slight fear that he might drift away - it was just too unreal. Nothing for him had ever shone with such simplicity, such genuineness. This was his kind of fantasy.
And how was one to act in one's fantasy?
Before he realized it, Luke was at the front door. He had already somehow flown down the path and up the steps, and was now facing solid wood. The buzzer was on the left. He brought his finger to it.
The result was a faint sound, followed by bustling. When the door opened, the first thing Luke saw was a mass of red curls. The red curls greeted him, then turned around, and in an Irish voice called out:
"Meghan!"
After this the woman stepped aside, and Luke stepped forward, into the house.
"Oh, what lovely flowers." the woman swooned. "She'll love them." Emma then floated off into some other dimension.
And Luke waited, gazing up at the stairs.
After about a minute, he saw something emerge from the land at the top. Something feathery and airy and white and positively beautiful. And it was then that Luke began to rise from his semi-slumber, awakened by what felt like a rush of cold water without the shock but with all of the fresh invigoration.
Or maybe it was just because he was standing near the air conditioner vent. But that didn't matter.
He'd never seen her in the dress before - the fittings with Jocelyn had been in private, while he'd simply stayed out in the sitting room, chatting it up with Ganes. So when the one he loved actually stepped out in that glittering, frothy thing, nervous eyes moving up and down...he couldn't have been more astonished. She was an absolute vision.
The girl wore strappy low-heeled shoes in metallic silver, which were accented by rhinestone flowers. A good portion of her smooth, slender legs could be seen, leading up to the bottom of her ivory fairy dress that glimmered in the dim light as she descended the staircase. Around her neck hung a sparkly flower like those on her shoes but larger, hanging on a chain - though it had been hard for her not to wear her precious butterfly necklace. Her deep, dark, chocolate brown waves of hair had been turned into spirally curls that hung down, framing her cheeks and piling down to her shoulders. An ivory-colored satin headband was the only thing restraining them. And at the center of it all was her sweet, delicate, gorgeous face, eyes accented with glittery gold shadow and cheeks giving off just the faintest pink. Most lovely of all was her exquisite smile, which though very apprehensive at the moment nevertheless lit up her persona like nothing else imaginable. As per usual.
As Meghan dismounted the final step, she came forward a few steps but still hung back, stopping in front of Luke a few inches farther than normal. She clasped her hands behind her back and lowered her face a bit, smiling wider by the second as she gazed up at Luke for approval.
As if she needed it!
"Miss Reynolds." he pronounced. "You have amazed me yet again."
Meghan looked up at him, her smile now at its full caliber. Luke approached her, and placed his free hand on her cheek. He gave her a quick, soft kiss.
"You're beautiful." he said.
She bent her head again, bashful but smiling as wide as ever. Then she chuckled.
"You look pretty swanky yourself, you know." she told him. "I mean, more than usual."
It was his turn to be bashful.
"Yes, yes, we all know I'm a snob."
"And what's this?" Meghan quipped, eyeing the bundle in Luke's hand. "We've moved up from pink daisies?"
"What's that? Oh! Why, yes, I suppose we have." he said with a smile, still lost in enchantment. He raised the flowers and held them out to Meghan. "These are for you, of course."
"Why, thank you." she said wryly, accepting the roses and bringing them to her nose. She drew in a deep, long breath and closed her eyes. "Mmm. They smell so pretty, Luke."
"Not as pretty as you." he said. She was wearing a rather sweet-smelling perfume tonight.
Meghan smirked at this.
"Enough of the flattery, you scoundrel." she told him, wagging her finger. "I'm too humble for that."
Luke rolled his eyes, but complied with her request. "Alright then. Shall we get to dinner, Princess?"
He couldn't resist that one.
Meghan gave him a playful glare and a grin.
"Yes, Prince Pumpkinhead - let's go."
They arrived at the mansion at 8:15, the perfect degree of fashionably late, after a delicious steak dinner. Even outside, the place was bustling. Camera people for Tatler, Vogue UK and others, who were not allowed inside, were snapping pictures of the Jasperstone and Morris students as they shuffled through the doors.
Of course, when Meghan and Luke stepped out of their town car, the bustling erupted into an absolute frenzy.
The driver opened and held the door. Luke, being the first to step out, was immediately blinded by a surge of flashing light. Shielding his eyes, he reached back in for Meghan, who grabbed his hand and pulled herself out into the madness. They quickly started for the door, reporters hounding them all the way.
"Lucas! Lucas! What's it like to be taking someone other than Clarissa Payne to the ball?"
"Miss Reynolds! How does it feel to have what every girl wants?"
It seemed that they couldn't get into the mansion fast enough - but they got in as fast as they could. They slowed to a walk as they came up behind another couple, following others behind them down a long highway.
Meghan looked up at Luke, nervous again. He glanced down, and gave her a small smile.
"Don't worry. Just go with me. You'll know what to do."
And so Meghan just kept walking, her arm laced through Luke's, wondering what lay ahead.
The eventually reached the end of the hallway, where the other couples were ascending a velvety, carpeted staircase. Of course, Meghan and Luke followed, arms entwined, slowly climbing the steps.
At the top was another hallway. Waiting at its start was a man in a suit. Luke reached into his jacket, pulling out his and Meghan's invitations. He handed them to the man in the suit, who passed them down to someone else as the couple walked on.
Within a few feet, the walking stopped, just near a grand opening. One couple was position just inside that grand opening, light shining on their faces, while the others waited in line, out of sight. Meghan heard a loud, booming voice, before the couple stepped further and seemingly downward through the opening. The ones behind them took their place.
Within seconds, Luke and Meghan were at the front. She nervously stepped with him through the opening and into an extraordinary sight.
They were at the top of yet another staircase, gazing straight out into the magnificent ballroom.
"May I present to you Mr. Lucas Brenshire and Miss Meghan Reynolds."
They stepped forward a bit more, and stopped again briefly at the very edge of the top stair. Luke unhooked his arm and moved his hand down to grasp Meghan's, raising her hand and his chin in the air as he glanced in her direction. She glimpsed a proud-looking smile on his face as he held his eyes on her for a few seconds, before turning to face straight ahead. Then, he took a step forward...
And Meghan went right with him. Without her realizing it, her free hand rose gracefully and landed on the solid banister, gliding slowly down as she stepped with brilliant poise. Luke seemed to know what he was doing, but...somehow, Meghan seemed to be doing just as well.
Needless to say, all eyes were on them as they steadily made their way down. Meghan saw Emily and Bridget, without Faye, in one corner, giving her a sort of stern glare. She caught sight of Ian in another part of the room, looking absolutely thrilled as he made rock star signs with his hands. Of course, she saw Jocelyn, who was contented, Henry, intrigued, and Glynnis, void of coherent thought. But neither Alistair nor Clarissa were anywhere in sight.
Good. Meghan thought. Maybe they had a meeting of the dark forces to attend.
Soon enough, they reached the glossy floor. Meghan worked to take in more of the glimmering ballroom, complete with its grand picture windows and brightly lit crystalline chandeliers. People mingled and moved about throughout the huge room, frequently stopping at the refreshment table for tea, cookies, and finger sandwiches. Against one wall was an extremely small orchestra, playing music to which many couples were dancing.
Luke seemed to think that the table would be a wise first stop, to ease them into their surroundings. Meghan was thankful to have him lead her toward the cookies, rather than prompting her to dance right off.
As she began to nibble on something buttery, sugary and crispy, she felt a little tap on her shoulder. Meghan turned...
To see a bright, smiling Clarissa, holding two cups of punch.
"Hello, Meghan." she said cheerfully. "Lovely evening, isn't it? I hope you're enjoying the ball."
"Clarissa..." Meghan murmured. "You've...never called me by my first name before."
Clarissa flashed her dazzling white teeth in another dramatic smile, before immediately turning her gaze on Luke.
"Lucas, dear." she chirped. "I thought I might bring you some punch. It's really quite good."
What is it with her and punch?
"Er, thank you, Clarissa." he stammered, accepting the drink. The blonde kept on with her creepily bright stare, an expectant look on her face - and Luke was forced to promptly take a sip.
"Like it?" she asked.
Luke tilted his head a bit, studying her.
"...Yes...I suppose I do...aren't you here with um, Armistead?"
"Oh! Yes! That's right. I should be getting back to him. Well, you two enjoy yourselves." she said, starting to move away. She kept her gaze on Luke, however, for a few more seconds. He took another drink - that seemed to satisfy her. She disappeared into the crowd.
"Luke, old fellow!" came a voice. Seemingly out of nowhere, a blonde boy waltzed over to them. "Glad you could make it."
"Hello, John."
"Yes, hello. And you." he said alluringly, looking at Meghan. "I don't believe we've met. John Smithers."
"Meghan Reynolds."
"Well, obviously. Everyone knows who you are, you know."
"Unfortunately, yeah. But, nice to meet you."
"Pleasure's all mine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I spy an eastern beauty in yonder corner."
Meghan glanced in the direction John referred to, and saw Ayaka, who seemed a little confused by the talkative boy who waved at her.
"Yes, yes, there is one remaining foreign fox - and I do believe she is destined to be mine."
With that, John was off. Luke seemed indifferent as he took another sip of punch.
"You know, I've got to admit - this is rather flavorsome."
Meghan smiled and shook her head. Luke smiled back.
"Shall we dance?" he asked her, holding out his free hand.
She thought for a moment.
"We shall." she declared, taking the hand extended to her.
Luke downed the rest of his punch, and crumpled the fancy paper cup, carelessly throwing it and Clarissa's deviousness over his shoulder as she led Meghan out on the dance floor.
They'd planned to tell him at exactly 9:30. It was now 9:27.
So far, Meghan was having a much better time at the ball than she expected. It was interesting to see Luke fully in his element, more charming and sophisticated than ever. And it was very surprising to her that she seemed to blend right in.
For the last hour or so, she and Luke had been gliding across the floor with an elegance that seemed to come almost naturally. Everyone seemed intrigued by Meghan's dancing skills, which seemed to extend far beyond her lessons with Luke and Jocelyn.
Maybe it was from having to dance with all those Great Uncle Petes at weddings.
The lovely time she was having had been interrupted only once - and minorly at that.
Meghan had started back to the refreshment table, leaving Luke for a few seconds to grab them some more delicious butter cookies. Mid-course, however, she'd crossed paths with strangely perky Clarissa, who'd been headed for Luke some more punch. At this, Meghan simply stopped, plucked the cup out of her hand, and turned around to give it to Luke herself.
"Thanks." she told her.
After giving Luke his drink, Meghan expected to turn back to see a fuming Clarissa, ready to explode.
But instead, she saw nothing.
And so, after retrieving and eating those cookies, Luke enjoying them with his punch, they'd gone back to their blissful dancing.
But it had now come to about that time - the time they'd decided Henry would know the truth about the daughter who longed for him. And seeing Luke try to check his watch, Meghan's heartbeat began to speed up.
"Let's see then. The time is now..."
He squinted, and shook his head. "Ack, it's hard to see. Can you read it?"
He held his wrist out to Meghan.
"9:28." she immediately declared.
"Alright, yes, thank you." he told her. "Well then. What say you, Meghan? Are you ready?"
Meghan looked away for a minute, closing her eyes, and drawing in a deep breath. This was going to be the hardest thing she'd ever, ever had to do. Back in New York, when she'd imagined the scenario of meeting Henry Dashwood and telling him the truth, the prospect had seemed so easy. But the real thing had been far from easy. She'd drawn things out for so, so long, waiting and waiting...
She was tired of the waiting. It was wrong. This was wrong. It was time to make it right.
"Luke," she told him, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
He nodded. Then, he tilted his head.
"No...no, not quite."
And he put his arm around her, drawing his hand up her neck and into her curly hair. He placed his other hand on the back of her waist, slowly, lightly rubbing it as he drew her in. And then, their lips connected, wiping away everything that burdened her, if only for a moment. They rejoiced in and treasured that moment, forgetting all that was around them, only caring of the ones they embraced. Meghan's heart slowed down and her shoulders rested as she savored this connection to one of the few people she knew she could trust.
And then, he drew back.
"Now you're as ready as you'll ever be."
He took her hand, and they started making their way across the floor, intention set firmly in their minds. Now was the time...now is the time...
"...for the switching dance." came a loud voice. "Everyone must now choose a dance partner, other than the one you may have come with, for this next song."
And all of a sudden, the lights were dimmed - and everyone in the room began to shuffle about, quickly choosing new people to dance with. Meghan and Luke would have ignored it - if it hadn't been for Clarissa's immediate presence near them at that very second.
"Well, Lucas." she told him. "You heard what the man said."
And it was then that Meghan noticed something. Something that hadn't been there before. Something that made her burn with fury.
Her silver locket, around Clarissa's neck.
"You..." said Meghan in a low, growling voice, raising a pointed finger toward the snob whom her necklace adorned. "You...you witch..."
"Are you quite alright, Meghan?" Clarissa asked innocently. "What's the matter?"
"You've gone too far." Meghan told her. "Stop...now..."
"Is there a problem here?" came a voice.
Meghan turned to see despicable Alistair, standing directly behind her.
"Why, Grampy dear, I was only just about to partner with Lucas for the switching dance." Clarissa told him, taking Luke's hands in hers.
Meghan, now solitary, looked from Clarissa to Alistair to pleadingly at Luke, before finally resigning and slowly backing away as Clarissa took Luke into the crowds. He looked back at Meghan, able to do nothing other than raise a finger quickly in the air, as if to say, "I'll be back to you in a minute." And with Alistair staring her down like she were a criminal, she wanted nothing more at the moment than to keep on backing away.
Eventually, she was out of Alistair's sight, and Luke was out of hers. And she was left there, standing in the middle of the crowds, partnerless in the dim room.
With everyone seemingly part of a couple, the music started. Though it was without words, Meghan faintly recognized the song that the orchestra played. It was a vague, tiny reckoning to something familiar. She was puzzled as to how and why the song would be playing, but there was no doubt in her mind that the melody matched.
As she stood there, confused, looking all around, she was convinced that no one could see her, alone in the dim light. No one could see her drifting person, lost in a sea of dancing marionettes.
But someone had. She felt a hand on her shoulder...
And turned to see the deep, caring brown eyes of Henry Dashwood.
"May I have this dance?" he asked her.
She nodded. It was all she could do. And Meghan found herself once again bathing in the shock she'd grown used to knowing.
He took her hand, sweeping her into the slow, drifting dance. Beats absent in the outside reality reverberated in Meghan's mind, both of her heartbeat and of pounding drums, a missing component of the wispy song she remembered. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at that man who'd become so prominent, more in her life than he could ever be in that superficial society. She felt as if she knew him...but knew he didn't know her at all. He didn't know what a liar she was.
And what if he still believed that she belonged in his life? She didn't have a right, to this dance. To be stealing the love that belonged to the one who counted on and trusted her most. Meghan knew...she knew she couldn't take it much longer...
If I don't say this, now
I will, surely, break
She was now being forced more than ever before, to face the fact that telling the truth wasn't just hard for her...but somehow, in some illusive way, it hurt her, too.
Why did giving something to someone, something so dear to them that would give them so much joy, feel like giving something up?
As I'm leaving
The one I want to take
The truth was, Meghan had numbed herself. A long time ago. Forced herself to ignore her true, honest feelings in favor of feelings that were more convenient for everyone else - and a less agonizing for her.
There were so many things that Meghan wouldn't show. She was often so unaware of her feelings that they almost ceased to exist - or at least, seemed to. Her love for Luke had changed her, had made her believe in herself, had given her joy. Knowing him had uplifted her.
But knowing Henry had fulfilled her.
Meghan longed so much both to let go, and to hold on...
Forgive the urgency
But hurry up and wait
My heart has started to separate
Henry was at odds with himself, as he usually was, but more so. For so long now, he hadn't known what to think. Everything conflicted with everything else. His life contradicted itself in some kind of twisted, endless cycle.
As he swept her back and forth, he found it hard to look at her face. For if he did, he might drown in the striking familiarity of that gaze, that smile.
It couldn't be. It just couldn't. Her father was is Kosovo. She'd said it herself.
But then, why was he still questioning? He'd spent over a week avoiding her, burying himself in his all-important campaign. But tonight, when he'd seen her standing alone and lost, he knew that there was no choice but to rescue her.
There now, steady, love
So few come and don't go
Will you, won't you
Be the one I'll always know
As much as he tried, and tried, and TRIED, he couldn't remove his mind from this girl, and someone else before her. He couldn't deny it. Right here, right now, there was something in her eyes that he knew, something right in front of him that he wanted to take and hold onto.
Only she, Meghan Reynolds...only she had been able to make him remember.
When I'm losing my control
The city spins around
You're the only one who knows
You slow it down
Luke was lost in thought. Somehow, he and his domineering dance partner had somehow moved out of sight from the one he truly loved, the one he wanted to be with.
Where was she? Luke hoped she wasn't alone. Maybe Ian was dancing with her.
He looked up at the dim chandelier. This was strange. The chandelier was moving in the opposite direction. Also, it didn't match the others. It looked defective. It was simply the wrong shape.
But no bother with the lousy decorating. He hated mansions, didn't he? So big. Able to fit so many people. Too many people. Like now.
Wait, where were they going? Why were they moving away from them? This was odd. And what was this? The orchestra was stumbling over the song! Someone obviously had forgotten how to play. The music was fading in and out. They should've just gotten Ian's band.
Or was it John that had the band?
Well, no matter. He cared about ball music about as much as he cared about mansions. And balls themselves. They were tiring. Especially this one.
Luke found that his eyes were wanting to close. He felt a little off balance. It was getting hard to dance.
Well, that was it, then. He'd have to tell Meghan it was time for a break.
"Meghan..." he said drowsily. "Can we...sit down for a bit...?"
"Alright." came the answer.
And he didn't see it coming.
If ever there was a doubt
My love, she leans into me
This most assuredly counts
She says most assuredly
Henry made himself look. Straight at her face. He half-smiled, and she half-smiled back.
Maybe there was just no use in denying it anymore. No matter what the circumstances, he couldn't stand the idea of not knowing this extraordinary person. He made a decision then and there that somehow, in some way, he would.
And I'll look after you
Meghan was bleeding inside. Her heart was sinking, her soul being wrenched. She was going to have to face the fact that what she wanted was not rightfully hers.
She wanted London.
She wanted chandeliers and elegance.
She wanted the dancing.
She wanted the belonging.
And she wanted this.
It was going to be hard to surrender this touch. Hard because...because she hadn't felt it in five years.
But Daphne had never felt it at all.
Meghan knew what was right. She couldn't deny her love for Daphne, and she couldn't deny the truth.
It's always have and never hold
You've begun to feel like home
There were dancers surrounding them. Luke was nowhere in sight. But the time had come. A second more would kill her. She had to tell him, right here, and right now.
"Lord Dashwood..."
He looked at her, opening himself to whatever she was about to say, willing to take it in and fully believe it. He knew that she was made of something real - and they rarely came made like that anymore.
"Yes, Meghan?"
"I...I need to tell you something..."
I'll look after you...after you...
And a last few seconds ticked by, with Meghan and Henry dancing, moving together to the sound of violins.
And then someone gasped.
Someone screamed.
Someone stopped the music, and the lights undimmed
The crowd stopped dancing
And moved to the right or the left, whichever was nearer.
Really, they just backed away.
And Meghan and Henry turned to look, to see what it was they backed away from. Squinting in the sudden light, they searched for an opening, and came forward. Henry's hand still lightly rested on Meghan's back as they took in the sight before them.
It was only a few seconds. Just a quick, short glimpse. But it was all it took, to shatter everything.
No... Meghan thought. Please...not you...
Yes. The first integration of a song. And yes, I used Look After You by The Fray, though not the entire song. Also, I do not own it, if for some reason it seems like I do - I do NOT. I hope it fits well...songfics are hard to do. And I know it wasn't around in 2003, when the story is set. But I felt it was a good song for the scene, so I'm pretending it was around five years ago.
Anyway,all for now. Expect more next Friday or Saturday.
I'm out yo
-rf-