Making her way downstairs, Tanya looked around quietly before she made her way to her papa's study. He'd fallen asleep in front of the hearth again. Making her way towards him she took a lap blanket from where it was slung across a nearby chair and resting it on his lap before she placed a kiss on his forehead.

He stirred a bit, shifting in his seat, then let out a snore, which only made her smile. When had her papa grown so old? She still remembered when his beard had been only peppered with grey, now it was completely white, as was his hair.

She smiled at his sleeping figure again and whispered, "Love you, papa," and with that she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Making her way to the front door one of her maids was already waiting with her fur lined cape and she frowned. "Do I need it? Can't I just use my wool cape?"

The maid flushed a bit and stammered out, "It's…it's snowing, mistress."

She looked out the window and sighed. "So it is." With a kind smile she added, "Thank you for being so thoughtful."

The maid smiled at her, apparently pleased that she'd done something right.

As the cape was slipped on her shoulders and she was handed her matching fur muff the butler moved to open the front door, revealing that the carriage was already waiting.

As the footman helped her up the step to the carriage she called up to the driver, "To the seamstress' shop."

Once she was settled in her seat, she snuggled back against the plush leather seats. "Ugh, shopping."

Later that evening as she arrived at the ball she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror near the entrance just before someone moved to take her coat and gloves.

The shopping had definitely been worth it. The black fur cape and black leather gloves went well with the emerald gown embroidered with black. The colors went well with her pale skin, strawberry blond hair, and green eyes. She'd even pulled out her mama's emerald choker and earbobs to finish off he look.

She would be the bell of the ball. She had no doubt about that. Glancing at her father as her cape was taken she saw that he was pleased with how beautiful she looked. As she rested her hand lightly on his arm and he led her to the receiving line he patted her hand lightly as he leaned in to whisper to her, "You'll have all the men chasing after you, my dear. I'm afraid I'll be losing you in no time."

She had only laughed softly. "Oh, papa!"

But, he had actually been right.

After going through the receiving line she soon found herself the center of attention. Her father had left her to be with her friend, trusting his good friend, an old widow that lived not far off from them, to keep an eye on her and play her chaperon as he went off to play cards.

Of course he never knew that this old widow was asleep more often then not and Tanya was left to her own devices. She preferred it this way. It wasn't that she ever misbehaved in public, but when her chaperon didn't keep such a close eye she could talk with more people…and put the wheels in motion for her trysts.

But, tonight, there was no one to catch her attention. Pity. She'd had a feeling when she'd left the baron in her little meeting room this morning it would be some time before she had another interlude.

She almost pouted as she imagined just how cold, lonely, and boring her nights would be for some time.

That was when she saw him. He was watching her from across the room. Could a man be so perfect?

His chiseled features were masculine, but somehow still beautiful. She could swear that his skin was almost glimmering with the candle light. His clothes and hair might not have been in the latest style, but the slightly out of date clothes and the unpowdered way he kept his hair suited him…

…and made her want him even more.

Leaving a few scowling men in her wake she made her way across the room. She was going to him! She'd never done that before, but it seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

But, before she could get to him someone was pulling her gently aside. The woman who was drawing her in the opposite direction through the crowd was almost as beautiful as the man she'd been looking at. She also had delicate, beautiful features set in perfect ivory skin.

If she hadn't been so confused, she might have been jealous. Both these strangers, even the man, were more beautiful than she was.

The woman's gloved hand let go of her own and she turned to her and simply whispered. "He is not for you, little one. Stay away. He is dangerous. I will watch out for you if I can."

Before she could ask what the beautiful woman with the strange dark eyes, tinted with crimson meant, she was gone. It was as if she'd disappeared. The man she had been watching was gone, too.

For the first time since she was a child she felt frightened…truly scared. Luckily for her a young man who just happened to be one of her former conquests was standing nearby and before her legs buckled completely under her he helped to study her, his voice filled with concern, "Lady Donnikova?! Tanya? Are you all right?"

As she steadied herself her eyes continued to look wildly around. "D…did you see…see them?"

The young man looked confused and when he asked who she just shook her head, not able to say anything more. He helped her to a nearby settee and whispered, "I'll find your father."

She had only nodded in response and looked around as her heart continued to pound in her chest. Since she was a child she had heard stories of death stalking people right out in the open and somehow she felt as if that had just happened to her.

The question was—had she escaped death's clutches?