Let me blow off the dust on this old story and add something more...something better to what it once was.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in the main stories of Peter Pan. I do however own the ones I make up. :P

Chapter 3-

New Faces

As the carriage turned off of the main road and onto a wide dirt pathway Wendy noted the aged old stone pillar supporting the gleaming gothic black gate. The surname plate, as black as the gate it was placed upon, bore the name of "Timberland Cottage" in gleaming silver letters. The ride had been longer than she had expected and the knots in her stomach had only tightened. Wendy looked down at her reticule and her finger which had wrapped itself around the thin wrist strap.

"I didn't know that the Viscount of Hawthorn would prefer to live so far out of the city. You would think with all of his investments in exportation he would keep closer to the city."

Shifting his tie for the hundredth time, George Darling glanced out at the lining of trees that passed by as they continued through the long drive. "I have it on good authority that the Viscount owns at least half if not more of the Barnes and Delany branch. They say that before the Viscount joined in and contributed funds the company was actually going bankrupt. The old man has an account at the bank you know." He leaned in with a conspirator's smile. "His account is larger than that of the Wentworth's. And that- my dear- is something."

Wendy nodded in acknowledgement. The Wentworth family was the richest and bluest family within London and they were never shy to make it known whenever there was an event or party. "Are they attending Lord O'Neil's ball as well?"

Mr. Darling looked at his daughter over his spectacles. "Wendy, my dear girl, I am nervous enough for both of us. You are radiant and I am positive that tonight will go very well indeed. No matter if the Wentworth daughters are present." He patted her hand as the carriage emerged from the row of trees and into a grand front yard of what was once a small summer cottage turned into an impressively grandeur estate.

Lounging in his favorite chair, The Viscount of Hawthorn glared at each approaching carriage that came up to his home, his sanctuary. He had told his mother quite explicitly that there was to be no ball held at Timberland Cottage and that if she even dared to think of it he would be forced to cast her out. But of course, she had managed to invite the whole of London to his home while he was preoccupied with the shipping catastrophe that had almost cost him and his understandably unhappy partners a years worth of income. It was lucky that he had caught onto the smuggling that was being done and was able to remedy the situation. Turning his gaze from the window and its darkening skies, the Viscount swirled the Amber liquor in his goblet one last time before downing it with a swift gulp. The comforting burn made a grim smile form on his lips as his servant entered into the office.

"I say sir, you shouldn't be late to your own ball you know." The manservant bustled into the room, stoking the fire on his way to his master's discarded vest and jacked. "You're mother is already calling for you."

"Exactly who do you serve Smithers?" Obligingly, the Viscount discarded his goblet and stood as the man held out his garments,

"Why you of course, sir. It is just that your mother is just a bit more demanding than you are." Vest and jacket placed, Smithers attacked what little lint and dust had accumulated since the morning.

"Damn her demands and damn the party. The only reason I am even allowing this ridiculous event is because it'll finally shut the old hag up."

Smithers, wisely, kept his mouth shut as he moved to refill the glass once more with two fingers of scotch.

"Has Elaine arrived yet?"

"Mrs. Wentworth and her daughters arrived a half hour ago." Smithers passed the liquor to the Viscount.

"I thought I told you to notify me immediately when-"

"Your mother again I am afraid. When I noted their arrival and turned to alert you she decided that I was needed more at her side for the time being. Please don't glare at me like that sir- you know how she is."

The Viscount snorted before tipping the liquor back once more. "For a fellow Irishman you have no spine at all."

"Yes sir,"

Smiling in mock sympathy, The Viscount of Hawthorn, Lord O'Neil, gave his servant his empty goblet and left his office. As he stalked through his home he prepared himself to spend another boring party only thinking about one thing. How long it would take for him to get Elaine away from the ball and into his bed.

Wendy had made it through the first introduction into her debut without any problems. It was a good thing that she took after her mother for the most part. Mingling was fun for her, so unlike her father. Having her father with her was really no help at all as he kept with the other father's circle close to the port table. It was a pity that her mother was five months along already. Had the doctor not told her to take it easier for the remaining months she would have come with her instead. It was lucky for Wendy that there was at least one family friend that she was able to rely upon. Elizabeth Fellner, daughter of the widowed Lady Fellner, was also enjoying her first debut.

"Wendy! Can you believe it? I've three names on my dance card already!" Excitement made Elizabeth positively glow. Her strawberry blond hair when perfectly with her amber and gold gown. The daringly low bodice, which was becoming more the fashion, showcased the girls…qualities. Being jealous was something that Wendy figured she would always be of her friend. Through out her growth spurts her mother had constantly told her that she was filling out and becoming more like a woman. Except when she looked in the mirror all she saw was a lanky youth with small breasts and practically no waist to speak of. Wendy conspicuously checked herself in a side mirror near the dance floor and sighed at her reflection. She had come a long way from being the youth that had desired nothing more to become a pirate. Now, standing with her dark auburn hair modestly tucked up and behind and a floor length blue satin gown, she replaced the smile on her face. She was here to have fun and enjoy the night. Despite the fact that her dance card was still currently empty.

"Wendy- did you hear me?"

"I'm sorry what?"

"Look! The Viscount of Hawthorn has arrived!" Her friend did a little jiggle that should've look childish but only managed to catch the gaze of a man across the way.

"Where is he?" Wendy, almost a head taller than Elizabeth scanned the crowd.

"Over by the stair case. He's with Elaine Wentworth. There, right there." Elizabeth danced as she tried to keep the man in view.

"You can't mean the man in the completely black suit. He's much too young."

"Whatever made you think that he was old? I bet there's not even a single grey hair on that man's head."

"Well father said-"

"Pish posh- your father says a lot of things that sometimes make no sense at all! Come on, Wendy, I simply must try to get a dance with him." And with an muffled giggle Elizabeth grabbed Wendy's hand and hauled her toward the host of the ball.

When they got within ten paces of the crowd that surrounded the host and his partner, Elizabeth finally released Wendy as she jostled as subtly as she could at the other interested people. Wendy could only stare in polite confusion as to why everyone was so keen to be acquainted with the man. He look positively bored with what was going on around him. The only thing that she could tell he was interested in was the glass of liquor in his hand and the women that clung to his arm. The last thing that she wanted to do was line up for a chance meeting with a man that didn't give a damn. She wanted to dance and knew that to do that she would have to find someone at least somewhat interested in dancing with her.

"I see your friend has forgotten you."

Startled, Wendy turned around and had to tilt her head back to look up into the startlingly blue eyes of a man. She was taken aback for just a moment by the rakish goatee and chiseled features. Remembering herself, she curtsied to the gentlemen, noting his traditional suit and cufflinks while doing so. "Not at all. I am simply being a look out should there be anyone trying to take the space that I stood upon, my Lord."

With a smirk, the man extended his hand in greeting. "And what would happen should someone try to take said space?"

Wendy placed her hand in his and could not repress a quiver down her spine as he kissed the back of her hand gently. "I fear I would have to defend my honor and take penance for their transgression."

"Oh?" Keeping her hand in his, his thumb brushed the back of her hand in subtle circles.

Feeling self conscious, Wendy tugged her hand out of his and clutched her reticule. "Yes."

"Well," Standing fully upright and straightening his shoulders, the man gestured to the crowd around the Viscount. "Then I shall have to aid you. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement?"

"My Lord?"

Somehow her hand was once more between the two of his. "My penance will be a dance. For I believe…" He took a step forward and grinned widely when Wendy retreated from him. " that I just took your ground."

A laugh bubbled up before she could regain herself. This man was handy with his actions. "Well, as a trained look out I will make sure the sentence is carried out. You must sign your name on the line now so you're held accountable."

The man released her hand to take the card. After signing it and returning it, he bent towards Wendy and whispered in her ear. "I enjoyed meeting you Miss Darling. Till later then." And with that, the man turned on his heel and made his way easily through the crowd. His movements that of a cat, sleek and purposeful.

"Who was that?" Elizabeth came up to Wendy, with a frown as she followed her friends gaze to the departing figure.

"He's-I'm not sure…"

"He wrote his name down on your card didn't he?"

Remembering that he had done just that, Wendy clutched at her dance card and read the single name upon it. "It says "Peter"…"

"Peter? Is that it?"

"Yes- see? There's no last name or anything." They flipped the card just in case, but the single name remained the only writing. "How odd. Is this normal?"

"I don't think so. All of the gentlemen on my card signed their full names." Elizabeth held out her already full card for her friend to see.

"Well…I suppose he just…forgot then."

"What a ridiculous thing to do."

Wendy shrugged as she turned to see whether the crowd had disbanded yet. Nope. "Did you get a dance with the Viscount?"

Elizabeth stopped beaming at her dance card and pouted prettily. "He never even spared a moment for me. Wouldn't even turn to look at me when I called his name right next to him."

"Not a very good host then if he can not be kind enough to greet his guests." Puzzled, Wendy looked for the handsome pair but could see no sight of the two. "Well, apparently they're off mingling elsewhere. Shall we go and get a few more names on my dance card? It's not like you don't have the enough to spare."

As Wendy gained more names on her card and met more people she couldn't help but have a single name repeat in the back of her mind. "Peter" the card still showed. Only Peter. She knew that she was being silly to think of her past, but the name had always struck a chord with her after…after him. Why hadn't the man written his last name? Why hadn't he at least introduced himself? After all, he had called her by her surname so it would've only been fair to have had him give her his. Determined to gain favor at the ball and to rid herself of the frustrating thoughts, Wendy engaged herself further in introductions and small talk. She was, however, unable to keep a startlingly blue pair of eyes out of her mind throughout the beginning of the ball.

- 3 Chii