Author's note: Thanks for the reviews, people! In this chapter, you get to meet Dez, Ally's uncle. I know I said that he was her cousin in the last chapter, but I have changed it and corrected it already. Sorry guys! The chapter begins with them on their way to London. Austin Moon will make an appearance..soon.. So watch out for that and don't forget to review! Keep in mind that this isn't a present day fic. If you guys have a twitter you can follow me :D at yayiloveyellow and I also have a tumblr [ yayiloveyellow . tumblr . com ]
Disclaimer: I do not own Johanna Lindsey's Captive Bride and the Austin and Ally characters.
Warnings: A bit OOC
Chapter 2
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A thousand twinkling stars could be seen on this clear summer's eve. A warm breeze softly tossed the treetops, giving a glimpse here and there of a full, rounded moon, lighting the landscape. But, the peace of the beautiful English countryside was broken by the Dawson coach, rumbling over the empty, dusty road.
Inside the large, richly upholstered coach, Dez Worthy stared pensively at his own reflection the window. A lone candle standing in a sconce on the opposite side, cast a subdued light over the deep-blue velvet interior of the coach. He might just enjoy this trip to the city, Dez thought, he knew Ally would. He turned to look at his niece, who was sleeping undisturbed on the seat across from him.
His niece has changed into a strikingly beautiful woman, all in the short year that he had been away from their home. He had been shocked to see her so grown-up on his return a month ago, and he still couldn't get over the incredible change. Her figure had filled out to stunning perfection, and even her face had changed so that Dez could hardly recognize her.
He studied her face now, as she lay dreaming sweetly. Gracing her high cheekbones were thick lashes that seemed to have grown longer in just a year's time. Her straight narrow nose and rounded chin seemed more pronounced now that she had lost her youthful chubbiness. Dez knew that he would have his hands full, trying to keep the young bucks at bay when when they reached the city.
Ally had wanted this trip to London for her eighteenth birthday, and Dez had found no reason to deny her. Allyson Marie had always been able to get what she wanted, he mused. She had her father, his brother-in-law, wrapped around her little finger, and now she had done the same thing to himself. Well, he didn't mind. Dez enjoyed giving in to his little niece: she was all he had left.
He remembered clearly that fateful day, four years ago when Lester Dawson had died due to a heart attack. Dez had to inform Ally of her father's death, for his older sister, Ally's mother, had died three weeks later-from grief, the doctor said. But even with Dez's own grief, he somehow managed to help Ally through her suffering. Ally spent most of that time riding wildly across their estate on her black stallion. Dez let her do this freely day and night, for she had told him only three months earlier that she could forget her troubles by riding with the wind.
Dez wanted to laugh at her then, for what troubles could she possibly have at her age? Well, he had learned soon enough that troubles come to all ages. The riding helped Ally through her grief, and she returned to normal sooner than she might have after suddenly loosing both parents.
It was up to Dez to raise Ally after that, but he couldn't have done it without the help of Mrs. Baker-Nana, they called her. She had been Ally's nanny since she was a little girl and since Dez practically live in the Dawson's home, Nana had been another mother figure to him. Nana was now the one who took care of the Dawson manor and supervised all the servants of the estate. Dez could still see Nana shaking her finger at him before they left for London, her brown eyes wide with concern.
"Now, you be keeping an eye on my baby Ally here, Dezzy-cakes," she had reminded him for the third time that morning. "You don't be letting her go falling in love with one of those London gentry. I don't care for the likes of those London dandies with their uppity ways, so you don't go bringing any of them home."
Ally had laughed and mocked Nana as she got into the coach. "Shame on you, Nana. Why would I be falling in love with a London dandy? Don't be silly, Nana. I won't. Right, Dallas?"
Dallas Centineo, who had come to see them off, lowered his head in embarrassment, but Dez could tell that that he wasn't happy about Ally's journey to the city.
Dallas lived with his father, Lord Centineo, on a neighboring estate. Since there were no girls of Ally's age living nearby, she and Dallas had been constant companions since childhood. Dez and Lord Centineo had always hoped they might marry someday. But Dallas,with his dark brown hair and light brown eyes, was only 6 month older than Ally and was still a boy in Dez's eyes. But, perhaps he would mature soon, and maybe, just maybe, Ally would wait for him, if she loved him.
Who knows how the mind of a woman works, Dez thought absently. He didn't even understand Ally's feelings for Dallas: whether she felt only friendship for him, or something more. He must remember to ask her about it later, but she would probably be busy the next few weeks that he wouldn't have a chance.
Dez smiled, imagining the surprised faces of the young men who would seek Ally out when they discover that Ally wasn't only beautiful, but intelligent as well. Dez chuckled to himself, recalling the heated argument that her parents had over Ally's education. They had compromised, and Ally was schooled like any other man , but was also taught the feminine arts of sewing and cooking whenever her mother could find her.
Yes, Allyson Marie Dawson was educated and she was beautiful, but she had her faults. Her downright stubbornness was one fault she had inherited from Penny Dawson, her mother and Dez's older sister, who would stand her ground on any subject if she felt herself in the right.
Dez sighed, thinking how hectic the next two weeks would be. Well, it would only be two weeks. He dozed off then, as the coach continued along the lonely road to London.
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Dez and Ally were still asleep when their coach pulled up in front of the two-story house on Portland Place. The sun had just edged over the horizon, turning the sky from pink to soft blue.
Ally awakened when the driver opened the door of the coach. "We've arrived, Miss Allyson," he said apologetically, and went to take down the luggage from the back of the sturdy vehicle.
Ally sat up and and straightened her hair then smoothed her dress and glanced at Dez, who was still sleeping soundly across form her, his auburn hair lying softly across his high forehead. She smiled at the scene before her. Ally calls her uncle by his first name since he was more of a brother to her than an uncle. After all, they were just 8 years apart.
She shook his leg gently. "Dez, we're here! Wake up!" Slowly, Dez opened his blue eyes and smiled, running a hand through his hair as he sat up straight. Ally noticed that his eyes were bloodshot. He must not have slept very long last night. She was surprised that she had slept so soundly.
"Come on, Dez! You know how excited I am," she pleaded
Dez rubbed the sleep off from his eyes. "Slow down, sweetie," he laughed and booped his niece's nose. "The Maranos are probably still sleeping."
"But, I can unpack and get settled in, then spend the day exploring the city. I could go shopping and sight seeing," she said happily as she jumped out of the couch.
Dez sighed and followed his niece out of the couch, smiling fondly at Ally's excitement. They walked up the few stairs to a pair of large double doors, and Dez knocked loudly. "The whole house is probably asleep," he said, knocking again. But, the doors swung open wide, surprising both. A small, chubby woman with red cheeks and graying hair smiled out at them.
"You must be Dez Worthy and Allyson Dawson. Come in, come in. We've been expecting you."
They entered a small hallway, carpeted with an Oriental rug, with a stairway at the end. A mahogany table stood against one wall, laden with small, lacy figurines.
"I am Mrs. Williams, the housekeeper. You must be tired after your journey. Would you like to rest a bit before starting your day? Mr. and Mrs. Marano are still abed," she said cheerfully, leading them to the stairs.
"Dez probably could use more sleep, but I would just love a hot bath and then some breakfast, if it isn't too much trouble," Ally said as they reached the upstairs landing.
"No trouble at all, Miss Allyson," Mrs. Williams said. She showed their rooms and left.
The driver followed them up with the luggage, and then went tho tend the horses. Dez excused himself, saying a nap was just what he needed, when a young maid entered with water for Ally's bath.
"I'm Hannah, the upstairs maid," she said shyly as she went to the tub and poured the water in. "If there's anything you'll be needing, Miss Allyson, please just let me know," she added.
"Thank you, Hannah." Ally sent the small maid a grateful smile.
Ally surveyed the room. It was small compared to her bedroom at home, but beautiful. Plush carpet covered the floor and a gold-canopied bed in the middle of the room. There were two oak dressers by the bed and in the corner of the room was a single window, draped by burgundy velvet curtains.
Ally stripped from her clothing and stepped in to the lavender scented bath. Once she was all relaxed, Ally started thinking about how she had always dreamed about this trip. Her uncle had never agreed to take her before, insisting that she was still "too young." She had last asked him when she was just sixteen, and Dez, now a lieutenant, had joined her Majesty's Army and was now awaiting further orders.
She had lived her whole life in the Dawson Manor and had enjoyed the countryside, running wild and free with her stallion. She remembered how Dallas and her would hide in the stables and sometimes hear old Andrew, the head groom, cussing out like a sailor. She had learned the most unladylike words from the old man.
Ally finished bathing and dressed in a cool cotton dress with floral patterns. She looked at her own reflection on the mirror and smiled to herself. She loved how the floral dress swayed as she playfully twirled. Combing out her long brown locks, Ally finally finished getting ready and headed down for breakfast.
She found the dining room through one of the doors off the hall. John was sitting on one of the chairs of the huge table with Damiano and Ellen Marano. She could smell the sweet smell of turkey and apple turnovers, for the table was laden with them and with eggs and muffins.
"Allyson, my dear. I can't tell you how pleased I am to have you and your uncle here," Ellen Marano smiled, her eyes radiating nothing but kindness. "Come, dear. Come and join us. We were just telling your uncle about the parties we have been invited to and there is a grand ball for you to attend before your stay is over."
Damiano Marano chimed in and said, "There will be a formal dinner tonight at a friend's house. Don't worry, dear, the younger crowd will be there."
Damiano and Ellen Marano were in their forties and, a cheerful and robust couple who were always on the go and loving every minute of it. Dez and Ally had known them since they were children, for they have been close friends with their family.
"I can't wait to get out and see the city!" Ally said enthusiastically, putting one of each dish on her plate. "Will you join me, Ellen?"
"Of course, dear. We'll go to Bond Street. It's just around the corner and the place is packed with shops."
"I thought I would join you guys, since I couldn't get back to sleep. I have to pick up some things, anyways," Dez remarked. He wasn't about to let Ally go into the city without him, even if Ellen was along.
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They spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon going from one shop to another. They went to a couple of book stores which amazed Ally. The book stores contained tall shelves, filled with piles and piles of books. Ally pictured herself as Bell as she climbed on the tall ladder, touching the books' spines in amazement. They also went to several shops to get Ally's measurements. The dress makers promised that her orders would be delivered to the Marano's house as soon as possible. It will approximately take 4 days for the dresses to be completed. They finally returned home and had a light lunch and napped.
That evening everyone's eyes were on Dez Worthy and Ally Dawson as they made their entrance at the dinner party. They were a quite pair with their striking good looks. Ally felt out of place with her deep-violet evening gown, because all the other young women were wearing light pastels. But, she was reassured when Dez whispered "You outshine them all, Ally."
Their hosts took them around to meet the other guests, and Ally enjoyed every moment of it. The women were all over Dez, laughing at his crazy jokes, Ally grinning at the sight. Typical Dez, she mused. What surprised her and slightly scared her were the way the men in the party looked at her, like they were undressing her with their eyes.
The dinner was served in a large dining room , with two huge chandeliers hanging above the table. Ally was seated between two gentlemen who lavished her with far too many compliments. The man on her left, Elliot Sanders, had an annoying habit of taking hold of her hand while talking to her. The man on her right, Gavin Young, had an annoying accent and kept following her around like a lost puppy. The two men competed for her attention, each boasting and trying to outdo the other.
After the meal was finished, the women retired to the drawing room and left the men to their brandy and cigar. Ally would've preferred to stay with the men and discuss politics and other world affairs but she was ushered in to the drawing room by a couple young women. Different kinds of gossip circled the room and Ally sighed, looking for a spot where she could sit down and avoid everyone.
"You know, my dear, that man has insulted every pretty young girl that his brother, Kyle Moon, has introduced to him. It's not human the way he shuns them," Ally overheard from a blonde haired girl say to her plump friend.
"It's true that he doesn't seem interested in women. He will not even dance. Sometimes, I even wonder if he's even the slightest bit attracted to women," the plump friend replied to her blonde friend.
"How could you say that? When he looks so-so heavenly! Every eligible young woman would love to land him-no matter how badly he treats them."
Ally wondered slightly who the two women were talking about, but she really didn't care. She was immensely relieved when she saw Dez. He told her it was time for them to go.
In the couch on the way home, Dez smiled mischievously. "You know, Ally, three young men cornered me separately today and asked my permission to court you."
Ally grimaced and replied, "Really Dez? Did you scare them away and told them to leave me alone?"
Dez bursted out laughing and shook his head. It was so typical of Ally to shun away her admirers. She would rather read a book and explore the world than to be tied down into marriage.
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The days flew by quickly for Ally, with parties, social gatherings and diners to attend. Elliot Sanders, one of the men she sat next to, had declared himself smitten for her and showered her with constant declarations of his love. He even asked Dez for her hand in marriage.
"Elliot Sanders asked you for my hand in marriage yesterday, and Gavin Young asked you today for my hand in marriage while you were out at the park," Ally ranted to Dez as soon as Dez told her about his encounter with Gavin Young that morning.
"These London men are quite impulsive, aren't they? It's ridiculous how they think every girl who comes to London is looking for a husband. And to declare the're in love when they hardly know me-it's absurd!" Ally stormed off at Dez who was more than amused by her outburst.
Tonight was going to be Ally's first ball. She had been looking forward to it and even saved her prettiest new gown for this night. She was as excited as a child with a new toy. She just hoped that Gavin Young and Elliot Sanders wouldn't be at the ball. If they were, she was determined to ignore them.
OH. MY. WORD. I am sooooo happy I am done with this chapter. It was tiring to type it, since I'm such a lazy ass. Anyways, Austin Moon will be making an appearance on the next chapter, so review away, people! :D D Wade tomorrooowwwwww yeaaaahhhh.