After Sophie had left, Arlette cupped her hand around her mouth. He almost kissed her! He almost kissed her! Arlette fell back on the bed, eyes staring up at the ceiling in pure amazement, "He almost kissed me..." she breathed out, hands lying by her sides to clench the sheets,"He almost kissed me." if it wasn't for Sophie, maybe the two would've kissed each other and she'd know what Connor tasted like. Arlette felt her insides doing backflips, her heart was beating violently against her ribcage as she started to reminisce the event from a few minutes ago, "Oh God..." her hands cupped her cheeks, a small smile forming on her face, "He likes me...he really likes me!"

Arlette squealed, hugging her pillow close to her chest with a dreamily smile upon her features. Her day suddenly turned even better. Arlette rushed to the garden, actually hoping that Connor would be there. She peeked through the trees, her smile faltering as the white hooded man was nowhere to be found. A small pout adorned her pink lips as she looked down towards the ground. Even if he was gone, away from the huge house...Arlette felt that he kept watching her, following closely. Maybe to see if she was okay, perhaps?

All those thoughts made butterflies flutter around her stomach, with a shy smile upon her features, Arlette elegantly sat down on the grass. Her hands cradling the sketch pad as if it was a precious gem, the charcoal resting on her thumb and index finger, "Very well, let's paint some birds."

Connor was splashing his face with ice cold water for the third time that day, the droplets slid down his face onto the bowl below him. He looked at his own reflection, his pupils were dilated, his mouth was opened as heavy puffs of air dared to leave from the confines of his throat. That was so close, he was so close! If it wasn't for that damned maid... Connor groaned, resting his face on his palms in frustration. He was so close... he could still smell her fresh breath. The way she looked, the way she was reacting...Groaning once more, Connor managed to punch a hole in the nearby wall.

Ironic how mad he was being compared to Arlette.

He wasn't mad. He was extremely frustrated. Now Connor didn't knew when he'd see Arlette again, he had a mission to kill a British Templar later tonight. In some masquerade ball or something. Connor was pacing around in his room, he should go back and kiss her. Yes, he had to! Wait! No! Slapping his cheek harshly, Connor widened his eyes and clenched his hands into fists, "I don't have time for that." he mumbled out, pulling his hood over his head. There was a folded envelope on his desk, the invitation to that said party, "Hm." he opened the white envelope, his eyes following the fancy lines of the words in the invitation. Connor managed to get himself a mask, a red and golden one with speckles of silver and the clothes... he turned to look at the blood red coat hanging on the wall. It'd be a good disguise, none would even wonder who he is. Wearing a red coat, he'd be considered british.

Now all he had to do was get ready.

Arlette smiled as her mother looked at the pictures, eager to know if she really liked them, "They are beautiful, dear." her mother's voice was weak and quiet, soon being followed by a cough, "I loved the cardinal." Helaine said, handing the drawings to Arlette and telling her to put them on the shelf along with her books. Arlette did so, turning her head around above her shoulder to ask Helaine a question,"Mother..." the older woman had lied back down, hands folded above her womb, "Yes, dear?"

"When you met father... you knew he'd the one for you?" Helaine wasn't surprised that Arlette asked that. Arthur had told her about the runaway moment Arlette had with James, and about how she wasn't seeing the good things he'd do for her. Helaine sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a minute before opening them again, "Your father wasn't one of my suitors, darling." she began, "He worked as my father's apprentice. He never demonstrated any interest on me at the beginning...until your grandfather mentioned the name of William MacHeeny." Arlette blinked when her mother chuckled weakly, covering her mouth elegantly, "Your father hated William with such passion, it pratically burned him inside to know he was the one to marry me."

Arlette sat down on the stool close to the bed where she once was seated before, to pay more attention to her mother's story, "He had asked me if I loved William. I said no...then we ran away." Helaine smiled while reminiscing the moments she had with her husband in their younger years. Her daughter blinked slowly, "What about grandfather? Was he mad about your choice?"

"No." Helaine smiled, "He was happy I was happy as well and with the man I loved." she said sweetly, coughing gently against her hand and turning to look at Arlette, "Who's the one you truly love, darling? I know it's not James." Arlette bit her lower lip, a deep red blush adorning her cheeks. Should she tell her mother? After all if she asked...well, she should. Right? "N-None really." she mumbled, "I just don't like James, at all." she whispered, playing with the fabric of her dress innocently. Helaine knew Arlette had someone in her mind, but decided to play it dumb. She knew just how her daughter could be. Arlette left to call Sophie, it was time for her mother's dinner and time to Arlette's bath. She was surprised to see James at the bottom of the staircase, smiling carmingly at her,"Good afternoon,Arlette."

"Good afternoon...James." her face didn't changed, she hadn't smiled or demonstrated any emotion of happiness towards him, "How can I help you?" she was being really cordial, as if ignoring what had happened two days ago. James seemed to be doing the same, "How would you like to join me in a masquerade ball?" he asked, pulling out a cream colored envelope from below his sleeve. Arlette blinked twice, before arching one eyebrow in question towards the blond man, "Where will it happen?"

"The Grand Theatre. Only the high class is invited." he smirked, "And I'm of the high class. It'd be good for your reputation if you went there with me." well, he just HAD to add how amazing he was,right? Arlette sighed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She was going to refuse his offer, but her father was staring from his office, cup of tea barely touching his lips as he awaited for her answer. "Alright. I'll go with you." Arthur smiled from his office, finally sipping his Early Grey with relief, while his daughter had a staring contest with James, 'But I won't stay long."

"Sounds fair, dear Arlette." James smiled, kissing the back of her hand. Arlette felt a sudden nausea take over her stomach, how disgusting he was. Quickly pulling her hand away, Arlette gave one single step back "I'll see you later tonight,I presume."

"Yes, you will." James placed the hat on his head and bowed, before taking his leave. Arlette stood frozen on her spot, crossing her arms as her mouth turned into a thin line, "Idiot."

By the time they arrived to the ball, James was forcefully squeezing Arlette's hand. She winced a bit, biting her lower lip to fight back a quiet whimper. He was pulling her around as if she was a ragdoll! Arlette winced again when James stopped to talk to some of his 'friends'. They were just like him, their companions,- she was sure they were prostitutes by the way they were dressed- were laughing obnoxiously at what they said. Arlette remained silent. Adjusting the white and golden mask on her face, the girl let her eyes wander across the room. God, she hated this place already. These people were useless, futile, acting like they were the golden nugget on a charcoal pile.

That was when she saw someone that surely called her attention. He was tall, muscled and had dark hair pulled up with a ponytail. Was he British? Well, he was wearing a Red Coat, so she assumed he was. Arlette's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, she felt that he was known to her, even if he was far away, his presence sent chills up and down her spine.

Wait a minute...

"Connor?" she managed to whisper, but James snapped his head towards her in question, "What did you said?" Arlette looked at him with wide eyes and smiled, shaking her head, "I just said 'Beautiful." she lied through her teeth, but James seemed to believe it. The host of the party clapped his hands together to call his guests attention, he was distinctly drunk. He could barely stand still, the woman by his side,- which Arlette presumed it was his wife- kept holding his arm so he wouldn't fall off the stage where the orchestra was located. "Allriiiight! Let's- hick!- let's start this!MAESTRO!" his shout made the old maestro wince and close his eyes, before pressing his middle finger on the inside of his ear.

The man wobbled off the stage, being followed by his wife. The Maestro fixed his coat, ran a hand on his white wig and cleaned his throat. The musicians set their instruments ready, waiting for the older man's nod of approval. When the music began, Arlette squeaked as James tugged her to the middle of the ballroom, her cheek was pressed on his chest almost painfully. She weakly moved her blue irises up to him, noticing he was looking elsewhere. With her back straight,Arlette came into James' line of vision, making the young blond blink surprised and then smile.

The two danced along the other couples, Arlette could barely feel her feet touch the floor. James suddenly felt someone tap his shoulder, looking above it to see who it was, "Yes?"

"May I have a dance with your companion, sir?"

James wanted to say no, but the guy was taller and bigger than he was,"O-Of course." Arlette watched as James pratically shoved her onto the other man's chest, fearfully walking away from them. Arlette's eyes moved up and a blush adorned her cheeks "S-Sorry." she cleaned her throat, fixing her mask on her face. That was when she noticed who was the man. The same man with the red coat and mask she saw minutes before, the man she presumed it was the sound of his voice and the way he smelled like pure leather, yes, she was sure it was Connor.

"Connor? Is it you?"

Brown irised slowly moved to her form, their bodies moving along the melody of the orchestra, "Yes." he said simply. Arlette didn't knew if she would cry of kiss him, even though, kissing him would be a better option if James wasn't looking,"What are you doing here?" he was surprised by her question, arching one of his eyebrows.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"James invited me."

Connor sneered, "Oh,James..." he said dryly, letting Arlette place her small hand upon his left shoulder, "You shouldn't stay here." he whispered, twirling Arlette around before pressing her close to himself again. God, he liked how she felt. "W-Why? Is there something wrong?" she asked quietly, "Are you in danger?" he was touched about how she completely forgot about herself to ask him if he was in peril. Could she be any cuter? The corner's of his mouth twitched into a smile, but he fought it back, "No, but something will happen and I want you to leave. I don't want you to get hurt."

Arlette frowned, eyebrows knitting on the middle of her forehead, "I'm not leaving you here." she whispered, she didn't wanted to leave for two reasons: one, Connor would get hurt and she wouldn't want that and two, she didn't wanted to be near James. Arlette carefully touched the part where the mask wasn't covering, feeling a small scar touch her fingertips "Connor I won't leave you."

"Then I guess I'll have to take you out."

Arlette blushed profusely, biting her lower lip, "Y-You wouldn't." the young Mohawk rose one eyebrow in amusement,"Try me." his eyes suddenly snapped to the one he came here for,"Arlette, I must go."

"W-What? But-," she held his arm when he was about to leave,"When will I see you again?" she asked, making Connor turn towards her and gently touch her cheek with the back of his fingers. One part of him wanted to stay with Arlette, to finally kiss those lips of hers and take her away. But the other part knew this wouldn't be possible, not tonight. Connor cradled Arlette's small hand on his and kissed the soft skin gently "Good night, Arlette." he suddenly disappeared on the crowd of people, leaving Arlette with her hand still in the air and a saddened look upon her face "Goodnight...Connor."

Whew! Chapter 8 for you guys! Review is loooove

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