Okay, here it is! My second post for the day. I hope to see all of you in a week when I get back. ;)

3 Linny

Two Worlds

Chapter Six

The candelabras lining the courtyard were being lit as the sun lay low over the horizon behind the west wall. Each held a series of five tall white candles, the flames flickering lightly in the breeze drifting off of the sea, and each one set to burn long into the night. Their wrought-iron stands were adorned with a small clutch of white carnations—Princess Susan's favorite flower—and embellished with a shimmering gold satin ribbon.

The party had begun and the night was still young.

Receiving one last bit of advice from Donna, she kissed him on the cheek for luck before closing the door of the servant's passage into the ballroom behind her and leaving Jack alone and out of his element. "Remember to always look her in the eye," was the last thing she'd whispered to him before disappearing. Jack chuckled nervously as he slid his crème-colored mask into place over his eyes. It sounded much easier than it looked. He'd barely been able to keep his cool in the stable yard today when their eyes had connected. What made her think it would be any simpler tonight? A silly little mask certainly wouldn't change anything.

Taking in a deep breath, he leaned up against the wall and let his eyes scan the room, taking in every fine, minute detail into his memory bank for him to keep forever. The candles in the crystal chandeliers burned dimly, casting a magical glow about the large, ornate room. The white marble walls were decorated same as the courtyard, the hand-carved wooden baseboards accentuated with an added string of elegant fresh-water pearls.

The room was dressed for a coronation, each gown or suit more elegant than the last. Jack suddenly felt very small surrounded by so much power and nobility. He was out of his league and alone, but his goal was still clear. He had to do this to make a point for commoners everywhere that station doesn't matter and love can be the bridge to bring the two worlds together.

"You'll do great," Donna had said proudly as she looked up at him as he wished his mother would have been able to. He felt the icy cold hand of regret clench his heart. Both his parents had died when he was only a young child and he could barely remember who they were and what they'd once had in store for him. All he could remember was waking up in the orphanage infirmary with a terrible fever and most of his memory gone. The only thing he'd known that day had been his name.

He shivered as a chill ran down his spine. He hadn't thought about his real parents in ages. D and Donna had replaced that dark hole in his heart with such love and memories that he'd almost hate to think what would have happened if his parents had survived the fire.

Jack jumped as a hand grasped his arm. He could feel beads of sweat forming on his brow at the painful memories and how they were trying to force their way to the forefront of his mind. Taking in a few deep breaths, he let his dark brown eyes connect with those of D.

"What are you doing standing against the wall?" his eyes were full of concern at the sight of his charge's pale face and watery eyes. He hadn't seen him like this since during the war when he'd awoken from a nightmare he couldn't remember, but kept whispering in his sleep about a fire and something about a murder. Jack had refused to talk about it that day and still remained tight-lipped; D wouldn't push if it would only make things worse.

"Are you checking up on me?" the masked stableman asked as he slowly melded back into his usual, confident self. He pushed himself from the wall, straightening his shirt as he did to smooth out any invisible wrinkles he might have seen. "I thought you didn't approve of this." There was no caustic tone to his voice, just his usual teasing glimmer.

"I don't, but if you're going to stand against the wall all evening, I thought you'd be better off holding a candle to blend in with the scenery." D's lips curled in laughter at the side of his mouth, his shoulders shaking with silent amusement. The look Jack gave him told the older man that he was not amused. "Okay, since I couldn't talk you out of this, I might as well help the cause, right?"

"Donna told you to help, didn't she?" D wouldn't have turned around on an issue he didn't believe in if Donna hasn't at least added her two cents into the mix. Her words were usually right.

Sighing heavily, D nodded, "yeah." He glared at Jack not being able to hide his laughter. "You know, if you don't want my help, I can waltz right over to Lord Leland and tell him what I was just about to tell you." He made the threat sound serious, but there was a teasing glint in his eyes that he just couldn't hide.

"No, I really want to know. What've you got?"

Taking in a deep breath and heaving it out, D rolled his eyes at himself. He was going against everything he'd been trained, but at least he wasn't just doing it for anyone. At least it was for his 'son'. "Every man present will be vying for a dance from Lady Sue, so you need to head to the front of line before anyone else beats you to it. After she's addressed to the room, the music will begin playing, she and the King will hold the first dance, and the night will begin."

Jack swallowed hard. He knew the competition would be fierce, seeing as they were high class and he was stable yard. "And what about when we dance? Donna told me to always look her in the eye. That's much easier said than done, D." After all, she was a vision of beauty and an elegance that was too great for his eyes to behold. He feared he would go blind by even daring a glance into those hazelnut depths.

Nodding, D understood all too well… well, at least it seemed like he did. He remembered the first time he'd come face-to-face with Donna's father. His own had told him to look his straight in the eye, but the butterflies in his stomach were restless and caused his gaze to falter. It was only later when they were married did he discover that that had been what had persuaded her to join him that night for a moonlight stroll along the surf. She'd had countless suitors look him straight in the eye, but D's wavering gaze told her there was much more to him than muscles and military stature.

"I know, but believe me, it'll be worth it. Just remember everything that we've told you and you should do great. Now, hurry up and get into position or else you might lose your chance." He winked as he gave Jack a strong, fatherly pat on the back and watched as the young man nervously nodded but after taking in a deep breath took his place among royalty and power. In his opinion, it was where Jackson was really supposed to belong.