A/N Hello! I'm back and have planned out the whole story so I hope everyone is ready for the onslaught of chapters heading your way! Feedback is always welcomed and I will get another chapter out soon! Also as a disclaimer, I don't own Pride and Prejudice as I'm not the talented Jane Austen. Enjoy the story!
There, on the coat stand hung perhaps one of the most beautiful dresses Penelope had ever seen in her life. Standing up slowly, she made her way towards the gown and gave a gasp at the detail of the white silk like material. The dress was an elegant collection of whites and creams with a variety of ruffles cascading downwards to the floor.
The front of the dress, which was the corseted area, was made up of fine white feathers which felt soft to the hand when Penelope stroked her hand down. The dress skirts swooped down looking like two large wings, and Penelope suddenly worked out that the dress was based on a bird. Looking at the back of the dress, it had two long ribbons trailing down, with small curls looped through and the corset was laced up with pure white lace ribbon. To say that Penelope was astounded at the craftsman's ship was an understatement. Then her attention was transfixed on the mask that Claude was holding delicately in one hand.
The mask was like the dress in colour, and had two white feathers just above the eyebrows, but not sticking out so they went above or over the actual mask. One side, that being the right, rose up and curled into a number of delicate swirls, representing a wing, whilst the other side was rather like any other half shaped mask, yet still a beautiful as its simplicity only enhanced the right side's elegance. Penelope was taken aback by how much effort had been put into the outfit and looked at Claude with wide green eyes.
"When did you have this made? There was no way you could have gotten this on the day the letter came!" She exclaimed, though her smile on her face had yet to slip.
"Do you like it then?" Claude asked, completely ignoring her question. She in reply nodded enthusiastically, but she frowned at his dismissal of her question.
"Claude" she wined, "answer the question!" He, in response only gave her a suspicious smile and tapped her nose.
"I have ways. Now, I'm glad you like it, but have you worked out what you are masquerading as? If you haven't I still have something to show you". Whilst he spoke, he put the mask gently down and kept his hand behind his back, shielding her from something. She in return attempted to hide her frustration at his secrecy, but decided to let the subject drop as it was bound to not be as interesting as she once thought.
"Well, it has to be some sort of bird since the feathers imply as much. And as you know me so well, it's bound to be something I like". She paused to think of something and then gave a squeal of delight. "It's a swan, isn't it? Is it because of my love for Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake?" She asked excitedly.
Claude had to admit, seeing her so excited sent a pleasant feeling spiralling down to his chest, and if he did have a heart he would have been concerned that this strange feeling could be threatening to his health. Regaining his thoughts, he nodded his head to answer her question. From a young age, Penelope had adored classical music, especially Tchaikovsky's, and although he first considered basing the masquerade gown of The Sugar Plum Princess, he realised that it would do no justice to her innocence. No, the Swan Lake, which she adored, highlighted her rare innocence and he had a perfect plan surrounding it.
"You are indeed right, and this" he moved his arm so that she could not see what he had been hiding "is your tiara which you will also be wearing". The tiara, which Claude had designed himself like the rest of the outfit, was circular with two silver wings that attached at the back and in the centre, with two sparkling jewel like eyes, sat the neck and head of a silver swan. It was not too big to draw attention towards it, but it was enough to demonstrate what she was. Penelope had immediately clapped her hands in joy and carefully took it out of Claude's hands gently, to avoid breaking it. It was indeed beautiful and she couldn't wait to get everything on.
"I don't know what to say Claude, it's truly so amazing, I have no idea how much this all cost! You are the most loyal and kind friend I could have ever have wished for!" As she spoke, she put down the tiara next to the mask and gave him a bear hug. However, as she hugged him, she did not see the glint of sadness in his eyes when she called him 'friend'. But as her 'friend' he returned the hug.
A few hours later Penelope found herself in her bedroom having her hair done by Victoria. According to Victoria, Claude had told her that he wanted doing, which was to tame her fiery red hair into soft curls that would frame her face around the mask. He also wanted the tiara to be interwoven into her hair to keep it in place. Penelope hated having her hair done as it was often a chore to do so since she had so much of.
"You must be so excited for tonight my Lady, especially with that gorgeous dress! It will do you some good to go and socialise with those of your class, I fear that you may lose your sanity with just the company of Mr Faustus and I" Victoria chatted away as she applied the hot irons to her red mane.
"I prefer both of your company to those of a higher class; it is as though they are so restricted by social barriers that they cease to comprehend anything that goes outside of their own lives. But overall, I am indeed excited, I have not been out in a long while" Penelope laughed.
When she was a child, her parents had forced her to attend a number of extravagant balls, all equally the same, full of rich arrogant people, trying to become even richer. She loved the dressing up aspect of it, but as a small, shy child, Penelope had hated the social aspect. In fact one time, in which her parents had hosted the ball, she had been so anxiety ridden that she had spent an hour hiding in the servant's quarters, trying to be as silent as a mouse. Claude, had like always, accounted for her every move and spent the hour trying to calm her down, and after she had stopped crying he had brought her back up. She had acted so calm because, Claude told her that if she smiled all night, he would buy her a new story book. Of course this had been enough to get Penelope grinning all night.
Penelope's hair took another hour until it was completed and then with Victoria's help, Penelope got into the magnificent dress. Before she had her hair done, Claude had commanded her to eat saying that although there would be food at the ball, it would not be substantial. She had retorted at first as she just wanted to get dressed up, but the mature side of her accepted his proposal and she did as she was told. Sometimes, she wondered who was really in charge.
The dress, which she had thought to have been heavy at first glance, actually was quite light, and she could only guess Claude wanted this because of how much dancing she was to endure. As it was being put on, the corset was tightened around her small waist, and Penelope gave a wheeze when Victoria pulled the lace tighter.
"It must be done my Lady, and I must say that it compliments your figure very well". Victoria added as she tied the last knot in the lace. The dress skirts were placed securely, and Penelope felt as though she was drowning in a sea of fabric at one point. But as the dress was sorted out finally and her shoes put on, which Claude had given to her earlier on, Penelope could all but gawk at her reflection. She hardly recognised herself, the curly red hair, the dress that matched her skin in shade and mask which highlighted her large green eyes, she looked….striking. A sudden noise made Penelope jump, and turning her head she saw Victoria blowing her nose into a handkerchief. Giving her a perplexed look, Penelope enquired to what was the matter.
"You just look so lovely". Victoria replied with a sniffle causing Penelope to laugh. Thanking her, Penelope, started to make her way to the door and was impressed with how easy it was to move with the dress on. She reached the top of the stairs and her emerald eyes met golden ones. She had barely moved a muscle when she found her arm looped in Claude's arm, she gave him a shy smile and allowed him to escort her down the stairs.
"So, how do I look?" Penelope asked when they reached the bottom of the stairs and unhooked her arm gently from his. Claude in reply just stared at her, his eye briefly raking up and down her body, before settling on her face, without a word, he took her arm and spun her around so he could get a better view. Penelope, who was beginning to feel nervous at Claude's lack of a response, was about to say something when he finally spoke.
"Your beauty transcends even the immortals" he said quietly. Penelope was taken back and she felt tears form in her eyes at his kind words but blinked them away. She never got a chance to reply, as he had walked away to get his coat and hat. Watching him put them on; she shouted a quick goodbye to Victoria who was rushing down the stairs and walked outside to the carriage. Claude spent a couple of minutes telling Victoria some of her duties and when to expect them back and then helped Penelope to get in the carriage before telling the driver to go, and climbing in himself.
The first few minutes of the journey were in complete silence, and Penelope spent those minutes beginning to panic about the ball. She worried over nothing half the time, and since she had spent such a long time out of popular society, she wondered if this was the right decision. Her biggest fear was the pity she was bound to receive, ever since her parents died, she received a number of pitying looks and letters of family friends. It annoyed her as she did not want to be defined as a mourning child, but rather a mature young lady who was dealing with her parent's death. After all it was quite a while ago. Claude must have seen the worry in her eyes, and took her hand.
"Calm down" was all he said, causing Penelope to jump as the silence had been broken for the first time.
"I know, I just get worked up over nothing. I am not used to talking with strangers and this time I can hardly hide behind your leg" she replied with a smile. "After all, although I'm small, I'm not as small as I used to be" she laughed.
Claude released her hand and gave a small smirk. His thoughts had been clouded ever since he first laid eyes upon Penelope in the dress. He felt every bit of lust that he had kept pent up for years, come very close to over flowing. He had even considered grabbing her and taking her to her room, and forgetting the Ball all together. Yet, trying to regain any sense of control he had left, he had acted normal, and now found himself in a small enclosed area with the girl, no young lady, that he lusted after.
"You have to do this Penelope, you can't always be closed off from society, soon you will have to re-enter and plan for the future. You are no longer a child". He spoke calmly but she could detect some coldness in his words.
"And does that upset you?" she asked slowly, wondering why he was angered by her growing up.
"It does not. But you will have to start thinking of your future; you will not stay young forever". He replied whilst looking determinedly at the window.
"You are implying marriage, are you not?" She asked, suddenly alarmed. She had not even thought of the prospect of marrying, especially as she was more concerned with the threat of Lucy over her head.
"It is a duty that is expected of you". He stated monotonously.
"Perhaps it is, but I may not want to marry for there is no one I love. And have you forgotten about Lucy? I can hardly be courted whilst she is around. In fact I do not wish to be married and that is the end of that. I no longer want to discuss this." Penelope finished with a sigh and looked out of the carriage, smiling sadly as a few raindrops dripped down the window. Claude, who was surprised at her outburst turned to look at the now sad girl. Sighing, he realised that he needed to rectify the problem.
"If you truly do not wish to marry another, then you are not forced to do it. But you are right, we will forget this discussion. Tonight you should aim to enjoy yourself, and i forgot to inform you, the Opera singer Irene Diaz, who you have been to watch, will be singing tonight".
"Really?!" she exclaimed, trying to push the thoughts of marriage out of her head. "Perhaps I will enjoy myself; I just hope that I won't act to awkward tonight. I swear I am socially inept". She added with a chuckle, although she tried to hide the nervousness in her voice.
"Once you relax, I'm sure you will be fine. We should be arriving in an hour" he added.
"I should have brought a book to read, although mind you, It's too dark to read I suppose" she sighed and tried to get comfortable as much as the dress allowed.
Suddenly Claude reached under the seat and brought out the book she had started reading a few days previously, Pride and Prejudice. Although it was dark, Penelope could still tell the book by spotting her bookmark poking out of it. Laughing she asked him how she was going to read.
"Well I suppose that considering you can't see, and I can, means that I will have to read it to you". Claude replied softly and before long, Penelope was caught up in Elizabeth Bennet's life.