Ch.5

4 months later

Life at Dames de l'école de Fin d'études wasn't boring to say the least. I have 5 classes. English, French, dance, music, and fine etiquette. During the week our classes started at 8 am and didn't finish until 4. Of course we had a break for lunch but that was about it. At 6 was dinner and curfew was at 9. My professors were very strict, especially my fine etiquette professor. Any slight slouch resulted in a hand slap. My roomates; Katherine, Elizabeth, and Lucy. All the same age as me and in first year. In a few days we will all be going on holiday break–which lasts almost a month and a half! But before we go on holiday we have are annual winter ball which doesn't just involve our school but ALL of the schools in London and nearby cities. There are 2 other finishing schools and then 3 academies attending! Today is our last day of classes and tomorrow is the ball.

"OOOOO they are here!" Lucy squealed almost jumping out of her shoes. The door was open and in came 4 large boxes–our ball gowns. We all stopped what we were doing and looked for our own box and opened them hastily. Lucy pulled out hers first, it was top London fashion–a gown with a sweetheart neckline, full length sleeves, and a full skirt. The dress was a deep royal blue and adorned with gold flakes at the bottom of the dress. The dress was adorned with black lace at the bodice. She had a pair of black heels to match. "Oh how gorgeous!" Lucy awed.

Katherine was the next to pull hers out of the box. A deep jeweled purple was taken out from the box. This dress was almost the same as Lucy's in style but it had a layer of black lace over the skirt and had a few ruffles in the back. She also had a pair of black heels to go with her dress. "Beautiful!"

Elizabeth unboxed a deep crimson dress adorned with all sorts of silver. It just shimmered in the light. It was similar in style to Lucy's and Katherine's. Her shoes to match were silver with a few ruby gems to match the crimson.

"Oh Elizabeth! That gown is just exquisite!" Lucy sighed!

"It is so gorgeous!" Elizabeth replied

"Maria go on!" Katherine said

I took my gown out and it was a beautiful emerald green. The dress was quite high in London fashion. It didn't have full length sleeves but ¾. At the end of each sleeve was a moon embroidered–very unoticeable if you weren't 6 inches from it. The dress skirt was ruffled and had a sort of shimmer to it. My bodice wasn't plain one bit. It was adorned with scattered gems. My shoes were silver much like Elizabeth's but without the rubies. It was quite beautiful! In the bottom of the box was one single Robin's feather. "Robin" I whipspered under my breath, barely audible but yet all three of my friends looked at me.

"Maria, did you say something?" Katherine asked

"No-" I quickly said being cut from my trance.

"I'm certain you said something—" Lucy said "R— something with an R"

"Robin!" Exclaimed Elizabeth.

I froze. I haven't heard his name in months. My eyes widened. Katherine being the closest to me peaks in my box. She picked up the feather eyes narrowing. "What does this mean?"

"Just a simple feather by accident in my box."

"A box shipped from your family." Lucy said.

"From Moonacre from where a certain birdbrain lives?" Elizabeth said.

"To which we have no name to address by?" Katherine said.

"Maria is this certain birdbrain named Robin?" Lucy shrieked

I gulped. And slowly nodded my head yes. My eyes full of memories–for the short time Robin and I knew eachother. "I miss his friendship."

"What do you think this means?" Elizabeth said

Katheirne twirled the feather in her hand. "He must be coming to the ball!" She shrieked.

"Yes! Why else would he have put the feather in your box that held your gown?!" Lucy said

"I-I don't think balls are his kind of thing."

"Oh shush Maria! We will finally be meeting the boy that makes you blush!" Elizabeth said. I pondered on it all day and all night. I could hardly sleep at all. What would be the chances he actually appeared? I soon will have my answer as dawn has broke the darkness that shown through the window. I yawn and start to get ready for breakfast. Soon Lucy woke, then Katherine, then Elizaveth. After we were all ready we made our way down to breakfast. I hardly ate anything. A bite of toast and a bite of eggs.

"Are you ok Maria?" Elizabeth asked.

I nod my head yes. "I'm just nervous…for tonight."

"Maria you have nothing to be nervous about!" Elizabeth said

"No one will be able to take their eyes off of you–especially Robin." Lucy said

"You'll be the center of attention whether you like it or not." Katherine said sweetly

"Oh girls what would I be without you! And shush you all will be shining far more brightly than me!" We finished eating, still I didn't eat much more, and we made our way back to our room. We started to get ready for the ball. It was such a long process. Everyone was in line waiting for a hot bath. Since we were first years, we were almost next to last to bathe. I finally got back to the room at 2 and started to work on my hair. Katherine was already there working on hers. I brushed my hair out and let it dry. As it's drying I start to put my chemise on. Then my corset and I have Katherine help with it. Finally cinched in, I put on my petticoat, then my corset cover. I stop and help Katherine with her corset. Lucy and Elizabeth were working on their hair still as they just came back from bathing. After helping her, I made my way back to my vanity and start doing my hair. It was forming beautiful ringlets. I braided a few strands of hair but making sure to leave a cascade-look of ringlets down my back. I adorned my hair will silver flowers. I then did my makeup. Adding a bit of rouge to my cheeks and my lips. Perfect I thought. I helped do Lucy's hair while Katherine did Elizabeths. We finally were all ready to step into our dresses. It was about 1 hour before the start of the ball. After we were all finally into our dresses we had 15 minutes. I quickly dabbed some rose water onto my skin and slipped on my heels. I headed over to the mirror and straightened my dress out. I looked so different than that of my moonacre dresses, I hardly recognized myself. I turned to my friends who all looked equally gorgeous. Each of their dresses highlighting one of their specific features.

"Shall we head down?" I asked

"Oh yes!" Lucy shrilled

"I'm so excited!" Katherine said

"Me too!" Elizabeth said.

We made our way down the hall, down the stairs, and then to the ballroom. Our names were announced as we descended the stairs to the ballroom. Already the room was ¾ of the way full. And behind us there were many more. As soon as we reached the bottom of the steps we each had a boy offer their hand to dance. We all graciously accepted and were swiftly taken to the dance floor.

"My, your dress is beautiful." The boy said leading me to the floor.

"Thank you."

"My name is-" He was caught off as we were separated on the dance floor. He wasn't ugly but not handsome either. We finally made our way back together just as the song was finishing.

"Thank you for the dance." I courtsied and made my way over to my friends at the edge of the dance floor. They were all chatting about their dance partners.

"Mine stepped on my foot!" Lucy shrieked

"Mine didn't even ask my name!" Katherine said rolling her eyes

"And mine-oh he was marvelous!" Elizabeth said. "His name is Luc. And he is incredibly handsome."

"What did he look like?" Lucy asked

"He had brown eyes and wavy brown hair."

I looked at her. Could it be? "Elizabeth, could you point him out?" She tried searching the ballroom but with no luck.

"I can't see him. Oh I hope he comes back to talk to me. He was most dreamy."

"Maria, how was your gentleman?" Katheirne said

"We didn't really talk much, he complimented my dress that's about it."

"Oh." Katherine said "Well he must've been shy! There's plenty of fine young gentleman to dance with here tonight!" Katherine said squeezing my hand.

"Yes there is…" I said. I did one more dance before I went to get myself a glass of lemonade.

"It is quite hot in here." I stopped and picked my head up. I locked eyes and it was Fletcher.

"What are you doing here." I backed up instinctively but didn't make it to far as the table was right behind me.

"Awe Princess, may I have a dance?"

"No you may not." I said hotly.

He chuckled and glanced at his waist where a small dagger hid. "You want to change your answer?"

I bit my tongue and nodded.

"Perfect." He said and took my hand to the dance floor where we did a waltz. "You look ravishing tonight…a little too revealing for my taste but quite tempting…" He said glancing down to my breasts.

"What do you want Fletcher."

"Isn't it obvious." He rolls his eyes. "I want you as my wife."

I stepped on his foot maybe on purpose or by accident I'm not sure. I look deep into his eyes and bit off "I will never be your wife."

"We'll see about that." The dance ended and he bowed. I walked away hastily to Lucy as Katherine and Elizabeth were asked to dance again.

"Was that Robin?" Lucy asked.

"No."

"Who was he?"

"Somebody that ought not to be here." She dropped it knowing I didn't want to talk about him.

"How were your gentleman?" I asked changing the subject

"Quite splendid." Just then, some gentleman interrupted our conversation. He spoke and instantly knew who it was.

"Henry!" I almost flung my arms around him, but caught myself due to propriety reasons.

"Hello Maria." He bowed and took my hand and kissed it.

"I can't believe you're here. And look at you! I've never seen you in anything but leather."

He blushed at this. "Well…I'm not the only one that cleans up well… looking behind me." My smile widens as he gives me the hint. I twirl around and see Robin. Oh goodness.

"Robin!" I exclaimed. He was in full London fashion evening clothes. He even put aside his hat and charcoal for under his eyes. He looked completely different. But that smile and the luscious curls that framed his face made him still very recognizable.

"Princess." He bowed and took my hand and placed a very delicate kiss on it. "You look beautiful." He whispered so only I could hear it.

"Mm-hmm" Lucy said behind me. I moved to make a circle of us and I looked at Lucy patiently waiting for an introduction.

"Lucy, this is Robin and Henry. Robin and Henry, this is Lucy, one of my roommates." I said to three.

"Lucy it's a pleasure." Henry bowed and kissed her hand.

"It's very much a pleasure." Robin said and kissing and bowing as well.

"It's very nice to meet the both of you!" She said excitedly "Oh you must meet Katherine and Elizabeth. Oh-here they come now." Both girls bobbing their way back to us along with-Luc and Richard! The boys gleamed at me, especially Richard.

"Maria! Lucy!" Elizabeth exclaimed "This is Luc." her face blushed.

"Lucy it's a pleasure" Luc said bowing and kissing her head. He nodded at me "Maria."

The girls had a look of puzzlement on their face.

"How lovely it is to meet you Lucy." Richard said davishly, kissed her hand and bowed.

"And my dear Maria, how ever beautiful do you look tonight. The prettiest girl to ever have graced Moonacre." He said kissing my hand and bowing.

"Oh Richard" I lightly smack him–which causes Robin to roll his eyes. "If only that were true."

"Wait a second." Katherine said peering at all the boys. "Hold on…"

"Robin?" Elizabeth said looking directly at Robin. He smiled at her.

"It's lovely to meet you." Bowing and kissing her hand

"And you as well." Doing the same to Katherine.

"Wow. I can't believe-" Lucy pinched Elizabeth to be quiet.

"It's nice to see you guys." I said.

"Robin practically dragged us here." Luc said teasingly.

"I did-" Robin started but was cut off by Richard.

"Oh Maria, I miss you so much. I cna't do anything without you." Richard mimicked.

"Oy-Knock it off." Henry said trying to defend his best mate. I was smiling while Robin was trying not to blush.

"He was a bloody miserable bloke the last few months." Luc said.

"I think we all should dance!" Lucy said breaking the conversation. Robin agreed hastily and took my hand to the dance floor.

"Is it true?" I asked biting my lip.

"No–well maybe a bit of it…well ok all of it."

"Hmm"

"I've missed you so much." With that my heart fluttered a bit.

"Well I'll be heading for home tomorow."

"I know."

"How do you know?"

"Your Uncle actually. He wanted us to escort you home."

"And why is that?"

His face grew dark. "My cousin–Fletcher."

I froze it seemed. "He's here." I whispered to Robin.

Suddenly alert "He is? Where? And how do you know?"

"We danced together…Robin he has a knife."

"That bloody bastard. What did he all say?"

"He just wants me."

"I'm so sorry Maria. He becomes obsessed and unfortunately your the thing he is now obsessed with and won't stop until he has you."

"But I don't want—"

"I know, I'm just saying he capable of wicked things."

"I know.." I said thinking of my last encounter with Fletcher. "Just dance with me ok." With that Robin and I danced the night away.