3 An Orphan's Birthday

The winter after Delaney turned twelve, her mother fell ill and passed away in her sleep. Delaney was upset but her father was heartbroken. Not only had he lost the woman he loved but he lost his sound minded partner in making decisions for the estate. He had long ago learned to run ideas by his wife and if they were too risky she would tell him so.

Sad, lost, and impulsive, Dwlaney's father made one rash decision after another. His daughter could do nothing but watch as her father gambled away all their money and ran their estates into ruin. Delaney was taken in by her Great-Uncle Felix and Great-Aunt Flora, an older couple who had never been able to have children.

With nothing left, her father simply drank until he grew ill. By the time Delaney turned thirteen she was an orphan.

For Delaney's fourteenth birthday, her Aunt and Uncle decided to throw her a grand ball. They had a large manor with a lovely ball room. With only a bit of guidance from Aunt Flora, Delaney, Selina, and their friends planned the most amazing party they could, complete with new gowns in all shades of purples and pinks.

When the night finally came, the young girls gathered in Delaney's bedroom excitedly putting the last touches on their looks. Delaney, Cora, and Constance wore varying shades of pink while Selina and Olive wore purples. Aunt Flora had loaned Delaney some of her jewels to wear since the girl had none of her own anymore. The other girls all wore some from their mothers. Even Constance had an amethyst.

Delaney found it hard not to sometimes hate Constance now that she was officially the poor one, not Constance. At least she had her marriage contract though. She was better than the other girl in that way. Constance still had no one.

Finally deciding they were ready, the girls took a moment to gather their nerves. They couldn't wait to see all their betrothed men who had been allowed to return home to go to the ball.

At the age of thirteen all the boys got sent off to a boarding school to learn. Then at sixteen they were sent to train with the kings soldiers and to help defend the kingdom against dragons, scoundrels and and anything else that threatened the lands.

Other than special occasions, the girls hadn't seen their men for a very long time, so now they were eager to see how they had grown up. Delaney gave Selina's hand a squeeze, knowing the girl was especially nervous. She had been praying that Duncan would no longer be so awkward.

At last their guests had gathered in the ball room and it was time for them to make their entrance. Delaney was so excited she thought she would pop. The other girls walked down the great stairs into the ballroom until at last Delaney was alone at the top.

"And here we are at last," Uncle Felix announced over the crowd, "The birthday girl herself!" There was applause as Delaney walked down the stairs. She was blushing but she loved the attention. It was her birthday and she looked lovely and nothing else mattered.

At the bottom of the stairs Delaney was pulled into a hug by first her aunt and then her uncle. When her Uncle released her he beamed down at her, "Now, as the birthday girl you have to lead the first dance. And I know the perfect partner for you!"

"I thought you were leading me in my first dance?" Delaney asked confused. Chuckling, Uncle Felix turned around behind him and tapped someone on the shoulder. The dark headed man turned around and the girls eyes went wide, her mouth falling open.

"Hello there My Lady," Vincent smiled down at her, amused by her reaction, "May I have this first dance?" Like a gentleman, he bowed and held out a hand for her to take if she chose to. Without a pause, the chestnut haired girl in a rose pink dress placed her small hand in his large one. Her heart was racing so fast she thought it might burst from her chest.

Vincent righted himself and lead her out onto the dance floor. Delaney glanced at her friends and saw they were all wide eyed, mouths agape, as she had been. She looked in front of her as Vincent stopped and took her right hand in his, placing his other hand on her back. She put her other hand on his shoulder. Her skin seemed to tingle where ever they were touching.

Vincent had grown tall. Even taller than she had imagined. His black locks had calmed from curly to wavy and he wore it long, about halfway down the back of his neck. His dark green eyes twinkled in amusement as he looked down at his terrified dance partner. Delaney couldn't believe her luck. Her future husband must have been the most handsome man she'd ever seen.

When the musicians in the corner started, the pair looked at each other and Delaney gave a small nod. Vincent immediately swept her into a waltz. Delaney worked not to panic. She knew how to dance. One, two, three, one, two, three. Keep breathing. Begging God not to let her step on his toes.

She looked up at Vincent and was surprised to see he was looking past her, out at the crowd. She watched as they turned and he smirked and rolled his eyes at who ever he was looking at. When they turned, Delaney saw it was the other boys, or should she say men, that he had been rolling his eyes at. The group was watching them with grins, laughing.

Delaney felt her heart plummet. The men were laughing AT them.

When the song came to an end Vincent stepped back and bowed to her again. When he straightened he smiled at her. Delaney forced a tiny smile, all she could manage, but she felt tears working their way to her eyes. Vincent frowned in confusion at this change in mood.

Delaney turned and quickly returned to her friends where they stood waiting on the edge of the ballroom. The next song started and couples began to fill the dance floor. Delaney grabbed Selina's hand as she came to the group and pulled her out of the room with her. The other girls looked confused but rushed to follow.

"They were laughing at me," Delaney hissed to her friends as soon as they were locked alone in a powder room, "His stupid friends were laughing at us while we were dancing!" The young girls looked shocked.

"They're just mean Delaney," Selina assured her, seeing her friends angry tears slip from her eyes.

"Who cares about them?" Constance rolled her eyes, "They're just a bunch of dumb donkeys!" Delaney couldn't keep herself from giggling at the description and the others joined in.

"She's right Delaney," Olive continued, "We don't have to care what they think. One day they'll be our husbands and they'll have to listen to us. I'll make Bernard apologize to you then I promise."

"Well if they're going to laugh at you they can laugh at me too, "Cora announced, "I'm going to make Miles dance with me! I don't need to be his wife yet. He'll be sorry right now!"

"Cora wait!" Delaney gasped but the spunky little girl didn't listen and stormed out. Her friends scrambled to follow her and got to the ballroom just in time to see her march straight up to the group of men and tap Miles hard on the shoulder. He turned, looking confused, then his eyebrows shot up when he saw the tiny Cora in front of him.

"Your Mother says you must dance with me now," she stuck up her nose and crossed her arms.

"My Mother?" Miles looked around confused, "I didn't know she was here. I thought..."

"She just got here. I caught her attention as she was coming in. She told me to go ahead and start the dance and she would be in in a moment to watch us."

Mliles put out his hand hesitantly, still looking around for his mother, but Cora grabbed it, dragging him out onto the floor. When the music began, the pair started dancing and it quickly became the most memorable dance of the night. No sooner had they started, then Miles stepped too soon, crushing Cora's toes beneath his foot. She yelped and scrambled back. He turned bright red, apologizing and trying to quickly pull her back into the dance which only resulted in them stepping the wrong direction and slamming into one another's chests.

Vincent and his friends tried to hide their laughter but they grew loud enough that adults shushed them and looked on disapproving. Cora was getting more annoyed by the moment as they stumbled around and Miles eyes were wide in panic. When the dance at last came to an end, Cora limped backwards, "You'll be lucky if you don't end up with a crippled wife after this!"

Hearing her words, the men laughed louder and Delaney and her friends couldn't help but join in as they helped Cora to a chair. When they had gotten themselves under control again, Delaney pulled Cora to her and hugged her tightly. "Oh Cora you are just wonderful," she whispered.

The little golden haired girl grinned up at her, "My younger brother was in school with them. He told me Miles was a terrible dancer. I figured he deserved to be embarrassed like he embarrassed you."

Delaney hugged the girl tightly again. At least if her husband and brother-in-law turned out to be horrible she would still have her sister-in-law.