8 Dancing Through Masks

The wind rushed through the carriage window pulling at her tight curls and whipping them around her face. Even so she couldn't keep her smile away as she watched the trees around her being blown violently by the wind. 

It might have been the beginning of a storm but Elise didn't seem to think once about the house or the plants like she normally did at the beginning of a storm. She didn't rush out to cover the vegetables with cloth or secure the outer fences with wires. Didn't go and count the livestock and prepare the barns for their extended stays indoors if need be. 

Tonight others would do these things like before her father died. They would make sure everything was taken care of. Tonight was about her. Her night to actually go out in the world as someone new. Without the identity that she felt burdened by her whole life. It was her turn to live life as everyone else did. Unafraid of who might look at her. With this mask people would have to see her for who she really was and not what she looked like on the outside.

The carriage door opened and a man's gloved hand came up in front of her. Breathing out slowly she put her own gloved hand in his stepping out onto the rocky walkway. Holding her parcel with her glass slippers in her other hand she smiled. 

"Miss Elise," her stable boy whispered in her ear. "The lady will be home before one you will need to leave by midnight at the latest to be there before her."

"Thank you Clarence," Elise smiled at him gripping his hand in her hers as she pulled the rest of her dress to the ground from the carriage. "I promise I will, now hurry back to the house I can drive the carriage back myself. I won't have you be missed for any reason."

"I thank you miss," Clarence bowed his head. "Your father would have loved to see you bringing yourself to go out like this if I can express that."

"I know," Elise smiled sadly nodding her head and blinking away tears. "I wish he was here with me."

"He will always be in your heart, never forget him and he'll never leave you."

"I won't," Elise let out a smooth breath hoping the anxiety she felt in her stomach would disappear with the expelled air. "This may be my one night for myself but I carry his spirit with me always even now."

Bowing again low at the waist Clarence unhitched one of the horses and rode off in the distance while another stable hand came to lead the other horses away. Stepping up to the open doors a wave of heat hit Elise washing over her body in a wave of acceptance. 

The ballroom was massive and filled to capacity with a range of different people. All wearing different colors and styles of dresses. The one thing they all had in common was each of them wore a mask covering their faces. Some wore full masks, others a sliver over their eyes that their eyes peeked through. 

Looking around she studied them looking for a man with dark curly hair and broad shoulders. Biting her lip she wondered how she was going to find him. The man by the river. He hadn't seen her and she had only seen the back of his head. Not that seeing his face would have given her much help with everyone wearing masks anyway. 

"Your dress is beautiful," A voice called from behind her making her smile. 

She didn't turn around just yet but simply nodded her head in thanks folding her arms behind her she leaned forward away from him. 

"Thank you," Elise replied. "I love the color blue don't you? It reminds me of the water."

"I've always been fond of the water," the man's deep voice came again closer as if he was edging closer to her as he spoke. "This dress makes you look like some water minx wouldn't you agree?"

"I thought it was you," Elise laughed, turning around to see a man with dark curls smiled back at her. "I love your mask."

He grinned at her reaching up and touching her hair pulling a curl and letting it bounce back into place. His mask was extravagant but not very big overing his forehead and just above cheekbones. Encrusted with jewels and metal lace edgings. It looked more expensive than the other masks people wore. His suit was also of a high quality looking to be custom made and fit to the last stitch. 

"Did you ever doubt I would find you," he whispered into her ear drawing her close with his touch. "I will always find you my water minx. You have put me under your spell. Your words are lasting memories in my thoughts."

"And yours in mine," Elise breathed out leaning closer to him.

"Might I have this dance?" He held his hand out Elise watched his eyes grow darker as he leaned forward in a slight bow of respect and question.

"You may," Elise curtsied in turn accepting his hand and inhaling slightly when his other rested on her lower back pulling her close. 

Of course the first dance when she entered had been a traditional one with many couples in a group. While this one was the first waltz of the evening. A dance only two alone could participate in as a couple. Others coupled around her but it was as if she was only aware of herself and him. None of the other dancers mattered. They waltzed like she had been doing it all her life. Feeling the strings of the music guiding her just as much as the strength in his hands and the muscles in his back. 

They waltzed as one unit clockwise around the ballroom floor turning as they went. Every once in a while he would let her go to spin out or give her a twirl; but she always felt his strong pull back to him not too long after sending her away. 

Even after the song ended they continued dancing without music to guide them. He swept her up in his arms and she jumped high her glass slippers clinging to her feet as they both left the ground below her. Her bag carrying her outdoor shoes bumped against her waist; where they were tied under her many petticoats for safekeeping and a quick getaway at midnight if need be. 

"I feel as though I have known you in spirit before we met in person." Elise laughed breathlessly when they stopped spinning. He led her back to the walls of the ballroom and away from the couples forming new partnerships for the next dance. 

"I feel the same," His smile widened as he pulled her along the edge of the wall away from peering eyes.

"Prince Castien," a guard bowed low at the waist on arm in front and one behind him parallel to his waist. 

He wore a deep purple uniform with gold tassels and at least three small attached medals on the breast of his jacket. Elise looked around in surprise wondering who he could be addressing before it struck her. The man next to her….the Prince next to her bowed to him giving her an uncomfortable smile as he turned to the guard. 

"Is there something amiss?" His voice held authority as he motioned for Elise to stay put and walked away with the guard. "I will return shortly please do not leave."

Even as he walked away from her Elise couldn't move if she wanted to. Part of her did want to leave but the shock of what was revealed to her kept her burdened so heavy she remained rooted in her spot on the floor. 

He was a prince! Not just any prince, he was the prince. The one who held the ball the one soon to be King over all the kingdom. She couldn't handle what was going on. She leaned against the wall breathing in and out slowly counting to ten like her father had taught her to do when things became too much. 

A soft touch on her arm made her open her eyes. Prince Castien was in front of her looking down at her with concern. 

"Are you feeling unwell?" He tried to pull her close but she shirked away from him. 

"Prince Castien," Elise whispered angrily. "I think I'll take my leave now."

"Wait," Prince Castien grabbed her arm pulling her back to the wall she looked away as he held her gentle but firmly in place. 

"I can't," Elise pursed her lips. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I asked you first," He laughed releasing her arm.

"That's not funny," Elise glared at him holding back a smile. She pushed him playfully on the arm and he grabbed her arm pulling her closer to him.

"Let's go somewhere private."

"Where did you have in mind?"

"There's a maze out in the courtyard. Take a turn with me?"

"I'll follow your lead, always."

Castien smiled brightly holding out his arm. Smiling back Elise gathered her skirts in one hand and looped the other around his arm. He placed another hand over hers as he led her around the edge of the ballroom.

Walking to a door he led her outside a breath of fresh air was something she sorely needed from the hot stuffy ballroom. The wind howled loudly as he led her quickly to the tall hedges leading her into the maze. The tall hedges blocked the wind from biting at their faces and throwing their clothes around but she could still hear it faintly above them blowing the tops of the hedges leaves off and letting them fall to the ground. 

Turning to face her he brushed the hair around her face his fingers tracing the edges of her mask making her edge away from him. He smiled lightly, taking his hands back and leaning forward. 

He pulled her into a regal dance position. Letting the mental music flow between them he led her in another fast paced waltz dancing through the maze from beginning to end and back to the entrance of the maze before they both stopped breathing heavy. 

"Tell me who you are," Castien breathed out roughly in her ear out of breath from their waltz. 

"I can't do that," Elise drew back trying to catch her breath.