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CHAPTER 5 - the maquerade ball

The costume ball would be starting in a few hours and brandon was busily reading the carriage outside. he huffed and tutted as he waited on jacqueline and george. he fixed his cuff and muttered "you look ravishing" aloud.

"oh why thankyou" george laughing behind him, "practising your lines for jacqueline? here she comes now."

brandon span around just in time to see jacqueline floating down the stairs in a beautiful black frock with red ribbon ties flowing through her long locks. her hips swayed as she hitched her skirt and brandons heart fluttered.

"you look ravishing!" george boomed, while giving brandon a sharp dig to the ribs.

jacqueline flowed off the last step and paused. her lush red lips pressed together as she stifled a smile, but blushed a deep maroon. brandon stood awstruck yet again in her presence and rubbed his sore ribs. jacqueline fluttered over to him and clasped her lace gloved hands together in front of her waist. "how do i look?" she looked up at brandon who had lost all words in his head. "ah- um- good!- thats it!- good!" he stumbled over words and blushed, sighing heavily and leading her around the carriage. 'stupid! good!? that cant nearly describe it!' he thought as he gently helped her up and got in the other side, sitting beside her.

after about an hour of steady riding in the carriage, jacqueline noticed brandon staring at her again. "whats the matter, sir?" she looked concerned until he shook his head and smiled clumsily. "you look like an impressive godess i cant even fathom." george smirked but they ignored him. "and please, jacqueline, call me brandon." she smiled and quietly talked about assorted things with him until they arrived at his father's mansion.

the mansion was grand to say the least. it pierced the sky line with numerous turrets and elaborate gargoyles. large stone steps led to a pillared entrance with a huge wooden door. many people were gathered outside, smoking and laughing in bizarre gothic style outfits and carriages and servants flitted about all around. brandon gave a noticible gulp and cringe before opening the door and helping jacqueline out. she descened from the carriage with all the elegance of an upper class lady and clasped brandons arm tightly.

"i hope you'll look after me" she whispered to brandon.

"ill try my best" he muttered with a forced smile as george barged past him, knocking into his shoulder.

"belinda! my dear dear love!" george exclaimed falling to one knee and kissing a ladys hand passionately "how extravagent you look. we must have a dance later. and look - i brought brandon and his young fancy along so you must dance with him too!"

jacqueline walked by brandon's side as he led her up the stairs. everyone's eyes fell upon her as they passed and she tried not to blush. she glanced up at brandon, who now had a very hard face as they entered through the large doors. he wouldnt look back at her, but kept her close to his side. she looked around at all the people dancing and smiled.

suddenly a statuesque woman walked up to them and hugged brandon. she was beautiful and pale, with short black hair. her smile was brilliant as she gazed down at jacqueline. "quite a pretty girl you have here, brother. which whore house did you find her at?" the woman laughed and patted jacqueline's shoulder. "im sorry, love, its just that we havent seen brandon in ages, much less with a woman by his side. im kate by the way." she turned back to brandon. "i cant believe you came! mother will be so excited to see you! i hope you dont mind if i steel him for a few moments." she said as she dragged brandon away, speachless as he looked back at jacqueline pitifully. she waved and kind of smiled, but looked around, suddenly puzzled as to what she should be doing now.

a man even taller brandon walked up behind her and whisked her away into the ballroom. she was surprised and slightly frightened as there was no introduction, but danced with him to be polite. he smirked mysteriously down at her and a shiver ran down jacqueline's spine.

he was wearing an elaborate feathered mask that covered all but his lips. his hand swayed gently against her hip as they danced around the hall. everyone jacqueline could see was wearing a similar mask and she found her self quite disorientated by it. some of the masks had beaks or sequince, while others were laced with gold and silver. she felt all their eyes upon her as the mysterious stranger span her around and around until her head was spinning. suddenly, the man pulled her out of the crowd and into a quiet corner behind a pillar. he firmly placed his hand against the wall next to her so she couldnt turn away and stepped in close to her body. before she could say anything, he kissed her with all the passion of a thousand kisses. his hand slid up her thigh and he lightly fondled her garter belt.

jacquelines face burned as her heart pounded and she found it hard to breathe. the man wasnt stopping and he was too big or she was too small to make him stop. she put her hand on his chest to try and push him away, but he only held her closer. she closed her eyes and prayed that she could disappear and the man pulled away, smirking. he grabbed her waist and half dragged her up the stairs as the people laughed and danced.

everything was moving so fast. jacquelines head was spinning. she thought she could hear someone shouting her name somewhere behind her but noone came to her aid as the strong man picked her up. he quickly carried her into an empty corridor and kissed her passionately

"can i call you the jack of hearts, jacqueline?" he said laughing. she put her hands on his familiar face and removed his mask and hat, filled with both fear and excitement. his smiling face appeared and she saw at once that it was george.

she gasped as her smile sank into a scowl. "george! youre a bloody monster! what about your wife!? what about brandon!?" she was screaming at him and smacked him, storming off down the stairs. "hey! wait! i was just fooling around a little!" he called after her and followed. jacqueline saw him from the corner of her eye, but was in no mood to talk to george now. she walked quickly and found a door that would open.

the staircase down was very long and narrow, but it was better than being kissed by george. she saw a light down near the bottom and cautiously proceeded, but couldnt help stumbling into a small room with a large wine rack on the wall and a fireplace in the corner. the fire was warm and jacqueline sat down on a couch beside the fireplace. suddenly a man appeared from the shadows. he looked shocked and angry, maybe a little drunk. he looked just like brandon, but with graying hair and glasses.

END CHAPTER 5