“Willow!”
Willow grew tired of the maze in the garden and simple stoped.
“Can you please leave me alone?” she demanded of him as she turned to face him.
“All I want is to speak with you.”
“I do not. We said all there was to say two years ago.”
“I don’t think we did.”
“We did. You are married. I am married. There is nothing to be said. You made your indentions quite clear.”
“I was harsh and too proud..”
“I do not care.....”
“You lie..”
“Please leave me alone....”
She turned and left, not waiting to hear his reply, once again losing herself in the maze, never bothering to hear his words.
“I will never be able to.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow hugged herself as she hid beneath a tree as the rain began to fall. It was not the safest place, but it was the only shelter she had since she was lost. She had only visited Almonte three times and never ventured further then the court. Her first visit to the garden had proven to be a large mistake.
“Cold?”
She turned around and smiled, relieved to see him.
“A bit.”
“Here.”
Angel placed his jacket around her shoulders.
“Thank you, but I am sure you are cold.”
“I’m used to it. Crestington is much colder then this.”
“I should have brought a heavier coat.”
“I have an idea.”
Willow permitted him to turn her and placed his arms around her.
“Warmer?”
“Yes,” she simple replied as she felt her cheeks heat up.
“I have to admit, I never expected to find you so far out.”
“I fear I became lost.”
“I’m just glad you found some shelter from the rain,” he replied as his nose caught scent of vanilla in her hair.
“Should we head back?” she asked.
“I was thinking about waiting to see if the rain tapers off. It’s a long walk... we could talk a bit..”
“I would like that,” Willow replied with a smile.
And so, under the protection of the tree the
couple grew closer, staying far after the rain stopped falling from the
sky.
* * * * * * * * * * *
“My Lord....”
“Angel,” he reminded her as they sat together in the coach.
“Angel, we were invited to dinner tonight.”
“By who?”
“Lord Jessie and Lady Anya Le Blac.”
“Would you like to attend?”
“She seemed rather nice...” she replied with
a smile.
* * * * * * * * * * *
“You made it!”
Willow was immediately ungolfed in a hug. The couple remained speechless, not sure quite what to say.
“You’ll have to excuse my wife. She’s rather.... expressive,” the gentleman next to her said as he extended his hand to Angel.
“Jessie Le Blac and my wife Anya.”
“Pleasure to meet you.”
“Come in, come in!” Anya urged them as she pulled Willow in with her.
They settled in the parlor, getting to know each other. Angel and Jessie spoke of business while Willow and Anya simple spoke of life. It wasn’t long before dinner was ready and were called to the dinning area.
Willow and Angel took their seats happily, enjoying their time as the dishes were placed in front of them, one after each course.
“We must go shopping,” Anya told her with excitement. “Will it be a grand ball?”
“One of the best. My mother loves holding them,” Willow replied.
“And what is it in honor of?” Jesse asked as he sipped his coffee.
“Their twenthth wedding anniversity,” Willow replied with a smile.
“Then it should be grand. We will go shopping for a new dress tomorrow.”
“My dear, who shop for a dress everyday,” her husband teased her as he took her hand and kissed it.
Willow would only look on at the lovely show of affaction in a bit of sadness. Would there ever be a day in which she and her husband who’d show such love, would she want that?
“I have another idea. We should all go together. Willow and I shall prepare ourselves here and wait for our galant husbands to arrive and bring us gifts.”
Willow looked at Angel, not sure whether or not to reply with a yes.
“I see no problem, if Willow would like...” Angel replied as he looked at her with a smile.
“I’d love to Lady Anya, but I have a friend whom I promised would come with me...”
“Then bring her along, the more the merrier.”
“But she has no escort and...”
“Then we shall find her one. I am sure the Duke may be able to find one..”
“I may just have one in mind,” Angel replied with a half smile.
“Good then. We are set. I’m so excited.”
Willow could only smile. For the first time ever,
Willow was excited to attend a ball.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Angel placed his gloves on the table and moved over to Willow, helping her remove her cloak.
Willow turned around and thanked him.
“Well... it will be a long day tomorrow..” Angel replied as he headed to the stairs.
“Would you...” Willow began, losing her nerve.
“Would I what?” Angel asked as he turned around.
“Would you care for some... tea... or coffe....?” she asked fidgeting.
After a moment of thinking he replied.
“I would like that. Did you want to wake Amy?”
“No.. I can take care of it.”
Angel smiled and waited to follow her, but questioned her instead as he saw the confused look on her face.
“Is there something wrong?”
“I... I’ve never seen the kitchen... I don’t know where it is...” she replied blushing.
Angel chuckled and led the way. Once inside, both began to look for the necessary items to make some tea, both laughing a bit at how lost they both were.
“I really don’t come here much,” Angel tried to explain.
“This is my first time here,” Willow countered.
Once the tea was ready they both took a seat at the table, having found some cookies to munch on.
“I know the kitchen in Crestington much better.”
“Is it a large estate?”
“I think so. But the fields are larger then the house.”
“Have you lived there long?”
“Since birth. My mother loved the country. It is her estate. My father loved the city more, lived here most his life actually.”
“I’ve lived in London most of my life. I usally spend the summer in our country estate. It is much more peaceful there.”
“Your family or just you?”
“Where ever my father is, my mother is not much behind. He loves the city. Buffy, she hates the contry. The only times she goes is if she is forced.”
“You two don’t seem very close.”
Willow looked at him a moment before answering such a private question. <He is your husband> her mind reminded her.
“No, we never have been... Buffy and I have always been very different... and you my Lord, do you have any siblings.”
“A sister. Seven years younger.”
“And you parents?”
“My mother died at Betrice’s birth and my father died four years ago.”
Willow’s heart went out to him. She could never imagine her life without either of her parents and releshed the thought of any other person who had. Her hand sought his, offering him some comfort as she laid her hand on top of his.
“My condolences.”
Angel looked up and smiled as he saw the geniune concern in her eyes.
“Thank you.”
They spoke a bit more, both learning a bit more about each other and enjoying themselves. An hour later, they decided to retire to their rooms for some much needed sleep. Angel walked her to her room, Willow not able to stop her quickened breathing and smiles as he stood over her as she opened the door.
“Good night, Angel.”
“Good night, Willow.”
And for a moment they reamained looking into each other eyes, not sure what to do.
“I should let you sleep,” Angel said, breaking the trance.
“May you rest,” Willow wished.
“Thank you.”
And with that he turned and walked away and Willow
entered her room, her back falling against the closed door as it locked,
her head filled with thoughts of what might had happened.
* * * * * * * * * * *
“There is no bloody way...”
“Yes there is because you owe me,” Angel replied with a grin.
“You must be kidding,” William again added.
“Sorry, chap. I was there when he told them you were going,” Jesse added.
“No way on...”
“Well you have two choices. Either you go willing, or I drag you screaming and yelling like a chit.”
William growled, knowing he had no way out.
Meanwhile, in a dress shop, across down another protest broke from a pair of lips.
“Willow, how would you?”
“It will be fun, Drusilla.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I have met him and he is very nice...”
“But.....”
“Not buts. Now we came to find a dress, so let us do that. You’ll have a great time with him, whoever he is, you’ll see, if not, then we will leave early,” Anya told her.
“All right,” Drusilla caved. “Remember, you promised.”
“Good now. Which dress are you taking, Willow?”
“I liked this one,” Willow said as she pointed to the gown.
“Oh God no. Much too plain. What about this one?”
Willow’s eyes widened as she saw how elegant and risqué the gown looked.
“But... that is too much...”
“Not in the least. This may be,” Anya replied as she showed her her gown.
Drusilla gasped at how... open it was.
“The newest fashions from Paris.”
“I’ve never... worn anything like that before..” Willow managed to choke out.
“Well, you’re married now. Keeping your husband enchanted should be a goal. I keep Jesse’s attention very well,” she replied with wink.
“But..”
“No, buts. Dare to be daring. We shall take these, as well as that one,” Anya said as she told the clerk.
“Who is that for?” Dru asked.
“You , silly.”
Dru almost fell back.
“But mama, would never permit me...”
“You can be three things ladies. You can be current, dull, or captivating. I prefer to be captivatingly tasteful. What will you be?”
Willow and Drusilla looked at each other, then back at Anya who was waiting for there reply.
“Captivating...”
“....tasteful.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
“You’re telling me I just don’t have to go with this chit, but also purchase her a gift?!” William asked incredulously.
“Tradition,” Jesse replied.
“What bloody tradition?” William asked puffing.
“Mine and Anya’s. Every time we go to a ball, I buy her something. An accessory to her gown. Keeps her happy and in turn keeps me as well.”
“Well that’s bloody good for you and your wife, but why do I have to get a woman that I do not know a gift?”
“Because your escort will be the only one without a gift,” Angel replied as he looked over the selection in front of him.
“But she won’t even be expecting anything,” William whined.
“Then you will win her over sooner,” Jesse encouraged.
“What are you getting your wife?” William asked him.
“It’s a bit personal,” he replied.
“We’re all friends aren’t we?” William added.
“True.... but.... well, I got her two gifts actually,” he replied nervously.
“I thought you said one?” Angel asked.
“Yes, but.. well I was too tempted and I know she’ll like it, as I.”
“What is it? Might give me an idea,” William pressed on.
“I can assure you, you will not buy it.”
“How do you know?” he said a bit offended.
“All right.”
Jesse pushed both gentlemen to a private section of the shop and opened one of the packages. The first box revealed a lovely opal bracelet, the second, he hesitated a moment.
“You were warned.”
The second contained a rather revealing piece of blue silky undergarments for a female.
“She’ll wear that?” William asked surprise, especially in a time were the need to be proper was the most important in society, even behind a closed room.
Jesse nodded with a smile.
“Willingly?” Angel added.
“Very willingly,” he replied with a smirk.
“Angel, I think you’ve found what you can get your wife.”
Angel gave him the dirtiest look he had ever seen, nearly signing his death warrant.
“Maybe I get her a fan,” Angel said, hoping to change the subject.
“That’s what I got Anya last month.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
“Are you sure this isn’t too much?” Drusilla asked Anya as she took another look at herself in the mirror.
“Look who you are asking?” Anya giggled as she took a twirl in front of her own mirror.
Drusilla laughed, knowing what she meant. Among the three, she was the only one dressed remotely decent, and that was decent in Paris terms.
“Willow, will you come out already,” Drusilla yelled.
“I never thought it was so..... revealing,” Willow replied from behind the drape.
“Then you have not seen Anya yet.”
Anya couldn’t help put laugh at the comment. She had only known the women for a short period of time, but she already thought of them as sister’s she always had wanted.
“Come, Willow. It cannot be that bad.”
“You must promise not to laugh,” she warned them.
“As long as you do not laugh at us,” Anya replied.
Willow emerged and the three broke out in giggles.
“I have never in my life showed so much skin,” Willow said once the giggles seized.
“Do not worry ladies, you live only once. We shall be the toast of the ball.”
“As well as the topic of the evening,” Drusilla pointed out.
“And does that truly matter? All the rumors I have heard, I have proved are untrue, not just regarding me, but as well as you too. Except the fact that Willow punched two ladies. But I did not believe she was whore, nor that you’re husband dislikes you, unless he was acting last night, and if so then he must be an actor. If they truly want something to talk about, then let it be that we drive our men crazy with just a look. That we are beautiful and are willing to show off what we have, proudly.”
Both women broke into applause, making Anya blush. A knock on the door made them jump. The servant entered the room, not able to hide the shock look on her face.
“My Lady, the gentlemen are here.”
“Tell them we shall meet them soon.”
“Lord Jesse instructed me to hand you this package, milady.”
Anya took the package and thanked her, not waiting to open it and ripped off the packing. She smiled as she took the undergarment and laid it out on a chair, making Willow and Dru gasp.
“He has plans for tonight,” Dru said, covering her mouth as she realized she had let that thought slip out.
“He has plans every night,” she replied with a smile.
Dru and Willow blushed, imagining just what she meant.
“Last month, he simply gave me a fan.”
* * * * * * * * * * *