"What is taking them so long?" William asked rather impatiently.
    "They're making us wait," Jesse replied.
    "What for?"
    "Because all women do," Angel replied.
    "It's called enticement," Jessie replied as he sat patiently in his
chair.
    "I just want to get this over with," William commented.
    "You might actually enjoy this," Angel remarked.
    "Not bloody likely.
    The men stood at attention as they heard the door to the study open.
    "I do hope we have not left you gentlemen waiting long," Anya with a
smile.
    The men remained speechless, as they looked Anya over. Jesse walked over
to his wife, his eyes sparkling.
    "You look delicious."
    Anya smiled deviously at him. Her dark brown hair was left loose, her
short strands curling around her shoulder. The blue sheer material offered a
glimpse of her breasts because of the deep v-neck between her breasts. The
gown hugged her body, the satiny material wrapped around her body all the way
down to her ankles, with a train in the back.
    Jesse quickly withdrew the long box from his pants and handed it to his
love.
    "Something for now," he said with a wink.
    Anya quickly opened the package, her eyes twinkling as she fingered the
pearl bracelet.
    "Oh, Jesse, it's beautiful."
    She hugged and kissed him, Jesse pulling away, knowing a moment more they
would need to excuse themselves.
    "We have guests," he reminded her.
    "Fine... and I loved the other gift," she murmured against his ear.
    Jesse took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.
    "Anya, let me introduce you to Lord William de la Gray."
    "A pleasure to meet you Sir de la Gray," she replied as she extended her
hand to him.
    "The pleasure is mine," William replied trying to keep his eyes from
drifting.
    William kissed her hand and looked up, his eyes catching the young lady
entering the study tentatively.
    Anya happily introduced the newcomer, anxious to see William's response
to her.
    "Lady Drucilla Deburg, I would like to present to you Lord William de la
Gray, Duke Angelus Beroxe of Montegue, and my husband, Lord Jesse Le Blanc."
    William was the first to take her hand and place a kiss on her petite
smooth hand making her blush slightly.
    "And this is for you," William said with a twinkle in his eyes as he
handed her a long package as well.
    "For me?"
    "Only."
    Drucilla smiled shyly as she opened the package, not sure what to expect.
William couldn't help but let his gaze travel about her. The gown was
flowing, unlike Anya's. The red gown seemed to accent her long silky black
hair and pale white skin. It was not as daring as any as he had seen, but it
hugged her waist and g pressed her breasts against the material drawing
attention.
    Angel knew better then to interrupt and waited patiently, not sure what
to expect. He didn't need to wait long as she appeared just outside of the
door. She smiled as she caught his gaze. She entered, her hair left loose and
flowing, red curls framing her lovely face. The elegant green grown was as
radiant as her eyes. It clung partly to her, empathizing her small waist,
flaring lower around her. The delicate detail around the neckline empathized
her bust slightly, up to her half covered shoulders.
    Angel remained half dazed, slowly coming to his senses as he saw the
concern on her face.
    "You look beautiful, Willow," he replied as he took her hand and brought
it to his lips making her cheeks turn red and hot.
    "Shall we go?" Anya asked, pleased with everyone's reaction.
    With a nod, each man took the hand of their beautiful lady and walked out
into the night filled with promise.
    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

    The ball was in full swing by the time the couples arrived. Upon the
announcement of their names at the entrance, all eyes fell in complete
fascination with them.
    Anya and Jessie smiled proudly as they walked down the elegant staircase;
arm in arm, with the other two couples joining them exactly.
    Drucilla and Willow could not help but blush at the insist ant stares
they received from the people around while Angel and William looked proudly
and couldn't help but smirk a bit.
    Once they gathered on the main floor, Willow led them to one of the
tables left unoccupied.
    "I believe they are whispering about you my dear," Jessie said as they
continued to hear the muttering around them.
    Amy simply smiled at the comment.
    "Wait until they see us dance," she teased.
    Willow and Drucilla could not help but blush as the men chuckled
slightly.
    "May I have the honor of this dance?" William asked the beautiful woman
next to him.
    With a simple nod she offered him her hand and was wisked away with Anya
and Jesse not far behind. Angel and Willow were left alone, not sure what to
do.
    "Would you..." Angel stumbled through, as he looked at his wife unsure.
    "Only if..." Willow suggested, not wanting to force him into anything,
    Angel took a deep breath and smiled extending his hand to her.
    "May I have the honor of this dance?"
    Willow couldn't help the large smile that came to her lips or the way her
stomach flip-flopped.
    But before they could move to the dance floor they were pulled apart by
two anxious attendees.
    "Sister, how I have missed you," Buffy exclaimed. "And how are you
brother?"
    But before she could reply, Buffy interrupted, taking Angel by the arm.
    "And a dance with my dear handsome brother."
    Before Willow could protest, she was taken by the arm by Oz.
    "And a dance with an old friend."
    Angel abruptly stopped as he saw his wife taken away, jerking Buffy back
against him.
    "Angel?"
    "Duke Beroxe of Montegue to you. Please do remember. Who is that?"
    "Oh, Willow didn't tell you?"
    Angel's look alone replied her question.
    "Don't toy with me," he warned.
    "That was Willow's fiancé."
    Angel took a moment to take in the information, and then moved to follow
the couple that was headed to the terrace. He was halted by the hand that
refused to leave his arm.
    "You cannot leave me here."
    "Why not?"
    "We were going to dance... and everyone is looking …"
    "I asked my wife to dance with me and I am going to go and look for her."
    Angel left, leaving Buffy alone on the dance floor. He walked towards the
terrace, not caring for stares that followed him. He stepped into the brisk
night, unable to locate them. He moved deeper out, hearing the sounds of
faint voices nearby. He found them finally,
Lips on lips.
    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
 
 

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