The carriage ride to the party was rather silent. But it was a comforting silence. The night was peaceful, the air crisp and clear. The moon was full and high over head. The horse's footfalls were the only sound except for the wind. Slowly the sound of soft music could be heard. As they drew closer to the estate the sound became louder.

The estate was lovely; it over looked a massive garden of hedges. Off to the left was an archway that led to a grove of beautiful flowers. From
what Willow could see there was a wide assortment, from lilies to hibiscus. The elegant stairway that led to two massive doors was lined with candles and beautiful rose bushes.

"My Lady." William said as he held his hand out to Willow, properly helping her out of the carriage. As Willow, landed softly on the ground, William quietly offered her his arm. They ascended the stair gracefully and with as much eloquence as possible. Willow was almost floating. As they came to the large towering doors. Two butlers quickly opened them and allowed them to pass.

"Wow." Willow said, as she was stunned into speechlessness. "I've never seen anything so beautiful." She whispered to William. "It is stunningly
beautiful is it not? Just as you are My Lady." William said. Willow ducked her head and blushed furiously. "Thank you." She said, trying to get her blush under control.

William led her to the grand ballroom. Willow gasped. "I've never seen.wow." Was all she could say. William just smiled. And nodded his head as a friend of his made their way toward them. "Lady Willow, this is Sir. Fredrick Bone Vie of New Windsor." William said, as Willow curtseyed.  "Nice to meet you fair maiden." Sir Fredrick bowed and kissed her hand. "Nice to meet you too Sir." Willow said politely. "My William. You have caught yourself quite a Lady." William blushed as did Willow. "But I am just an escort." William said, with a tone of wistfulness.  Willow blushed under Sir Fredrick's scrutiny. "Hopefully she shall be more of a lady then your last choice." Sir Fredrick said causing William to turn scarlet.

"Come My Lady. So you may meet the others." William said desperately trying to get away from Sir Fredrick, before he really embarrassed him. "Okay." Willow replied as she was led to a group of people around a beautifully crafted staircase.

The group of people stopped talking as William approached. They slowly dispersed. Rodney was the first to speak. "Hello Miss. Rosenberg. William." He said Williams name with no small amount of disdain. "Hello Rodney." William said not having noticed Rodney's tone. "Hello." Willow said. Fully aware of Rodney's dislike for William.

"I am rather thirsty, you my lady?" Rodney asked Willow. "Yes." She replied. "William why don't you go get Mrs. Willow a glass of punch." Rodney said to William. "My name sir is Miss. Rosenberg. I would appreciate it if you would call my by that." Willow said sweetly to him. "Why yes ma'am of course." Rodney said a bit taken back by her response.

"Here you go Miss. Willow." William said when he returned. "William I have to use the Powder Room. Could you please escort me." Willow said
narrowing her eyes at Rodney daring him to follow her. "Why yes, it's just this way." He said once more taking her arm and leading her.

"Thank you William. But I did not really need to go, but Mr. Rodney was.I have no idea how to put this kindly. Mr. Rodney was angering me." Willow said, as they neared the powder room. "Oh I see." William smiled at her, fully entranced by the color of her eyes. Willow blushed and looked down.

"Announcing Lady Cecile." A Butler called from the bottom of the stairs.

Willow and William made their way to the stair way to greet their hostess. Willow smiled sweety. She had plans for this Ceeile chick. When she found out the name of the girl she was absoulty extatic. Buffy had told her about the way Spike had been trated by this woman. Well now she was here to make things all better.
 

~Part seven~ by Rylie

Willow's eyes rose to the stairway where the petite blonde was gracefully descending. A flash of familiarity raced through Willow's mind before she
pushed it away, concentrating fully on the figure making it's way down the steps.

 "William!" Cecile squealed loudly. She hastily made her way down the remaining steps and launched herself at William upon hitting the ground floor.

 "Cecile, looking lovely as always." William said softly as he gave her hand a kiss.

 "I am, aren't I?" Cecile giggled giving a little twirl. Willow rolled her eyes and looked towards William.

 "Well William, be a gentleman and introduce me to your new friend." Cecile said teasingly while sending a glare to Willow.

 "Willow Rosenburg. I am SO pleased to make your acquaintance." Willow said with a sweet smile and a voice laced with sugar and sweets. She offered her hand, which Cecile daintily shook.

 "Well hello there. I am so pleased that you could come to our little gathering. What did you say you name was? Window? Quite an odd name." Cecile said with a glare. "Well William, I'll just have to steal you away now. Window, if you'll excuse us?" Cecile flashed Willow a triumphant little smile and grabbed William's arm, pulling him across the floor.

 "Actually, Cecile, I'm feeling rather. shy this evening. If you wouldn't mind, I'd be honored if you'd allow me you tag along." Willow said catching up.

 William's face brightened. "Of course you can Willow." William agreed, subtly emphasizing Willow's name in an attempt to correct Cecile.

 "Yes, of course dear. So you're from the Americas? How horrid for you! I mean, your accent alone is just dreadful! How on earth did you survive?" Cecile asked.

 Willow did as best she could to smile. "Oh it's really not so bad over there. I've actually had worse encounters here with rude people than I had with the sailors on the boat over. Imagine that." Willow said giving Cecile a pointed look that did not go unnoticed. Cecile was about to respond when Willow gave a quick turn on her heel and faced William.

 "I know this is horribly improper, but would you give me the pleasure of dancing with you, kind sir? She asked in her best snobby British voice.

 William chuckled and took her arm. "The pleasure would be mine fair lady. William momentarily forgot Cecile as he led Willow out to the Ballroom floor and swept her around. The other guests watched in wonder at the small redhead who had snatched young William out from under Cecile's watchful glare.

 Cecile sat down at a table and fumed as she watched the girl that was dancing with her beau. How dare she think she can have him? He was hers. Cecile continued to watch, not noticing when Rodney took a seat beside her.

 "Disgusting isn't it?" he asked, startling out of her deadly stare.

 "Absolutely gut wrenching if you ask me." She stated, turning her nose up.

 Rodney smiled. "Same time this evening dear?" he asked, turning away.

 Cecile gave a little smirk as she caught his eye. "Of course, my dear, by the trellis as always. I'll be waiting." She stood up and gave a little wink before walking away to fetch her dear William.

 Rodney sat back in his chair watching her tiny figure's retreat. He scowled as she made her way towards William to steal him from the redhead's arms. A smile spread over his face as Willow moved William quickly away before he saw Cecile coming. Why did they all want William? What could William possibly have over him? Nothing, that's what! And soon he'd prove it when he'd swoop in and steal Cecile Summers from right under his nose!

 "Rodney, you look to be thinking to hard." Lady Witherspoon commented as she seat herself next to him. "Where is my William and his guest." She asked.

 Rodney sighed. "She has whisked him away and out of Cecile's grasp." He answered smirking lightly.

 Witherspoon nodded. "Good! He could use a good change like her." She declared.

 Rodney stood, tired of the woman's company. "If you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to." He said lamely and walked hastily away.

 Lady Witherspoon laughed lightly. She loved messing with that conceited prig. She stood up and made her way towards the balcony where she imagined Willow had taken William to breathe. She wasn't dissapointed as she stepped to the outdoor terrace and saw the desired couple.

 "Hello dears, getting dome air?" she asked, approaching the two.

 Willow and William turned and smiled at Witherspoon. "Not quite, but yes I suppose in a way." Willow agreed.

 Lady Witherspoon cocked her eyebrow in a move that had been signature to Spike. Now she knew where he had gotten it. "I felt the need to escape from Cecile, and save William, all in one step." She explained.

 Witherspoon nodded. "Yes, I do agree that Lady Summers has quite a way of clearing a room."

 Willow's eyes widened as everything suddenly snapped into place. "Miss Summers?" She asked stunned. Petite, blond, that mis-shapen nose. She knew she recognized that face from somewhere.
 

~Part eight~ by Mary Ellis

Willow was quiet standing next to William in the garden, where they'd moved after Lady Witherspoon had taken her leave.  The fact that Cecily looked so much like Buffy had shaken her up before, now that she knew for sure they were related, or at least, pretty sure, her world was askew.

Jumping as William's hand touched hers, she turned to him. "Are you alright, Willow?" he asked, a strange look in his eye. She opened her mouth to answer him when a childish giggle broke the mood. They both whipped their heads around and watched as a brown head popped out of the bushes.

"Charity!" William exclaimed. Willow's eye perused the girl, noting her similar features to Cecily's, the only striking difference was her hair, which was a rich mahogany brown, in contrast to Cecily's dishwater blonde.

"I'm gonna tell my sister you were out here with another giirrrrll," the child drew the last word out into a whine, skipping around them in her party
dress, making kissing noises.

"Charity, your sister holds no claim on me. I am free to see whomever I wish. Now if you would be so kind as to leave us alone...." William said,
leaving the unspoken threat to hang.

The little girl's eyes went wide, and she turned on her shiny shoes and headed back into the main ballroom. Willow let out a laugh at her precociousness.

"She's a character," Willow said, gazing after her.

William nodded. At nine years old, Charity Summers was well growing into the role her sister had left when she'd made her grand entrance into society that past month. Truth be told, he honestly couldn't stand either one of them.

The only reason he tolerated the family was because of his aunt, who'd asked him as a personal favor to her. If only he had less love for her. But that, indeed, would never happen.

Smiling at Willow, he took her hand into both of his. "Mi'lady, would you care to go back inside, or would you be content with taking our leave? The
social niceties have been taken care of for the evening, so really, it is up to you."

Willow sighed and replied, "Let's leave. I've had just about as much of the Summers family as I can stand for one night." As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt guilty, but hastily shook it off. The evening looked as though it was about to get a whole lot better.
 

~Part nine~ by Susi

Same Night

William escorted his ladys out into the mild London night and called for their carriage. While Willow was concentrated on the stairs she lifted her wide skirts a bit. Suddenly she heard a melodic soft laughter coming from her right side. With a blush Willow looked up. Two breathtaking Ladys, one blond, the other one dark haired, darted a mocking look in her direction before they continued their way. "Silly gooses", Willow murmered and took William's hand to help her into the carriage. Just when the carriage started to leave, one of the women could be heard saying, "How clumsy, isn't she. That would never happen to you, Miss Edith." Shocked Willow bent out of the window but the ladys were nowhere to be seen.

William looked curious at his lovely companion. "You saw somebody which you know?"

"N-no," Willow turned to William and tried to hide her concern behind a small smile, "I only thought I had seen someone who I know from another time."

*********

After their arrival at Lady Witherspoon's home, she wished Willow and her nephew a Good Night and retired instantly to her room. William who saw Willow hesitate, plucked up his whole courage and asked with a blush, "Would you like to keep me company in the library for a moment? My aunt has an excellent selection of books, some are really rare first editions." Willow who still was too stirred up to sleep nodded and followed William elated into the comfortable library. A flickering fire illuminated softly the room and spread a pleasant warmth. With interest Willow strolled along the high shelves. "Wow", she said respectful and reached for a little leather book, "the original version of Jane Austin's 'Sense & Sensitivity'."

William watched fascinated her expression in the glow of the fire. "Do you like romantic novells?"

"Hmm?" Willow leafed totally absorbed through the book, William's presence almost forgotten. "Oh- oh," apologestically she looked at William. "What did you just ask?"

William pointed invitingly at an armchair by the fire. With grace Willow sat down into the offered chair and smoothed with her hand over her silken robe. "You seem to love books as much as I do," noticed William with a wink. His sky-blue eyes admired her slim figure.

Willow sensed how a blush crept slowly into her cheeks and lowered hasty her head. <God Willow, pull yourself together, that's Spike... who will be the Big-Bad-Vampire from Sunnydale>

"Do you like poetry?" William asked carefully and looked quickly into the fire. Breathlessly he waited for Willow's answer. Would she also, like all the others, only show pity for him and his poetic ambitions?

Token by surprise Willow looked at his turned away profile. His posture had imperceptible stiffened and no breath raised his chest. When the silence stretched, William lowered disappointed his head and a shaky breath escaped him.

"I love good poetry," Willow said quickly and added with a comforting smile, "you did not write something your own by sheer chance?"

William's bright blue eyes locked with Willow's emerald green ones, searching for any sign of mockery. But all he could see was curiosity and real interest. "I- I w-wrote  a new poem yesterday, do you want to hear it?"

"It would be an honor," replied Willow softly.

William stood up and got his poetry book by the desk. He then hurried back to his place by the fire. Slightly embarrassed he cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses and began to recite with a soft sensitive voice .

" When in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
  I all alone beweep my outcast state,
  And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
  And look upon my self and curse my fate,
  Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
  Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
  Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
  With what I most enjoy contented least,
  Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising,
  Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
  Like to the lark at break of day arising
  From sullen earth sings hymns at heaven's gate,
  For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,
  That then I scorn to change my state with kings."

Unnoticed Willow wiped away a tear. She had never before heard something so marvellous. "That was so beautiful, William," Willow deeply moved whispered.

"Do you really think so?" asked William shy. For the first time in his life no one laughed about his feelings and suddenly he felt splendid and invincible. With a happy laugh he pulled Willow to her feet and whirled with her through the room. Dizzy, Willow held on to his strong arms and joined in his high-spirited laughter. When he looked into Willow's laughing eyes, William thought he would drown into them. Abrupt he stood still.

Willow believed to dream when he suddenly bend down and breathed a soft kiss on her lips. She tasted like honey and vanilla and he barely could restrain himself from deepen the kiss. William wanted to break away from Willow with a disappointed sigh, but when she opened invitingly her lips, he couldn't resist and deepened the kiss. His tongue slid tenderly over the curve of her full soft lips before he explored the moist cavern of her mouth.

Willow was surprised by William's tender caress. Although his kiss showed of his inexperience it was full of passion too. Before she got the chance to react, William reluctantly ended the kiss. His breath came in short jerks and his eyes were dark with desire. "You should now better go to bed, Willow."

Although Willow's whole body hummed with unfulfilled passion, she nodded in approval and seeked refuge in her room.
 

next

back