Christmas Plans

CHAPTER 10

POV : Clarice

Clara arrived at the ball an hour after it started. She had spent that hour debating whether or not she should actually go. She left Tamara with Mrs. Holbrook and went off in her shabby cart to the castle. She knew everyone was invited, but most women came with the intention of trying for The Prince's hand. Little did they all know, his heart belonged to someone else. She smiled at the thought. She knew how out of place she would be. In her long perrywinkle colored dress and her bluebell mask, one she made herself, she would be the worst dressed there, she knew it. Her mother made it clear that she knew it too. Luckily for her, she wasn't hoping to impress The Prince. She blushed at the thought of dancing with Mel. She pulled her cart into what she assumed was where she was supposed to park and went inside. She knew where to go, after decorating the halls with her flowers, she would have to. She stopped in the doorway to the ballroom. She knew everyone was going to be dressed in the most beautiful of gowns, but nothing would have prepared her for the sight ahead. Flowing gowns of every color in the rainbow, mostly wintery colors, and suits of the finest materials available. The golden light painting everything in an amber hue. The chandelier sparkling dazzlingly. The loud rush of the music. She knew then, she should not have come. It had been so long since she had been to a social gathering like this. The last time would have been before she got pregnant. It had been her parent's ball. She moved her way to an empty table in a corner and sat down. She had hoped she would have recognized someone, but it was a masquerade. She wondered if Jamie was going to show up. She hoped he would. That way she wouldn't be all alone. She sighed. 
"Champagne?" A server asked. She nodded and took a small glass. It was a lovely cup. She sipped on it and was surprised at the hint of cherry. She fiddled with the end of the glass. Wondering when it would be appropriate to leave, she realized someone was making their way to her. She sat up and took another sip of her champagne. 
"May I have this dance?" She recognized the voice of Mel and smiled. She set down her glass and got up. She took Mel's hand and curtseyed. 
"Please." Mel smiled and led her to the dance floor. A slow waltz began and Mel expertly flew through the steps. She made Clara look like a natural. She made it seem like they were gliding through the air. Mel was wearing a white and maroon dress suit with a snowflake chain across the front. Her medium length hair was tied at the nape of her neck with a matching ribbon and her mask was poinsettia flowers to match it all. 
"How are you enjoying the ball so far?" Mel asked, in a low voice. Clara frowned. 
"Not very much. I feel so out of place. My gown looks so cheep compared to some of the other lady's dresses. Especially her's." She pointed to a lovely lady in a white tulle ballgown. Her mask only covered half of her face but it was all icicles and snowflakes. She looked radiant. Her raven black hair against her dress. Her soft features and piercing eyes. 
"Ah, yes. That is Lady Christine. She came here early for the ball. I met her in my library a week ago." Clara felt a surge of jealousy. Christine seemed perfect. She was pretty, poised, and a noblewoman. As if sensing her thoughts Mel spoke. "While she is great, she is nothing compared to you. You are absolutely dazzling. When I saw you across the room, I knew it was you automatically by the way your mask is made with real flowers, I nearly had a heartattack. I was so shocked by your beauty that my heart stopped." Clara blushed and looked to her feet. "Christine is pretty, but you are gorgeous. She is poised but you are confident. She may be a noble, but come on. Do you really think I am into someone rich? Someone who is already well off? No. I am into a woman who takes care of her daughter with money she got of her own hard work. Who doesn't need to have anyone's approval to be herself. To be so well informed about flower's meanings and what to give to a lover. Someone who is herself for no one but for herself." Her speech brought tears to Clara's eyes and she hadn't even realized that the music had changed. She hadn't even realized that Mel had managed to change her steps to match at the same time. 
"No one has ever said anything like that to me before."
"Not even the guy you bedded?" Clara blushed. 
"Not even him." She looked up and met Mel's eyes. They were sincere and loving. Caring and vulnerable. "I feel the same way. Mel, you are an amazing caring person. I love the way you watched Tamara for me. The way you got flowers from me for me. Even though it was quite dorky. I love your library. I love the way you hold yourself with the confidence of a truly self-assured person. I love how you brought me to Lover's Lake to watch the stars. How you told me all about your favorite constellations when you thought I was asleep. How you want me for me." Mel smiled. 
"Do you want to go outside?" Clara glanced behind Mel. The dance floor was getting quite crowded now that the ball was in full swing. Funny because she hadn't seen The Prince once, so far. 
"Sure." Mel let go of her hip and led her out of the ballroom and down the stairs out into a garden. A soft snow was just beginning to fall and Clara shivered slightly. With their hands connected, Mel noticed and shrugged off her jacket. She draped it over Clara's shoulders and led her out into a corner with nothing but exotic flowers. Clara gasped and bent over a bright blue bud. 
"Bellflower Campanula! I didn't know those could grow here!" She started spewing out facts about the different flowers she didn't know were here and Mel listened contentedly. Clara hadn't noticed she had sat down on a stone bench and just kept prattling on about the flowers. She looked up at Mel from where she had been staring at a delphinium and her face grew surprised. 
"You're actually listening? Usually people zone out after a few minutes." She looked to the ground self-consciously. Mel tilted her face up. 
"I would never." She leaned forward. Her lips barely an inch away. She looked to Clara's eyes, asking permission. Clara nodded, almost imperceivablely. Mel closed the gap. She closed her eyes and Clara followed. The kiss was gentle. She knew Mel was purposefully going slow and she appreciated it. Mel pulled her onto the bench and deepened the kiss. Clara smiled against her lips and felt Mel do it too. They both pulled away, gasping for air. Clara was all too aware of Mel's hands on the side of her face and on her hip. 
"Wow." Mel chuckled at Clara's whisper. 
"Was that your first time kissing a girl?" She asked. Clara's blush somehow deepened further and she looked up at her sheepishly. 
"Yeah. I never even knew I liked girls until you." Mel smiled and planted a small kiss on her forehead. 
"Well, there will be plenty more. Assuming you'll be my lover?" Clara smiled, lovingly. 
"Of course." She placed her hand on top of Mel's, the one on her cheek, and leaned into it. Mel pulled her into her arms and sighed. 
"What have you done to my brain, Clarice Terren?" 

I will do Jamie's and Adrian's part of the ball on Thursday! I hope you enjoyed! I also hope I am not moving the story along too fast. If I am, I'm sorry! Please continue reading this story and good day/morning/night/noontime!