Don't Let Me Go

Chapter 22

Madeline herself wasn't really looking forward to being the talk of the day but she would go anyway because Trent had asked her. If her appearance caused a huge commotion, she would just ignore it. She didn't really care what people said about her just as long as Trent was by her side at all times. The world could come crashing down and she wouldn't be of much importance to her as long as Trent was the one holding her during the catastrophe.

She never imagined loving someone as deeply, intensely and earth shattering as she loved Trent. She just hoped that Cassandra would find her perfect someone soon.

It was early in the evening the next day, Madeline and Cassandra were in the parlor reading.

"We should start getting ready for the ball, Madeline said while glancing up at the clock on the wall.

Cassandra looked up from her book to look at the clock as well.

"Yes, yes we should," Cassandra said getting up from her chair and putting the book she had just been reading aside.

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"Sebastian, are you ready," Michael yelled from behind the door to Sebastian on the day of the ball.

Michael had been sure that both his sisters were going to the ball. He had been so happy, excited and nervous all at the same time lately. After ten years of absence from their lives he wondered how they would take his return, would they go into tears or reproach him for leaving them behind. He had been told by Mrs. Westbury that Caroline would soon have her baby, in a matter of days.

Michael couldn't picture his little sister married and pregnant; he couldn't find it in himself to see it. He still remembered that shy skinny little girl that never disobeyed anyone. He couldn't wait to meet the baby though, he was anxious to meet it.

The good thing was that Caroline was still able to travel and attend public affairs for now. Mrs. Westbury told him that Caroline had had every woman's dream pregnancy. She had had no complications at all and since she was able to go anywhere at such a late stage proved that.

"I'll be out in a minute Jacob," came Sebastian's response from the other side of the door.

A minute later Sebastian came out looking like a born and bred English man, he had even styled his beard to the once accustomed here. He was wearing what any regular type of English man wore; he looked so different to how Sebastian normally was.

"Well don't you look like you are civilized," came Michaels teasing remark.

"Shut your trap, Jacob. I just don't want to stick out. If I look and act like them than I won't be detected," Sebastian said convinced that this evening wouldn't ruin him; at least he hoped it didn't.

"Okay," Michael said chuckling, "Let's go then, do you have a mask, but then again why would you, I forgot to tell you," Michael said sheepishly. He had been forgetting a lot of things lately because of the joy of finally seeing his sisters after so long.

"I missed to tell you that it was a masquerade ball," Michael said grimly.

"No, I don't have a mask and yes, you forgot to mention that little piece of information," Sebastian said sardonically.

"Well then we will just have to make a stop to purchase one on the way to the ball. Come, I have a carriage waiting out front for us," Michael said leading the way.

"Pick one," said Michael signaling to the array of masks on display before them.

Sebastian picked one that covered only the upper half of his face. Sebastian later on that having a mask would work great to his advantage. It was better because with the less people saw, the less chances of being caught there were. He didn't want to be discovered; he would have to return to his dull boring life that had been ruled completely and utterly by his father.