Storm and Silence (FANFIC)

14. He Doth Not Dance.

"Lillian Linton! Where is that girl!? If she dares to avoid this ball, I-" I cut her off by appearing at the front, panting hard.

"I'm h-here Au-nt." I said, hands on my knees. Maybe running hadn't been the best option...

"Finally! Where have you been? Never mind that now, we're running late!" She grabbed my forearm and dragged me upstairs, to which I didn't protest to. I simply had no energy. "Ella! Hurry up and help this creature get dressed!" I was so tired from running that I didn't even bother telling her that I wasn't really a creature.

"Yes aunt!" Ella piped from downstairs, and within seconds I saw her in front of me, taking a hold of me to drag me to our room (with aunt helping of course.) "C'mon Lill, won't you help me out in helping you?"

"Oh sweet Ella, I'd love to, but I am so tired." Thankfully, Aunt Brank left to yell at Maria or Anne over something so she didn't hear me. I slumped off of the bed, onto the floor and rested there. I knew that I needed to go, but I couldn't. Nor did I want to. But if I wanted to put that plan into action... I'd have to go. Make sure that they were both there. Although... Maybe one of them wouldn't come, the one whose name I refused to think of. But instead his face popped up in my minds' eye. Every feature was angular, perfectly carved, perfectly done. I closed my eyes, and the image was starker, brighter and even more defined. Even though this was me imagining him, his heavenly - ahem - deadly sea green eyes glared silently at me, demanding to know. A chill ran down my spine. He needs to stay far away from me. Possibly a million miles away.. Yes. That'd be lovely.

"Lilly! Lilly oh goodness, are you sleeping?" My eyes shot open to find light blue ones staring at me worriedly.

"Wh-? Oh yes. Right. No I wasn't sleeping. Shall we start getting dressed then?" I stood up with newfound energy. I bounded over to my wardrobe and opened it with a flourish. Almost immediately, I started picking out random dresses, giving them a quick, brief glance over before throwing them behind me. "No, not this one.. Nope.. Definitely not this one.. Oh goodness this one is dreadful..."

"Lilly... Lill... Um would this dress not work?" She picked up one of the dresses I'd tossed aside and held it out to me. It was my old favourite dress, yet newly changed by my dear aunt. I took it in for the few couple minutes and jumped when I heard aunt yell from downstairs.

"Are you done yet!? You can't possibly be taking this long to put on a dress! You even have Ella to help you Lilly!"

"Dearest aunt, even so you must hold patience instead of letting it steam out like smoke from the chimney of a ship or train." I replied back and my aunt was unable to respond. I turned back to Ella, who looked at me unfazed. Couldn't blame her, Aunt Brank and I always fought over some little thing or another. I took the dress Ella held and started to strip down out of the one I was currently wearing and into the gown. Ella helped me untie and tie the corset and during the moment in which I had five seconds of breathing time, I used it. Dear Lord, did I hate these blasted corsets!

Within a few minutes, Ella started on my hair. She didn't do anything elaborate, yet did something that was the very least eye catching. And then we both rushed down the stairs, not wanting to hear aunt's yelling anymore. We all got into the coach and were on our way to Sir Phillip's estate.

* * *

"Oh Miss Brank! Miss Linton, Miss Linton, Miss Linton, Miss Linton, Miss Linton and Miss Linton! Welcome, always a pleasure to see you again." Sir Phillip called out upon seeing us. "Mr. Brank wasn't able to join..?"

"Oh no no, unfortunately not. He is.. quite busy. I'm sure you understand." My aunt simpered and Sir Phillip bowed his head knowingly. Maybe.

"Not to worry. Please do enjoy yourselves nonetheless." With a smile, Sir Phillip gestured us into the ballroom and servants immediately pounced on us, asking for our coats and other things.