Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Thirty-Three

When they pulled up to the Brillig's house, Nona linked arms with her once more. As they entered the town house murmurs instantly went up and everyone turned to look at them. Francis felt a tingling sensation go up her spine, making her hair stand on end but she fought her blush. Nona glided them into the ballroom and even the dancers watched them pass. She took them right up to the most predominant group. Francis and Nona curtseyed to Lord Brillig in unison, his brown eyes glistened at the sight of them.

"Oh Nona," he sighed, "I'm so glad you made it."

"Nona," Lord Lurie greeted her, by kissing her.

Francis caught her father's eye and smiled at him, feeling rebellious. The men were either gazing at the Lurie's or looking away in jealous discomfort. Draco was looking at her, Darlin's arm wrapped around his waist. Francis smiled at him too and at Darlin's appalled expression.

"Shall we dance?" Lady Lurie asked her.

Francis nodded with a laugh.

"Master Casa, you seem up to the job. Care to pit yourself against Miss Cecil for a song or two?" Lady Lurie winked at Dechuange.

"Of course. I'd be honoured to try." He stepped out from his usual orbiting admirers.

Together Lord and Lady Lurie, Dechuange and Francis departed from the group and joined the dancing. Francis looked back momentarily at Draco, who had moved slightly away from Darlin.

"My goodness, Francis," Dechuange murmured in her ear, "What has happened to you?"

Francis felt her anxiety fade away at the quiver of his breath, "It's just a dress."

"No. It's given you a power," he smiled, twirling her around so that her skirt flared out in a circle of flames.

"I feel more like me than ever," she laughed.

"I'm glad to finally have met you," he held her tighter.

She continued to laugh as they danced to the familiar routines, the Brilligs stuck to tradition and there were to be no Dracos. She laid her head against his shoulder to avoid people's gazes. She knew it was because Nona danced so close but she couldn't help feeling some of the attention was diffracted onto her. Dechuange was humming along to the music; she could feel the deep vibrations through her cheekbone. She sighed contentedly.

"We must have you visit soon. I'm sorry that we've dropped our focus," she leant back and told him.

"Your focus?" he gently pulled her hair back over one of her shoulders.

"To keep you away from your father."

"You think a few evenings at the Lurie's is enough? I still live with my father," he frowned, but not unkindly.

"Well," she tried to rearrange her soft thoughts, "it's the only thing we can do."

"Don't misunderstand me. I'm very grateful to have friends like you. I love spending time with you. Just it will not help. Nothing can save me, but for me finding somewhere else to live and even then..."

Francis felt the tears pricking her eyes. Her muffled emotions had suddenly come back sharp. The whole place seemed barbaric. She wanted to go home.

"Shush, don't cry," he smiled sadly, cradling her in time to the music.

"I'm sorry, Dechuange," she fought back the tears, "All I'm good at is crying."

"Everyone cries. It shows you care," He said into her hair, "Let's go back to talking about how beautiful you are."

"No. That's awful. It doesn't mean anything, either," Francis shook her head slightly under the weight of his.

"It does mean something. I means I want to kiss you." He suddenly spun her around again with the music. She laughed, throwing her head back and getting into the feeling.

She danced for half an hour with Dechuange but they stopped to get drinks. Draco walked up to them with Darlin following close behind.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yep," Francis smiled.

"What did mother want? She didn't upset you?"

"Nope. She's fine. I'm fine."

"You're drunk," Darlin snarled at her.

Francis frowned.

"No, she's not. She's spent too much time with Dechu," Draco mused. Dechuange threw up his hands feigning innocence.

Francis laughed.

"So what did Nona want with you?" Draco tried again.

Francis thought, for a moment, what did Nona want? "Just to prove she was a mother, I think."

"And how did she prove that?" Draco's voice grew taunt.

"She told me about your letters," Francis lowered her voice.

Dechuange turned to the drinks and unsuccessfully tried to convince Darlin to do the same.

"Those letters were nothing but generic updates."

"It doesn't matter to me," Francis gave him a sad smile.

"She is your mother, Draco. No one can begrudge someone for staying in touch with their own mother," Darlin said, throwing a dirty look at Francis.

Francis stood up, fists clenched.

Draco acted as if she hadn't said anything, "I was just an informant on what father was up to. Really, I was just a spy for both."

"I don't need an explanation." Francis told him, "I'm going to dance. You two you should as well. After all it is your party. Happy birthday, Darlin."

Darlin glared at her.

"I'll see you later," she kissed Draco on the cheek lightly, and then took Dechuange's hand.

"You don't want to go against Draco," Dechuange warned her when they were on the floor.

"How was I going against him?"

"Nona has marked you out as an equal or ally. I don't think Draco will be happy with that," Dechuange rocked her, "Darlin definitely doesn't. She went to great lengths to get Nona to like her."

"I can handle Nona. If Draco really feels like that's what's going on then he's less intelligent than I thought. Nona doesn't like anyone."

They danced on in silence, each occupied with their own thoughts.