Brooklyn, Baby | Spot Conlon ²

Chp. 25: Masquerade

It was time. Eagerly awaited by the twins, Rosaline, and even the former-newsies. 

The Masquerade Ball. 

All the guests of the wedding were invited, as well as many of William Vanderbilt's partners and their families. 

Rosaline had insisted on being with Kendall all day to help with pampering. They had chemicals on their faces, laying in silk robes. 

"Expectations for tonight?" Rosaline asks. 

"Entertaining," 

"That's all? Come on, Kendall! This is your night! Everyone will be there to celebrate the beautiful engagement of you and Mr. Buckley," 

"I know, I know. I am excited, Rosaline, I really am. I tend to hide my excitement, as it is the ladylike thing to do," 

Rosaline lets out a 'pshhhh' sound. 

"It is almost late afternoon, which means, it is time to start on your hair!" 

Kendall sighs. When Rosaline gives her a look, Kendall fakes a huge smile. 

"I have everything planned, now, sit." 

It took an hour to finish her makeup and hair. Her hair was curled and teased, leaving it to be elegantly pinned back. 

"Are you sure it isn't too much?" 

"Trust me, Kendall, too much is the new simple! It is your wedding, it's your duty to be the most beautiful woman there!" 

"What dress am I wearing?" 

"I am way ahead of you!" Rosaline squeals. 

On the wardrobe mannequin was a beige dress, long and detailed with mesh material. It was utterly gorgeous. The top was an off shoulder design, and Kendall loved it. She loved to look like a princess, despite the hassle. 

"Go on, go on! Put it on!" 

Kendall put the dress on, and as soon as it was on, she felt so truly pretty. 

"Aw, I might just start to cry! Aunt Anne! Get in here!" She calls down the hall. 

"My, Rosaline, must you be so loud--Oh, Kendall," She holds her hands over her mouth. "You look just like your mother," 

"Really? Do I?" She twirled a bit in the mirror. 

"I say we are ready for an engagement ball, ladies!" 

"Not so fast," Rosaline says. "A black mask for you," 

The mask covered half her face, displaying her eyes and mouth. Otherwise, you could barely make out that it was her. 

"Ready?" 

"Are you ready, Rosaline?" 

"Yes, yes, I must put on my dress. Right," 

Kendall chuckled at her, waiting by the door. 

Once Rosaline was ready, the two went to meet the rest of the family at the carriages. 

<>

For once, the party wasn't at the usual venue. It was at a larger event hall, to fit all of the guests. There was already music and dancing, and she didn't recognize a soul in the room. Well, except Rosaline, for she knew her dress. 

"What a turnout," She heard. 

"Eric, you look handsome," 

"My lady, you take my breath away with your beauty," He smiled from under his mask. 

"I'm afraid we must mingle with the guests," She says. "I shall see you when it is time to dance," 

"I look forward to it, darling." 

She watched him disappear into the crowd of nicely dressed strangers. 

"Don't be shy to dance," She heard Rosaline. "It's only polite to join whomever asks you," 

"Noted," She spoke over the music. "Where is Anthony?" 

"I've lost him, I'm afraid. I'm sure I will find him by the drinks," 

Kendall grew bored of chatting with strangers politely. She wanted to dance, but really, she wanted to be in her room. 

"May I save you from your small talk and offer a dance?"

She looked at the hand, which led to a muscular built body. She took their hand, and was led to the dance floor. 

"Thank you, it was growing quite tedious." 

She enjoyed the dance, and did no speaking to ruin it. The song was over in a minute, and she looked at her partner before parting. 

She saw blue-gray eyes, and before she knew it, they were gone. 

And she knew those eyes. 

"Wait, sir--" 

The sea of people took him away, and she lost him. 

"This just isn't happening," 

She walked back the way he came, but she was cut off by Eric. 

"Darling, there you are! It is time for us to dance!" 

"Wait--" 

They were pulled to the center of the dance floor, where a space was cleared for them. Music started, and Eric offered his hand. 

She was distracted by trying to pick out the mask in the crowd while dancing with her fiance. The end of the song came like three centuries did. 

"Excuse me, darling, I must go find Rosaline," 

She pushed through the crowd as politely as she could, looking for a certain mask. She saw him leaning against the wall near the drinks table, and she huffed. 

She made a beeline for him, and ignored the smug grin. She pulled his arm and pushed him out the back garden. 

"Spot Conlon!" 

"Kendall Sullivan, or should I say, Kendall Buckley?" 

"Are you insane!? Someone could have seen you, someone--" 

"You look beautiful," 

"--could have--what?" 

"Ya heard me. You look beautiful," 

She smoothed her dress. "Thank you," 

"I just wanted ta tell you..I was with a goil a couple nights ago," 

"The reason you are telling me that is?" 

"I mean she was okay, she wasn't that good in my opinion--" 

"Goodbye." 

He pulled her back. "Kenny, Kenny, I's kiddin', I swear. Listen, I needed ta see you one more time," 

"You shouldn't have come, the wedding is in three days--" 

"I know, I's not askin' anything. I just wanted to see you one last time, one last time where I knew you loved me," 

"Spot, I'll always love you," She said, caressing his cheek. She brought her hand back, and looked at her shoes, then the door. 

"But really, you are a crazy man. Someone could have recognized you." 

"At a masquerade ball? Nah. It was all too perfect," 

"How did you even know about it?" 

"An invitation was accidentally sent to the plantation," He shrugged. "Saw it as my opportunity to see you." 

"That is strange..." She squinted her eyes. 

"You need to get back in there," He says. "Loverboy will be missin' ya," 

"Yeah," She looked down. "Never stop adventuring, Spot." 

"You either," 

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wedding in 3 days!?!?