"Ruin and Redemption"

Another Ball for Lizzie and Derrick and a New Addition to the Household

Hello, dear readers. How are you? I sincerely hope you enjoy this chapter; If so, please cast your vote! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this book. It is a sequel to my first one here on wattpad, "Reckless Lives". I know this book isn't necesarily the happiest. Nevertheless, there is an at least semi-sweet ending in the works, if you can manage to stick with it!

“Lizzie, darling, I was thinking that perhaps next time we have guests over, we should have some musicians and you and I could dance together like we used to when we were courting. That would be fun wouldn’t it?” Derrick suggested, hopefully.

Her first thought was, yes that would be fun. And her second thought was of Michael watching her dance at the ball, being humiliated, and going to live on the plantation with Scarlett. Not that it had kept her from continuing the balls. But perhaps it should have.

“I suppose it would,” she agreed.

“I mean don’t you think it would be fun?” Derrick insisted.

They were enjoying a fine French meal tonight. CiCi has been purchased partially because Derrick didn't like seeing Patsy doing all the work, and partially because she knew how to cook in the French style Derrick loved. And then there wer her stunning good looks, which Derrick said were important in a house slave. 'Of course,' he had amended to Patsy, 'experience running the household was more important than anything and that would always guarantee her a place.'

Lizzie tried to brighten up; Obviously Derrick was looking forward to another ball. It had always been a pleasure dancing the Tarantelle with him. She enjoyed it immensely! It was too bad she couldn’t get out of being his wife somehow and just be courted by him. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she could run her own plantation, and invite Derrick to come over and talk about books, read to her and dance with her? That pleasant fantasy made her smile.

“Yes, Derrick, I think having some musicians over and dancing with our guests would be delightful," she agreed.

“I’m glad; I have a number of men and their wives I’d like to invite over, Lizzie. It will be an elegant party. And you’ll be the belle of the ball, I know.”

“It will be fun to dance again, Derrick. I’m afraid I might be a bit out of practice; Maybe we can practice together.”

“Of course we can!” Derrick enthused. He was looking forward to dancing privately with Lizzie; It would be romantic, and who knew where it might lead? He smiled smugly to himself. Michael couldn't do that with her. Take that, ghost! He felt lik shouting.

The food was delicious; Lizzie could not help enjoying every bite of it. CiCi was so shy, Lizzie almost hated giving her a direct compliment. Instead, she said to Derrick: “CiCi certainly learned well from her previous owner. This is a fine example of French cuisine and I’m enjoying every bite.”

Lizzie caught CiCi smiling bashfully as she wiped the counter clean for the twentieth time. Derrick had not dismissed her, and he could not stand for slaves to be idle.

“This is nothing compared to what I ate when I was in Paris, Lizzie. There were so many courses, and everything was prepared by master chefs. I wish you had been there to dine with me!”