Thorns And Roses

Chapter Twenty Five

Adjusting his shirt collar, Sweeney swallowed his anxiety as he fumbled with his outfit in the mirror on the parlour wall. It was the evening, and in a mere few minutes he and the baker would be making their way to Turpin's manor for the masquerade ball.

There he would have his revenge and his little Joanna would be free at last.

To say he was nervous was an understatement, he was absolutely terrified.

Eleanore was in her room getting ready, she had run inside after dashing to the market to get him a mask and herself an outfit. So her lateness was not helping his nerves. The mask she had selected for him was a simple crow or a perhaps a raven with black feathers at the top and silver gems around the eyes. He thought the animal was quite fitting, the crow or the raven often symbolised death – and death would certainly be attending the ball.

He briefly wondered what Eleanore would be dressing as, but what she was going to wear held little of his concern when he had plenty of other things to worry about.

"Where is she!?" He suddenly growled, turning himself away from the mirror and pacing up and down the parlour. "It's eight o'clock, we were supposed to be there before now!"

As soon as he'd finished ranting, the door to the baker's bedroom opened and he heard her step out. He swivelled on his feet ready to turn and snap at her that it was about time she was ready, when the sight of her stopped him dead in his tracks.

Eleanore was dressed head to toe in a beautiful midnight blue gown with white lace trimmings. The corset hugged her figure beautifully, accentuating her gentle curves and tiny waist. The neckline was low but not promiscuous and was able to look elegant despite framing the tops of her breasts quite clearly. Decorating her arms were a pair of satin white gloves that reached her elbows and atop her head where she had pinned up some of her curls but let the rest tumble down her back was a beautiful feathered mask. The colours ranged from dark to light blues and even turquoise, some of the feathers  were laced with the occasional little flower or beads and sparkles that glittered across the blue like a starry night.

She looked breathtaking.

"Sorry love, I'm ready now!" She said apologetically, grabbing her shawl and throwing it around her shoulders. When she didn't get a response from either Sweeney or Toby who'd remained silent and bored on the couch through Sweeneys pacing she frowned at them "Wot?"

When Toby had finished gawking he burst out "Ya look, amazin' mum!"

"Oh..." She blushed a little "Thank you darlin', it is rather pretty me dress innit?" She gave a little twirl. "Cost a lot but I 'ope it woz worth it."

"You're beautiful." Came the husky voice of Sweeney, stopping her mid twirl. Her breath hitched then, and the way he was gazing at her now, looking so handsome himself made her swoon.

"Thank you." She managed.

Sweeney looked at her for another few moments, something soft in his eyes that she didn't quite recognise, then he seemed to snap out of it as he held out his arm for her to take "Come, we're already late."

Eleanore nodded and took his arm, missing the way he was still glancing at her. Telling Toby to lock up behind them, they walked to the waiting carriage outside the shop. Sweeney helped her inside first as she struggled to climb into the carriage under the weight of her heavy skirts. Soon enough they were heading down Fleet Street and off to the Judge's manor.

oOo

Taking in a deep breath the pair made their way to the front door where two torches were burning, their only light source.