The evening of the ball was surprisingly cool. There was a heavy breeze and the skies threatened rain.

Michael was watching the late afternoon sky through the large window in the study.

“How much longer are they going to be?” Kyle whined. He was laid back in his chair, feet propped up on his desk, “They do realize it will take us over an hour to get there, don’t they?”

“Women,” Alex sighed. Michael thought he sounded more wistful than sarcastic. Things seemed to be progressing nicely for him and Isabel.

“Maybe we should send a servant up to fetch them,” Michael offered, he didn’t really know how long it took a woman to get ready for a grand event.

“No need,” Liz said from the doorway, “I’m here, and the others will be along shortly.”

Michael looked at his little sister and was amazed. She looked beautiful. Her dark hair was piled on her head and she was wearing a gown of brown watered silk that seemed to shimmer.

Out of the corner of his eye, Michael spotted Max watching her intently with his mouth slightly open. Michael still wasn’t thrilled at the idea of Liz and Max pairing up, but what could he say? His brother was wildly in love with Max’s sister, and they had been flaunting the fact for the last couple of days.

Michael walked to Liz and she took his arm. He led her out into the hallway and they stood at the foot of the stairs to wait for the rest. Max seemed to materialize on the other side of Liz, and Michael heard Kyle and Alex laughing as they walked out of the study to join them.

Isabel was next to come down. She was wearing a red dress and her hair had wound high on her head with delicate red ribbons. Michael thought she looked like a goddess, a marble statue that had suddenly come to life. Isabel was serene and graceful, and Alex was nearly drooling.

“Milady,” Alex said as he offered her his arm.

She smiled softly at him.

“Oh no!” they all looked up the stairs to see Tess coming down in a blue gown, “Whose arm am I supposed to hold? Maria didn’t say!”

She giggled as she stepped off the last step, and looked around at the group.

It was hard for Michael to believe that he’d thought she was incredibly moody when he’d first met her. She always seemed to be laughing now.

“Tess, Maria told me to escort you,” Max stepped away from Liz’s side and offered her his arm.

“All right,” she laughed.

They all stood waiting. The aliens were practicing their new ‘polite conversation’ techniques and Liz was giving Kyle a lecture about not ‘abandoning’ Maria at the ball.

After a few minutes, the conversations lulled.

Kyle rolled his eyes and shouted up the stairs, “Maria! For.The.Love.Of.God!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” she called from somewhere upstairs.

“Well hurry up!” Kyle shouted back. “Everyone is waiting!”

Then she appeared at the top of the stairs, her face was slightly flushed and her eyes were dancing with excitement. She picked up her skirts and flew down the stairs.

Michael melted.

He’d never seen her dressed for a ball before. Her hair was up in a mountain of cascading curls, and the dress she was wearing was an amazing green that matched her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she said breathlessly, smiling at everyone as she grabbed Kyle’s arm. “Sorry, sorry, sorry. Let’s go!”

With that she pulled Kyle toward the front door and everyone moved to follow, except Liz and Michael.

“I can’t move,” Michael whispered staring after Maria.

Liz looked up at him, and a small smile appeared on her face.

“Michael.”

“Michael…”

Liz was speaking to him, but he couldn’t tell what she was saying.

“Michael?”

“Yes? Sorry,” he swallowed hard. How was he going to cover up for this?

“Are you ready now?” she asked quietly.

He looked down at her and nodded slowly.

She knew. There was a strange twinkle in her eye. The ‘Liz knows a secret’ twinkle.

“Liz…” he had to convince her she was wrong, “I’m sorry, sometimes when I’m with the other three, my powers take over and sort of make me freeze for a moment.”

His sister looked up at him and, for a moment, the twinkle faltered. She searched his eyes, looking for something – she smiled when she found it and the twinkle returned.

“Oh, Michael,” her voice was amused, and she was patting his arm reassuringly, “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”

At that she started toward the door, forcing him to follow.

***

Maria leaned forward and stuck her finger in her brother’s face. She hated that Michael was going to hear this, but it had to be said again.

“Now, if you leave me by myself in there, I swear I’ll poison your food tomorrow morning!” she gave her brother a warning look.

“Good grief,” Kyle looked at Michael next to him and rolled his eyes. “I will not leave your side. I promise. Cross my Heart. Hope not to die from arsenic in my scrambled eggs.”

Michael was laughing. Oh, how embarrassing. Now he would know how much trouble she had finding people to dance with. It wasn’t her fault, men who were bride shopping didn’t bother with girls who were already engaged.

Liz leaned forward and tapped Michael on the knee, “You had better not leave me alone either.”

Maria loved Liz, she was the best friend a girl could ask for, and Maria could have hugged her right then. She turned and met the brunette’s eyes with a big smile, and an ‘I owe you one’ wink. Liz grinned back.

“I thought you said that M-,” Michael was cut off by Liz’s sharp kick to his calf, “Hey! What the-? You told me to get lost once we- OUCH! Liz! Knock it off!”

Liz and Maria collapsed into giggles. Maria would have been embarrassed, but Kyle and Michael looked too puzzled to figure out what was going on. They were silently exchanging ‘sisters are weird’ looks.

The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the Landon house. As she got out, Maria saw the carriage holding the other four of their party pull up behind them. Michael and Liz started up the steps toward the front door, she and Kyle were following them when a loud voice halted them.

“Valenti! Good man, it’s been so long!” a pudgy man was waving at Kyle from the corner of the house.

“Hubert!” Kyle shouted, and without a word was gone.

Maria was mortified. Liz and Michael had turned to look back at the commotion and Liz shot her a sympathetic look. Maria put on a brave smile and followed them up the last few steps alone. There was a crowd in the front hallway, obviously the receiving line was moving slowly. She turned around as she stepped in the doorway to see Alex and Isabel come up behind her.

She hated it when Kyle did this. It seemed as though she was always left alone at formal gatherings. Of course, Alex could have been her escort now that he had returned, but it looked as though he had other plans.

At that moment she felt a new humiliation. Her ‘fiancé’ had arrived at the ball with another woman on his arm. Why hadn’t she thought about how that would look? She felt a new dread - Patricia Landon had returned from London with her cousin and was bound to make a remark in the receiving line when she saw Maria, alone, next to her fiancé and another woman.

She edged closer to Michael who had moved Liz in front of him as they started their way down the line.

He turned and gave her a quick smirk. Maria didn’t have time to react before he turned back toward the receiving line. She didn’t think she’d ever seen a man as handsome as he was in his dark suit. Just looking at him made her knees weak.

Maria had just shaken Mrs. Landon’s hand and was about to move to Mr. Landon when the world came crashing down around her ears.

Mr. Landon was presenting Michael to his neice, Lady Margaret. The woman was all that Maria might have expected, tall and beautiful with dark auburn hair.

“Lady Margaret, may I introduce Miss Parker’s brother, Mr. Michael Guerin,” Mr. Landon said.

“Mr. Guerin,” Lady Margaret said breathlessly, “I’m so happy to see you.”

Maria nearly fainted when Michael (the ill-mannered oaf) rakishly grabbed Lady Margaret’s hand and pulled it to his mouth. Instead of just grazing his lips on it - or even just pretending to kiss it - he held her knuckles tightly against his lips. Lady Margaret looked as though she would faint when he pulled back, ever so slightly, after a few seconds.

“My Lady, you are more beautiful than ever this evening,” Michael flashed her a wickedly handsome smile.

The whole crowd had paused to watch the exchange. Was this possible? Lady Margaret on such intimate terms with Michael Guerin, Jeff Parker’s foundling? It was unthinkable.

Michael seemed oblivious to the commotion he was causing as he stared intently at Lady Margaret, a sly smile on his lips.

“I had never thought to see you on our fair island,” Michael continued his greeting.

“Why, Mr. Guerin, I only came to see you,” Lady Margaret let out a polite laugh as though she were in jest, but she forgot to inform her eyes of the joke.

“Ahhh, I see,” Michael cocked his head to the side slightly and raised his eyebrows at her. “In that case, I must have a dance.”

Who was this devilishly charming man, and what on earth had he done with the real Michael Guerin? Maria thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head.

“The first?” Lady Margaret cooed, giving him a look filled with desire.

Michael pulled her hand (which he had never released) to his lips again, and then released it slowly.

“I look forward to it,” he said casually as he moved to shake a very stunned Patricia Landon’s hand.

The room slowly swung back into motion. Mr. Landon presented her to Lady Margaret, and the two girls fumbled to shake hands, as both were staring after Michael. Maria barely paused with Patricia Landon before she started to walk down the hallway.

A hand on her shoulder halted her, she turned to see Alex with a big grin on his face, “What was it you said about Michael never getting a dance with Lady Margaret?”

She shot daggers at him with her eyes as he laughed. Apparently this was ‘Maria’s night of countless humiliations’. She gathered her dignity and walked casually to the ballroom.

Maria went to stand by Liz in front of a row of chairs on the far wall, knowing it would be some time before the music started. As she approached, Michael whispered something in Liz’s ear and left. Maria turned to watch him go feeling stunned.

What she wouldn’t give to have him look at her the way he’d looked at Lady Margaret.

“That was quite a show,” Maria murmured as she came to Liz’s side.

“Yes.” Liz answered

They both stood quietly and listened to snatches of the conversations buzzing around the room.

“…can you imagine, practically throwing herself at him…”

“…my sister told me he was quite the ladies’ man in London, but I had no idea…”

“…her father is so trusting, allowing her to come all of this way. If he knew what had just happened…”

“…and the first dance too. With that Guerin boy!”

“…of course he is as handsome as the devil himself, with those eyes…”

“…and I suppose he has done rather well for himself, well for a foundling…”

“…it’s sad that money can erase all thoughts of propriety nowadays. What is the world coming to?”

“…then I heard that she asked him to marry her!”

Maria and Liz exchanged looks of disbelief as the rest of their friends joined them. Kyle was still nowhere to be seen.

The first strains of music were just filling the room when a tall young man came to ask Tess to dance.

Then Alex grabbed Isabel’s hand and led her to the floor.

Max shyly asked Liz if she would join him in a dance. Liz shot a questioning look at Maria.

“No, go, I’m sure Kyle will be along any second – I don’t like to dance the first dance anyway,” Maria smiled at her friend.

Liz put her hand in Max’s and he moved her toward the other dancers.

Maria watched in amazement as Michael danced with Lady Margaret. He was so graceful. She’d never seen him dance before. Lady Margaret was staring at him as if he were the only man in the room, and he seemed to be enjoying it. He caught Maria’s eyes once, with an amused look, and she quickly looked away.

By the second dance, Kyle was still nowhere to be seen. She knew her father would be arriving soon, and resigned herself to wait for him.

Maria was so proud of her pupils, they were all dancing beautifully. Tess had a new partner, a shorter balding man who looked smitten with her.

The third dance arrived and Michael was still Lady Margaret’s partner.

At the first strains of the fourth dance, Maria opted for a less conspicuous position near a crowd of non-dancing adults. Mr. Landon broke in on Michael at the end of the song and practically dragged his niece to the punchbowl. Patricia Landon swooped in to claim him, not about to be out done by her titled cousin.

Dances five, six, and seven…still no Kyle. Her father had not yet arrived. Maria had moved to the back of the crowd of adults and was now half hidden behind a pillar.

Her humiliation was complete. The only snippets of conversation she heard at this point were about the ‘poor Valenti girl’ who’d been abandoned by her fiancé and her brother, it was such a shame.

Maria felt tears stinging her eyes and was looking for somewhere to run by the beginning of the eighth, but she was trapped. The doors leading to the terrace were locked (she’d tried them), and to leave through the main doors she would have to walk in front of virtually everyone in the room. She looked up from the spot on the floor where her eyes had been glued for the last twenty minutes to see Michael looking at her. He was back with Lady Margaret. She’d reclaimed him at the beginning of dance seven.

The way he looked at her…It wasn’t his usual teasing or taunting look, there was no challenge or anger…

Oh God. Oh no! He felt sorry for her. She wished she could disappear into oblivion. Now Lady Margaret was looking at her, obviously amused at the sight of the ‘wallflower’. Maria wanted to die.

The music faded at the end of the song, and she glanced up again to see Michael deposit Lady Margaret at the edge of the floor. Then, he met her eyes again…He was coming toward her….

Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. He was going to ask her for a dance, out of pity. She wanted cry. Michael was nearly in front of her.

With every ounce of strength she had, Maria drew herself up to look him in the eye.

***

Michael led Lady Margaret onto the dance floor and could feel every eye in the room on him.

As the dancing began, he spoke to her, “You shouldn’t have given me the first dance, you know.”

She smiled coyly, “I know. I should have made you suffer.”

“That’s not what I meant. A proper young lady wouldn’t have done that.”

“Michael, you know I’m not a proper young lady.”

Her voice was high and nasal, it always sounded whiny – and it got on his nerves.

“You shouldn’t call me by my first name either.”

“Really, you’re lecturing me as if you were my father, or brother, or husband…”

Michael gave her a warning look.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I think you’re the ridiculous one, imagine turning me down, as if you get marriage proposals from beautiful women everyday,” she gave him a haughty look.

He couldn’t stand Margaret Sheldon. If she wasn’t such a stuck-up bitch he would have felt badly for leading her on.

Why, oh why had he come to this stupid ball?

Oh, yes, there was his reason, standing by the wall. She caught his eyes, and he flashed her a victorious grin. Michael was pleased to see a flabbergasted look on her face. Good. It was his turn to make her feel uncomfortable. He looked back at Margaret - trying to seem interested in her, trying not to stare at Maria.

“You should dance with your uncle next. He looks as though he wants to bring out the dueling pistols,” Michael joked with her, hoping that Maria would see him enjoying himself.

“Oh, no. I’m dancing every dance with you,” she said, deadly serious.

“Lady Margaret…”

True to her word, she continued to dance with him after the song ended and the next began.

Michael saw that Maria still wasn’t dancing, he wished she was, then he wouldn’t be able to look at her. Margaret was blathering on about the quaint country fashions of Sodinay’s women.

The third dance came and went, and the fourth had begun, but Maria still stood against the wall.

Where on earth was Kyle? No wonder she’d made him promise to stay with her – obviously he had a habit of disappearing. Michael could see that Alex was completely wrapped up with Isabel, so there was no hope of him dancing with her. He resolved to go look for her brother as soon as this dance was over.

At the end of the song, Mr. Landon claimed his protesting niece, practically dragging her off of the floor. Michael turned to go out the door to find Kyle, and make him come inside to dance with Maria.

Patricia Landon blocked his way.

“Mr. Guerin, were you coming to ask me to dance?” she asked sweetly, sending a triumphant look over to her punchbowl-bound cousin.

There was no polite way out of this.

“Uh, yes, Miss Landon. Would you do me the honor?”

He took her to the dance floor and looked for Maria, but didn’t see her. Thank goodness, she must be dancing finally. Michael made an effort not to look for Maria on the floor. Watching her from a distance was relatively safe, but if they were both on the dance floor and she caught him – well, she might suspect the truth.

Michael didn’t protest when Patricia held him on the floor for a second dance, but after the music started again he spotted Maria. She was not on the dance floor.

She looked as though she was hiding, hanging at the back of a crowd of older people who didn’t seem interested in dancing.

So, she hadn’t been dancing, she’d just moved. He felt awful, she acted nervous, as though she was embarrassed. Why didn’t anyone want to dance with the most beautiful girl in the room?

Before the dance ended, he spotted Kyle. He was surrounded by several men, and it was apparent that they were having some sort of heated debate. There was no way for Michael to get him out of that crowd without making his purpose obvious, which would only embarrass Maria further.

What could he do?

He let Margaret Sheldon push her cousin out of the way and he began another dance with her again, concentrating on the Maria problem.

Michael was helpless.

There was no way he could find a partner for Maria without making things worse. He would either have to pull Alex off of the dance floor or pull Kyle out of a crowd!

Of course he could ask her to dance with him...she’d never consent though, no matter how embarrassed she was.

In the middle of the eighth dance, Michael was ready to give up hope. Nothing could be done, and - at the precise moment he had the thought - Maria looked up at him with red rimmed eyes. She quickly glanced away, embarrassed. He couldn’t bear it.

“Who are you looking at, Michael?” Lady Margaret hissed.

She followed his gaze over her shoulder to Maria.

“Oh, pitying a girl who has been passed over by other men? Really, Michael. It’s best if she gets accustomed to rejection, by the look of her she’ll have plenty in her life.”

He stopped dancing, standing completely still. Who was this cow to insult his Maria?

“I wasn’t pitying her,” he lied, his voice laced with venom, “I was just trying to get a good look at the most beautiful girl in Sodinay. She probably isn’t dancing because of the lack of eligible partners.”

That shut Margaret up. In fact, she barely protested when he led her to the edge of the floor when the song was over, although she looked like she was ready to burst into tears. He didn’t care, any toleration he’d had for her presence had been erased by her comment.

He saw a girl moving toward him on his left, and another batting her eyes on his right. In the space of an evening he’d gone from a Sodinay social pariah to the most sought after man in the room. Michael could just imagine the shocked looks on the faces of the girls’ parents when they saw their daughters throwing themselves at him.

Wait, he was the most sought after man in the room.

Finally, he had an idea.

Quickly he moved toward Maria. She’d never dance with him, but if she turned down the ‘most sought after man in the room’ it would make people think she wasn’t dancing by choice – he knew it would be enough to salvage her dignity.

He stopped in front of her and she looked up at him, a somber look on her face.

“Miss Valenti,” he said loudly, to be sure the people near them could hear, “may I have this dance?”

Michael hoped she’d speak up so that everyone could hear her. Maybe she’d come up with some caustic remark, that would make it even better. Everyone would have a good laugh at his expense, and she’d smile again.

Maria looked a slightly stunned at his offer. He raised his eyebrows expectantly, waiting for her retort - breathlessly anticipating the smile his humiliation would bring to her face.

“Yes,” she said quietly, looking at him with a bewildered expression.

The room was spinning.

She’d said yes. He hadn’t even imagined it as a possibility. She must have been horribly upset to stoop so low as to dance with him. He was almost amused at how much more panicked he was about having to dance with her than he had been at the prospect of public ridicule.

Regaining his composure, he reached for her hand and tucked it securely into his arm. He had to roll with the punches. If he was the most desirable man in the room, then dancing with him couldn’t hurt her any.

As they walked to the floor, he tried to remember that he was only doing this for her, but it felt so good to have her at his side…he hated to release her hand so that she could stand opposite him as they lined up with the other couples to dance.

They began the dance silently. He drank in her beauty, reveling in the light touch of her hand as they moved through the steps. Michael couldn’t speak. He was afraid that if he did she would hear his feelings in his voice.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, as one solitary tear slipped down her cheek from the corner of her eye.

Michael was overcome, “F-for what?” he asked softly.

She smiled knowingly at him, making an effort to keep her composure, “For having pity on me. I know I’m the last person in the world you’d want to do something nice for, so thank you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied. He hated to see her crying, hated to see her looking so dejected under her brave little smile.

The smile on her lips was now very wry, “I think you do.”

He ignored her, not knowing how to respond to a defeated Maria. At that moment he would give anything to have her insult him, and replace her current expression with a smirk. This sadness was something he couldn’t stand.

“I think you were being nice to me, you said yes,” he answered.

She laughed a little, but stopped herself as another tear slid down her cheek.

From that moment on they were silent.

The song ended and the musicians stood and began moving around. Apparently this was a scheduled break in the dancing. He took her hand and led her in the direction of their friends who were back in their original spot by the wall.

Before he could ask Liz to take her out of the room, Alex grabbed Maria’s elbow.

“’Ria,” he whispered conspiratorially, “our fathers are both here. Why don’t we speak to them tonight? I know we agreed on tomorrow, but I’d really rather not go back to town just yet.”

Maria looked at Alex for a moment, and then nodded.

Michael could see that she was still too upset to speak. He was about to say something to Alex about this not being a good time when she squeezed his hand slightly then released it.

Giving him a resigned little smile, she put her hand on Alex’s arm so that he could lead her to the General.

Liz moved to Michael’s side.

“That was nice of you,” she said softly, “I just realized that she wasn’t dancing. I feel awful.”

“Why do you feel awful, Liz?” Kyle said stepping in front of them.

Michael could have hit him.

“Because, you idiot,” he hissed, “you abandoned your sister and she became the object of ridicule.”

“Oh,” Kyle looked a little surprised, “I didn’t think…Well, I only missed a few dances…I’m here now, aren’t I? And where was Alex? It’s his fault no one will dance with her – they think she’s not worth the effort because she’s already taken.”

Michael gave him a disgusted look, “I haven’t spoken to Alex yet, but that doesn’t excuse you.”

“Look, Michael, thanks for filling in for me, I know she’s not your favorite person…” Kyle trailed off, bothered by the rage in his friend’s eyes.

“Apologize to her, not to me,” Michael spat as he walked away.

***

Maria clung to Alex’s arm, hoping he would hold her up if her legs gave out. Her heart was breaking with every step she took away from Michael. The school girl fantasies she’d harbored were at an end. There was no chance that he would wake up one day and realize he was in love with her. He would never love her. The dreams had been her mind’s way of telling her to let him go. She had no reason left to hope. Michael didn’t even hate her anymore. All he felt was pity.

She wondered how much longer her heart could continue to beat in it’s decimated condition. Death would be a welcome release from the pain she was feeling at that moment.

Alex was running over their plans for the discussion, but she wasn’t listening.

She saw her father. He was watching her approach on Alex’s arm. The General’s expression was unreadable. For a moment she almost told Alex to forget it. What was the point? She’d never love anyone else, why not just marry Alex?

Then, she looked over at her friend’s face. It was alight with hope. She knew he was in love with Isabel. Suddenly it became very important to see him happy with the girl he loved, just because her life was over didn’t mean his had to be.

Maria felt determination creep into her veins, at least she had something to distract her from the pain.

“Hello, my dear,” the General kissed her cheek with a slight smile.

“Father,” she said warmly, unable to smile back.

“Alex,” the General extended his hand to his daughter’s fiancé.

“Sir,” Alex shook his hand. “I was hoping that Maria and I could speak to you and my father, in private.”

The General nodded and Alex left them to find his father. They agreed to meet in the Landon’s library.

Maria walked slowly to the room on her father’s arm.

“Maria, is everything all right?” he father asked, concern in his voice.

“Oh, yes, just lost in thought.”

They sat on the only sofa in the dimly lit room and waited for the Parkers.

“Jim,” Jeff Parker walked into the room holding his hand out to the General.

Alex looked incredibly nervous. He kept stealing glances at her as if he hoped she would start the discussion for him. Normally she would have obliged, but she didn’t know if she could keep her voice steady for more than a few words.

“Well,” Alex said slowly, “I suppose you’re wondering why we wanted to speak to you?”

Jeff Parker shook his head emphatically, “No, I’m guessing you two are ready to set a wedding date. Am I right?”

A guilty look crossed Alex’s face and he shook his head slowly.

“Actually, Jeff, I’m guessing that my daughter has convinced your son to go along with her plans to break the engagement,” the General said evenly.

Maria let out a loud sigh. She knew her father was angry with her.

“Is this true?” Jeff sounded confused. “Alex? Maria?”

“Yes, it’s true father.”

“Alex, I don’t know what to say,” Jeff sounded irritated.

Jim Valenti stood, “Just say what I always do, that promises were made. Promises to loved ones, promises that cannot be broken.”

With that, the General walked out of the room. Alex watched him helplessly, then turned to Jeff.

“Father?”

“I cannot allow you to break an agreement unless the other parties involved agree,” he said softly, giving the two an almost sympathetic look. Then, he too left the room.

“Maria? Why didn’t you speak to your father? You were supposed to-.”

Alex stopped short when he saw the tears on Maria’s cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Alex,” she said sadly. “It’s no use. They’ll never agree, because my father won’t let it go,” she laughed dryly. “Not that it would matter. Even if I were free I wouldn’t be able to…but you and Isabel, you’re in love, this is awful…” her voice faded into heavy sobs.

Alex sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. He set his mind to finding a way out their mess while he comforted his friend.

***

Liz poked a finger in Kyle’s face, assuming Maria’s role.

“You got her drunk, you can deal with her!” she hissed at him.

Maria came out of her doldrums enough to give Liz a little smile. She looked up at her brother, and shook her head slightly.

“I only gave her one drink, it’s not my fault!”

“Kyle,” Liz rolled her eyes and pointed at Tess, who was trying to climb a cherry tree while giggling hysterically, “it is your fault. She was fine before you pulled her away from the rest of us!”

Liz wanted to get Maria home, Alex had come to her and explained that their ‘meeting’ had not gone well. When she laid eyes on her friend, she knew that there was more than just the engagement on her mind. She had told Alex to locate Kyle so that he could take her back to the plantation. Alex had returned to the library and said that she needed to see Kyle for herself – that he was in the garden with Tess.

“Look, Liz, I’ll take them both home. No problem. But, I’m having trouble getting her to do what I want,” he jerked a thumb in Tess’s direction. “She’s not exactly a ‘frail’ little lady, if you know what I mean,” Kyle was looking at her intently hoping she’d understand, but not wanting to say it outright in front of Maria.

“All right,” Liz said slowly. “I’ll go get Max, he can help you with Tess. I’ve already had Alex send the carriage around front, so if you can slip around the house with her, I’ll meet you out front with Max. And, for goodness’ sake don’t let anyone see her like that,” Liz paused to put her hands on Maria’s shoulders, “Can you help him get Tess to the carriage?”

Maria nodded, and Liz set off for the ballroom. When she got there she saw that Max was engrossed in a conversation with General Valenti. Max would want to question her, and she didn’t want the General to have any idea of either of his children’s whereabouts.

Maybe Isabel…she looked around the room for the tall blonde and spotted her on the dance floor with Alex. It would be awkward to try to interrupt them. She’d just have to wait to see which of the two siblings would become free first…and hope that Tess didn’t do anything scary in the mean time.

She turned to sit down while she waited when Michael walked into the room.

Of course, Michael! He was an alien too!

Liz grabbed her brother and explained the situation as she pushed him out the front door toward the coach.

***

Michael climbed in the coach and was greeted by the sightt of a very frustrated Kyle holding down a hysterically laughing Tess. Michael sat down next to Maria and tapped the roof of the carriage to indicate that they were ready to depart.

“You’re really on a roll, Kyle,” Michael said flatly.

“Not you too – look, I didn’t know!”

“Kyle, you did know, you know that I never-.” Michael cut himself off, jerking his head in Maria’s direction indicating that he couldn’t finish the thought.

Realization flooded over Kyle’s face and he groaned, “I completely forgot.”

Tess had calmed down slightly, so Kyle had released her and slumped back into his seat watching her cautiously as she smiled at him stupidly.

“Kyle, you’re soooo much fun,” Tess slurred.

Kyle laughed, “Yeah, I am aren’t I?”

Michael ignored the conversation his moronic friend was having with the very inebriated Tess. He turned to Maria who was quietly watching the world pass out the window. He could barely make out her face in the light that the lanterns on the outside of the coach cast.

Liz had mentioned that she was upset. Since Kyle was otherwise occupied he decided to try to comfort her. She’d responded well to him before, maybe she would again.

“I heard about your encounter with our fathers,” he said softly.

She glanced at him quickly, then her eyes returned to the window, “It seems hopeless,” she said.

“I’m sorry.”

“Please,” her voice cracked and she closed her eyes. He could see tears streaming silently down her cheeks, she swallowed and continued, eyes still closed, “Please, don’t pity me anymore. I don’t want your pity.”

The tears, and the way that she bit her lip slightly made his heart ache. He wanted to gather her into his arms and tell her that everything would be all right. Instead, he reached into his coat and fished out a handkerchief.

“Here,” he said, offering it to her.

She opened her eyes and looked at him again. Her eyes looked empty.

“I’m sure everything will look better in the morning,” he said lamely, wishing that Kyle would stop laughing at Tess and try to comfort his sister.

Maria looked back out the window, laughing bitterly at his words, “Nothing will ever look good again,” she whispered.

He barely caught her words, but they scared him. Michael could understand that she was upset, but he didn’t understand where the desperation came from…

He sucked in a breath as the answer hit him like a ton of bricks. She was desperate for the same reason Alex was.

He was a fool.

Earlier, he’d fled the ballroom hoping that the small seed of hope that had been planted during their dance would disappear. As he’d walked around the grounds of the Landon house he’d decided that it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, to hope. Michael had walked back into the room hoping to hear that she and Alex had been released from their obligations – that another obstacle in his path to her had been removed.

Now, he felt like imitating Maria’s bitter laugh.

Any remaining hope he held after Liz told him about the meeting was ground into dust as he sat there, staring at her.

“You’re in love,” he whispered more to himself than anyone.

Her eyes widened, and she turned deliberately toward him. She had the look of a caged animal.

He shook his head slightly, glancing at Kyle to see that he was still engrossed with Tess, “I-I’m not going to tell anyone. Whoever he is, I won’t say anything.”

Relief flooded her face and she turned to the window once more.

The look on her face confirmed everything for him.

He could feel a lump forming in his throat and cursed the day he’d first laid eyes on her, cursed himself for being so weak.

So, this was misery, he thought he’d felt it before, but now that he was wallowing in it he knew he never had. No pain in his life came close to this.

Michael turned to look out the window next to him, praying that he could survive the ride back to the plantation house.

***

Isabel laid down in her bed and contemplated the night’s events. She’d loved the ball, and loved dancing with Alex. The dress she’d worn was beautiful, and she wanted to go to another ball just to have a new dress made for it. Isabel was thoroughly enjoying her forays into human society.

Alex had seemed distant for the last half of the evening, and she desperately wanted to hear more about Tess’s drunken adventures. She felt thoroughly consumed by the affairs of her friends…

…That was why she was so surprised to find Serena in her dream almost the instant that she fell asleep.

“Serena?” Isabel asked hesitantly. She was happy to see the woman who had been a surrogate mother to her, but knew that she must have be there with a purpose.

“Isabel,” Serena smiled at her, “are you well?”

“Yes, very well. Thank you for asking.”

Serena raised her eyebrows at Isabel’s reply, “You sounded like a human for a moment, making polite conversation.”

Isabel blushed and decided to try changing the subject, “Is something wrong?”

“Well, Nacedo thinks we should join you. I just wanted to let you know we will be with you in two days’ time. He was…concerned…when he received Max’s letter, we both expected that such important news would be relayed immediately, on this plane.”

“We didn’t see a need to bother you. There’s really no need for you to come,” Isabel said quickly, hoping she could convince Serena to keep Nacedo with her, “we’re perfectly all right.”

Serena seemed to be studying her, “He is concerned that you won’t be able to handle things with Michael. We’re going to make sure that he returns with us. Just think, you’ll be out of human company within the week – won’t that be nice?”

Isabel smiled faslely, “Oh, yes, that would be nice…”

Serena’s tone became a little warmer, “So, what do you think of him? Is he all that you hoped? I know you were nervous about what sort of personality he would have.”

“Michael is very nice,” Isabel said hesitantly.

With a reassuring grin, Serena put her arm around Isabel’s shoulders, “Don’t worry, you’ll find a place for him in your affections – it’s destined to happen.”

Isabel lamely returned Serena’s smile.

“Well,” Serena said moving away from her, “I’m very tired, I had to wait up a long time for you to fall asleep. We’ll see you in two days. Take care of yourself!”

In a flash she was gone, and Isabel was instantly awake.

They were coming.

Nacedo was going to force her to be with Michael. The very thought made her shudder. Not because Michael was repulsive, but because she wanted Alex so desperately.

What could she do?

Maybe Michael would refuse to have anything to do with her. He didn’t seem to have any emotional attachments to anyone else though, and he seemed very curious about his alien roots - although they hadn’t told him yet that they were sent to bring him back to Nacedo.

She had to find a way to be certain that Michael would never have anything to do with her. Isabel considered going to Max but wasn’t sure how he would react to her plans for outright defiance of Nacedo, he was always willing to listen to her rant, but this was much more serious. He did seem to be fairly smitten with Liz, but she was sure it was nothing like what she felt for Alex – she couldn’t be sure she could trust her brother with her problem. Going to Tess was out of the question for several reasons – the major one being that no matter what her actions might have been over the past few days, Tess had always been perfectly ready to embrace the ‘destiny’ idea.

Alex.

She threw on her dressing gown and ran out her door and down the hall toward his room. For a moment she considered knocking, but was afraid she’d awaken someone else.

Quietly, she opened his door and entered his room. She walked to his bed and sat softly next to his sleeping form.

“Alex?” she shook his shoulder slightly.

“Mmm? Isabel? Oh, this is a good dream,” he pulled her down for a kiss.

For a moment she lost herself against his lips, but then pushed him back.

“No, Alex. It’s not a dream, come on wake up.”

Alex let out a disappointed “oh”, and started to turn over…

Then he sat up straight and looked her dead in the eyes.

“Wait, it’s not a dream?” His eyes were smoldering as he pulled her into his arms again, this time for a deep, passionate kiss.

“No,” she pushed him off again, “Alex. I need to talk to you.”

Alex looked frustrated, “Talk?”

“Yes. I need to know something, Alex. How exactly do human matings – no I guess it would be more appropriate to say ‘marriages’ work? I know that sometimes procreation is done outside of marriage, but how do humans feel about that? Would a human man for instance, ever accept a woman who was married to another man?”

“Isabel, I just woke up. I don’t know how philosophical I can be right now. I mean that’s kind of a complicated question,” Alex was staring at her strangely.

Maybe she should try the direct approach.

“Alex, you know that Michael is my intended mate?” she looked at him and he nodded slowly, an unreadable look on his face. “Well, if I were married to some other man, Michael wouldn’t ever consider marrying me himself, would he?”

Alex looked at her thoughtfully, “When you use the term ‘mating’ you think of it as something similar to what we consider ‘marriage’, correct? I mean it’s more than just the uh- physical act?”

“I’m not entirely certain,” she looked at her hands, “I believe that our people normally mate for life, but in this instance, I think the act of procreation may be all that’s required.”

“Michael would never consider marrying a woman who was married to another man. And, being an honorable man he would never even consider, um, you know - doing the physical act of procreation with another man’s wife.”

Isabel felt relieved. So, it was that simple. She knew that Michael was more powerful than Nacedo. It had been written in the book, Michael was the most powerful warrior her people had ever known – and in this life he had been raised by humans, so he would follow their traditions. If Michael refused to mate with her, Nacedo couldn’t force him - Michael was too powerful.

Alex was watching her with a strange expression on his face.

“Alex,” she grabbed his hands, “I need to marry you.”

“Hey, I’m supposed to say that,” he grinned at her, but then his features sobered. “I’m trying to find a way to marry you, Isabel. I have my own obstacles to overcome. Hopefully before too long I’ll find a way.”

“It needs to happen now, Alex. Tomorrow would be best.”

Alex cupped her face in his hands, “Isabel, if there were any way, I would marry you tomorrow in a heartbeat, but-.”

She started to cry, “Alex there has to be a way.”

He smiled at her, “Hey, I know I’m irresistible. Shhh. Don’t cry. I know you don’t want to wait, but I promise I’ll find a way, as soon as I can.”

“Alex, I would wait if I could, but I can’t,” she was sobbing now. “I would wait as long as you needed me to. But,” she was having trouble speaking, “they’re coming to take me back. Please, I only have two days.”

“You meant it when you said it needed to happen now, didn’t you?”

She nodded, unable to speak.

“Michael won’t marry you if I ask him not to,” Alex said softly.

Isabel shook her head. “They will try very hard to make him do it. They might even try to make you let me go, or tell him that you didn’t care about me anymore. I need for there to be no possible way for him to marry me. Something so strong that he’ll reach deep inside to resist it. I know I’m asking you to do something difficult, but I love you…”

Alex nodded, “Go get dressed – wear the shirt and trousers you were in the night we came, and put a few clothes into a bag. I’ll come and get you in about 10 minutes. On the way to town I want a thorough explanation of who is capable of doing these things, so that I can warn Michael.”

She looked up at him, not certain what he meant.

He smiled at her, “We’ll be married in the morning.”

Isabel pulled him to her and kissed him soundly, tears of relief pooling in her eyes, then pulled back and ran to her room.

***

Maria felt his presence behind her, he’d been watching her for a long time.

She waited, knowing he would disappear eventually, finding it ironic that now that she didn’t want to see him he lingered.

Hours seemed to pass.

He was still there, she could feel him.

She had to make him go, just feeling him behind her was making the pain intensify.

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

“I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

“No need. I’m not going to do anything drastic. Just go. I’m through with these dreams.”

“All right, Maria.”

He was still there.

She whirled around to face him. He looked so sad as he stared at her.

“Go, I said!” she jumped up and began to pound him with her fists as the tears fell down her cheeks. “Go, go, go. And don’t come back!”

And then he was gone, and she fell down toward the grass, but never hit…she was falling…falling…falling…

Her eyes fluttered open. It was still dark. She rolled over to see that Liz was in bed with her. Maria hadn’t even awakened when her friend had gotten into the bed.

Had he left after Liz came?

She let her eyes drift to the corner where he’d been seated when she fell asleep. The moonlight lit his handsome face in stark relief. His eyes were open, he was watching her.

Maria sat up slowly, and he met her gaze directly.

She’d begged him to leave. Told him she was alright. Called on his sense of dignity as a gentleman.

He’d just watched her cautiously…not giving her an inch.

She was too upset, he’d said.

Kyle was too stupid, he’d said.

Just go to sleep and pretend I’m not here, he’d said.

I’ll get Liz when she gets here, he’d said.

She’d fallen asleep, only to escape his presence, but her own mind had decided to pour salt on her open wounds by conjuring up the dream.

Now she’d escaped him in her dream just to find him still with her in the real world. The pain was unbearable. Tortured, constantly faced with the only thing she wanted, the thing she could never have. She was glad that he thought she was in love with someone else, she didn’t know if she could have survived his knowing that it was him who had her on the verge of…

Something out the window caught his eye, and he rose quickly to stare outside. Whatever it was made him shake his head slowly from side to side and let out a long, slow breath. For a moment he made a move like he was going to leave, but then his eyes grazed over her. He returned to his seat, unflinchingly meeting her eyes.

She threw herself back onto her pillow, hoping to fall asleep again, even though she knew he’d just be watching her in her dreams.

***