"Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to the grave."

When we finally returned home, it was 8 o'clock. My grandfather was sitting in the sitting room. I went in there to see him, as my mother had retreated to her study, to finish paperwork for the trading company. “Hello, papa.’ I smiled at my grandfather. He was in his 80’s with wrinkled skin, and grey hair.

“Hello, Kitten.” He smiled, and I could see how age had taken away his handsome features.

“I missed you.” He pulled me into his lap, and held me close, like he use to when I was little.

“I missed you to, darling.” He kissed my head.

I laid against my grandfather’s chest as he told me stories about Paris, and about my grandmother. I in took his smell, it was of cigars and smoke from the fireplace. That means the other day, the brandy smell was my mother… “I need to go to bed, kitten, so goodnight little one.” I stood up and he kissed my forehead.

I walked into the kitchen and I grabbed an apple from the kitchen, walking up the stairs to my dad's library. Anne had already brought tea up there for me without me asking. I noticed that Anne or Nani had already started cleaning while we were gone. I grabbed the book from the desk, and curled up in the arm chair. Once upon a time... a pretty girl was locked in a tower... I got lost in the story, seeing sword fights and love.

"Kitten?" I turned my head, shutting the book. It was mother. "You are still awake?"

"Sorry, I started reading and lost track of time." I shut the book on my lap.

"Oh, it's fine, least someone is giving this place attention, come on, let's get you out of that dress." She grabbed my hand as we walked into my room, "Kitten?"

"Yes?"

"May I brush your hair, I haven't been able to do it since before you left for boarding school." She smiled, and I giggled, nodding, sitting on my vanity stool.

I felt her fingers loosen my braid, she picked up a brush and started stroking it through my hair, humming. It was the first time I heard her hum in forever. “Your hair has gotten so long.” She helped me into my nightgown, "goodnight kitten." She kissed my forehead and left.

I crawled into my bed blowing out the lantern.

"Camille?" Lucas's voice came through the darkness toward me.

"Lucas?" I cried out. "Where are you?"

"I need your help. I am lost. They are coming."

I searched through the fog. Trying to find him. "Lucas, how can I help?"

"Find them." His voice sound haunting and kept repeating those words.

I woke up panting, clutching my chest, my face was covered in sweat and I felt like someone was holding me down. "Just a dream... Just a dream...” I kept repeating.

"Miss?" Anne appeared with a frantic expression, "Are you ok?"

"Yes... Just a bad dream." I was still searching for air, I moved my fingers through my hair.

"Well Miss. We have to begin getting ready for the party. It will take half the day." I couldn’t believe it home for only one whole day, and this party was about to take place, was I ready?

I nodded, getting out of bed, my mother, and Nani appeared with the dress, I realized then how panicked I was for tonight.

However many hours later, and countless of bruises and hair being pulled, I was ready. My mother appeared in my room, wearing a long emerald green dress, with her long hair curled tightly. "So we have a special guest for tonight, Camille." She stepped aside and there was Aiden, my older brother.

"Hello, Cami." He stepped forward, in his royal blues.

"Aiden!" I let out a shriek throwing my arms around him. He was 6'2'' and I felt my feet lift off the ground. I don’t know how he did it, with how heavy this dress was.

He picked me up. "Aiden, bring her down in about ten minutes, I will get the guests ready." My mother disappeared downstairs.

"Aiden, I've missed you." I kissed his cheek, looking up and down, taking in how I looked.

"I have missed you as well." He squeezed my shoulders. "You ready for this?"

"About as ready as anyone can get, when they are about to jump into an ocean full of sharks." He laughed.

"Well, this is London's high society, and they are all here to watch you." He winked.

"Because that is helpful." I took a deep breath. “They’re going to eat me alive.”

"You will be fine. Least mother's not forcing you to find a wife tonight." He sighed, and stood up straight.

"That's mother for you, though. Come on, it's time." I linked my arm through his, and he grabbed my hand. "All I want you to do is make sure I do not fall."

"Of course, Camille."

We began down the stairs, everyone was gathered at the bottom, clapping for me. We reached the floor, and Aiden cleared his throat. "Presenting. For the first time. Miss. Camille Prim Brexton."

Don't trip...don't trip... don’t trip…

I lifted my head waving toward the crowd. The clapping grew louder, and I took a deep breath, as Aiden escorted me to the dining room, I heard whispers and I couldn’t tell if it was good or not. I was being judged for every single little thing and I couldn’t figure out whether I was going to get pulled apart by the high society food chain or welcomed.

"Dinner is served." Curtis called.

I sat beside my mother, lifting my glass to my lips, trying to help my scratchy throat. The endless chatter went on, till the music started up. I felt someone staring at me, and I searched around the room, and couldn't see anyone. Aiden approached me, "May I have the first dance with my sister?"

"Of course." I laid my hand in his, putting my other on his shoulder. The music began and we started twirling across the floor. I caught a glimpse of people around us, Rose and her fiancé, mother and grandfather, then a shadow moving toward us. Aiden moved me over the dance floor, my dress flowing across the ground.

"Do you mind, that I cut in?" The voice was deep, and almost musical.

Aiden turned bowing, "You may." Aiden kissed my hand, before he disappeared into the crowd, who was the stranger? I didn’t recognize him, but Aiden did.

The stranger bowed to me, and I curtsied. I let the stranger take my hand and we were off. The stranger was taller than Aiden, he had dark black hair that was slicked back. It revealed his deep blue eyes, that anyone could get lost in. "Hello, Camille." He began swooping me across the floor, gracefully.

"Who are you?" I was memorized by his grace and looks.

"Lucas."

My heart stopped beating, as he spun me around. "Lucas?" I stuttered out his name.

"How are you, Camille?" He smiled down at me, and I tried hiding my hate.

I felt all my good graces going out the window. My temper began to rise up my body. "Just fine, Lucas. Who doesn't enjoy a coming out party?"

He could see the bitterness in my eyes and in my voice. "Camille, listen please."

I felt every inch of me tingle with anger. "Why should I, Lucas. You made me believe I meant something to you. For six years. Then disappeared. No real gentleman does that." I was practically hissing between my teeth.

"I have reasons, Camille. Please. Listen." He looked into my eyes, and I lost half my hope, and nodded. "Thank you. I had every intention of returning home and waiting. But things changed Camille. Things you don't understand, and wont most likely. I had duties."

The last word sent chills down my body. "That explains, nothing." I let him lift me, but I felt heavy.

"Cami, I couldn't write." He was searching for the words, "Like I said. I had duties."

"Just say it, Lucas." My voice rose, and people began to watch us closely.

"I am courting, Serena Milson." His face was emotionless. Almost like a stone.

I felt my heart begin to sink slowly, all the way to my stomach. "When did this begin?"

"Shortly after I returned home."

I let my hand fall from his, "So you lied to me, Lucas." My voice rose, trying to find strength, but my eyes were burning.

"No, Camille." He reached for my arm, but I backed away.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed and more heads wiped our way. I turned picking up my skirts, moving through the crowd and up the stairs.

"Camille." Lucas yelled after me, I heard a few other voices, but never looked back. I pushed the door of the library open and collapsed on the sofa. I hid my face in my arm, crying softly.

"Kitten?" It was Aiden. I lifted my head, and he knelt beside me. "Are you ok?"

"Oh, mother's going to be angry, I've ruined the party." More tears fell down my cheeks.

Aiden chuckled, wiping my tears away, "Mother will be fine, but will you?"

"I believe I'm experiencing a broken heart. Not like the one I had when papa died. But betrayal and hurt."

Aiden brushed a piece of hair from my face. "Is it Lucas?" He rubbed my hand.

"Yes, but he has Miss. Serena." I sniffed and I heard the bitterness as I said her name.

"Now that's his lost, Camille. Now come on, grandfather would like a dance." Aiden helped me up, and we returned to the party.

I put on a fake smile, and looked around the room, through the smiling faces and dancing couples, I saw no sight of Lucas Madison. "Are you alright, darling?" It was my mother.

"Yes mother."

"Ok, grandfather is right over there." I walked toward my grandfather, and the smell of cigars overwhelmed me. He took my hand and we began dancing. “Remember Kitten, tonight you are the world…” He whispered in my ear and I couldn’t help but smile. Over his shoulder I searched for Lucas. Though I knew I shouldn't. I saw Isabella but she was dazzled by a young man that I didn’t recognize.

I made my way through the crowd, talking softly to different people. My mother put her arms around my waist. "Darling, the party is almost over."

I watched as the room that was full of people, was slowly down to me, and my brother. I noticed he was talking to a young woman, with blonde hair that was gathered on her head. They were wrapped up in their own little world. I heard my brother say he would call on her, and I thought she was going to faint. He kissed her hand.

"Now, spying isn't polite, Cami." My mother teased, "Now, come one let's get you ready for a goodnights sleep."

I followed up the stairs; I was tired, my legs felt like they were ready to give out from under me and couldn't keep much of a conversation with her. "Now, Kitten. Tell me the truth, what happened with Lucas."

I spun around, but she turned me back, taking off the dress, "How did you know?" I felt my heart sink, thinking about Lucas.

"Aiden, and I was watching you two." She slipped my nightgown on, and let my hair fall.

"Mother. I am so sorry, I had terrible manners and worse people saw." I turned to face her, and my voice cracked.

"Oh, Kitten." She wrapped her arms around me. "Don't be sorry, I should have guessed and warned you about Lucas and Serena. But trust me, things will make sense in time."

She kissed my head, why do people keep saying that to me. What were these things that I would make sense about and what are Lucas’s duties.

I nodded, and crawled into my bed, falling into a dreamless sleep.

*this chapter has been updated