Dealing with the book of love (cw/tw)

She felt her heart beat faster as he said he couldn't ever forget about her. The mere thought that she had made enough of an impact on him to be on his mind was making her rather happy. Perhaps she was fooling herself, thinking that she could ever have a life with him, but she felt almost a need to escape reality when she looked at him. "You haven't strayed far from my thoughts either," she confessed. It was a dangerous game they were playing, but she couldn't help but play along anyways.
His reaction to her invitation made her look down. Was that really the impression he had gotten of her? That all she cared for was getting a rich husband and birthing pale children? "It's a masquerade, a night where you can be anyone you want to," she explained. Was it strange that she had invited him? A bit, but it wasn't unheard of. Plenty of high standing farmers had attended her father's parties over the years.

She felt a little rush through her stomach as he said he felt almost honored. However she thought she was quite indecent with her thoughts, and that if her father ever knew, he would disown her in an instant. As he puffed up his chest, she covered her mouth with her hand, giggling sweetly. She shook her head at his question, it wouldn't please her, because she had found her fascinated with his tanned skin and his large frame. "I wouldn't want to change anything about you, but if you were to meet my father, a positive impression would be great," she said, looking at him carefully. She wanted to grab his hand, hold herself close to him as she had that hot day by the water. "My father is expecting to meet the one that has occupied my mind," she said softly.

He raised an eyebrow as she shook her head but then the mention of her father made him swallow and look a little nervous. One thing had to be not fearing a whipping for even be looking at her and being as low standing as he was, but standing face to face with the father and even as a guest invited by his very daughter. Any man would be scared! "I didnt know you wanted me gone that bad," he joked but there also was some truth to his tone. Everyone know how the judge valued his daughter. He sighed and then shook his head, "I suppose it's time for me to go look for something decent to wear then," he said in a more hopeful tone, smiling at her.

The woman frowned, even looking a little sad. "I'm not naive ... But it could be an opportunity for you, getting contacts with those that own the land you work might benefit you," she said in a hopeful voice. She felt her heart racing, because now she was scared he was going to deny her invite. His words following made her giggle a little, looking down as she felt herself so happy. Then it dawned on her, did he even have the proper money for an outfit? However she was not going to intrude on his business like that. "I'll need to leave now; Please keep me in your mind," she said softly, her eyes looking at his, as if she was trying to remember every part of him. She gave him the last information about the party before she left in a hurry to find her chaperones.

"No one would talk to a simple farmhand," he argued but he appreciated the help. It just didnt really make sense to him that she was interested in helping him? To him he was nothing but a simple man, she was a fine lady and that just didnt match up with what he had come to know through life about the rich. He didnt want her to go, but it did make sense that she couldnt linger for too long. "As if I could forget you," was something he only got to mumble to himself as she had left in such a hurry. He couldnt help but smile a little as he seemed to slowly process the fact that he had just been invited to a masquerade, and not only that, it was her who had invited him. He went back to the farm with the smile from the fountain staying the same the whole way.

The weeks passed, and for each day, the woman was counting down the time until she could see those eyes again. Her father could see how excited she was, and it thrilled him that he might have a bachelor that would match his daughter in every way.
The day finally came, and the woman was helping prepare everything. Day turned in to evening, and soon she was standing in her room, getting dressed for the party. Guests were slowly starting to arrive, and as she took one final look in the mirror, she pul on her mask. Her heart was beating so fast that she had to stop for a second to catch her breath. "I'm fine," she told one of her maids, sending them a nervous smile. "Look at my pride and joy, why you look just like your mother," her father said, walking up to place his hands on her arms. The woman looked at her father, smiling but it wouldn't stop her heart from beating so fast. "I'm looking forward to meeting your secret suitor," he said before he looked at his pocket watch, needing to get dressed himself.

He was definitely full of excitement and though he wanted to save most of what he had earned, he did make sure to at least buy a proper suit - It may not have been as prosperously well made as the rich would have had it done, but it looked alright. He at least was quite happy with it. The mask was something he had found in an old shop of trinkets and what else that once had belonged to now deceased people. He wasnt too sure if he liked the thought of wearing something a dead person had owned, but it was better than having nothing. With her instructions, he made his way to the masquerade, his body warm with excitement to see her once again.

The masquerade began with the guests arriving to the large mansion, people filling up the grand rooms. The judge held a grand welcoming speech before introducing his daughter. The woman took a deep breath, before she walked out, walking down the large stairs, smiling a waving as people clapped at how beautifully she was dressed. She joined her father, who declared the ball open and the music started playing. The woman was quickly dragged on to the floor, joining in a large group dance with a partner that was clearly a suitor. Oh how she moved, she had learned every dance by heart, and now it was as if she was the one deciding over the music itself. But as she danced, she found herself looking around. Had he come? Had he truly showed up?

As she was swung around the room she looked around, searching for a glimpse of his dark eyes that she had come to dream so vividly about. However between all of the colors and the dancing, she couldn't spot him. She felt her heart break a little, feeling sad as the dance finished up. Excusing herself she moved to the garden, wrapping her arms around herself, but the night was warm and inviting. She walked a bit away from the sound, trying to calm herself. She knew it had been too good to be true, that he would come when she was so clearly delusional.

She was just about to break down and cry as she heard his voice, hearing him say her name made a tear escape as he came running to her. As he got closer, she felt her heart beat crazily, reaching out, she just needed to touch him. Placing her palm against his cheek. "You came," she whispered. She just looked at him, touching his cheek gently as a careful smile spread on her lips. Couldn't he see how much she wanted him to just wrap his strong arms around her? "I've missed you," she said in a weak voice. She knew it hadn't been long, but what was she supposed to do? She spent her nights dreaming of him, her days looking out to the street hoping to spot him.

The woman felt her heart and body so light, however as he leaned closer she leaned away carefully. She couldn't. Not that she didn't want to, in fact her whole body was screaming for her to just let their lips meet. "I'm not allowed to kiss anyone, and I don't want you to get hurt," she whispered softly, placing her head against his chest.

Buffy chuckled, placing the bookmark in the book as she looked at her sleepy daemon. "Did I tire you out that much love? You know that you can tell me not to be so ... Vigorous," she said teasingly, chuckling a bit as she moved a hand down to touch his curls. "And I'm sorry, we left it at a cliffhanger yesterday, and I just couldn't help myself," she said, leaning down to kiss his forehead gently.

Buffy chuckled, he was right, but she still liked when they did small things like this together. It wasn't really an option to go on a real date, so mostly they found other ways to entertain each other. "I think I'm not going to like what comes next," she sighed in a sad voice, leaning her head back against the head rest. "I think I'm getting rather invested; I already feel like I wanna keep reading, but I have a feeling I might end up crying," she chuckled, closing her eyes. She knew that they were barely through the book, but it didn't matter. She felt like she knew what was going to happen and it stung her heart a little.

Buffy sighed softly, feeling his lips against her own gave her some sort of courage, one that she needed. "One more kiss," she pleaded softly, smiling at him. She hoped he would oblige before she adjusted herself a bit, continuing the story.

The voice was that of one of her maids, and the woman moved away from the man, even though it hurt her. "I'm over here Aileen," she said in a soft voice. The woman appeared, smiling relieved until she saw the tanned man. "My lady, should I get the guards?" she asked in a rather scared voice. The woman shook her head. "No, Aileen, it is quite alright - I was simply asking our guest with some tips with our roses," she said, trying to cover for him so that he wouldn't get hurt. "Your father is looking for you, he wants you to meet a suitor who has come a long way from here," the maid said, curtsying lightly before she made her leave.

The woman knew it would've only been a matter of time, and yet the thought of just staying here forever was far more tempting. She wanted to plead with him to steal her away and take her somewhere where they could be together. The maid left and the woman looked up at the man. Leaning closer to him, she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. It was all that she could give him, and she hoped that he could understand. "I don't ever want to marry, my father only tries to prolong the inevitable," she whispered softly. It was an unconventional thought to have for a woman in her stead.
She had to leave him, looking back over her shoulder to look at him. "If I ever marry, it will be for love," she said softly before she had to go find her father. The suitor was nice, but she kept comparing him to the man that had captured her heart.

The woman knew that she shouldn't be thinking of the man as her suitor swung her around the ballroom. He was elegant at dancing, that was for sure, but she kept thinking how much fun she would have teaching the man to dance. How she would have an excuse to be close to him, let his arms surround her as she would lean her head against his chest. "You seem distracted, my lady," the suitor said, and the woman looked at him with a saddened expression. "I guess I'm awfully caught up in my own mind, I apologize my good lord," she said apologetically. The dance ended and she decided to retreat for a moment, needing to catch her breath after all the dancing. Her father caught up with her, escorting her to her room where she could get a breather and freshen up a bit. "He's a good man, he would treat you right," the judge said calmly, knowing that the subject of marriage always could go two ways. The woman remained quiet, and she looked towards the window. If she ran off, would the man find her and they could run together forever? "Father, he is proper, that is for sure, but I don't love him," she said softly, looking at her father with pleading eyes. The judged sighed. He was getting old, and he was afraid that his daughter wouldn't be taken care off once he had perished. "I just want to keep you safe," he said. The woman swallowed, closing her eyes as she felt like crying. "Mother and you married for love - Why can't I?" she asked pleadingly. Her father sighed. "Because time is running out, my little flower, and soon I won't be there to protect you from the wandering eyes of strangers," he said. The woman excused herself, going down to the party once more, thankful that her mask obscured her sad expression.

Returning to the room, she looked at the man, mostly because she couldn't stop herself. He walked up to her, and she wanted to run in to his arms, wrap her arms around him and never let go, but she kept still, letting him approach her. His words made a smile appear on her lips, and as she heard the music change she sighed softly. "Then I'll simply have to teach you - Waltz is easy, only three steps," she said, placing a hand on his arm and guiding him to the dance floor. She showed him where to place his hands, one on her waist, while her opposite of his was placed on his shoulder. Then she placed her hand elegantly in his, and she started to move. "One, two, three, one two three," she counted softly, letting him get a feeling for the movement before she looked up at him as they danced. "See, it's easy," she said softly.