At Water's Edge

At Water's Edge - Chapter 14.2

Hi Guys!!!  Ok so i have been very lazy as of late with writing and the uploads, but feel horrible for it so here is a snippet of 14.2 there will be one more part of the Ball Chapter 14.3 i hope to get it to you soon.  Hope you like it. 

Kisses love always JoJo!!

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Approaching the castle Nina begins to fidget “Oh Nicki I am so nervous!"

“Do not be I shall be there with you every step of the way, I shall never let you go.”

“Promise” she looks at him with such innocence and fear Nicki’s heart melts for her.

“Not even if you banish me, I shall always be lurking in the shadows” he jests.

“You are a beast!” she swats at him.

“And yet you love me regardless” he laughs at her as he escapes her wrath.

Their coach lurches forward and comes to a stop before the stairs.  A royal footman opens the carriage door; Nicki exits first and waits by the door hand extended to assist Nina out.

Her hand reaches out for his desperately and holds on tight as she makes it down the steps, looking past Nicki’s smiling face the grandeur finally hits her.

The castle is ablaze with light, fire casting ominous yet romantic light across the grounds, the stairs are covered with garlands of flowers, the scent of which is intermingling with the burning wax making for a strangely intoxicating aroma.

Nina tries to take it all in wanting to remember everything not allowing a single detail to escape her.  As more and more guests begin to arrive Nina is in awe of all the colors and gowns, seeing her face Nicki whispers “You are more beautiful than all of them combined, never forget that.”

Nina smiles “Stop, if you persist I shall have a head as big as yours, however will we get home, our heads will never fit into the coach.”

Nicki laughs wholeheartedly drawing attention to them seeing who he is with sends the tongues a wagging.  Realizing this Nicki ushers them inside without any further a due.  Making their way up they wait for their names to be announced Nina holds tight on to her escort, he looks down at her and whispers “If you hold on any tighter I fear I will not have a hand by time we reach our party below.”

“Very funny” she retorts as she looks down below to her new family anxiously awaiting their descent.

She sees the Duke and Duchess as well as the Dowager on the arm of The Doctor and Fiona with Steven.  Fiona is glowing and Steven is dashing as ever, a flush begins to creep up to her cheeks as she recalls their exchange from earlier tonight.  Just as the memory begins to play out in her mind he looks up at her, they make eye contact and Nina’s heart skips a beat.

But there isn’t time to think they are next, the couple before them begins to make their descent and Nina and Nicki take their place at the top of the stairs. 

“The Count Nicholas William Deveroux escorting Miss Nicolette Martin” the herald bellows catching the attention of all those below. 

Nina looks to Nicki excitedly, together they make their way down the stairs smiling at those below, once they reach the landing they join the family.

“Well done my dear” congratulates the Dowager “I know all too well how nerve-wracking it is to be presented, you did it beautifully.”

“Thank you, it is because of all of your support that made it a pleasant and exhilarating experience.   I am just sorry I wasn’t here to see you all do the same.”