"Are you ok Louise?" Anton asked as she skipped merrily into the dining room, smiling to herself.

"Yes, I am fine Anton. You worry too much." She grinned.

Sitting down, pulling a piece of toast from the toast rack, the smile refused to leave as fresh memories of the night before continued to swirl in her mind. All she could think about was the laughs, the fun and the entertainment the night had thrown at her, as if that blank wall she had inside was slowly being splattered with paint. Even getting back in, was easier then she had thought, as the back door had been left unlocked, giving her the shadows to creep through before reaching her room. So far, she hadn’t seen Christie to thank as it was reasonably late when she came in, but as soon as she saw her she knew she’d want the details, just like Louise was bursting to tell.

"Well it looks as if that long sleep has done you wonders Louise." Anton chirped. "I did try and see if you were ok last night, but well, what with my associates arriving soon, it was probably best I did not in the end."

"Oh…" Louise said, the thought of his associates seeming more important then her, dampening her a little.

"You have your piano lesson soon, yes?" Anton asked, sipping his coffee.

"Yes, yes, pretty soon actually." Louise beamed as seeing Mark so soon again made her tingle inside. "Oh, about that and the ball…"

"Yes, go on…"

"Well would it not be a nice idea if we were to invite Mark… I mean Mr Read, since he has been teaching me?" Louise implied, hoping for the answer to be yes.

"Hmm… we will have to see Louise. I mean, I do not want common folk bringing down my standards." He replied, getting up and leaving the table.

"But…" Louise tried to persuade.

"I shall hear no more about it Louise until I get back. I have a very important meeting to attend to and I do not want to be late." Anton told. "Have a nice breakfast."

Sighing as he left the room, Louise threw her toast onto her plate and huffed to herself as being brushed off so easily about something she wanted to talk about, made that feeling of being trapped return. All she wanted was to be listened, but then again, all she wanted was that feeling to be restored.

"Lou?" A familiar voice called shyly. "Lou! Ooo how did it go?"

"Christie!" Louise smiled. "Oh it was great! The best fun I’ve had in ages! Thank you so much for everything! You even left the back door open for me!"

"The back door? No… no I hadn’t been out there since Anton and his associates had left. I didn’t have no time too even think about that." Christie admitted. "Sorry…"

"No, no don’t apologise! You did enough as it was." Louise told. "But who left the door open then? You don’t think any of them know do you?" She suddenly panicked.

"No, nooo! I’ve not told anyone and even after you had gone, Anton didn’t have a clue." Christie informed. "And no one saw you when you came in did they?"

"No…"

"Well then, don’t worry. It was probably just one of the other maids forgetting to close it." Christie assured. "So, what did you get up to?" She asked, eagerly wanting details.

"Well," Louise smirked, "we went to this really cool bar, not just me and Mark, but his friends too! They are so funny. Anyways, Mark performed with them cos they are all in a band together and they are so good! They write all their own stuff and play everything!" She said, getting excited just retelling events.

"Ahh wow! Its sounds like so much fun! So did any sparks fly or anything?" Christie questioned, grinning from ear to ear as she sat down on the chair opposite.

Christie knew how much this evening meant to her, and even though she was left at the Manor doing what she was supposed to, she still couldn’t help but feel excited for Louise. She knew herself that what Louise was doing wasn’t exactly right, but then in her eyes, it wasn’t exactly wrong either. When living under the rules of the Manor, it was enough to drive anyone away.

"I wouldn’t say sparks, but he did walk me home and had his arm wrapped around me the whole time!" She grinned. "Ooo but while we were in there this bloke came over and tried chatting me up and then when Mark ca…"

Pausing instantly as that sound indicated he was here, the smile on her face stretched immensely, like the sun had finally got rid of its dark cloud. Jumping up, throwing the napkin down on the table, she began smoothing down her hair and pulling down the sleeves of her top.

"He’s here!" Louise almost screamed, as she continued to fuss.

"Calm down Lou!" Christie giggled. "And stop messing around with yourself. You look fine!"

"Ok, ok." Louise smiled. "How do I look?"

"Fine! Now go on, answer the door before someone like Abigail gets there!"

Hugging Christie briefly as happiness emerged, she opened the door quickly and ran out through the kitchen and into the hall before slowing as she saw who was there.

Anton.

Feeling unbelievably nervous, she watched the predicament up ahead as she wandered absently trying to catch Mark’s eye, ready for the all safety sign. It was as if she was having an affair, and although she wasn’t she still couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty. She was supposed to be marrying Anton soon, engaged to him now, so flirting with the piano teacher wasn’t exactly the best way to enter a marriage. But that was the point: she didn’t want to. Not now she knew Mark.

Deciding that getting his attention was going to be harder then she thought, approaching the situation herself was all she could do, no matter what he was talking to Mark about. Painting on her false smile and coating her insides in the ruled shield, she headed over to them both, hoping this was going to be easier then it looked.

"Oh, Louise. You are here. I was just about to call you when Mr Read knocked the door." Anton smiled.

"Well I am erm… here now." Louise said, eyeing Mark as he stood in jeans and deep blue shirt. "Do we have a lot to do today Mark?" She asked casually, hinting as she smiled.

"A lot to do today… hmm…" He mused, grinning slightly as Louise glared. "Yes, oh yes quite a bit today. It’s one of the final lessons."

"Oh right," Anton confirmed for himself. "I suppose I best let you get on then. My meeting is very soon. Actually, I best leave now. Nice to see you again, Mr Read."

"Yeah, you too." Mark nodded.

Closing the door behind him, Louise leant back against it, as she breathed with relief.

"Didn’t you see me hinting?" She asked.

"What? Oh yeah… yeah I did." He laughed to himself. "Thought I’d make you worry a bit first though."

"You are so mean!" She grinned, slapping his chest. "Come on, we best get moving since this is one of our final lessons."

"Yeah we best, you’ve got lots of work to do Miss Lou." Mark said playfully as he walked ahead. "Now let me think… this one right?" He smiled, opening the music room door.

"Ahh, so you’ve learned." Louise chuckled as he let her slide past.

"Well, when you teach as good as me…"

"Shut up!" Louise laughed, as she dragged him through the door and closed it behind her.

Endless teaching and piano playing soon came to a stop after an hour or so had passed. Working hard on the tune, preparing it ready for the ball, had now came to an end as the last few pieces Louise had ran through, seemed to be getting better and better; some would even say finished for the ball. Smiling as she rested her hands on the keys, she turned to Mark, seeking his approval.

"You’re good. Very good considering last time I was here you hardly knew that tune." Mark told. "Have you been practising or something?"

"I haven’t actually. It just must be you’re excellent teaching!" Louise replied.

"Hmm… you have long fingers. No wonder you find it easy." Mark smiled, taking her hand in his. "And bittern nails…" He observed, tutting. "I bet Anton doesn’t approve."

"Yeah, well who cares what Anton thinks." Louise said quietly, as her eyes snared his, like some web of attraction.

Staring deeply, as they slowly leaned closer, wanting, needing more, her hand was still entangled with his as he rested it down on the piano stool, smoothing the top. Becoming hot inside, like a burning passion was bolting through, she breathed steadily as their faces almost touched, setting off sparks inside of each. Using his other free hand to wipe away a strand of hair, his head titled slightly until they both abruptly broke apart, snapping that temptation as the door opened. Pulling her hand away quickly, she looked up to find Christie at the door, making her hearts thump rest yet worry took its place. Christie didn’t look comfortable.

"Sorry to erm… interrupt you Louise but erm… Mr Aphex Campbell wants to see you."

"I thought he was at a meeting…" Louise said, shuffling a little away from Mark.

"No, he has just returned and he wants to see you." Christie tried smiling.

"Is everything alright?" Louise queried, concerned.

"I… I think so."

"O…k…" Louise said slowly, turning to Mark. "Sorry. I won’t be long." She said shyly, glancing down as their moment was broken.

"No Lou, he doesn’t want to just see you. He wants to see Mark too."