It was Saturday and everyone was just about ready to prepare for the ball the in evening, except for Nan and Nat that is. The two didn’t have escorts to the ball, and before the fight Nat had planned to ask her to go, but he knew that she would refuse if he did now. He regretted to have had the fight with her, and wanted so much to make up for it. He finally resolved not to go at all, which had shocked Dan after Nat had told him his decision.
"Nat, you have to go. Just cos' your not goin' with Nan doesn't mean you can't go at all," Dan said, disappointed in his friend's conclusion.
"Dan, you don't understand. If I can't go with Nan, then I'm not going at all."
"That ain't fair to the other girls who want to go with you, Nat," Dan said, trying to convince his friend to go.
"Nan's the only girl for me," Nat finally said.

Meanwhile, Nan was in town with Bess to help her pick up her dress from the store. "I can't wait for this evening," Bess said with excitement. She then realized that her friend hadn't been too happy lately. "Cheer up, Nan. There are plenty of girls who don't have escorts."
"That's not the point, Bess." As Nan spoke, a familiar face walked up to them. It was Cade, who now had matured from his boyish demeanor and style. Many of the girls were fond of him, but he had his eyes set on Nan for some time now.
"Good morning, girls," Cade greeted.
"How are you, Cade?" answered Bess, who was sweet on him once, but lost his charm for Dan's.
"Fine, thank you Ms. Laurence. Are you two lovely ladies attending the ball tonight?" he asked.
"Yes," said a gloomy looking Nan.
" Nan, why so glum? Tonight should be extremely memorable," he asked, concerned for her disposition.
"Oh nothing," she sighed.
"If you don't mind me asking, who will be accompanying you this evening?"
"Dan," answered Bess.
"I don't really have an escort," began Nan, "but I--" Cade cut her off pleased that his old rival, Nat, didn't capture Nan's interest.
"Well, then, I would be honored if I may serve to accompany you this evening," Cade smiled.
Bess nudged Nan, giving her the look to accept his invitation.
Nan hesitated and then finally yielded to his charm. "Thank you, Cade," she answered, not quite smiling nor frowning. "That's very nice of you."
"Shall I meet you at 6, then?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"Wonderful! See you at 6!" He replied. And at that, he left the two to go to a nearby supply store.
"Isn't he delightful?" Bess sighed. "Nan, you know your very lucky. Not everyone has the opportunity to be escorted by Cade."
"Bess, I don't consider this an opportunity," Nan said, rolling her eyes. "For heaven's sakes, he's just like anyone else."
"Nan!" Bess shouted. "His family is one of the most important people in all of Concord, if not Massachusetts."
"Wealth doesn't buy you happiness. But I guess you would know that, or would you?" Nan replied.
Bess was quieted from Nan's reply. She knew she could be spoiled sometimes, but didn't mean to sound it.
"Sorry, Bess, but I should go home now. Mrs. Jo is helping me put on the dress she got for me."
"But Nan, its only 4. You have two more hours."
"I know, that's how long it will take me to figure out how to put it on!" Nan said as she and Bess began to laugh at the hysteria of it.
"Fine, then, I will see you there." Bess continued to the store, while Nan rode Marty back home.

*******

"Now we're almost done, ah, there we are!" cried an elated Jo, who finished helping Nan put on the dress. It was almost six and everyone was ready for the ball, except for Nat.
"Oh, Jo, that dress is exquisite!" said Meg who was in awe of the dress from the beginning.
"Yes it is. And the girl in it seems to be even more elegant!" Jo said, as Meg nodded in agreement. Nan turned around to see herself in the mirror and was amazed at what she saw before her. It didn't feel like herself, and the woman before her was someone unfamiliar.
"Oh, Nan you look like a princess!"
Jo touched Nan's beautiful hair that had grown but now was up in a gentle do, softening her complexion and her gray eyes that matched the dress so perfectly. The dress was slightly low cut, and Nan felt uncomfortable exposing her bare shoulders, but the look on Jo and Meg's face was one of euphoria and emotion that Nan couldn't help but feel excited for herself. She felt daring, and bold, and liked the feeling of it. She smiled back at the two who helped her, and then she remembered the one thing that made her feel incomplete. Nat wasn't going to be there tonight, her dear friend wouldn't be able to share the happiness that she was feeling, and she so wanted him to. Her smile was slowly frowning, and Jo and Meg caught the sudden change.
"Are you ill, dear?" Meg asked with concern, quickly rushing to the girl.
"Oh, no of course not. I guess I'm a bit nervous."
"About what?" inquired Jo.
"I just remembered that I can't dance," and the three women laughed.

*******

"I'll get it!" shouted Nat, who had heard the doorbell ring while he was writing in the study. He opened the door, and disappointed to see the young man before him, holding flowers and dressed in a handsome suit.
"Sorry, Cade, Bess is going with Dan, I thought you would know that," said Nat almost closing the door in the man's face, but was quickly halted by Cade's hand.
"That's where your wrong, Nat old pal. I'm not here to pick up Bess, but I believe there is another young lady that lives here as well. Is Nan ready?"
Nat's face expressed both pain and anger at what he had just heard. Nan couldn't have accepted to go with Cade! He was infuriated, but did a well job to conceal his frustration. "I'm sorry," he answered through gritted teeth. "I didn't realize you were her escort. Come in."
"Thank you," came the man's reply. As he entered, so did the ravishing Bess and the handsome Dan, who were ready to leave the house.
"Oh, I thought it was someone important," frowned Dan at Cade.
"I haven't done anything to you, Dan," came Cade's reply. "Yeah, well, you better not, and to Nan either."
Cade ignored Dan's statement, and quickly greeted Bess.
"Bess your looking lovely as usual," he said kissing her hand, as she sighed with glee.
"Cade, nice to see you," came Nick's voice. "You too, Mr. Riley."
"Has Jo come down yet? We're supposed to leave right now."
As he said the words, Jo walked down the stairs and left Nick in awe.
"Yer gettin' more beautiful by the hour, Mrs. Riley." Jo smiled at his wit.
"Good evening, Mrs. Riley," Cade greeted. "Is Nan ready, yet?"
"Yes she should be down in just a moment," Jo answered.
At that moment, Nan slowly walked down the stairs, not used to the gown she was wearing. As she walked, everyone looked up at her, not realizing that this was Nan, the same girl who had slept in the mud a few years before after picking up berries and tiring along the way. The men were very much enchanted at the sight of the beautiful girl who graced their presence. Bess closed Dan's gaped mouth and smiled at Nan, who looked up to see everyone for the first time. She was surprised at the way everyone stood and stared at her. Nat, meanwhile was speechless, and was not about to let her go with Cade. He had to tell her how he
felt, he needed to tell her, and even if she rejected him, he would always love her. His thoughts had collaborated like a whirlwind all at once as Nan had descended the stairwell.
"Um, can we go now," Nan said breaking the silence in the room. Everyone blinked, and realized it was high time for them to leave.
"Nan, you look beautiful," said Nick as he kissed her on the forehead.
"She sure does," agreed Dan who held Nan's hand. He was amazed at how mature she was.
"Nan, I'm speechless," spoke Cade.
"That's a surprise," she muttered quietly.
She looked up and saw Nat staring at her, and she stared back, for she missed talking to him over the few days that passed. She wished he would come, and not leave her alone to be bored by Cade. After a moment, Bess had nudged her giving her the signal it was time to go.

*******

"Nan, would you like to dance," Cade asked gently. "Oh I don't dance, much," Nan said. "In fact, I can't even dance at all."
"That's alright, I'll lead." Nan reluctantly went and danced briefly with Cade, but was intervened by Dan's strong shoulders.
"He loves you, Nan," Dan said quietly.
"What? Who, Cade?" Nan answered.
"No, silly Nat."
"Oh," Nan replied, not knowing what to say. "Why didn't he come?"
"He said if he couldn't go with you, he wouldn't go at all."
"Well, why would he say a stupid thing like that? He didn't even ask me!"
"Calm down," Dan began. "He thought you would say no because of the--"
Suddenly the music stopped, and started again with a faster dance. Unexpectedly to Nan, she was waltzed in by several men, and didn't recognize any of them, not to mention what she was dancing too. Everything seemed to go faster and she wasn't used to it. Being whisked by strangers wasn't her idea of a fancy ball. The dance continued as everyone switched partners over again, and she was exasperated by all the unfamiliar faces that gleamed at her, until one almost put her heels to a halt.
"I love you," the voice said, soft and intriguing, but indelible to Nan's ears. Nat held her in his arms until she was swept into Cade's.
"Well, finally I am dancing with the woman I---"Nat cut through Cade's arms and once again held Nan, who was on the verge of tears.
"I love you too!" Nan cried, and the two embraced each other as the festive ballroom continued to dance its dance and almost ornate the couple in the center of the room. The dance finally ended with everyone cheering and clapping, for it was a dance full of zeal that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed.
Meanwhile Nat had led Nan outside to the balcony of the ballroom. They stood before each other, staring into each other's eyes, ignoring the excited people inside. "I didn't think you would say that," Nat said to her.
"How could I not?" Nan replied.
"Well," began Nat, "I'm not exactly the most manly man in there."
"But that's what I love about you, Nat," Nan smiled. "Your kind and sensitive, and you always look at the best in everyone. How can I resist?"
Nat was overjoyed with her words and gave her another hug.
"I wrote this for you," he said taking out a piece of paper from his suit.
Nan began to read,

"My love is like fire, passionate yet deep
My dreams, they burn in the depth of my soul
I await for thy coming, longing for sleep
Locked in time, escaped, beneath, crept into the chasm
Tortured, betrayed, the mistress of the dark
Covered, sheltered by a veil of soft light
Pure as honey, devoured by the lark
Shining with dull sense, risen Cupid's might

A divine thought to soothe and lead me through
Heavenly gods with a twinkling charm
Craving for a mild chance to seek and too,
Nothing has vanished, nothing to bring harm
The moon possesses his crescent to see
At night, beyond my fire, my love is with thee."