Chapter 8: Plans

Unfortunately, like all nights, the night of Princess Victoria's ball must come to an end. After her little dance number with Jack, she had had to leave him, no matter how much she did not want to, for she had her obligations as a Princess. It could be summed up in one word: socializing. She was expected to go around and greet everyone.

Jack, on the other hand, gave Victoria's hand a squeeze as she looked longingly into his eyes before Prudence snatched her away. Her nodded at her, showing her that he understood. He planned to wait for her, and he would wait. No matter how long it took.

So he waited out in the garden as he took his champagne and strolled absentmindedly, her image filling up his thoughts.

At midnight, the ball ended. As the number guests started to deteriorate, Jack went inside to look for John. He found him standing in front of a painting, talking to a lovely girl wearing a light blue gown. The two seemed to be having a great time. As Jack approached them, he heard the girl saying something about visiting Paris, and seeing the artist who painted the picture in front of them.

"Ahem" Jack said, as he stood behind John.

John twirled around and grinned. "Ah! There you are Jack! I'd like you to meet Suzie de Bougainville. Suzie, this is my best friend, Jack Taylor."

Suzie smiled and graciously held out her hand for Jack to take. Jack shook it lightly and gave a little nod.

"Are you having fun Mr. Taylor" she said.

"Yes. I have never been to a ball like this before" said Jack.

Suzie immediately noticed his different accent and raised her eyebrows flirtatiously. "So you are a foreigner I presume?"

"Yeah" said John. "He's from America. He's staying here to go to art school."

"How fascinating!" cried Suzie. "You must meet my best friend! She loves art as well!"

"Who IS your best friend?" said John grinning boyishly. "You've been talking about her all night, and you've never said who she is. Is she here too?"

"Why of course!" Suzie giggled. "She's over there right now!" She pointed to Victoria, who was walking towards them, looking flushed.

"Jack!" said Victoria as she reached them. Jack immediately went to her side and took both of her delicate hands in his. The two looked at each other admiringly. Jack noticed how weary she looked, and gazed upon her with concerned eyes.

"Hey! How do you two know each other?" cried John, looking confused. He and Suzie shared puzzled glances.

"Forgive my friend," said Jack regaining his voice. "Your highness, this is John Crawford."

John's eyes widened a little as he bowed as nobly as he can. He took Victoria's right hand and kissed it. "An honor to meet you, your highness."

Victoria smiled. "Pleased to meet you too. But please – call me Victoria. You too Jack! I'd prefer it that way."

Jack nodded. Suzie, sensing that her friend wanted to be alone with her strange new acquaintance led John away by suddenly asking him to dance. It wasn't very ladylike, she knew, but she believed that Destiny was doing her work today, and Suzie wanted to cooperate.

Now that they were alone, Jack led Victoria outside, to the gardens.

Victoria kept looking around anxiously. "Jack," she said, "I don't have much time – I've only just escaped from the crowds."

Jack chuckled and stroked her hands. It was smooth as satin, and Jack sighed, wishing for those hands to tangle themselves into his smooth black hair.

"Victoria," he began, looking at her intensely. "I want to see you again. Please don't tell me this night's only temporary."

Victoria sighed. She had finally found someone she felt she could love, but she knew that they could never be together – their relationship would just be too complicated. But, as she battled with her inner conscience, she decided that she was extremely curious to see how love works.

So she whispered, "Meet me at my balcony tonight. We can talk more then."

Jack merely nodded, his emotions preventing him from speaking. He wanted so much to tell her how he felt, but he could not speak! So he drew her close to him and pressed his lips to hers, lightly at first, but growing more and more passionate. He wrapped his arms protectively around her as he deepened the kiss. Victoria sighed and melted into his arms. She had waited so long for this day to come.