Chapter 2
The Ball!

The sound of the wheels and horses clomping through the dirt road was the only noise hear as the Dawsons made their way to Newcastle for the ball Mrs. Dawson was in very bad humor as she stared out the window when she found out that a maid was to go with them and that she was to wear a French ball room dress from her brother she threw a fit and her daughters cried but they went in a sulky mood but by the day of the ball they had forgotten all about it and told themselves that it didn’t matter because he would still like them best they were determined to ignore their cousins as much as possible and that is what they were doing in the carriage occasionally giving her and her friend dirty looks and sometimes staring enviously at Catharine’s new dress.

But soon they forgot all about it as they came closer to Newcastle even their mother cheered up a bite and said "Now girls remember what I told you about first impressions”.

They nodded and as the carriage came to a stop the Port man opened the door and the ladies got out. They made their way to the house entrance music was playing and talking was heard they went in.
The Butler checked their names off the list as they went in the house.
Inside there was liveliness and they went into the room and stood around watching the dance.
Ssuddenly through the door came Mr.Jones and the music stopped everyone looked up at him he was leading his sister by the hand and behind him his other sister was being lead by the hand of another young Gentleman!

Everyone was silently studying Mr. Jones he was of medium height with a fair face and handsome features and was dressed very gentleman like but his friend caught the attention of the others especially Anne.

He was tall with a good figure dark handsome features and very gentleman like.
It was soon circulated that his name was Darcy and he was a naval officer on leave!

Anne turned to Catherine who was next to her and said “Don’t you think he is much more handsome then Mr. Jones”?

Catherin smiled, “Certainly although I do think Mr. Jones is more my type”.

“Good then you can have him and I can have Mr. Darcy.”

They giggled playfully then the music started again and the two girls moved to the side of the room and watched with amusement as Mrs. Dawson took her two daughters up to Mr. Jones and his friend and introduced themselves.

The Gentlemen smiled polity and nodded then they both took one girl and went to the dance floor after the dance was over Catherine and Anne were talking in a corner when they heard a voice which said “If you are otherwise not engaged may I request the next dance Mrs. Dawson “?

Anne looked up surprised to see the face of Mr. Darcy!

Well uhh sure it would be a pleasure she said curtsying he bowed and went away.

How did he know my name asked Anne out loud?

“He must have gotten it from your uncle” said Catherine with a smile .

Anne blushed. Surprised and embarrassed on being asked after for she was sure that is how he had gotten her name the next dance came and Mr. Darcy came up to her she curtsied and taking his hand.

They went onto the dance floor! They began the dance in silence and Anne who was shy was happy to have it that way when suddenly he spoke “you are an orphan I believe”? “Yes I was at at a young age orphaned and live with my uncle”! .

He nodded “I am an orphan to I went to sea at 15 and heard while at sea that my father had died of stroke I went back to try to find my sister but they told me she was nowhere to be found we searched hard but eventually had to give up and I went back to the navy”!

“That’s interesting” said Anne “you see that girl there she said pointing at Catherine she is my adopted sister my uncle found her at a maid orphanage and took her in her story is much like yours she told me her brother left home when he was 15 to join the navy then soon after her father died and she was frightened and ran away from home and wandered into London and was a beggar until she was picked up by the offices of the orphanage”!

“Really” he said “and how old is she”?
19 like myself! “Could it be he thought you say her name is Catherine well that is my sisters name to and she is the right age two could it be it would be wonderful to know that she was still alive”.

After the dance Anne took him over to Catherine who was sitting in the corner watching the couples she looked up and said with a smile “you do well together”
“Thank you”! Said Darcy then Anne said “Catherine Mr. Darcy hear would like to dance with you”! “Me”! Said Catherine with shock “very well but I must warn you sir I am not a very good dancer”!“You will be more than sufficient”he said talking her hand and leading her to the floor.

Anne watched them intently through the whole dance she watched with a happy smile as she saw her friends face light up with shock and Mr. Darcys face brighten to she smiled could she wish for anything better for her friend the dance was soon over and Catherine came toward her flushed and with a happy smile said “guess what I just found out something wonderful”! “I can see”. said Anne “come dear tell me what is it is”! Anne blurted out “my brother is still alive”! “Really”！ Said Anne with a smile “and where is he”? "Hear”! Said Catherine “right her behind me”!

Anne looked at Mr. Darcy who smiled and said “it is true everything matches up the date our fathers name our last name and our age it all adds up”!

“That is wonderful”! Said Anne I am so happy for you “I must tell Mr. Jones”. Said Mr. Darcy “excuses us”! He said to Anne taking Catherine’s hand and walking toward Mr. Jones.

She watched as Catherine was introduced and Mr. .Jones and his sisters listened with Astonished faces as he told the story others were also listening ad once the story was over everyone began talking at once Mrs. Dawson came up and said Mr. Darcy “How happy I am for you isn’t wonderful girls she said to Marry and Jane “Yes mama they said “we were always good friends with her weren’t we Anne“? They said as Anne walked up.

Mr. Darcy frowned and said “really because I hear a very different account from my sister hear that you have treated her very ill indeed and that Anne hear was her only friend while she was with you”!

Marry and Jane were speechless as was the mother.

Mr. Jones broke the silence with “well now on that happy note shall we continue where did the music go”? “Come now step up everyone the music began again”!

The ball was soon over and The Dawsons were asked to stay a Little longer for Mr. Darcy said he would like to speak with Mr. Dawson some more after everyone left.

They were led into the drawing room and all sat down Mr. Darcy spoke first
“I would like to say first that I am extremely happy to find that my sister is alive and well and that I wish with all my heart I had never left but that cannot be helped now. Secondly I would like to thank Mr. Dawson for his kindness in taking her in and to Mrs. Anne for being such a good friend to her his thanks was received cordially. And now come to the point I want her to come and live hear while I stay in Newcastle I have talked it over with Mr. Jones and his sisters and they are more than willing to help out then when I go back into the navy she can decide if she would rather live with Mr. Jones or Mr. Dawson that is completely up to her?

There was a long silence Catherine was struggling to make a choice of course she wanted to go and live with her brother but what about Anne she couldn’t just leave her to this fate of working alone again so she made up her mind she said “brother please don’t take this personally but I would rather stay with Anne we have both become good friends and she needs me.”

There was silence for a few moments then Mr. Darcy looked at his sister and said
“well here is what I proposes I only have a week to be hear then I have to go back to the navy, until then why don’t both of you come and stay with me and Mr., Jone He said giving his friend a pleading look. Mr. Jones nodded in agreement“yes why don’t you come”? “After all Catherine you might never have another chance like this to see your brother again”.

If that is alright with you Sir” said both men looking at Mr. Dawson It is alright with me” said Mr. Dawson if the girls will agree?“Of course “said both of them together “that would be wonderful”! “Great”! Said Mr. Darcy “then we can begin.” “Come we can show you to the rooms you will be staying in and we will send a servant for your cloths” .

Mrs. Dawson and her two daughters tried to keep their faces composed but then right after they had got into their carriage and were making their way toward home Mrs. Dawson threw a fit “how could you” she screamed to her husband .“Well he said what did you want me to do refuse that would have looked very bad in the eyes of both men. Was I to refuse his request to be with his sister before he went into the navy or make ourselves look good in his eyes? Dear be reasonable".Mrs. Dawson was quite after that but her daughters were crying all the way home and their father could not make them be quite.

Meanwhile back at Newcastle estate things were in a much more cheerful mood Catherine and Anne sat down in the drawing room with Mr. Jones two sisters Linda and Lidya They were two of the most elegant and sweet women they had ever met and soon they were talking and getting to know each other better.

Once the girls were gone the two men came into the drawing room with the lights out.
And sat talking in hushed whispers do you think they suspect said Edward Darcy to his friend Henry Jones .He shook his head “not in the least “,”when will you return to the Swift Death”! “Just as soon as I can jump ship my men are waiting for me Jones under no circumstance are you to let my sister know my real business it would lead to unwanted questions about both of us” ! “I understand I would not want to frighten my sisters off ether they are safest with me and I will make sure to watch over your sister as well.” ”And her friend”said Edward with a slight smile.Jones winked at him “of course her friend to I wouldn’t forget about her”.
Edward punched him playfully and the two men left the drawing room and headed off to get something to eat.

Meanwhile the girls were talking together in their bed room “what do you think about all that just happened”Anne asked “it is truly amazing that things should turn out like this” said Catherine “just think we both became beast Friends under unusual circumstances and under even more unusual circumstances I met my brother who I thought was dead”! “Yes it is most unusual” said Anne “and what about now knowing that you might never see him again for he is going into the Navy”!
“It is sad” said Catherine “I do so wish that I could spend more time with him but what can be done about it”? “Nothing”!“So I must just enjoy my time with him while I can”.Then they both drifted off into a deep sleep.

The week went by uneventfully Anne and Catherine stayed at the large estate of Newcastle and did uneventful things Catherine’s brother taught them both horseback riding and other sports. But all to soon a week was up and they were at the port waving goodbye to their new friend. He kissed both of them goodbye then waved from the ship as he sailed away.