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Anne Stark stood quietly in the corner at the pianoforte waiting for the dancing to begin. There wasn't enough gentleman for every lady so Anne was volunteered to play the music "Oh let Anne play the music she won't mind not dancing" said Elizabeth Stark her older sister who was twirling her dark hair around her finger. Anne sighed because once again she was stuck at the pianoforte as her fingers began to glide across the keys she wished that she was among the dancers. She watched their movements and the enjoyment on everyone's faces. The Scottish Reel was a favorite of everyone in Shieldton so it was requested quite often. They were half way through when the door opened startling Anne and making her fumble on the keys. The dancing stopped to see the Vicar Mr. Samuel Wilson and another gentleman who was dressed in a Navy lieutenant's uniform. Anne's older brother Sir Anthony (Tony) Stark walked over to greet them "Mr Wilson welcome to our party and who is friend that you have brought with you?" asked Tony. Mr. Wilson bowed to Tony "Sir Tony it is a pleasure to be here tonight please forgive me for my late arrival. My dear friend Lieutenant Clinton Barton arrived earlier than expected so I thought it would nice if he join us this evening as well. I hope that is not too much trouble" said Mr. Wilson. Tony only smiled and nodded "Of course we are delighted to have any friend of yours Mr. Wilson" replied Tony.

Mr. Wilson got a huge grin on his face "My I introduce Lieutenant Clinton Barton" said Mr. Wilson. Tony and Elizabeth bow as did Lieutenant Barton. Mr Wilson looked around the room and smiled "Oh were we dancing?" asked Mr. Wilson. Sir Tony smiled "Yes but unfortunately there is not enough gentleman for every lady to enjoy the dancing so two of my sisters have to sit out" responded Sir Tony. Mr. Wilson nodded "Well it appears that the Lieutenant and I have arrived just in time then" said Mr. Wilson happily. He stepped forward "Miss. Stark may I have this dance?" asked Mr. Wilson. Elizabeth nodded "Yes of course but who will play the pianoforte if Anne is dancing?" asked Elizabeth with a frown. Just then Miss Carol Danvers stepped forward looking slightly flushed "Miss Stark I could play for awhile it will give me some rest and give dear Miss Anne a chance to dance as well" said Miss Carol Danvers happily.

Sir Tony stepped forward "Thank you Miss Carol and Lieutenant Barton may I have the pleasure of introducing you to my middle sister Miss. Anne Stark." said Sir Tony. The Lieutenant nodded as Sir Tony guided him to a young woman in a light lavender dress and with light brown hair with red highlights and was piled on the top her head with two ringlets on the sides. They walked over to the pianoforte where Anne was sitting, both men bowed to Anne. "Sister may I have pleasure of introducing you to Lieutenant Barton"  said Tony firmly. Anne looked up at both men with a surprise look on her face. She stood up quickly but as took a step out she stumbled over a leg of the bench and fell forward. Lieutenant instinctively reached out and caught her, he had his arms around her and he looked down at her it was like the world stood still as he looked into her deep brown eyes. It seemed like everyone else disappeared and he feel her heart which seem to beat with his.

Anne could feel herself falling forward but then it stopped and she looked up to see Lieutenant Barton's sky blue eyes staring down into her's. Her heart began to race and she forgot everything else around her it was like he was seeing into her soul. But all too soon she was awoken to reality when she heard "Oh Miss Anne are you well?" asked a voice. Anne turned to Miss Danvers staring at her with concern her face. Anne nodded and quickly stepped back from Lieutenant Barton's arms which left her feeling empty. "Yes, Miss. Danvers I am well just a little fumble is all no harm done" Anne responded giving Miss Danvers a reassuring smile. She turned to the Lieutenant " Thank Lieutenant Barton for catching me" said Anne with a soft smile. Lieutenant Barton bowed "Of course Miss Anne I am glad to be of aid but I must ask are okay nothing is a miss" he asked with concern tone. Anne nodded "I am well I promise" she replied with a smile.

Miss Danvers then clapped her hands "Oh then you two must dance Miss Anne is such a delightful dancer but always gets stuck at the pianoforte" said Miss Danvers excitedly. Anne blushed deeply at Miss Danvers words but Lieutenant Barton just smiled "Well now shall we see how well you dance?" asked Lieutenant hold out his hand to her with a  slight bow. Anne's eyes brighten and as she took his hand even though they were gloved she felt a spark go up her arm. Anne jumped slightly at the sensation but Lieutenant Barton held firm to her hand.

Once they made their place in the line the music began and as Anne looked into Lieutenant Barton's eyes she swore she had never seen such blue eyes. They were like the sky after a rainstorm the sun chased all the clouds away. He never looked away from her and she didn't look away from him. All they saw was each other and time stood still. They movement in tandem never taking a misstep. But all too soon the song came to an end and he placed her arm on his elbow and guided her back to the side of the room near her brother.

Anne and Lieutenant Barton spent most of the evening chatting about their likes and dislikes. They had the same taste of music both big lovers of Mozart and Bach and Beethoven. Anne was surprised when he recalled his favorite poem word for word from John Keats
"Bright Star, would I steadfast as thou art
Not lone splendor hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores
Or gazing on the newly soft fallin mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors

Not yet stedfast, still unchangeable
Pillow'd upon my love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever it's fall and swell
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest
Still,still to hear her tender-taken breath
And so live ever-do or swoon to death

His voice was firm and deep with much passion and his eyes looked deeply into her eyes his sky blue eyes with her chocolate brown never leaving each other the words touching each other hearts.  A clearing of the throat called them back to reality. They both turn to see Lady Maria Hill standing next to them looking with a disapproving glare at Lieutenant Barton who quickly took a step back. "Miss Anne you look quite flushed are you well?" asked Lady Hill almost blocking the Lieutenant out. Anne looked at her godmother with a raised eyebrow " Yes, Lady Hill I am well the room is just warm and I have been dancing with Lieutenant Barton here and my cheeks must be flushed from the dancing is all" replied Anne. Lady Hill looked over at the lieutenant with a slight frown "I believe we have not be introduced" said Lady Hill and looked at Anne.
Who nodded " Lady Hill this Lieutenant Clinton Barton who is a good friend of Vicar Wilson and has come to stay with him and Lieutenant Barton this my godmother Lady Maria Hill" said Anne. Both people bow to each other and briefly took each other's hands.
 
Lady Hill just gave short nod "Lieutenant Barton it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance" said Lady Hill. Lieutenant Barton nodded " Yes Lady Hill it is a pleasure as well I have meet a many fine ladies tonight especially Miss Anne she is a graceful dancer and we have spoken of poetry and other many great things" replied Lieutenant Barton. Anne smiled at him who return it Lady Hill cleared her throat again "Miss Anne please sit down you aren't well" said Lady Hill firmly. But Anne shook her head " I am fine Lady Hill I promise" said Anne, Lady Hill nodded "Well then I wish a good evening and to take care Anne" said Lady Hill with a bow and turned to leave.

Once the Lady was gone Anne turn to Lieutenant "Please Lieutenant Barton for my godmother rudeness she is very protective of since my mother and father passed and still thinks of me as a child" said Anne with slight frown. Lieutenant just smiled at her " It is fine Miss Anne I understand completely my elder sister Natasha is very protective me as well" he said with a smile. Anne nodded "Are you and your sister close and spend much time together?" asked Anne. Lieutenant Barton smiled " Yes we are very close but we do not spend much time together since she spends most her time with her husband Admiral Banner at sea on his ship The Hulk" replied Lieutenant. Anne eyes widen "That is amazing she is on the ship with him she must have a strong character" said Anne. Lieutenant Barton just nodded "That she has I wouldn't be surprised if she was fighting along with Admiral's men she is quite a crack shot" said Lieutenant Barton laughing. Anne laughed "Oh I would love to make her acquaintance" said Anne. Lieutenant Barton grinned " Maybe someday you will" he replied.

The next day Anne and Elizabeth were in the parlor when the door open and a footmen announced " Mr Wilson and Lieutenants Barton to call upon you Miss Stark and Miss Anne" said the footmen. Elizabeth rolls her eyes "Yes let them in Jeffery" replied Elizabeth. "Oh Jeffery please have some refreshments sent up especially some of those shortbread cookies I know Lieutenant Barton would enjoy them" asked Anne softy. Elizabeth pressed her lips together "Sister they are not going to like your cookies so I don't know why you bother making them" said Elizabeth pulling a face. Anne rolled her eyes "It's mother's recipe and you know that those cookies were always very popular when she was alive so I make them to keep her memory alive" replied Anne in a sad tone. "Sister she and father are gone and you need to let it go" said Elizabeth firmly. Anne went to reply but the doors opened and Mr Wilson and Lieutenant Barton walked in. After the greeting were made Lieutenant Barton sat next to Anne "Miss Anne how are you today?" he asked. " I am well Lieutenant thank you for asking and how are you doing today? asked Anne.
Lieutenant just nodded " I am well and today is such beautiful day and you seem to have a lovely garden out there" replied Lieutenant Barton. Anne looked out the French door to the gardens which were in full bloom this spring time. "Yes, those gardens were my mother's she loved flowers" replied Anne. Lieutenant Barton saw the sad look in her eyes "I am sorry for your lost of your mother and father" said Lieutenant Barton in a soft tone. Anne nodded "Thank you it's been 5 years but it still feels like it was yesterday some days" replied Anne. Lieutenant Barton grabbed her hand gave it a small squeeze "I understand Miss Anne I also lost my parents in an accident at a young age so I know feeling of their lost how about a walk in the garden it may bring us so comfort" said Lieutenant Barton. Anne smiled "I will enjoy that very much" said Anne. Lieutenant Barton stood up and held out his arm which Anne took.

Anne and Lieutenant Barton were walking and talked just got to know each other. Weeks past and it was soon evident to everyone that Miss Anne Stark and Lieutenant Clinton Barton were forming an attachment. Lieutenant Barton taught Anne how to shoot a bow and arrow and Anne taught him some more difficult music and their love of poetry pulled them closer together. One afternoon two month into their acquaintance. Lieutenant Barton stop walking and turn to her " Miss Anne I must talk to you" he said nervously. Anne looked him with concern "Is everything alright Lieutenant?" she asked and she touch his arm. Lieutenant Barton nodded " Miss Stark everything is well  and matter of fact I hope everything will be wonderful after I ask you a question" said Lieutenant Barton.

Anne tilted her head, giving him a questioning look he just took her hand in his " Miss Anne I have to say from the moment I walked into that ballroom and heard such music being effortlessly played and I turned to see you with fingers dancing across the pianoforte was such passion it was like that was how the music was meant to be played with your very soul" he said with a smile. " Miss Stark dancing with you was like a ship gliding across a calm sea, the more time I have spent with you there has been such a connection I have never felt before it's like our souls are meant to be...I love you Anne Stark would do me the honor make me the happiest of men and become my wife" he asked getting down on his knee. Anne was stunned but then smile "Oh Lieutenant Barton I love you too nothing would make me happier than to become your wife" replied Anne.  Lieutenant Barton with a huge grin on his face stood up and embracing her gently and looking in her eyes then taking one hand under her chin pressing his lips with her in a gentle kiss to seal their engagement.

I hope you enjoyed reading this in the spirit my love of Jane Austen and Marvel. This is now its own book with the same title.