The next morning I woke up in a rather good mood for someone who was dumped...twice. Well I don't think it was dumping. Either way it is something I prefer not to be reminded about. Going to the vanity I look in the mirror and my eyes go right to my lips. It's then I remember my kisses with James and I can see myself blush in the mirror. Why does it feel like my hearts on fire? Quickly I get dressed and go downstairs to breakfast where Jane, Fanny and James are sitting about to eat as well.

"Oh thank goodness, we were worried about you last night." Jane says as I sit down across from James.

"I'm sorry, I guess the rain slowed me down a bit." I reply as I take a drink of orange juice.

Sensing eyes on me I look to James who bashfully looks down as his plate just after our eyes meet. Smiling I look to Jane who just saw what happened between James and I. Raising her eye brow she smiles at me as if to say "You better explain later" but in a good way. Fanny seems a bit oblivious as she looks right at James almost like she was going to begin where she left off.

"I hear there is another ball tonight, Fanny I am sure that will cheer both you and Clara up will it not?" Jane questions as she begins to eat.

"Oh another ball?! That does sounds rather exciting!" Fanny replies as she takes a bite of her food.

Another ball? How many of these balls do people have here? My feet will be killing me before the end of the night I know that. I just look down and continue to eat my food. Thinking back I do know how to dance sort of...I learned a lot from "Dirty Dancing" and if I tried that here...that would probably not end well.

"If you still need lessons Clara I would be glad to assist you." James says speaking up as I look up. "After all once you know a few that is all you need to know wouldn't you agree miss Austen?"

"Quite so, I believe that is a very good idea Clara." Jane replies with a nod.

"I would be very happy to learn from you Mr. Plumtree. Thank you for your offer." I say showing proper manners.

Jane and Fanny both look up at me with raised eye brows. Ok so the time I try to fit in and I get that look? That doesn't seem very fair. Just as I started to eat again I began to wonder if I would be able to keep this secret here forever. If I did stay and marry someone wouldn't I have to tell them? Would this change history in a big way?

"Good, then would you like to start after breakfast?" Plumtree asks me.

"Yes, I think that would be fine." I accept with a smile.

He wasn't kidding, right after breakfast James leads me into a rather large room that is practically empty. Is this a ballroom too? I still had no idea about the lay out of the house. Looking at the room I was a bit in awe just by the details that were in this room. Everything was perfect.

"Do you know any of the dances?" James as me drawing my attention back to him.

'Not any that you would know.' I think to myself as I just shake my head no. James smiles and walks right up to me. Lifting my right arm in the air he brings our hands together and begins to teach me the most basic dances. If only I could teach him some dances from my time. Then again he might have a heart attack if I did that.

"Always keep your head up, don't let anyone have the power to make you lower it." he tells me as we begin to practice the steps and as we turn our eyes meet again just like in the rain.

Is it bad that I do want to be kissed by him again? I mean first with Westley I wasn't sure how I truly felt about him and then with George everything happened so quickly. I liked being with them but I don't think I ever felt truly comfortable with them yet here I am with James perfectly as ease and even dancing with him. That is a record in either time period.

James then stops as he bows to me and I curtsey to him just as I was taught. Oh so many rules. I blow a breath out of my mouth and it blows my bangs out of my eyes. James laughs at me as I look over at him wondering what has him laughing.

"What's so funny?" I ask him as I cross my arms being a little defensive.

"You don't seem to like dancing very much do you?" James questions as he walks to my side.

"It's not that, it just takes time to learn and become comfortable with it." I tell him as I stand right before him.

"Then we shall just have to practice even more." he says taking my hand again getting ready to practice...yet again.

James then pulls me close and embraces me out of the blue. It did throw me off a little but I returned his hug. I felt so comfortable with him...maybe a little too comfortable? No, stop putting a negative view on everything! Yes we have had troubles but James has always been well just James his true self has always been there. Yet I wonder yes I know he kissed me but does he truly have feelings for me?

"You are very beautiful Clara. I suppose I have never told you that have I?" he says and I feel him tuck a stray hair of mine behind my ear. "I still remember when you rode on Achilles with your hair down. It was something that truly got my attention."

I remembered that day, after all I almost killed Fanny with a horse. I nodded my head when I felt him pull the pin from my hair. My long red hair came cascading down onto my shoulders. James smiled as he put his hand on the back of my neck leading us closer and closer together. Just as our lips were about to meet the door opens.

"What in the world?!" We hear the loud voice of Fanny scream out at us.

Yet that didn't stop James he pulled me the rest of the way and our lips met, much to Fanny's disappointment and screaming that I am sure the next estate over could easily hear.

(Plumtree pictured above)