For the next couple of days I was giddy and nervous about meeting lane again. But as the week drew on and It was getting closer to the next Sunday. One week and I had heard nothing from him since our kiss in the jacket room and his promise to come again. My giddy mood started to drown into a puddle of depression. Leah tried to cheer me up, but nothing would take my mind off of lane and why I had heard nothing from him. I had read many romance novels where the young man makes the women believe he is in love with her; then when he got what he wanted left without a word. I didn't  think lane was doing that to me, but it was still unnerving. I focused on my music and my studies, trying to make it feel like nothing, like it didn't matter if he kept his promise or not.
" I always used to envy all the other girls who had men to worry about; but now I Pity them" I said to Leah I while I was helping her with the mending. I had been doing a particular hard stitch on an old petticoat when I spoke and ended up pricking my finger because I was not paying attention. 
"note to willow: do not sew when your mind is full of thoughts." Leah said trying not to giggle at my little mistake.
"thanks for the note Leah" I said sarcastically as I fixed my mistake.
"do you think he is coming back? I mean it's been almost a week".
"I'm sure he is just busy"
"sigh...maybe" I went back to my sewing, only too soon my mind wanders to lane; his handsome face, strong arms, brilliant blue eyes, and a love For music and literature like I. I wonder what it feels like to be held in his embrace, his kiss was as soft as a butterflies, are his embraces the same? I was thinking so much that I did not notice the host gesturing someone through the door.
"why hello there willow dear," came a familiar voice.
"Austin!" I gasped, I almost ran from my seat to embrace him,  but I remembered my newly graduated training.  " good afternoon Sir. Bevans, tis been a long period of time that I had not indulged in your company." I stood up and curtsied daintily towards him. Austin had been my best friend, besides Leah, since I have lived here. He has been gone for three years now to finish his education in France. It had been lonely without him around.
"Seems I am at the wrong residence. Is there a chance a young beautiful, yet wild and free, girl living here?" he said with a smile on his face.
"Perhaps I may be an assistance to you sir, what be her name?" I was wearing a practiced demure look on my face, fighting the urge to run to my friend. 
"Her name be that of a tree. A beautiful tree that hides itself from those non deserving to know the real beauty of it. Willow."
"I do know of a willow. But she is not what you speak her to be." I said, my mask almost slipping at our humor.
"She is no longer her. I see with my own eyes that she does not exist anymore; instead a beautiful young lady of the London society has taken her place, and now, (he throws his arms open wide) I demand she come welcome her friend with a long awaiting hug." his smile was so amazing, I ran towards him, discarding my sewing to the floor, and threw myself into his arms. 
"oh Austin! This is still the old Willow," I stood back and looked him up and down for a couple seconds. "But I'm not sure if this handsome young man is the same Austin who left for France two years past. For he was just a boy."
"that he was, but three years away from home has tamed that wild boy. And I see that the three years I left has tamed the wild girl."
I looked into his familiar eyes, they still  held a bright happiness inside of that ocean blue ring surrounding a sparkle
Of delight even in his black iris.  
" And Leah! I see you have upgraded!" he said letting go of me to give her a hug "you must he happy to be with Miss. Willow"
"oh I very much am." she smiled and hugged him back " and what willow says is truth, your three years away has changed you immensely."
"by gods grace you two sure look similar, even more than when we were little."
Leah and I both giggled identical Girly giggles.
"How long have you been back from

We were talking of various little things on the way back to the house. He told me stories of his travels when he was studying abroad and all the different cultures out there in this small world. We found some very common ground in music and literature the previous night, and it is unusual for me to find young men whom enjoy music as much as I, they all seem to know of literature but seldom any music. Not only does he respect it and know its history, he also plays it! We sat in the parlour and we talked with my famly about other various little things in our location.
``Oh my dear Willow, will you please play that song on the piano that I love so much?" She said as sweetly as she could casting little looks at Mr. Tremonton. "She is quite a wonder on the piano Mr. Tremonton."
"Miss. Willow, will you please play? I would love to hear" Lane gave me a smile and my stomache gave a flip.

I silently stood and walked to piano in the corner of the room. I sat down gracefully as I was taught and arranged my many layers of skirt so that they were still presentable. I put my finger tips of the keys and played the B flat conert tetra chord as a short warm up; the sound was beautiful. I then started to play "Ave verum corpus" by Wolfgang Mozart. I faded into the music like a butterfly dissapearing into the morning mists. I let my fingers play the music and my voice became the butterfly engulfed in it. Though I did not know what the latin words ment I felt as though I did. Every fibre in my body was a part of that music. I closed my eyes and let it completely over power me. When I sang the last note and my fingers fluttered over the last chord my spell was broken. I lingered on that last note smiling at myself, there is not anything in this world I could love more than music. I stood from the velvet covered bench, turned on that practiced demure face and turned to my audience. After a few seconds of clapping and "thank-yous", Lane walked over to me, he took my hand and kissed it gingerly. I fought down the blush coming into my cheeks, my mother wearing a satisfied smile as she watched, and gave him a small polite smile. I sometimes wish that I could show my real emotions, but tis not lady like to do so.

"I am afraid that I must take my leave now"

"Oh must you really?" asked my father "we verily enjoy your company."

Lane smiled and bowed to my parents, "I shall not intrude on you any longer, I have other buisness to achieve before the sun dissapears."

My father wore a childesh face of dissapointment, "well if you must, but do know that we will welcome you to our home anytime. Willow please escort Mr. Tremonton out."

"Yes Papa."

"Thank-you ever so much for alowing me the time to talk to your lovely daughter and yourselves." Lane bowed again and I took his awaiting arm.

"That was the most wonderful playing I have ever heard my dear, and played by one of the most beautiful women."

"Thank-you Mr.Tremonton," I couldnt fight the blush in my cheeks I hope he didnt see. We stopped in the coat room, and he retrieved his coat and hat.

"Will you come again Mr.Tremonton?" He looked at me, then took a step forward, before I knew what was happening his lips touched mine, his one hand on my chin and the other pressed into my waist. I was shocked but I relaxed into his kiss. When he let me go his green eyes looked deeply into mine.

"Yes Willow, I will come again." Then he swept his hat ontop of his head and walked out the door, leaving me standing there breathless.

"I saw that," came a whisper from behind the curtain.

"ROBIN!?"

"Im gonna tell...no one." he ran away giggling.

ave verum corpus

Chapter One

I was woken up by the sounds of my maid preparing for the day. Sunday. A day of constant visits from people all over, most of whom you have no desire to talk to.

"Sorry I woke you miss Willow, I shall leave and let you sleep".

"No" I protested, "It's about time I get up".

"But it's Sunday Miss!"

"Oh Leah," I sighed getting out of bed. "W`eve been friends since we were children, there is no need for you to call me Miss".

"But you are a lady, Miss, and I am your maid".
I walked over to where she was filling the wash bin and hugged her.
"stubborn" I muttered. She just smiled at me and hugged me back. That radiant mischievous smile of hers. Leah had been my first friend here, actually my first friend at all. We have been inseparable as could possibly be with our different ranks, Which was why I was so happy when Mrs. Mistings appointed her my personal maid at my coming out. Leah was of normal height with hair was black as mine that flows down to her bosom. Her eyes are a mysterious dark emerald green that gave her the look of a graceful cat. Mr. Mistings said that we could pass as sisters. We like to think of ourselves as sisters, she really feels like one to me. Since my coming out 3 months ago I haven't had the time I used to with her. I want her to come with me to Balls, dinner parties, to come and giggle about the young men who asked us to dance, and wonder about who we would rather marry out of them all. One day when we had some time alone together, I dressed her up in one of my ball gowns and pulled her hair up in piles of curls. I painted her lips and lids and we both stood in the full length mirror. You could barley tell the difference between the two of us. When there was a rap on my door Leah answered it while I hid behind the dressing curtain. It was little Robin who did not even notice that it was Leah. We spent the rest of the night giggling about switching lives for a while. Meaning she would go to balls and I would stay and be the maid to her. What an exciting adventure! I decided to make a story of it and tell it to Leah and Robin. They both loved to hear my stories. I would sometimes work all day on a new story for them and then I would write it down.
"stop helping me and sit down so that I can brush out your hair" Leah scolded.
I smiled and put the laundry I had begun to fold down.
"Only if i get to do yours next" I sat on the window seat and let her undo my braid and brush out my long thick black hair.
"Do you know why Mrs`s has been so giddy lately?" I asked her.
"I believe she thinks you shall find a husband quickly" she giggled.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because of all the nice things people have been saying bout you, plus all the handsome young men that have been calling on you." She let out another giggle.
I smiled at that thought. I looked out the window, facing the gardens, all the trees, grasses, and flowers where looking more and more livelier by the day now. The leaves where turning green and the flowers where very close to blooming. It all looked so peaceful with the bright pink and violet sky behind them. Since the sun wasn't fully up, it meant that Leah and I had at least an hour together before splitting our separate ways.
"Well are you going to tell me about last night or not?" asked Leah, "meet anybody special?"
I blushed and tried to hide my smile. she noticed.
"Oh I see," she giggled, "Whats his name?"
"His name is Joseph," I sighed, "Joseph Tremonton, Oh Leah he was such a gentlemen!" I exclaimed.
"The way we talked, and we didn't talk of fickle things, we talked of books and schools, and what life is like on the other side of the country. He was so handsome and I felt as if Ive known him for years and years. I lost my breath when he touched my hand and his eyes were the most magnificent turquoise"
I stopped, for I realized I was making a fool of myself.
"Well" Leah said trying to sustain her laughter, "I think that someone's in love"
I sighed again.
"let her laugh" I thought, "maybe I am in love, oh I do hope that I see him soon, or that he will leave his card or call on me"
I sent a silent prayer in hopes that this man was as good as he seems. 

                                                                         *&*

"Robin will you please stop fooling around this instant" Misses. Mistings said sternly.

"He's not causing any harm love," Mr. Mistings said "He's just playing."

"But he's playing in the curtains!"

"I'm perfectly aware of this love," said Mr. Mistings with a wink in Robin's direction, he doesn't like the curtains.

"GAH!" Misses. Mistings threw her hands up in defeat, and Mr. Mistings snatched one and kissed it tenderly.

"What a pair," I thought to myself. Sometimes you would think these to where newly weds, instead of married for 24 years. The Misses is tall and and light on her feet, she always has a smile, except for the darker times. Today she wore a dark purple chemise that made her light brown eyes and hair seem to glow.

Mr. Mistings is a tall gentlemen. He wore his usual dark grey suite that made his hair look slightly grey itself, though he was still quite young. He is a playful character, always getting into trouble with his son. Fortunately there are not very many visitors after church. I sit on the window setee in our visitor parlor with a book in hand. Most adults don't not approve of my reading, but I don't care what they think because books are wonderful creations that take you wherever you want to go.

The sun beams where warm on my face and I smiled as Robin jumped into one of the last rays, he was pretending to be a hero standing in a godly beam of light. I started seeing a story in the mists so I closed my book, not wanting to loose the ideas that just came into my head. I stood and addressed the Mr. and Misses with a curtsy.

"Yes Willow dear?" Mr. Mistings asked.

"If I may, I would like to go for my walk before the evening tea."

They both nodded. I dipped into another curtsy before crossing the parlor to the hall. I felt a little bump at my side and stared down at little Robin.

"Can I come with you sis?"

"Not this time little bird," I said.

"Why not?" his smile turning into a pout. I bent down and gave him a sisterly hug. "I need to think alone"

His eyes lit up in recognition, "A new story, Yes!" He did a little happy dance on the spot before running down the hall to tell Leah. I Chuckle to myself as I walked the opposite way to the back door. I took my apron from the hanger, Misses. Mistings asks me to wear it to help keep my dresses clean, and tied it over my green chemise.

the sun was high in the sky, its rays dancing on my skin, I stood there and took all that I could in. My fingers tingled, as if some extraordinary power was coming to life.

The family graveyard consisted of at least 8 tombs. My mother was one of the few to be buried alone in a single grave. I try to bring flowers to her every ten days so that the grave never looks lonely. I liked to bring flowers for the others as well, thought I never knew them, I want them to know that they are not forgotten.

Esmera once taught me that if you take chamomile and dry it, it will make the graveyard smell sweet and will ease the spirits still here. My mother used to believe that some people could connect with them, when I was but a little girl I didn't know what she was really talking about. I was reading a book once and I came across a passage explaining how it was done, I remembered my mother doing all of those things, but I don't think she ever connected with anything. Putting away those thoughts I placed my hand on the smooth cross of stone and started to tell her my new story.

"What do you think?" I asked the cross.

"I enjoyed it very much," replied a male voice.

I sprang to my feet in surprise.
 "Mr. Tremonton!" I exclaimed, "You should not listen while one talks with herself, its quite rude."
 I quickly smoothed out my skirts and untied my apron, folding it in my hands. I was trying to maintain that serious look that the misses always uses, but my attempts weren't that great, for I fear he saw my smile. He grinned amusingly at me.

"Good afternoon Miss Mistings. I'm sorry I frightened you, your right I should not have intruded, but your story engulfed me."

I thought I could see a light around him, a baby blue shine, but once I registered it, it was gone. "Must have been my eyes," I said to myself. forgetting whose company I was in I quickly dropped into a curtsy and thanked him sincerely for the compliment. My heart was beating so fast that I swear he could hear it.

"May I ask you who the grave belongs to?" he asked.

"You may, her name was Esmera," I paused, "a cousin to the Mistings."

"Esmera... are you sure?"

What an odd question?

"Yes I am sure."

"I had heard that you were adopted from the other ladies of the street."

I grimaced, they never had anything nice to say to people about me. "I'm sure you think lower of me then?"

He took on a skeptical look, "Of course not!"
 I nodded courteously and did not reply.

"Would you allow me to walk you back to your house Miss Willow?"

"Thank you Mr. Tremonton, I would rather enjoy your company,"

I took his awaiting arm and let him lead me back to the house. As I took in every detail of him and I think fell in love with him right there.

"I wonder if he feels the same?"

Prolouge

It's dark out, but I know my way around these gardens. My bare feet picked up speed as they found that familiar stone path that led to the great oak tree. The moon was covered by clouds allowing my feet to have eyes. When I make it to the tree I grab the nearest branch and start to lift my body up towards the dark sky. I know this tree as well as I know my own body, so climbing it was natural. Sitting on the highest branch I could reach, my breaches comforting my legs against the rough bark, I'm sweating now. After the party and dancing with countless boring men, I was exhausted, but the peace of my old friend was worth the climb. These were the moments of the day I loved the most. Sitting here in the very spot the Mistings found me and took me in as their own. My mother and I had come to London 13 years ago looking for a doctor. She had been sick for as long as I could remember. Doctors kicked us out because she was gypsy, and gyspsys were said to only own stolen money. I was six years old when I held her hand as she took her last remaining breaths of life. I wanted to cry, but she had taught me that people can use your tears against you. I took out the heart shaped locket with a picture of her holding me as a baby, the other side had a blurry picture of a man I'd never met, my father. A day hasn't gone by that I don't wear it or have it with me. Esmera, my mother, used to always tell me stories of far off lands. Places with huge forests and flowing rivers and beaches. She had traveled all over the country, but when she had me her health began to fail, so our caravan stayed around the London city. My mother had the boys teach me how to climb trees since she was to frail to climb so high. We usually stayed in the tree areas away from people, though I had always wanted to meet the the glittery people traveling in their shiny carriages with the beautiful angelic horses that reminded me of the myth of Pegasus, just without the wings. I would pester the old people of our caravan about the glittery people, I figured they would know more, but they were also easy targets because they couldn't run away from me. Most of the time they were mute on the topic and I would walk away with a piece of bread instead information. One night I was sitting on Gran's lap nibbling on some toffee that she had traded for from a passing caravan. It was divine! I had never tasted anything so sweet but tough. I pestered her and snuggled her till finally she broke! Telling me stories of the people in "High Society," Apparently the Glittery people were known as Lady's and Gentlemen. I sat on her lap with eyes wide, fascinated, with the images in my head of shinning tall houses, the women with perfectly done hair and sparkly dresses and shoes. I never knew anything about being a lady, not like now.
When my mother went to try and find a doctor, Gran was supposed to keep me with the caravan, I followed. Mother tried to be angry, but instead she took my hand and thanked me. I didn't know that this was walk through the alleys in London would be my last adventure with her. My mother and I were walking companions, she believed that walking clears the mind and allows you to think beyond what your eyes can see. She felt the same way about trees, even at my young age I could tell that she longed to climb the trees, feel the strong trunk and the beautiful branches, her stairway to the sky. The freedom of the sky was heaven to us, but London was so scary, I'm alone, and I didn't know my way back to the caravan, and Gran.
 When the Mistings found me in their tree they decided to give me a home and a proper education. They had no children and Mrs. Mistings had always wanted a little girl. I started my education to become a lady of London right away, since I was six I had a lot to learn, and the other children of the neighbourhood were far ahead of me, but I picked it up quick. It was like I was born with it. Not only was I becoming a lady of London, I was becoming a high lady of London. The Mistings were relatives of the royal family, nothing close to the throne, but still recognized. I grew to love Mr. & Mrs. Mistings as my mother and father. And when I was eight years old they had a son, Robby. He is such a sweet little thing, annoying, but still sweet. They also buried Esmera in their family grave yard, so I could see her whenever I wanted. Though in order to keep me, the stone was blank. The Mistings told the story that I was a third cousins child, orphaned due to ammonia. The moon was starting to sink into the sky and I could just barley see the start of the early mornings pink clouds starting to rise. I climb down my tree and sprint back up the path. I always use the servants corridor to get back to my rooms. It was empty at this time. I open the door into my hallway and check to see if anyone was there. Empty. before I went to room, I changed out of my male breaches, which I had stolen from the clothing line, and tucked them beneath my bed, slipped on my night gown and dashed quietly to my rooms. One hand on the locket.