Saving Gray

Chapter One;

Adelaide Kane this is how I envision Lady Cynthia Ward you may imagine her as whomever you choose.

5th October 1811

Glancing out of the carriage window as it came to a stop outside of a very familiar building, Lady Cynthia Ward let out a sigh as she waited for the footmen to lower the steps and open the door. Just as I heard my uncle's voice "If it isn't my beautiful niece" I hear him say as I take his hand stepping down from the carriage. Knowing my cheeks were turning a rosy shade of red I took my uncle's arm as we headed towards the steps, before reaching the top step the front door was swung open and my aunt came out a bright smile beaming across her face "Cynthia, it is so lovely to see you again I feel like it has been so long since we last saw one another".

I couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped my lips "you saw me not but a month ago Aunt Ida" hearing my uncle chuckle from behind us, I quickly glanced over my shoulder sending him a small smile before we entered the house. Watching as the footmen took my trunk upstairs I followed my aunt as she guided me into the drawing-room where my cousins were sat, Lady Georgiana was sat at the pianoforte, Lady Elizabeth was sat sipping tea with her twin Sister Lady Katherine and their older brothers Lord Nicholas and Lord Irvin were stood talking in the corner.

Watching as Georgiana jumped up with an excited glee I couldn't help but smile "Cousin Cynthia" she all but shouted as we quickly embraced before hugging my other cousins. "Come sit beside Katherine Cynthia we must talk about the Soirée's in which we are to attend this season the first being the Debutante ball held by Lord and Lady Graham this evening" my aunt happily mumbled as she sat on the settee opposite just as I heard my uncle announce his departure to the study. Even though this was to be my third season I still felt the feeling of what could only be described as the flutter of butterfly wings, "now I will have Georgiana's lady's maid attend to you before the Soirée this evening Cythina, now how is your mama and papa?".

Placing my hands in my lap I smiled gently at my aunt, I had missed her and my uncle terribly when I had returned home to Dudmaston Hall at the end of last season but I was also happy to be back even if my oldest brother Andrew was home to receive the training he would need to be the next Earl of Dudmaston from our papa. "They are both well Aunt Ida, mama misses her brother something terrible. They did mention that they may come for a visit should their plans allow for it" watching as my aunt's smile grew wider if that was at all possible before calling upon Georgiana's Lady's maid. Hearing the door open I glanced over to see a young woman with blonde hair that seemed almost white pulled up into a simple braided bun, watching as she curtseyed "You called for me your grace?" she watched us all carefully.

"Rose I would like for you to meet one of my nieces this is Lady Cynthia Ward, I would like for you to attend to her as you do with Georgiana?" my aunt smiled at her "Of course milady, shall both Lady Cynthia and Lady Georgiana have need of me tonight, Your Grace?. She smiled softly at us both before glancing back to Aunt Ida "Yes please rose it is the first Soirée of the season this evening now Georgiana, Cynthia why don't you girls follow rose and start to prepare for this evening." Nodding I glanced over towards Georgiana who now no longer preoccupied the pianoforte and was slowly making her way towards me. After bidding my aunt a goodbye I placed my arm in Georgiana's as we followed rose up the stairs and in the direction of Georgiana's bed-chamber that happened to be right near to mine.

We entered the bed-chamber which was to be my room for the remainder of the season where I carefully opened my trunk looking at all of my gowns, smiling I picked up a deep green dress as I allowed rose to help me out of my traveling gown before helping to fasten my corset and the lovely green dress. "I pray I am not speaking out of turn but you are sure to be the belle of the ball milady," rose said as she finished tying the lace of my gown as I glanced over my shoulder at her, shaking my head I smiled "Of course not rose now let's see to my hair shall we" slowly moving forward I sat down at the dresser as I watched Rose take the pins from my hair and slowly brush it.