Uncontrollable Fire

1. Presenting All Ladies!

GROSVENOR SQUARE, 1813

Dearest reader, the time has come for us to place our bets for the upcoming social season. Consider the house of the Baron Featherington. Three misses foisted upon the marriage market by their tasteless... tactless mama.

Far better odds might exist in the household of the widowed Viscountess Bridgerton. A shockingly prolific family, noted for its bounty of perfectly handsome sons and perfectly beautiful daughters. How very perfect indeed!

Perhaps you're feeling adventurous and would wish to bet on the Marquess of Wharton's family. A Franco-English couple with two completely beautiful daughters and an incredibly handsome son, one must wonder why their eldest daughter is unmarried.

Thomas Montgomery, Marquess of Wharton, and his son and heir, Oliver, stood at the foot of the stairs, waiting for the Marchioness and two daughters to emerge, Thomas wore a navy blue ensemble, while his son wore grey-sh white. 

"Wouldn't it be better for them to not be put on the marriage mart?" Oliver asked.

Thomas looked up from his pocket watch "As a father who never wanted his little girls to grow up, I would certainly agree, but as a marquess and all that comes with it , I cannot as it's practically an unofficial law. I'm not enjoying it, but they'll at least be taken care of when your mother and I leave this mortal coil."

Oliver sighed. He despised it when his parents spoke of their inevitable deaths. They were still in good health and relatively youthful.

"Ah! There are the most beautiful women in the world!" His father remarked, glancing up from his pocket watch to focus his gaze upon the Marchioness, Adrienne Montgomery née Beauchamp, and their two daughters, Elizabeth or Lizzie as she preferred to be called, and Emilie.

"Mama, sisters. You look lovely today." The future Marquess commented the three women.

Adrienne smiled at her son "Merci, Oliver. You are a true gentleman. Come along my darlings!" Thank you.

As the Montgomery family got into their carriage, wth the two gentlemen hopping on their horses.

... ah, and who could forget the Pembertons, with only a son and daughter, a proper little lady and an attractive gentleman, but what lady shall be suitable in the Earl's eye, as no one is as acceptable as his own Countess. 

Inside the Pembertons carriage, Silas Pemberton watched as his daughter, Judith, look out the windows as they journeyed to Hampton Court Palace, currently the home of King George III and Queen Charlotte. 

Sitting next to him was his son and heir, Samuel, and across from the two Pemberton boys, and next to Judith was his wife, Martha Pemberton, Countess of Rochford.

"I look so very forward to this season, Mama." Judith 

Martha smiled "I'm glad you're looking forward dear. You know, your father and I met during my season." 

"We know, Mama." Samuel piped in, rolling his eyes, as he had heard the story one time too many. 

Silas grimaced. He remembered how Martha's father had behaved during her season, and now he knew why. The resistance of letting your young daughter becoming a man's wife and soon a mother... It terrified Silas. Judith was still relatively his little girl and damned societal standards!

"Silas, dear?" His wife broke him from his thoughts.

Silas looked at his family as they were approaching the Palace. "We're getting close. Remember to behave accordingly. Our family's reputation must be well represented."

Today is a most important day, and for some, a terrifying one, for today is the day London's marriage-minded misses are presented to Her Majesty the Queen. May God have mercy on their souls. 

As all the carriages arrived at the Monarch's residence and all entered and the young debutantes and their ambitious mamas waited behind a door for their name to be announced. 

"Miss Prudence Featherington, Miss Phillipa Featherington and Miss Penelope Featherington, all presented by their mother, the Right Honourable Lady Featherington." 

The three Featherington daughters squished their way past the door and towards the Queen. The door closed behind many waiting ladies until they heard a gasp. On the other side of the door, the younger children, and male relatives of the debutantes all exclaimed.

It is only the Queen's eye that matters today. A glimmer of displeasure... and a young lady's value plummets.

Prudence Featherington had gone and made a fool of herself and fainted just inches away from the Queen's feet, causing the Queen to grimace. Lady Featherington was mortified, while Phillipa and Penelope just looked around in confusion.

Now it was Daphne's turn, walking out the door with grace and elegance as she was raised to be, and of course she did wonderfully. The Queen even called her 'flawless' and kissed her forehead. 

"Miss Judith Pemberton, presented by her mother the Right Honourable Countess Rochford!" 

As the doors opened, Martha gave her daughter a confident look as she walked behind Judith as she elegantly walked to the Queen. Martha moved aside while her daughter bowed before the Queen, who gave a polite smile and nodded her head in approval as it was now time for the Montgomery ladies. 

"Miss Elizabeth Montgomery and Miss Emilie Montgomery, both presented by their mother, the Most Honourable Marchioness Wharton!"

Upon the doors opening, like allowing the brightness of the room to shine on the three, Adrienne gently pushed her two girls' backs as the two darker haired girls walked side by side, both gracefully. Lizzie noticed her sister was nervous, so she held her hand, smiling to her, before continuing their way to the Queen, where she had to let go and curtesy elegantly, as did Emilie.

The girls heads were both bowed down in respect, as they didn't believe themselves worthy to look into the eyes of such a woman like Queen Charlotte.

The Queen looked at Lizzie, who kept her head bowed down "You're a good sister, Miss Montgomery."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lizzie spoke politely, with a whiff of grace and courtesy.

The Queen smiled then nodded approvingly, before watching the Marchioness help her two girls up and stand back from the throne, bowing once again and moving aside for the next debutante.

But as we all know, the bright a lady shines, the faster she may burn. 

Daphne Bridgerton was now the Queen's favourite, and all the young ladies would see her as many things. 

An ally...

A friend...

A role model... 

And...

An enemy!