Imagine

Season at the Ton

Imagine this...

It's the beginning of the year's season of the ton and you are now of age to participate in the festivities to find a suitable husband. Unlike your two elder siblings who delight at the thought of dressing themselves in gowns and dancing around with the bachelors of the ton, you for one despise the idea of it all. 

After your coming out, and after being presented to the Royal Court, you and your family are now headed to the first ball of the season which officially starts the season's festivities.

As you and your family make your way into the ballroom of the palace, you see men in suits and women in all kinds of colorful gowns with their fans in hand. Upon entering, you are greeted by Lord Penbrook who was a dear friend of your late father. 

"Good Evening Ladies, you all look lovely tonight." One by one, he gently kisses the back of your hands, after exchanging polite pleasantries, your sisters excuse themselves.

"Good evening Lord Penbrook, you are looking quite sharp yourself." As your mother converses with Lord Penbrook, you excuse yourself as your sisters have done earlier on.

On your way to the table full of refreshments and little pastries, you accidentally bump into someone causing you to drop your fan. Looking up you see a tall man looking back at you with an apologetic look on his face.

"Apologies m'lady, I was not looking where I was going." 

"It's no problem sir, I was partly to blame as well." Flashing a kind smile, you go down to pick up your fan, but before you could the man stops you.

"Oh let me get that for you." As he bends down, you stand back up. Once he's risen back up to his full height, he hands you back your fan. As you go to thank him, you are cut off by your mother who slides in next to you.

When your mother sees who you are speaking with, her smile quickly turns into a shocked expression. "My Lord, I see you've met my daughter. Darling this is the young Duke of Sussex." 

At her words, your face mirrors her shocked one, turning to the man you now know is the duke, you rush out another apology.

"My Lord, I apologize for my prior clumsiness." Embarrassed, you bend down into a quick curtsy.

"It's no problem really, I myself wasn't paying much attention, but for what it's worth, I am glad I got to bump into quite a beautiful lady." At his words, your face flushes red.

"If that is so my lord, why don't you both go have a dance." Your mother says, to which your eyes widen at her abruptness.

"With your permission m'lady, would you care to have a dance with me?" Turning to you, the duke offers you his hand. Handing your fan to your mother, you put your hand in the dukes.

As he leads you to an empty spot on the designated dance area, your eyes don't leave his. Going into position, you wait until the first song plays.

[A/N Play the video above if you want hehe]

You and the duke dance through numerous songs only ending when the both of you start to get tired, although your dancing has ended, your time together has not. Throughout the evening, the both of you talk about anything and everything, and rarely in that time did you both separate from each other, and when you did it lasted mere minutes. 

By the end of the evening and everyone has started making their way home, your family included, you feel a wave of sadness that your evening with the duke must now come to an end. As your mother and sister walk on ahead to the carriage, you and the duke walk slowly behind them.

"Well m'lady, I had quite the time with you this evening and I am rather saddened that I must now bid you adieu." At the door, the duke turns to you.

"I am as well my lord, but hopefully I shall see you again soon." Smiling, you look up at the duke who returns your smile.

"We shall see then won't we m'lady, but for now I bid you a goodnight and I wish you a safe trip home." Placing one last kiss on the back of your hand, the duke guides you into the carriage where your mother and sisters are flashing you cheeky knowing smiles. As the door is shut, you flash the duke one last smile before the carriage rolls on forward.

"Well, this evening went better than expected didn't it darling." Giggling, your mother smiles at you.

With a bashful smile, you look out the window, and with thoughts of your evening with the young duke in mind, you quietly respond.

"It surely did mother. It surely did,"

***

A quick definition of terms:

The Ton- Was the high society of England in the regency era

Season-The prime time for social events for high society in London

Coming out- When a lady is first introduced into society and is free to participate in social events and find a husband

This scene is slightly inspired by Bridgerton the series but not much. 

I had used the area of Sussex in this scene but I just searched up actual dukedoms during the regency era and Sussex was just the first one on the list.

This scene is again pretty different than my usual style and may sound a bit formal but I simply wanted to make it seem more accurate with the regency era, so despite that, I hope you guys still enjoyed.

Please comment with your feedback and any suggestions.

Hope you liked this!

❤️Ena