Once Upon A Time In England

Prologue

** Disclaimer: All characters and places are of mere fiction.

Yes, those of you who live in England will hear many familiar names but they are all part of my own made up England set in the Elizabethan/Vitorian Era.

The period piece will come to life as you will go along, and the map will be drawn out too for my imaginary England.

And yes I am British too, which is why I am stealing and setting it in England.**

Do please vote and comment if you enjoy my work.

Yours sincerely
Lady Elizabeth

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He was a proud and defiant gentleman. As a banker, he made a good fortune and poured his sweat and youth into founding the heart of England's Royal bank.
His cane would echo down the cobbled path as he would take his morning stroll and would be greeted by many and some curtseys too.

Not even a crease could be inspected even by the closest of observers on his long tail coat and matching big pants. The reflection of the morning sun could be seen from the carriages which decorated the roads in Greater Manchester on his slick black shoes.

Lord Humphrey Moore was a proud man who was respected across the cities, as his photo had been printed in the local newspaper many a times as his wife liked to remind people.

"His lord ship has arrived!" called one of the older maids as the servants all rushed around to get into line infront of the house as Lord Moore unmounted his carriage and the gates were closed.
The doors were opened by two tall men clad in dark clothes and as he stepped into the house, his wife- Lady Amelia- rushed forward to greet him.

His cane was swapped to an indoor version, his coat was taken and placed away, a cigar was placed into his mouth and lit, and his younger daughter Agnes came rushing into the dresing room.

"How was your day, milord?" Asked Lady Amelia taking Agnes by the hand and sitting her beside her with a scowl.

"It was a good day, thankyou, Lady." He spoke puffing out a long ring of smoke. "Pray tell, are all the  arrangements confirmed for Thursday night?"

"Yes, your Lordship." She replied with confidence, ushering towards Walter who bowed slightly.  "Walter has confirmed with all the vendors and checked the RSVPs personally."

Lord Humphrey removed the cigar from his mouth and closed his eyes in relief as there were only three days left.

Today, there was a lot of hassle and preparations for the main event of tonight.

It was the annual Summer ball hosted by the Mayor and his Wife.
Ninety percent of the South of England was going to be present.

And tonight was the night, Lord Walker's eldest daughter would be introduced to society- 'placed onto the market' as her best friend would put it.

Tonight, the world would come to know of Lady Aureliah Josephine Moore, daughter of the Lord of the Bank.

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On the other end of Manchester, a dark and tall man stumbled into his house reeking of alcohol and mud.
He received multiple looks- a concoction of pity, empathy and disappointment- as he dragged himself up the stairs and into the hot bathtub- and yes- he was fully clothed too.

After falling in and out of consciousness- this stranger managed to make himself look presentable, he made his way to the carriage.
"To the Mayor's ball, milord?" Called the coachman.

"Yes, Barnaby." He replied, and straightened the hat on his head. "The Mayors ball it is."

"Hyah!" And the horses were heard crashing down the streets with many others as the Mayor's abode began to fill up with chatter, swishing skirts, expensive perfume and jewels, and tall top hats and canes.

Tonight was going to be filled with laughter, dances, scowls, spillings and embarrassment.

"Let tonight commence." Called out the Mayor from his podium which looked down upon the ballroom and its occupants and on cue, the music began and filled the night with melodies.

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