My Maggie,

V

My Dearest readers, 

It appears that the first ball of the season was a marvellous success. After all it appears we have a new participant in this event, a new horse that I believe is worth bidding on. Miss Marina Thompson, quite the girl. Captivate many suitors intreats, perhaps the queen was to soon to claim her stake on the diamond Miss Daphne Bridgerton? 

It appears the Nighthower family have rejoined society with a swinging Strat, after all Ophelia Nighthower did turn many suitors eyes and she was found dancing the evening away after all she is a prized possession for one to obtain. The third child, Miss Margret Nighthower appears to be quite a intriguing girl as well. After all she did have a few dances in her and many questions of adventures before the girl mysteriously disappeared for a section of the evening, before returning and spending time with her younger siblings Gilbert and Angelica. The real question I pose for the Nighthowers is of the eldest, Tobias. After all he is quite the catch. I would go as far as saying he is the bachelor of the season?

Yours sincerely 

Lady Whistledown

"Mamma!" Screamed Daphne running into the family drawing room, the sound of her ballerina slippers tapping against the wooden floor beneath her. "Mamma!" she screeched agian. 

The Bridgeton family eyes shifted to the door as she slid in, "goodness me Daphne, what has gotten into you?" questioned Lady Bridgeton. 

Daphne handed their mother the latest post from Lady Whistledown. 

All eyes watched in curiosity as their mothers eyes danced over the parchment. 

"Oh Daphne dear," the mother breathed, " don't you worry, this Lady Whistledown is merry a gossip head, anyone with their heads screwed on tight knows that you are to be a perfect bride don't let this talk of this Marina get into you head." Instantly Anthony snatched the paper from their mothers grasps and began reading the paper. His eyes widening furiously and his grip tightening. In an instant he had crumpled up the paper and thrown it into the fire beside them. "ANTHONY!" Screamed Eloise in anger, "I had not read that yet!" 

"Nor should you, it is absolute bullshit-"

"Anthony!" Violet Bridgerton interrupted. 

"-That should not enter you mind!" he continued, "This Marina girl is nowhere near as fair or gracious as our Daphne and neither are those Nighthowers."

"Anthony Bridgerton that is enough!" Stated Violet standing from her chaise lounge, "Firstly you do not use such foul language under my roof," he tried to interrupt but she continued before he could muster any sound, "I don't care if you are to be the Viscount I am still the lady of this house and I am still your Mother! Secondly you do not tell your sister what she can and cannot do, if she wishes to read that edition she can, you have no right to tell her, she is not your pet. Thirdly you will not speak ill of my dear friends family, the Nighthowers have jumped over the moon for us and supported us when we lost our Edmund, and they have been through a lot recently! That poor family is in tatters. You were old enough to remember Anthony, to remember the pain of loosing him. So do not speak ill of them." With that she risked her way out of the drawing room, up the stairs and into her chamber. She always needed time after mentioning her late husband, Edmund. 

Little Gregory stood from his hair beside the tea pot and patted his brothers elbow, "Nice going." 

Meanwhile across Grosvernor's Square, in the house of Featherington Portia Featherington sits beside the window of the dressing room with a cup of tea beside her, her four dollies, I mean, daughters stood behind her alongside Marina Thompson. "Well congrats Marina on your feature in Lady Whistldowns latest edition, you must be ecstatic." She said in a drab, monotonous voice. 

"What is Lady Whistledown?" the girl questioned causing Portia to spin 180 degrees on her stool. 

"My dear Lady Whistldown is the most read newsletter of the year, Lady Whistedown is the dream, the hope, the expectation." 

Marina simply offered a curt nod and a tight lipped smile. 

"Did we make a feature Mamma?" Questioned Prudence, excitement and hope pooling in her eyes. 

"No." 

"Oh." 

"Do not threat my girls, for we will dress you more extravagant than before, better than that Daphne, I must have done something right for Marina to make it, I just need to offer you four equally as stunning looks."