My Maggie,

IX

The blush pink ballgown with laced flowers cinched and pooled around Margret as she observed herself in the mirror. Her hair tied beautifully into a half up, half down braid with ribbons incorporated in the braid. A few loose strands framed her face and her lips carefully glossed in the moonlight. Behind her she saw Ophelia marching the room, hands shaking and eyes panicked. Her beautiful purple gown following a moment behind her as it swayed. The door opened revealing one of the scullery maids. "Everyone is in the carriage my lady." 

"Thank you Annabeth." Margret said with a nod before tuning to her sister. 

"This is a silly fear Ophelia," Margret hands soothed their way down their arms. "If you like this gentleman then simply ask him to dance, after all who wouldn't want to dance with you." 

"What if he dances with another?" 

"Then you shall dance with another and make him jealous."

"That's a rather stupid idea Margret." 

"Hey, if my books tell me its a good idea I listen." Margret instead and perched on the chair by the window, "I promise you tonight will go brilliantly, however the more time we spend procrastinating going, the more time we leave poor Benedict to fend for himself." 

Ophelia nodded and offered her arm to her younger sibling, "I agree, now lets go dear sister can't keep the suitors waiting."

Taking her sisters arm, Margret allowed her sister to lead her out of the sanctuary of her room and down toward the carriage that waited outside their residence, on the pathway of grovernors square.

The garden was lined with candles and illuminated by the light of the moon and the stars that danced around its surface. The symphony of strings chorusing as more and more suitors entered. Little Angelica Nighthower let out a gasp of excitement the moment she caught sight of its beauty, families glanced at the girl and smiled to one another. 

"My goodness its beautiful," the youngest Nighthower giggled out. She nudged her linked arms of her brother, Gilbert. Her let out a low chuckle and nodded his head and allowed his eyes to rake through the huddles of girls. Until his gaze caught on the golden strands of Annabella Lau'rent. The Lau'rent family were a prestigious high class family from France, Malcolm Lau'rent was a French aristocrat, only gifted one child, Annabella before his beloved wife passed, since then the pair were inseperable. However the day Malcolm had dreaded had came, the day she had become desirable for marriage. So he sent her to London to find a kind, suitable husband, and my oh my did the girl have some options. 

Gilbert had met the girl when she came in to Mr Simms medical practice to visit the old man who knew her farther. He had instantly fallen for the blonde girl with the bright smile, and although many were infatuated with the girl, she could not deny the attraction she felt with Gilbert. 

"Excuse me," Gilbert breathed to his family, his gaze never leaving hers as he began to stride across the grass toward the blonde haired beauty. As smile on both their faces as they both approached each other. 

Soon enough the family dispearsed into pairs, Angelica had rushed over to large boufout of delights quickly followed by Lady Elizabeth, after all they both were a sucker for chocolate. Ophelia had been whisked away by Benedict Bridgerton and the pair had been dancing ever since, leaving Tobias and Margret to link arms and circle the garden. 

"Have you ever wished to Marry Toby?" The younger sibling said in curiosity. 

A moment. A beat. For toby is was as if his heart has stopped at the question. "Once." 

This was a surprise for Margret, after all she had never met a girl, she doesn't recall any talk of engagement. 

"Who was she?" 

Tobias jaw was fixed, stone faced, inhuman. He was silent. 

"I am sorry to pry, its none of my business." He snapped his head toward his sibling, his eyes softening. 

"I will tell you about her," he answered before glancing around. the garden, "just not right now, after all tonight is about you."

"Its about Ophelia, its her season really." 

"Whoever told you that is an idiot, if you like someone here don't wait for next year simply because you want Ophelia to stay face, especially as they may not be there next season. For once dear sister allow yourself to come first." Tobias rebutted, "after all your generosity and kindness is annoying, its much more fun. to be selfish." 

A laugh escaped from the younger girls lips as she glanced at her brother. 

"Now," Tobias stopped and reached out his hand, "care for a dance sister?"