Paralyzed

Chapter Two

The few days were marvelous, but also very stressful. Everyone agreed just how strange it was for the queen to chose not one, but two diamonds for the season. Even our newest author, Lady Whistledown, shared her own remarks about the situation. This wasn't like any of the usual scandal sheets though. This one listed subjects by name.

    Tonight, our family was to attend a ball. This would be my first ball since being declared a diamond of the season. I still find it weird referring to myself as a diamond and not the diamond. My mother was proud and continued to brag to her friends about how she molded me into the perfect woman I am.

    When night fell, my family dressed themselves in their finest and we made our way to the festivities. When we arrived, we saw many of the ladies flirting with men they hoped to wed. When my mother brought me to the front of the family, everyone stared at me, including the Bridgerton family who had just walked in, only moments before us. People had been calling me the foe diamond or even the devil diamond. Many have said that I didn't deserve it and that Daphne deserved it more. I had to remind myself that it was only the jealous mothers who were spreading these words.

As I prepared myself to make my way over to Benedict, my mother's grasp tightened. "I do not want you going near that Bridgerton tonight."

I was in disbelief. "Why?"

"Unless you are planning to court that gentleman, I do not want anyone thinking you are spoken for. You will never find a husband that way." She explained.

"Alicia..." My father tried.

"I don't want to hear it. I am doing this for our family."

I scoffed and walked away in anger. Benedict was my best companion as soirées such as these. I never did know how to have fun without him. With these thoughts racing through my head, I hadn't taken notice to my surrounded and ran into a tall man.

"I am so sorry..." I panicked.

He brushed himself off. "It's quite all right." I got caught in a daze looking into his dark and mesmerizing eyes. "Can I help you?"

I brought myself back to reality. "What?"

"You seem to be lost."

I scoffed. "I assure you, I am not lost, sir"

"Then you lack company?"

I couldn't believe the arrogance of this man. It was almost like I was talking to Anthony. "Perhaps it is you who is lacking company." I shot back. "I will have you know that I have plenty of company tonight, especially in my husband" I lied.

"Husband?" His smile died before we were interrupted by my least favorite Bridgerton. "Basset...Basset!" Anthony called out before joining us.

"Bridgerton!" The man cheered before shaking Anthony's hand.

"I've heard news of your father. Deuce take it, you are no longer Basset. Hastings! The Duke of Hastings, now known for evermore."

As the empty blanks faded in, I entered their conversation. "The Duke of Hastings, is it?"

Anthony looked between Hastings and I before realized we hadn't properly been introduced. He took it upon himself to do the honors. "Right, Hastings, this is Alice Sinclair."

"Your wife?" Hastings questioned.

Anthony and I shared a look before bursting out into laughter. "In no reality would I ever marry this man."

"She is lucky if she ever marries at all." He laughed.

Hastings was clearly confused. "So you are not married? I thought you talked of a husband?"