𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 -- 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧

𝐼𝐼

Dear Reader,

it is common fact that the first ball of the season is always one filled with the most ravenous gossip within the Ton. As tradition, Lady Danbury shall host the first ball, and this Author can not wait to report the gossip leaking from the seams of the Danbury ball.

Lady Whistledown's Society papers, 1st June 1815

꧁𑁍꧂

Esther was the first to step out of their carriage when they arrived at Lady Danbury's ball. She hated carriage rides; it made her feel sick.

She gazed up at the manor before her, standing proudly in her dress made of a ruby red fabric, golden earrings -which rattled as she walked- and pearly white gloves.

Anne was unable to attend any of the events this season due to her pregnancy so Francis took them. Both girls linked onto their cousin's arms as they walked into the ballroom.

The room was filled with the warm light from the candlesticks and it was crowded with young ladies and ambitious mamas. The dance floor was filled with twirling couples who danced around prettily to the music.

It didn't take long for Marie to catch the eye of several gentlemen who soon approached her. Francis frantically introduced each man to his cousin and slowly Esther was being pushed further away from her sister.

"I am off to the lemonade table. I am rather parched." She announced but no one replied, Francis couldn't hear her and the gentlemen could not care about Marie's elder sister.

Esther carefully picked up one of the small glass of sweet lemonade and carefully sipped on it as she gazed around the ballroom, her eyes landing on one of Francis' work so she walked over to it.

She peacefully admired the work when a sudden voice made her jump. "It is rather dull, don't you think?" She turned to see the stranger beside her.

The mysterious gentleman beside her displayed a wide charming smile. He was rather tall, one would guess 6 feet and an inch. His shoulders were broad and his jawline was sharp. He had chestnut locks and a pair of dark amber eyes.

"I beg your pardon?" She quickly replied. "There is little emotion and the perspective is all wrong." The stranger began to critics Francis' work.

Esther rolled her eyes. "I shall have to tell my cousin about your thoughts on his work." She announced clearly to make sure he heard. "Oh I am-"

She cut him off sharply. "Do not bother apologising to me. Your comment has already shown your true character." Esther turned to glare at the man, her head up so she could angrily stare into his dark eyes.

"And what is that?" He asked, a mischievous smirk growing slowly on his face. "That you are disrespectful and think entirely too highly of yourself." His eyebrows raised in surprise, not expecting such wit from such a young lady.

"I-" Yet again, she cut him off. "Might I ask when you became such an accomplished artist?" She asked, her tone firm which he found slightly amusing.

"Well, I do attend the Royal Academy School." He leaned in whispering, a proud look on his face. A proud look Esther would soon wipe off. "And if you are such a spell-binding artist, how come I have no clue who you are?"

The stranger smirked as he crossed his arms and swirled his tongue around his mouth. "You may struggle to find a husband with such smart wit." He stated, his voice quieter so others around didn't hear.

"Wether I struggle to find a husband or not is none of your concern." She hissed back, taking out her fan which she used to cool down her face that had grown red with anger.