Midnight Bliss

Chapter 1

I didn't feel sad as my father drove the carriage towards Kingston Castle. This year's social season was to be held and since I turned eighteen... you know where the thought ends. I knew I was riding into the unknown darkness and as the carriage carried onward, I thought of my quiet life back home, and how it was all going to change... for the better? For the worst? This was still to be determined.

Growing up wasn't rough for our family. We owned a large estate, well kept, with many servants who tended to me. Father is a retired Sergeant in the Army and served Kingston Castle until he injured his leg and now walked with a limp. Mother is Lady Ritta Longstaff and married my father for love instead of money. This was something no one talked about since it didn't really show in the way they acted towards one another. They urged me that I marry for money this social season and take the first big offer I get, but I felt overwhelmed as I thought about that and shook my head.

"Marry with your heart and don't let Mother tell you otherwise. If you are going to leave me, you better have a good reason." My sister had said with malice lacing her tone. She made sure I knew she would rather I stay with her.

However, she knew this wasn't possible with the farm worse for wear. If I were to marry to a successful Lord I were to be set in life for as long as I lived and Mother and Father knew that. They would also gained profit as they basically sold me off to first suitor. 

I took a deep breath and Father looked at me, noticing my discontempt.

"Not as excited as we all expected, hm?" He inquired, his bushy eyebrows pulling together in frustration.

I shrugged and adjusted the fabric hanging around my waist. It stuck out with a floral pattern along my dress and added figure to my dress. The seamstress insisted we take it at half price since she knew I was going to my first season. I didn't particularly care for the dress and the way it hugged my figure. It had leaf like patterned sleeves that went down my arms with silk fabric and the bottom carried down to my ankles, showing off the emerald shoes I was stuck wearing. It was bad enough I was getting married possibly.

I sighed and Mother snorted in the back of the carriage,

"You are pretty enough, Dear. You don't have to be worried." She commented sweetly.

I snorted back, "I find it endearing you believe that is what worries me."

"I hope I don't find anybody at all." I grumbled to myself and my father shot me a side eye.

I huffed and as we pulled through the cats to the castle, we were met with a large crowd of people who gathered for everyone's arrival. I was suddenly very nervous. While I didn't consider myself a very pretty girl, I knew I was. I knew I would stand out there and people would either judge me or be jealous of me. I stood a measly 5'2", slender frame, but hourglass. Long, wavy, midnight hair hung to my waist and framed my heart shaped face. My emerald green eyes stood out against my pale skin. I had always been compared to a longer haired Snow White.

The carriage stopped and I took a deep breath as I was helped down from our perch and I stood beside my Mother and Father. The man who helped me stood to the side and opened a scroll.

"Introducing Lord and Lady Griffons and their daughter Nora Griffons. Nora Griffon is attending her first social season and comes from Manning Heights." He called out loudly.

People stood there and stared, clapping their hands together slowly. I blushed and looked towards the ground as we walked forward through the large oak doors into the castle. As we entered the door we were greeted by the Lady of the House, Priscilla Kingston. She stood there as a Goddess envisioned. Long, golden curls hung around her shoulders and so did the straps to her elegant blue dress. It was tucked at her hip and spilled down around her legs. The top showed off her bust and I flickered my eyes back up to her face.

"Elias Griffon." Lady Kingston said with endearment.

Father stepped forward and bowed to her, "My Lady. It is an honor to be here at this years social season."

"It is an honor to have such a distinguished military man here tonight. Will you join us at the ball this evening? I will welcome you in my honor." She blushed at him happily. I heard my mother huff from the back of the group and Father eyed her nervously.

I bowed to Lady Kingston and nodded at her request eagerly, "I'm starving."

Father nudged me and cleared his throat, "We would love to join you, Lady Kingston."

Lady Kingston's eyes flickered to me and eyed me from the feet up, then back down. I felt nervous and my hand flickered towards my wrist, grabbing onto it tightly. I took a deep breath.

"Thank you for having us in your own home this year, Lady Kingston."

She nodded approvingly, "This one will be a spitfire. That I know it."

Father laughed nervously, "She already has me on my toes, Priscilla. I would hate to have more trouble with her."

Lady Kingston winked at him and we were escorted to our suite.