The Prince's Private Symphony

2. Off to the Races

Dearest reader.

It has been said that competition is an opportunity for us to rise and stand ready before our greatest of challenges.

Well, if what this author hears this morning is true, then a great challenge concerning this season's diamond has been set forth, indeed.

Any suitor wishing to gain an audience with Miss Edwina Sharma must first tame the rather prickly spinster of a beast otherwise known as her sister.

Of course, the only competition that compels my attention is the game of courtship.

So best of luck to this year's players.

Do try not to stumble on the starting line.

"Is that a copy of Lady Whistledown?" Penelope asks, coming into the drawing room. I have one and so does El. Alex is sitting down reading over something for his father. He's been awfully stressed lately.

"It is," Eloise says with a smile.

"I thought we were done with her," Pen asks, looking at mine too.

"Do not discourage them, Penelope. If they have taken an interest in Lady Whistledown again, perhaps they're interested in what she has to say about the season's available gentlemen too," Mama offers.

I give her a blank look as Eloise says, "I cannot think of any cleverer way to say this, but no."

"Her latest is not exactly the philosophical treatise on the rights of the fairer sex I was hoping for, but–" Pen cuts her off.

"I do not think Lady Whistledown has changed her style of writing since her last issue," Pen says. 

"There is no way she heard you and decided that she was going to give it a chance, it's not like you and her are friends," Alex laughs.

"Perhaps not. But perhaps she still can," Eloise counters.

"Perhaps she does not want to. Perhaps she is quite content. And if she's even sparked your renewed interest, El, then perhaps whatever she is doing is working."

"Yes, but she could do so much more. I know I could convince her of it. If I were to find her this time," Eloise hints.

"No," Alex and I say at the same time. "We are not going down that crusade again."

"What you must find, my dear, is happiness. Penelope, assist me here," Mama begs. "Eloise could find that with someone else, could she not?"

"I believe she could. And not Lady Whistledown, but someone more like Colin."

"My brother?"
"Colin?" Eloise and I question.

"No, not Coli- Colin!" I look to the entrance of the drawing room to see my older brother entering the room.

"Glad to see things have not changed," he comments.

"Brother!"

"Colin!"

"Could you set aside the latest family squabble and embrace me?" We all laugh and coming running to him to give him a hug, even Alex.

"I did not expect you to return so soon, dearest," Mama says, embracing her son.

"Well, I missed you all. What can I say?" He looks to Penelope for a hug, but she backs off as Grebory and Hyacinth coming barreling into the room along with Francesca.

"Brother!"

"Brother!"

"I believe we must get you to the doctor post-haste," Benedict says and we all look at him. "This strange, fuzzy growth on your chin is some kind of disease."