The Duke and the Diamond: Wicked Desires Book 1 (Completed)

Chapter 1. 1814 

The carriage jostled down the cobblestone Road, winding through the city of London toward Windsor Castle. It was the beginning of April, and several young ladies were making their grand debut into society. They were hoping that they would be chosen as the Diamond of the season. Rumor had it that queen Charlotte was very picky that year.
Nestled inside the carriage beside her mother and cousins, Clara Dalton felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. At the age of 19, she was taking part in her first season. She was wanting to make sure everything went well, and that she impressed the queen.
Sitting across from her were Clara's 20 year old twin cousins, Penelope and Stephanie. Penelope had dark brown curls and brown eyes while Stephanie had chestnut brown hair and blue eyes. However, their beauty was all they possessed. Their mannerism was terrible. They were rude and selfish and didn't possess any form of artistic ability.
Clara, on the other hand, was a stunning beauty. She possessed dark red curls and vibrant blue eyes. She was kind and sweet, and had many talents. She spoke fluent French, played the piano forte, and had a lovely singing voice. She was very humble and generous as well.
Penelope, the older of the twins by five minutes, lean forward across the carriage and smirked at Clara. "Do you really believe that you are going to be chosen as her Majesty's Diamond?"
Clara gave her cousin a soft smile, knowing that kindness was always the best remedy when dealing with a nasty person. "I hope so, but I wouldn't mind if I wasn't. I'm sure the queen is going to have several young ladies to choose from."
Stephanie cackled heartlessly. "Oh yes, she is going to have a lovely selection of ladies to choose from."
Penelope. "She might choose either me or Stephanie. However I don't believe she is going to choose you."
Olivia, Clara's mother, glared at her nieces. "I suggest the two of you stop that horrible behavior. You must impress the queen."
Penelope rolled her eyes. "Father says that Stephanie and I must be bold with our statements, as well as our appearance."
Olivia crossed her arms. "I don't believe the queen is going to appreciate your rudeness. And, if you remember, your father is away on business at the moment. So the two of you must listen to me."
Stephanie stuck her tongue out at her aunt. "We don't have to listen to you."
Penelope. "You are simply our chaperone for this season."
Olivia's blue eyes seemed to dance with flames of rage, but she held her tongue. From the moment she had lost her husband, James, five years ago, her life had been miserable. She had been forced to marry James's younger brother, Christopher, simply to keep up the Dalton name. through her marriage, she had gained a terrible partner who spoke very few words to her, as well as a pair of nieces that spoke very rudely to her and her daughter.
Noticing her mother looking distressed, Clara tenderly massaged her shoulders and kissed her cheek. "Don't allow them to upset you mama."
Olivia smiled at her daughter, kissing her cheek in return and hugging her close. "Thank you darling, but I wish it was that simple. I must make sure that your cousins don't get into mischief. I must also ensure that you are taken care of."
Clara smiled. "You don't need to worry about me mama. I'll be perfectly fine."
Olivia gave her daughter a soft smile. "I know you're going to do very well my love. You're kind and beautiful, both inside and out."
Arriving to Windsor castle several minutes later, the Dalton family stepped out of their carriage and walked up the large stone steps. They were immediately escorted inside to the queens throne room where the presentation would take place. Walking into the room, they noticed queen Charlotte sitting on her throne, as well as several young ladies and their mothers standing off to the side.
As Clara took her place in line behind Penelope and Stephanie, she realized that the color palette of the gowns was very similar to her own. Everyone was wearing either white or cream. Some girls had feathers in their hair while others had gemstones. Some had their hair fixed into a chignon while others had side buns with curls along one shoulder.
Clara was wearing a gown of cream silk with off the shoulder sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Her hair was fixed into a chignon with pearls woven throughout the crown of her head. Cream silk gloves completed her ensemble, as well as a pair of matching cream slippers. Her cheeks had a small touch of pink which made her skin glow.
As the first young lady entered the throne room and gave a curtsy to Charlotte, the rest of the girls began to grow nervous. Who was going to be worthy enough to be chosen as the Diamond of the season? Were any of them worthy?
20 minutes later, Clara watched as Penelope and Stephanie had their turn. She watched as they walked into the throne room and gave a simultaneous curtsy to the queen. Her heart gave a jolt as she noticed Charlotte raising one eyebrow at the sisters with disapproval. It was quite clear to everyone in the room that they didn't have her favor.
Announcer. "Miss Clara Dalton."
Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, Clara walked into the throne room with poise and elegance. A soft smile played across her lips as she dropped into a perfect curtsy. She waited a moment for the queen to make her assessment, and was taken aback when she heard the queen rise from her seat.
Charlotte moved toward the young debutante, tilting her chin up and giving her a smile. "I have never seen a more beautiful young lady in my life. Such poise and elegance. Pure perfection."
Clara gave the queen a soft smile in return, keeping her composure. Her heart was dancing with delight. Charlotte had noticed her. She had been called pure perfection. Giving one last curtsy, she turned and walked back toward Olivia.
Another 30 minutes went by before the last young lady was presented. Once that was finished, everyone was escorted into the ballroom. By this point, the room was filled with men and women of high social rank. The social season had begun.