The Duke and the Rose (Completed)

Chapter 1. 1815 

The carriage jostled down the cobblestone streets of Bath, the wheels rattling as they moved. It was the first week of April, and the beginning of the social season. Every young lady from London to York  was anxious to find herself a respectable match. 
Nestled inside the carriage with her adopted mother and sister, Nora Wellington felt excited and nervous. It was her first London season, and she was hoping to find a suitable husband. At the age of 19, she wasn't wanting to be married for obligation, but for love.
For that evening, Nora was wearing a lovely an elegant gown of cream organza silk with a sweetheart neckline an off the shoulder sleeves. The neckline and bottom of the skirt had blush pink ruffles. Her butterscotch blonde curls were fixed into a chignon, and cream silk gloves completed her ensemble. The back of the gown was composed of a corset.
Sitting across from her, Nora's sister, 21 year old Matilda Wellington, rolled her eyes. "Why do you want to make your own gowns? You can have someone make them for you."
Nora glanced at her. "I like to make my own, it makes me feel accomplished."
Matilda. "I think it's a waste of time. Besides, mine is much more extravagant than yours."
Nora couldn't argue with that. Matilda was wearing a very elaborate gown of white silk adorned with ostrich feathers and diamonds. Her dark brown curls were fixed into a chignon with diamonds sparkling along the crown of her head. White silk gloves completed her ensemble.
Sitting next to her daughter, lady Alexandra Wellington glared at Nora. "You will not ruin this for my daughter. This is her first season and I want her to marry well."
Nora swallowed hard. "I won't ruin anything for her mother."
Alexandra narrowed her green eyes, the same green eyes that Matilda had. "Good, because I will be keeping my eyes on you. There is a certain gentleman that I want Matilda to meet, Lord Victor Hamilton, the Marquis of Chester, and I do not want you to ruin it for her."
Nora. "I promise I won't. But, I was wondering if you had any gentleman you would like for me to meet."
Alexandra scoffed. "You? Absolutely not. I want Matilda to no longer be the daughter of a Baroness. I want her to rise through the ranks of nobility. You, on the other hand, would be much better suited for a stable boy."
Matilda. "Besides, I have already spoken with Lord Hamilton through correspondence, and he is very much looking forward to meeting me. I don't believe anyone would desire to meet you."
Nora didn't say a word. She turned her head away to look out the window as the carriage made its way up to the assembly rooms. For the last 10 years, she had been living with the Baroness and her daughter. Her biological mother and father, Gregory and Violet, had tragically died in a carriage accident when she had been nine years old. Barren and Baroness Wellington had adopted her six months after the accident.
Nora could distinctly remember the day she had arrived to Wellington Park. Lord Nigel Wellington had adored her, welcoming her with open arms and love. However, two years after he had died, her happiness had immediately disappeared. Alexandra and Matilda despised her, giving her hand me downs that Matilda no longer wore instead of purchasing new clothing for her.
Throughout her adolescence, Nora had begun to sew her own gowns. Thankfully, Violet had taught her how to sew, and she was very skilled with it. Making beautiful clothing for herself was a sanctuary for her, a sanctuary away from the constant yelling and disapproval that Alexandra and Matilda gave her.
As the carriage stopped in front of the assembly rooms, Alexandra turned to Matilda and smiled brightly. "I know that you are going to be the most beautiful young lady here my love. Queen Charlotte is no doubt going to choose you as her diamond."
Matilda smiled just as brightly. "Do you believe the marquis is going to notice me then?"
Alexandra. "I know he is going to notice you."
Matilda turned to Nora. "Lord Hamilton is going to be mine, and you will not stand in my way."
Nora. "I wouldn't dream of it Matilda."
The three of them climbed out of the carriage and walked into the grand and extravagant ballroom. Five tall and large chandeliers sparkled brilliantly along the ceiling. They stood atop a massive spiraling staircase leading down into the ballroom, waiting for their names to be called. Several other young ladies and their mothers stood along the staircase as well, dressed in their finest.
Nora allowed her eyes to travel across the room, noticing that there were men and women attending the soirée. She swallowed hard, her nerves on edge. Of course, she wasn't expecting the queen to give her the coveted title of Diamond of the season, but she was hopeful that she would be noticed nonetheless.
***
Three hours into the ball, Nora realized that Matilda was taking all of the attention. At least, all of the attention away from her. Her stepsister had ultimately been chosen as the queens favorite, and every gentleman was flocking to have a dance with her.
Standing beside Nora, Alexandra was smiling like a proud mother. She turned to smile deviously at Nora. "It seems you have not had any luck  capturing the interest of a nobleman."
Nora. "No one has come to ask me for a dance. It seems Matilda has captured everyone's attention."
Alexandra glared at her over the rim of her wine glass. "And so she should. You don't deserve any form of attention."
Nora felt her heart squeeze, tears coming to her eyes. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, no matter how much older she became, Alexandra's venomous  words were hurtful. She had a tempted, on so many occasions, to love and adore her mother and sister. But they had refused to accept her humble  and kind nature.
Alexandra. "Oh, there is the Marquis of Chester. I'm glad he is speaking to Matilda, she deserves to be his wife. They make a fine match don't they?"
Nora tried swallowing the lump in her throat. "They certainly do."
Alexandra glared at her. "Stop your sniffling and act your age. I'm going to go speak with Lord Hamilton and my daughter."