The Carringtons were a noble Scottish family of very high standing in society when the late Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Wessex looked for a wife, he had joined the social season in London and married the then, Miss Jocasta Cowper.
It is 1813 and t...
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As soon as they had arrived at their residence, Elisabeth went to tell her maid and thus the whole household of the gossip she gathered, her mother smiled in happiness and pride and informed her that she only had a few hours to herself before starting to get ready for the first ball of the season.
The dowager duchess ordered her son to stay with her after finishing their late brunch. As they sat in the same calling room as the previous day, Jocasta stood up and exclaimed sternly. "Your sister did exceptionally well today. As the diamond and the sister of a duke, she is going to be the most sought-after miss this season, followed only by the Bridgerton girl. As such, both gentlemen and fortune-hunters will fall at her feet this evening and all the following soirées. I trust that Lord Bridgerton already shared the list of misters not to engage with, did he not?" she asked her sons, James nodded.
"Yes, he did earlier this morning. Trust, I was most surprised he did so, after all, our sisters are to be rivals this year." James exclaimed.
"Indeed they will be, but they remain friends. It is why I insisted on Violet bringing her here yesterday, the two ladies get along; and I am friends with their mother. You will be friends as well." She stated in confidence, it was a fact and not a suggestion.
The mother continued. "Nonetheless, the list is not why I want to address the both of you. The gentlemen of the ton may vary in character and rank, but they are all men. Our Elisabeth will not marry anyone below her station nor a highly titled ill-mannered lord. A lady of her standing can take her time choosing a husband, and the best course to go is to leave the men wanting for more. I want Elizabeth to share a dance with the both of you and only and at the most two gentlemen this evening. Am I clear?"
Both her sons agreed, finding wisdom in their mother's words. "It will do good for her image to have her on the dance floor, she can only dance with earls or viscounts tonight. And tomorrow, you must be polite to all callers, except that Berbrooke Baron lady Danbury told us to avoid. I already took the liberty of telling our footman not to allow him in."
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The family were all dressed and ready for the Danbury's ball, except Elisabeth, who was still debating on whether she is to wear the emeralds-her father's last gift to her-, or the pearls, which she loved dearly.
The duchess entered the room and sighed softly. "you should wear the emeralds dearest, then your papa shall be with us this evening."
"But Mama, I shall be the only one with such different jewelry." She pouted in anxiousness.
"As it should be, nary a lady this evening or the next can claim to be the sister of a duke, and a future earl's. You are an even rarer jewel than a diamond, and you are exquisite." She addressed her daughter with a gentle smile before patting her softly on her shoulder. "Now, do hurry, we shall be fashionably late but we mustn't be rudely late."
Tonight, the answers to our most urgent of questions will finally be revealed...
The carriage ride was not long, as the Danbury and Carrington London estates were neighbors, once inside the halls, they had found most of the ton already settled in conversations and champagne. As soon as they see the newcomers, they all stare at the blond debutante and her brothers.
Which bachelors might forsake their terribly rakish ways for the exquisite blisses of matrimony instead?
"Come, dear mother, sister. I see the Bridgerton girl and her mother there." Arthur subtly pointed where a joyful Violet Bridgerton was standing with her amazed daughter and sour-faced viscounted.
Which ladies shall forever capture their hearts? Thereby securing their futures. And avoiding the grim, dismal condition known as a spinster.
The three Carringtons did not make it far as an earl Amblesnow made his presence known and requested a dance with the debutante. Jocasta and her son were not impressed but still remained courteous and polite. A first dance with an earl is not so bad.
On the course of the following hour, she danced with the earl, a Marquis' son and her second brother. While looking for the the eldest son, she had found him enjoying a conversation with the duke of Hastings, the Bridgerton viscount and his eldest sister.
"Dear James, I see you have encountered your childhood friend Anthony and met with his beautiful sister." She smiled softly at the young miss before looking at the only man she did not recognize. "I haven't had the pleasure, Mister..."
"Basset—" the stranger started before he was interrupted.
"He is the duke of Hastings, aunt Jocasta. Simon, this is the dowager duchess of Rothesay and the countess of Wessex." Spoke the viscount in a rather smug tone.
"Indeed I am, now dearest nephew. Why don't you take your sister for a spin on the dance floor?" she spoke with a smile but her tone left no room for discussion. She turned towards her son after the viscount nodded. "James, you do the same with Elisabeth, go on." She urged them.
"So, Basset was it? I don't remember her much, but I do remember how joyful the late lady Sarah was, joined by the hip of Lady Danbury. You look quite like her, your grace. I am sorry for your loss, child." She consoled courteously before leaving to talk with the Bridgerton matriarch.
"Oh, Jocasta! I had not had the chance to speak with you all evening!" the viscountess all but pou"Indeed my dear Violet. I rather doubt that we can socialize during those events when we both have such magnificent debutantes under our roof, so I must invite you to our picnic tomorrow." Jocasta suggested, when she saw the hesitant look on her friend's face, she continued. "I insist."
When it was time for the family to retire, most eyes seemed to follow them to the entrance of the ballroom.
One thing was certain, the duchess has to prepare the biggest drawing room for her daughter's callers.
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Hello! new update as promised, starting from the next one, the story will go a bit off-script as the first act follows Elisabeth's story and she is not marrying a Bridgerton, so ther's no need to waste time and words on dialogue that has nothing to do with her.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading and do let me know what you think so far!
