𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀 𝐁𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒, 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧

the waltz of reconciliation.

Today was the day of the Danbury ball, an extremely special event, as it was the first ball of the season in which everyone attended. For suitors, it will be their time to snatch up those eligible females to serve as their wives, and for those vulgar mamas, it will be their first chance to push their innocent and pure daughters onto any man deemed worthy, and for those daughters, it shall be their chance to show off their dancing, conversing and any other social skills they can use to impress.

Charlotte stood bored in her room, awaiting her lady's maid, Lillian, to be finished with her corset. Charlotte detested corsets, much like many other ladies, she constantly felt like one day her breasts might be squished to the point they may burst, and her organs would be crushed until they were no more.

"Tighter Miss?" Lillian asked as she pulled the strings of the corset as hard as she could, Charlotte's eyes widened,

"No!" she shouted, Lillian looked quite taken aback "Please no tighter, Lillian" Lillian released her grip of the strings a bit and Charlotte relaxed a bit,

"Is that to your liking, miss?" Lillian asked while tying up the strings, Charlotte smiled "Yes, that is perfect thank, you Lillian,"

Lillian's hands brushed across the bare of Charlotte's back and she winced, under her corset she had multiple bruises, scratches and scars from multiple occurrences, the corset being one of them,

"Would you like me to go and fetch my homemade remedy cream for wounds such as these? I only made a new batch yesterday, miss," Lillian looked at Charlotte with concern in her eyes as she just stared out into nothing "...miss?" Lillian once again pushed and this made Charlotte snap out of the daze.

"That would be wonderful Lillian, thank you" Lillian curtly nodded and walked away, Charlotte began to apply powder to her nose while she awaited Lillian's return,

A sudden intrusion shattered the tranquil ambiance of Charlotte's chamber, sending her heart into a frantic flutter as Anthony barged in unannounced. Startled, she spun around, her hand instinctively darting to shield her exposed décolletage from Anthony's gaze. He stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

"Anthony! Were you raised in a barn?" Charlotte's voice carried a blend of irritation and amusement as she scolded her impetuous visitor. Anthony's smirk only widened at her exasperated tone, his gaze lingering a moment longer than necessary on her disheveled appearance. Charlotte felt a blush creeping up her cheeks under his intense scrutiny, a strange fluttering sensation stirring in the pit of her stomach.

"Don't you dare give me that look," Charlotte chided, though the playful glint in Anthony's eyes sent a thrill coursing through her veins. His raised eyebrow and devilish grin only served to fan the flames of her irritation and undeniable attraction.

"Whyever not?" Anthony replied, his voice low and husky as he sauntered further into the room. Charlotte's pulse quickened at his proximity, a potent mixture of annoyance and something else altogether stirring deep within her.

"I had reason to believe Mama was paying a visit," Anthony continued, his tone teasing as he surveyed the room. Charlotte rolled her eyes, a mixture of relief and frustration washing over her at the realization that they were alone.

"Well, as you can see, Mama is conspicuously absent," Charlotte retorted, her voice tinged with sarcasm as she gestured pointedly around the room. Anthony chuckled, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down Charlotte's spine.

"Such a shame," Anthony remarked, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he turned his attention back to Charlotte. "I suppose I'll just have to make do with your delightful company instead." The suggestive undertone in his words sent a flush creeping up Charlotte's neck, her pulse quickening in response.