And yet there will be happiness...

The masquerade ball. Part 1.

It was a warm summer evening, and ordinary people in London were finishing their day's work, looking forward to an evening meal and a relax in the family circle.
However, this did not apply to the representatives of high society, who were looking forward to a truly large-scale event that could possibly go down in history. Lady Woоster's masquerade ball was to be held today. There were persistent rumours in London that the Prince Regent himself would be present. Preparation for this ball has long been called legendary and the world was looking forward to the evening, pining with curiosity and an incredible desire to show itself in all its glory.
The hall was decorated in the latest fashion, a sea of fresh flowers seemed to fill everything around. The parquet floors were polished to a high gloss, the full orchestra took their seats, all the candles were lit, and the massive chandeliers went up, flooding the halls with a kind of magical flickering light.
Lady Woоster, Lady Susan for inner circle, had herself surveyed her domain before this Grand event, giving final instructions to the ball master and servants. Judging by the smile on her handsome, aristocratic face, she was extremely pleased.
- Very well, we are ready - she said calmly - the first guests will start arriving soon. She dismissed the servants with a gesture, took another look at the decoration of the main hall, and turned to Charlotte.
-What do you say, Charlotte?-  lady Susan said, gesturing toward the Hall.
- Oh, it's simply magnificent, my Lady, so many flowers, so beautiful! - without hiding the delight and smile she said - I like it a lot!
- Really all these people who will be here-Charlotte said more quietly - I think I have no place among them, they are all so incomprehensible to me and strangers. Maybe I shouldn't be here today.  Charlotte looked pleadingly at Susan.
- No, no, no, my dear girl - said the Lady with a smile , - it is quite out of the question, such a diamond must Shine!
Susan looked at Charlotte carefully, noting that she was incredibly beautiful today in this elegant dress of soft coral color that set off her beautiful skin, and that her dark, thick hair was gathered up to match the pearls on her earrings and necklace, making the look complete and perfect. Charlotte was holding a delicate mask with long feathers to match her dress, but her hands were trembling slightly, and Susan realized that she was clearly nervous.
- It will be all right, you will manage, as always - Lady Susan reassured her, lightly patting the dainty, gloved hand.
- And then, not all people in this room will be so strange and incomprehensible - she smiled, conspiratorially said - I'm almost sure that a certain gentleman, whose opinion is so important to you, will also be here.
- How? - Charlotte could not help but cry out, and her cheeks flushed bright red, betraying her head - How can you be sure? - she asked hopefully.
- I am sure, because personally signed the invitation to his family-calmly replied Lady Susan, slyly smiling and narrowing her beautiful eyes - and at this time I think he will be without a lady.
- How do you know? - Charlotte said, almost in a whisper.
- My sweet girl, rumors are crawling through London much faster than you can imagine - said Lady Susan with a smile - the lady was forced to leave urgently, I know this for sure! I'm sorry, I need to check one more thing while there are no guests.
Lady Wooster went into the next room, leaving Charlotte alone with her hopes and fears.
She was suddenly seized with an incredible anxiety, it became difficult to breathe, joy and fear at the same time shackled her soul. Yes, Charlotte had been waiting for this meeting, dreaming of it, but was she ready for it? Could she hear him? How does he feel about her? What does he really want? The answers to these questions, alas, she did not know and now it tormented her as never before. Anxiety and excitement began to fill every cell of her body, preventing Charlotte from recovering.
But here, in the Hall appeared first guests and she was sighing and gathering all the remaining forces, hastened to Lady Susan, helping to meet the audience.

The carriage drove slowly through the streets of London, carrying its silent passengers to the ball. The Parker brothers hadn't exchanged a word since leaving the house, and each of them had their own thoughts that they didn't want to share with anyone yet. Tom was thinking of a strategy for presenting his idea of a tournament at the ball tonight, and Sydney was thinking of Charlotte. He wanted very much to help Tom with his idea, on which his life depended, too, but the thought of Charlotte and of seeing her again today drove everything out of his mind.
He had a thousand times imagined what he would say to her when they met, and a thousand times realized that all this might be useless and the conversation might not go the way he had planned. Doubts were gnawing at his soul, but by the end of the journey, he had pulled himself together and decided that he would go to the end, no matter what it  would cost him.
The carriage stopped, and the gentlemen got out and stood near the massive steps of the main entrance.
- Well - said Tom with a smile - fortis fortuna adiuvat (fortune favours the bold)!! Go ahead!!! - and joyfully began to ascend the stairs.
Sidney took a deep breath and followed his brother up the stairs.