Beauty and the marquess! Lady Eva Hastings story

Beauty and the Marquess, Eva, The Hastings. Book 1

Chapter 23

The coaches slowly approach St James Palace to be presented to His majesty George 4th.

Eva stared out at the brightly lit palace, two footmen dressed in red stand at either side of the palace door to invite them in.

Magdalena was wool gathering her thoughts about entering the regal St James Palace now in front of her, with a shiver of apprehension for the long night.

Crossing her slim fingers Lena prayed all went to plan.

The the dim blue sky has long gone, replaced by darkness with millions of star's twinkling in the sky similar to diamond's.

Each and every parent introduces their glamorous daughter's to the merry monarch. All felt excited they will be meeting their robust spendthrift king tonight. Their daughter's on the other hand shook, quivering in their skin with horror and revulsion at the sight of George 4th.

The 17 and 18 year old fresh faced girls on the verge of womanhood, all dolled up wearing satin's and silk's in every shade and colour, drapped with jewellery sparkling like fireflies in the night sky.

The night would become a magical night turning their beautiful daughters the creme de la creme of society.

Their mama's bursting full of new found energy and confidence, their daughter will be the number one toast of the ton this very night.

The Hastings coach slowly pulls up stopping out front of St James Palace, a footman elegantly opened the door for the Hastings family to climb down gracefully onto the red carpet laid out for all aristocratic families.

Eva took a deep breath exhaling a thankful sigh her sister Bonny was here too.

Both sister's smile nervously at one another, until Eva'a father Alexander The Earl of Harven extended his arm for Eva to hold.

"Thank you papa" an elegant Eva replied.

Eva gracefully placed her hand on her father's arm, while lady harven moved forward arm in arm with Bonny, they all stroll casually behind Alexander and Eva.

Dreaming of her future Bonny hoped she too would be presented.

Alexander turned a winning smile to Eva in his moment of being a proud papa, his angelic daughter holding on tightly to his arm.

"Stop being nervous Eva" as her nails dig into his arm.

"Sorry papa" loosening her hold on his arm.

They are finally able to enter St James Palace. Eva refinely held onto her dress venturing inside the king's drawing room without tripping. Waiting patiently they all sit down the long eleborate hall way until their name is called from the drawing room.

Eva noted each and every debutant tonight wondering if they were more beautiful then she?

They also glanced her way to once or twice summing up a new girl.

Golly gosh thought Eva silently how long did the fat king take?

Her mama fanned herself becoming impatient herself.

Alexander twiddle his thumbs really needing a paper becoming bored.

Bonny wide eyed touched all the paintings she saw held on the walls.

Eva getting fidgety, resorted to pulling and tugging at her annoyingly itchy dress left right and centre. A hungry growl erupted from her stomach in protest, blowing out air from her mouth in exasperation at how long the king is taking.