Chapter One — The Season Begins
1597 Words
Lady Eleanor Ashbourne was halfway through her bedroom window when Margaret found her.
“Lady Eleanor!”
Eleanor froze.
One foot rested on the stone ledge outside, while the other remained safely inside the room. A pale blue ribbon hung from her fingers.
Slowly, she turned around.
Margaret stood behind her, staring in horror.
“What are you doing?”
Eleanor smiled.
“Getting some fresh air.”
“Through the window?”
Eleanor glanced at the open window.
“Yes.”
Margaret pointed toward the dressing table.
“The ribbon you were looking for is right there.”
Eleanor followed her finger.
There it was.
Exactly where she had left it.
“Oh.”
“You climbed through the window for a ribbon that was three steps away?”
“When you say it like that, it sounds rather foolish.”
“It was rather foolish.”
Eleanor climbed back inside and dusted off her dress.
“I prefer to call it adventurous.”
Before Margaret could answer, a knock sounded.
“Eleanor?”
Lady Beatrice Ashbourne entered.
Her eyes immediately fell upon the open window.
Then upon Eleanor.
“Why is the window open?”
“Fresh air.”
“Why are you holding a ribbon?”
Eleanor looked down.
“I like to keep my belongings close.”
Lady Beatrice sighed.
“Eleanor.”
“Yes, Aunt?”
“You are nineteen years old, a young lady of one of the oldest families in the county, and tonight you will attend your first royal reception.”
Eleanor's eyes moved to the ivory invitation resting on the table.
The royal seal was pressed into red wax.
“I still cannot believe I was invited.”
“Of course you were. You are an Ashbourne.”
Her aunt picked up the invitation.
“And this season will be important for you.”
Eleanor knew what she meant.
Marriage.
“Aunt Beatrice…”
“I have said nothing.”
“You didn't have to.”
Her aunt smiled.
“You are nineteen. There is nothing wrong with meeting respectable gentlemen.”
“I don't want to marry someone simply because his family owns half of England.”
“That would certainly make life easier.”
Eleanor laughed despite herself.
Lady Beatrice softened.
“Your father would have wanted you to enjoy this season.”
Eleanor became quiet.
“I wish he were here.”
“So do I.”
Her aunt placed a hand on her shoulder.
“But life continues, darling.”
Eleanor nodded.
“I know.”
“Now, wear the blue silk tonight.”
“The blue one?”
“Yes.”
“I wore it last winter.”
“No one at court will remember.”
“I will.”
Her aunt smiled.
“I know you will.”
She turned toward the door, then stopped.
“And Eleanor?”
“Yes?”
“Try not to argue with anyone important.”
Eleanor looked offended.
“I never argue.”
Margaret coughed.
Eleanor glanced at her.
“That sounded suspiciously like laughter.”
Lady Beatrice shook her head.
“London is going to be interesting.”
---
An hour later, Eleanor climbed into the carriage with her brother, Henry.
London was waiting.
As the carriage moved through the streets, Eleanor pressed her face closer to the window.
The city was alive.
Carriages crowded the roads, horses moved between them, and gentlemen hurried along the pavements in dark coats. Shop windows displayed silk gowns, elegant hats, gloves, ribbons, and jewellery.
Eleanor smiled.
“I missed London.”
Henry lowered his newspaper.
“You said you hated it last winter.”
“I was angry.”
“Because a dressmaker ruined your sleeve.”
“He ruined it terribly.”
Henry laughed.
“You haven't changed.”
“Neither have you.”
“That is unfortunate.”
She smiled and linked her arm through his.
“Are you nervous?”
“About the reception?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“You're lying.”
Henry looked at his glove.
His thumb had been rubbing nervously against the leather.
He stopped.
“I dislike how observant you are.”
“I've had years of practice.”
He smiled.
“You don't have to impress anyone tonight.”
“I know.”
“And if someone makes you uncomfortable?”
“I'll leave.”
“Good.”
“And if someone asks me to dance?”
“Dance.”
“What if I don't like him?”
Henry considered it.
“Step on his foot.”
Eleanor laughed.
“I might.”
Soon, the palace appeared beyond the carriage window.
For the first time that evening, Eleanor fell completely silent.
Buckingham Palace was magnificent, its grand windows glowing beneath the evening sky.
Henry glanced at her.
“Still want to go home?”
Eleanor shook her head.
“No.”
He smiled.
“I thought so.”
---
Inside the palace, Eleanor forgot every complaint she had made.
The ballroom was breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers glittered above polished floors. Ladies moved through the room in gowns of silk and satin, while gentlemen stood in small groups, speaking quietly.
Music filled the air.
Eleanor looked around in wonder.
“Everyone looks beautiful.”
Henry glanced around.
“Everyone looks expensive.”
She laughed.
Then a familiar voice called her name.
“Eleanor!”
She turned.
Lady Clara Beaumont hurried toward her in a pale pink gown.
“Clara!”
They embraced.
“I have been waiting for you!”
“I arrived five minutes ago.”
“Five minutes is an eternity at a royal reception.”
Clara looked at Eleanor's dress.
“You look beautiful.”
“So do you.”
“I spent three hours choosing this.”
“It was worth it.”
Clara smiled.
Then she leaned closer.
“Now, I must warn you.”
“About what?”
“The gentlemen.”
Eleanor sighed.
“Already?”
“This season is full of them.”
“I was hoping to avoid them.”
“You cannot avoid half of London.”
“Watch me.”
Clara laughed.
Before Eleanor could answer, her friend suddenly looked toward the entrance.
“Oh.”
“What?”
Clara lowered her voice.
“That is Prince Alexander.”
Eleanor followed her gaze.
A tall gentleman had entered the ballroom, dressed in a dark formal uniform.
The Crown Prince.
People noticed him immediately.
Eleanor quickly looked away.
“I wasn't staring.”
“I didn't say you were.”
“You were thinking it.”
“I was.”
Eleanor sighed.
“You're impossible.”
“And you're blushing.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
Before Eleanor could argue, the orchestra began to play.
Couples moved toward the dance floor.
A young gentleman approached Eleanor and bowed.
“Lady Ashbourne, may I have this dance?”
She glanced at Clara.
Her friend smiled.
Eleanor placed her hand in his.
“Of course.”
The dance began.
At first, Eleanor felt nervous.
But soon she relaxed.
The music, the candlelight, and the movement of the dancers made the whole room seem almost magical.
When the dance ended, her partner bowed.
“Thank you, Lady Eleanor.”
“Thank you.”
He left.
Clara immediately appeared beside her.
“You enjoyed that.”
“Perhaps.”
“I knew it.”
Eleanor laughed.
Then the room grew quiet.
The Queen had entered.
Everyone bowed.
Eleanor followed the others, then lifted her gaze toward the royal party.
Her eyes found Prince Alexander.
This time, she saw him clearly.
He stood beside the Queen, speaking to one of the gentlemen nearby.
Then he looked up.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, neither of them looked away.
Eleanor's heart skipped.
Then someone spoke to him, and the moment ended.
She turned away quickly.
Clara leaned toward her.
“You're blushing again.”
“The room is warm.”
“It is winter.”
Eleanor gave her a warning look.
Clara smiled.
“I'm saying nothing.”
The orchestra began another piece.
Eleanor turned toward the dance floor.
She expected another gentleman to approach.
Instead, she heard a voice behind her.
“Lady Ashbourne?”
She turned.
Prince Alexander stood before her.
Clara went completely silent.
He bowed.
“May I have the honour of the next dance?”
For a moment, Eleanor forgot what she was supposed to say.
Then she curtsied.
“Of course, Your Royal Highness.”
He offered his hand.
She placed hers in it.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I was beginning to think you might refuse me.”
Eleanor looked at him curiously.
“Why would I?”
“You looked as though you were considering it.”
“I was wondering whether you asked because you wished to dance…”
She paused.
“…or because you were expected to.”
For the first time, Alexander looked genuinely amused.
“I assure you, Lady Ashbourne, no one instructed me to ask you.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow.
“Then I suppose I should be flattered.”
“You should.”
She smiled.
The music began.
Alexander led her onto the dance floor.
And as they moved beneath the glittering chandeliers, Eleanor realized that perhaps the royal season would not be as dreadful as she had imagined.
After all, she had only been in London for one evening.
And already, the Crown Prince had asked her to dance.
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