Peerage Ball

The Peerage Ball invitation requested he arrives at the duke's estate early, to be hidden away. The ball marked Will's official coming out as a noble. Almost every new noble was thrown a peerage ball. Moreover, the noble rank of the host responded to the honor. Historically speaking, for the king to bestow a noble title and not have a ball thrown in your honor was embarrassing. Having duke and duchess host his Peerage Ball was the highest honor a new noble could receive.

Although, Will (and other nobles) suspect this was also an attempt to woo him into marrying Elizabeth. The traveling to Yorkshire together, the peerage ball, and date, were all an attempt to persuade Will to court Elizabeth.

Normally, a baronet would not be allowed to marry the daughter of a duke. However, most nobles expected Will's peerage to climb. Investing in Will now would surely pay dividends for the duke. There was also the matter of Elizabeth's unfavorable countenance and unladylike behavior. Unbeknownst to the Will or Elizabeth, the king was also hopeful for this pairing. For the king, having Will marry his youngest niece would, hopefully, secure Will's fidelity to the Fermion.

However, no one had thought to ask Will or Elizabeth if they were okay with the match. Elizabeth and Will had met many times, since their initial meeting at Anne's family's former bakery.

The duchess sat upstairs smiling, as her ladies in waiting styled her hair. She starred in the vanity's mirror wondering how her matchmaking was going.

The duchess thought, 'Will was shrewd and avaricious; Elizabeth was intrusive and untrusting.' For the duchess, the only thing they had in common was their reserved behavior. While both were polite and conversational around company, they mostly kept to themselves.

As a mother, the duchess was always concerned with her children. Her two oldest daughters were born socialites and took after her husband. But her youngest daughter, Elizabeth was introverted and kept people at an arm's length.

When Elizabeth was younger, she was engaged to Earl's son. Yet, when Elizabeth met the young man she belittled him to the point of tears. After that every gentleman she met, quickly found a way to end the engagement.

Elizabeth was considered a pariah in social circles. A woman far ahead of her time, when most women were taught to be demure and soft-spoken.

However, when Elizabeth returned from Death Valley and recounted Will's heroic. The duchess detected a hint of admiration and infatuation. As her youngest daughter hugged her, she could do nothing but grin in happiness. After that conversation with Elizabeth, is when the duchess request her husband reach out to James vont Ballard to schedule a date.

As the duchess wondered, Will waiting in a guest room in duke's manor. Although, to call the duke's residence a manor would be insulting. Will thought a small castle would better describe the dueling. Most manors lacked walls; however, the duke's manor had more in common with a small fort. The message was clear, royal blood was to be protected.

The duke's manor was just as emasculate as the king's castle. The guest room that Will was hidden inside of was a beautiful room with red fleur-de-lis on a blue tapestry along all four walls. The room was large, with a large canopy bed, with gold posters. In Will's entire house, there was not a room as impressive as this.

Outside his door, he heard shrills of laughter. Will opened the door to see Elizabeth's sisters, Emma, and Emilia insulting her.

"Elizabeth, I wonder how many scolding mama and papa will give you after tonight?" Emilia laughed.

"I wonder if you'll make our guest of honor cry?" Emma chuckled.

"I can't remember the last time; someone didn't cry at one of our events? Emilia laughed more forcefully.

"Remember, the last soiree when the viscount, pretended to fall ill so he could leave the party gracefully?" Emma held her ribs as she laughed.

"Or, the garden party," Emilia covered his mouth as she giggled.

Will opened the door to see what was going on. Will was certainly used to his older brother making jokes at his expense.

"Greetings, noble Lord of Games Baronet vont Ballard," Emma immediately curtsied.

"Forgive us, Sir vont Ballard, we were simply reminiscing," Emilia quickly replied.

"Indeed, my older brother also likes to reminisce at my expense," Will said.

"It seems we have much in common," Elizabeth said as Emilia and Emma chuckled.

"Yes, how is your brother Marcus? We heard stories of his bravery," Emma said.

"Is your brother Marcus, the rake?" Elizabeth deadpanned.

Will raised an eyebrow at Elizabeth's question. He knew Marcus was a womanizer. If Marcus was the protagonist of a story, it was certainly a harem novel.

"Elizabeth, it is mean to demean the noble's brother," Emilia reprimanded Elizabeth.

"Tis, fine," Will said. "My brother is well known in certain circles," Will added diplomatically.

Hearing the comment, both Emilia and Emma curtsied and left. The topic of conversation was not considered appropriate for noble chaste women. Elizabeth should have also excused herself, but she stayed behind.

"I'm used to my sister making fun of me. I didn't need your support," Elizabeth said angrily.

"You told the truth, and I agreed. What's to be upset about?" Will asked indifferently.

"Why did you mention your brother being well-known noble's womanizers and whores? I thought you were better trained in etiquette?" Elizabeth continued being upset.

"I simply agreed with your premise. Would it be more chivalric to lie? I am not embarrassed by my brother's wiles; I love my brother! Other's mentioning his faults, does not change my feelings about my brother?" Will stated assertively.

"I meant no harm. But, if you do that downstairs other noble with think disparaging thoughts about you," Elizabeth said.

"Do you care about the disparaging thoughts people feel about you?" Will questions.

"Gods, no!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"Then why should, I?" Will asked.

"Because I am the daughter of a duke and niece to the king! You are just a poor rural baron's third son who lucked out with an idea!" Elizabeth yelled.

"And your point is exactly, what?" Will asked.

"You don't deny my assertions? Certainly, you must feel some animosity toward my comments?" Elizabeth said in disbelief.

"Lady Elizabeth, once again you have spoken the truth. How could I refute the truth?" Will asked indifferently.

"Surely you must know your exceptional, you else could do so much with such a small chance in life. Most second sons become poor merchants, adventures, or priests. Yet, you a rural baron's third son have six successful businesses, the same tutor as the king, have the favor of the Church of Gaia, and ranked first in the Knight Academy. Can't you see your successes make you exceptional?" Elizabeth asked.

"Lady Elizabeth, I agree with you once again. Regardless of what others say or believe about me, I have confidence in myself," Will said passionately.

As Will and Elizabeth spoke outside his guestroom, one of the duchess maids in waiting eavesdropped. The maid in waiting ran and told the queen what happened, after the Will and Elizabeth's conversation ended.

The duchess' smile grew larger, and her eyes more mischievous after hearing Elizabeth and Will's conversation. She immediately dismissed the maid to Elizabeth's room for an important order.

A few hours later, a Will heard a tap on his door. Dressed in a black suit, ruffled blouse, silver vest, with ascot around his neck, he opened the door. Will's baronet sash wavered as the door opened.

Elizabeth was standing outside with her maid. Elizabeth wore a blue and silver gown, with her chestnut hair was styled up in an intricate bun with a sparkling tiara, she wore black heels that increased her height by a few centimeters. Elizabeth's blue dress accentuated her deep blue eyes and her makeup made her skin look flawless.

In the restaurant when Will first saw Elizabeth he thought she was beautiful. But now, Will thought she looked angelic.

Elizabeth knew her maid spied for her mother. To avoid a lecture from her mother, she resolved to do her best tonight.

"Lord of Games, Sir. William vont Ballard, my father has asked that I escort you downstairs for your noble introduction," Elizabeth curtsied, knowing it was her mother's ideas.

"You look beautiful," Will accidentally slipped. He immediately corrected himself.

"Lady Elizabeth, thank you for treating me," Will bowed.

"Your welcome," Elizabeth said, still blushing from Will's unfiltered compliment.

Will and Elizabeth locked elbows. Elizabeth led him to the ballroom staircase. The duke, duchess, Emilia, and Emma were already at the top of the stairs. Noble etiquette dictated after hosts or hostesses greeted their guests, they were the last to enter the ballroom. Once the duke and duchess entered the ballroom, the ball would officially begin.

Will unhooked from Elizabeth's arm and bowed respectfully to the duke, "Your Grace, Duke Francis vont Whitby you honor me today. Thank you for introducing me to the noble society."

"You are most welcome William, try to enjoy tonight," Duke vont Whitby encouraged.