A New Player Enters the Scene

His blue eyes gleamed in the light of the candles and chandeliers. They were complemented by his deep blue coat with a pair of white silk breeches and an impressively knotted cravat. Maximilian St. Clair was a handsome young man with an earldom to inherit when his elderly father passed, it made him one of the most vied after bachelors of the season.

"Finally coming out of your daydream, Miss Brooks?" he asked, smiling down at her. He was not used to a woman not paying him any attention, especially when they were in his arms. Maximilian found her to be quite intriguing already.

Aurelia blushed deeply, "Sorry I got lost in the music, Mr. St. Clair." He chuckled as he twirled her around the dancefloor. He kept Aurelia engaged with witty banter and poking fun at the couples around them. Maximilian was a rather skilled dancer and expertly led Aurelia through a waltz.

"So, how is a delectable young woman such as yourself without a doting husband yet?" He asked playfully. He was looking for a wife and she seemed to be perfect to court.

"Many have asked for my hand, but none have proved to be doting," She coyly replied.

"I am not as foolish as some of these young men are," Maximilian whispered as he drew her in closer. His eyes sparkled in the light and Aurelia was enraptured by his words.

Aurelia's cheeks burned. His confidence was intoxicating. "We shall see, won't we."

Mr. St. Clair's laugh was deep and had a rich timber to it, his eyes filled with such intensity. "I aim to prove it to you, then." He never backed down from a challenge and Aurelia was proving to be a puzzle he wanted to figure out.

Aurelia gripped his shoulders tighter. "How so?" Her eyes stayed locked onto his and Maximilian knew he had to act.

"Might I call on you next week for afternoon tea at my family's country home?" Maximilian countered with a broad smile on his handsome face.

She nodded and returned his grin.

"I don't mean to be so bold but you are an exquisite dancer and I would be horribly disappointed if I did not dance the rest of the night with you," Mr. St. Clair asked quietly.

Aurelia's eyes widened at his fearless declaration. "Mr. St. Clair, I would be honored to be your dancing partner."

A strange look crossed Maximilian's face when Aurelia accepted but settled into a smile once again. He was excited to see she was as eager as he was to stay in each other's arms. As the night began to wear on the rest of the ball took notice. To dance so often with one person meant a match was about to be made in most gentry class circles. Aurelia's brother and sister looked on in approval of this partnership.

As the string quartet played the last song of the night, Aurelia's heart fluttered, she wished they could keep dancing, Maximilian was an excellent dancer.

"It is a shame I did not ask you to dance earlier in the night," Maximilian jested as he kissed her hand farewell. "I look forward to seeing you next week." He looked at her hungrily and couldn't wait to see her again.

"I shall see you then, Mr. St. Clair," Aurelia said with a small curtsy.

She felt like she was walking on a cloud when she reached my siblings—both excitedly wanting details of the night's events between Maximilian and she. Aurelia rehashed everything that happened in the carriage ride back home; Willa and Ben were in amazement at the turn of events in the last few days concerning her future marriage options.

By the time my head hit her pillow at home, Aurelia was dreaming of Maximilian twirling her in his arms the whole night.

The following day she woke up with sore feet covered in blisters from all the dancing the night before. Aurelia sighed dreamily as she remembered Maximilian's handsome face and muscular arms embracing her. Bursting her daydream, Wilhelmina rushed into her room and flopped onto Aurelia's bed out of breath. She held a letter in her hands.

"Maximilian St. Clair has written to you already," she said, huffing excitedly.

Aurelia's eyes widened, and she plucked the letter out of her hands. She broke the wax seal and read the formal invitation to tea at the Earl of Westmorland's country estate from Maximilian.

"He's invited me and a chaperone to tea with him this Tuesday next," Aurelia screeched.

"I will be your chaperone if you like, dear Aurie," Willa exclaimed.

"You just want to see his massive property," she teased. "Of course, I want you as a chaperone."

Willa jumped off Aurelia's bed and started to rummage through her wardrobe, and flung dresses about everywhere in her room. Aurelia laughed at her excitement to find her something to wear and went to help her look. We decided on a pale lavender day dress and a silky cream floral wrap. The days passed by slowly, and Aurelia grew more anxious and excited for tea. She accepted Maximilain's invitation, and he sent her back a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers. Wilhelmina incessantly talked about the prospects of marriage and Aurelia being the future Countess of Westmorland.

Aurelia knew it's only tea, but the way Maximilian took an interest in her at the ball had her dreaming of a future with him. Aurelia found herself, however, contemplating whether or not she truly felt anything for him or if she was simply using him to distract herself from her recent heartbreak. What Aurelia did know was childhood infatuation lacked the passion of the potential for love. It appeared more and more that Jacob was a mere childhood fixation.