Chapter Two

Glittering lights illuminated the large ball room, each candle lit and placed in a precise spot to maximize its lighting.

The ballroom was large, with enough capacity to hold over a hundred of the most influential people in London and staff. The footmen were impeccably dressed and well mannered, making room rotations to serve and attend to any emergency. The Olridge crest was on every napkin, every uniform and even painted on the floor. The hostess of the evening, Countess Marybeth Olridge, did her rotations round the room tending to her guest, giving a smile here, a polite chuckle there...

The night was young and what attracted most people's attention was the overflowing dancefloor filled with beautiful debutantes and young gentlemen all paired up.

As pairs danced on the dance floor, one could feel the anticipation in the air. Young debutantes eager to impress and fulfill their familial duties. Young men eager to find wives and sink their hands into their dowry.

Proud Mama's stood watch with pride and hope in their eyes as they cheered internally for their little ones already taking a step into adulthood. Disinterested Papa's gathered together at the far corner, too interested in politics and the occasional wager to focus on the couple's on the dance floor.

As the evening wore on, dance cards filled and dances danced, young Sarah sat on one of the couches, exhausted from dancing. Having completed all her dances from her dance card, she was eager to get home and get her feet rubbed. After getting her feet trampled and indulging in absolutely tasteless conversation, our young debutante had had enough of the ball. Craning her neck only slightly, she could see both her parents at separate corners of the large room, indulged in conversation, neither ready to go home. Her brother Harold, the little devil was standing with his friends looking at the lemonade bowl, clearly having spiked the drink.

Sarah was tired and honestly irritated. None of the men she had spoken to was even worth the precious moments she had spent on them. Taking off her dance card from her wrist, a clear indication to all around her that she'd had enough of dancing for one night.

She walked briskly out of the ballroom and out onto the balcony, inhaling the slightly chilly air. The difference in temperature was noticable and a shiver travelled through her body. Ignoring it she looked out at her surroundings.

Dismissing the milling couple's around the terrace she walked over to one of the stone benches overlooking the large garden. With clear view and close proximity to the ball room, Sarah was grateful for the light breeze offsetting the heat in the ballroom. Deep in her thoughts she didn't hear the footsteps approach her until a voice accompanied them.

"You are sure to catch a chill, out here miss."

Sarah looked up at the owner of the voice, her first response was to tell him to mind his own business but the words stopped at the top of her tongue when she looked at him. If ever she was asked, she would never admit that her heart had skipped a beat but in reality it did and had judging by the way her pulse raced she could tell why. He was very handsome and for the love of all things good, she tried to get the witty response off the top of her tongue but the longer she looked at him the more tongue tied she became. Although it was a bit hard to see clearly out in the balcony, her eyes had already adjusted to the dim light and could see him clearly. His face was breathtaking but what captured her attention and admiration were his eyes. They reminded her greatly of honey, beautiful and glossy honey orbs that were deep and soulful pools one wanted to drown in.

She cleared her throat and tried to redirect her line of sight only to be drawn back to liquid honey. Beautiful, his eyes couldn't be called anything else. Liquid honey looked back at her warm chocolate orbs and a silence passed between the two.

Sarah got out of her trance when the gentleman cleared his throat. The action made her snap back awake and be reminded of what was going on at the moment. Never one to be told what to do by those close to her, let alone strangers, Sarah spoke. "Not that it is any of your matter but it was getting very hot and stuffy in the ballroom so I sought the comfort of the slight breeze out here."

The man gave her a small nod before gesturing to the open seat next to her. "May I join you then?"

Sarah gave him a nod even as she surveyed her surroundings. Making sure that there were enough people around, to avoid a scandal. They sat in a moment of silence which Sarah looked to dismiss when she questioned,

"If I may ask, what are you doing out here sir and you do have to answer, seeing as how I've already told you my reason." Sarah spoke, looking at the man, he looked rather familiar although in the shadows it was rather hard to recognize him.

The man simply smiled, "yes that would be quite fair although you will have to tell me your reason for hiding out here. I'm at this ball because my mother is insistent on showing me off like a prized bull to every Mama here. I'm hiding out here simply because I cannot stand conversation with another simpering debutante."

Sarah let out a small smile before saying, "I'd take offense to that but lucky for you, I am not a simpering debutante. I'm hiding out here because my feet are tired of getting trampled on. I thought good dancing was an important quality that all gentlemen required in order to get a wife."

To that, the man replied with a scoff and spoke. "What does dancing have to do with anything about marriage? If good dancing was such a valued attribute then that dance floor would be three quarters empty."

At the challenge, Sarah turned to face him. "Well excuse me if I find it hard to be wooed will someone is stepping on my feet like an elephant on piano keys. A man has to sway his love by showing her that he is a proper gentleman. What better way to do that than to show a glimpse of proper upbringing."

A laugh erupted from her company at that as the man settled in his seat. "What proper upbringing? Most men here are after wives to give them heirs, titles and dowry as crude as that sounds. If mere dancing and manners is what qualifies a good husband then I'm afraid you're in for a great disappointment my dear lady. In a perfect world the men in that ballroom would be absolute gentlemen and the debutantes would be as interesting as an atlas but unfortunately the world isn't perfect and the women here are just as dull as their conversation."

Outraged at the man's words, albeit a little intrigued and entertained by their banter Sarah took the moment to indulge in her not so socially acceptable pass time, debate!

"The women in that ballroom are not dull." Sarah spoke then corrected, "well some are but even though some of the women may be a bit dull, most of the men in there are worse. Duller than mud I can assure you, I have yet found one that I can have an entire conversation without falling asleep."

The man quirked a brow at her before saying, "really? So I classify in that category I suppose?"

Sarah let out a laugh and admitted. "Well, in your defense. You are not as boring as your counterparts but you forget one thing."

The stranger drew closer to hear what she was saying, a smile on his handsome face. If one looked closely one would have thought that the two were conspiring. The distance between them, although respectful and appropriate was still intimate. Like that of a courting couple.

"What am I forgetting?" The smiling man asked

"That it is simply not their fault. Many young ladies are brought up not just to be women but mainly to be wives. To submit to the patriarchy, that's why debutantes are taught to be submissive and demure. We are taught to sing, play instruments, dance, do our needle work and other non important work to prepare us for marriage. That is all a woman has. The only thing that can bring her security is marriage, that is why they try to impress with talk that clearly should have no right coming out of their mouths, lest it embarrass them profusely."

By the time she was done the man had almost collapsed in a fit of laughter and that was drawing curious gazes their way. Sarah herself couldn't help but smile at his reaction, very few people found her cutting wit funny let alone engaging. As a matter of fact most of the men twirling debutantes into a stupor just mere steps away would prefer it if she were silent. God forbid a woman be heard and not just seen.

After composing himself, the man decided to bait her, "well I can certainly tell that you are among the very few that can actually keep a conversation going. You intrigue me so. What I don't understand is that if that is your thought on marriage then why are you looking for a husband, or are you not?"

Sarah let out a sigh as she rolled her eyes. "Alas I am looking for a husband but I have seen the upside to marriage. I have seen it through my parents and my grandparents. True companionship at it's best and I intend to find something like that one day hopefully soon."

"Why soon?"

Sarah let out a sigh, it was a question that she had asked herself many times after she was informed of her responsibilities, she knew the answer but it still bothered her to no end that she really had no say in the matter.

Sarah was thoughtful before answering him, for all she knew, he was a man she would never see again and he didn't even know her name so she thought it safe to confide in him. This stranger had given her the gift of confidence, someone to talk to who won't judge her or tell her to suck it up. The opportunity wasn't going to pass her by so when she found the words coming out of her mouth, she didn't regret a syllable.

With a sigh she said, "As much as I would love to take my time and search for the perfect candidate, I can't. This is my second season and my grandmother feels that my expiration date is due. This she is pressuring me by threatening to chaperone my season and that would be a disaster all by itself. One can't find love with an old bat hanging at your shoulder, criticizing every one of your suitors. Luckily I've been granted a golden opportunity she's off on a trip and will be back in a few weeks and I have until then to find a love match or she will find one for me. If I'm not married by the end of the season, she will deny me of my legacy and inheritance."

The man was sympathetic as he looked at the beautiful girl he had been observing before he'd approached her. He had followed her out of the ballroom hoping to find out who she was, even though he had yet to acquire her name he felt for her. Her predicament was quite the heavy burden on such young shoulders, it was a predicament he somehow could relate to. As tough as it was for her having to carry this burden and expectation, he could tell that it was even more difficult for her to let others control her judging from how independent and outspoken she was. Her independence was a trait he admired in a woman.

Finding solace in another human being was tough and he felt touched that she had confided in him and at that he felt the need to confide in her too.

"I understand completely," at his words Sarah looked at him quizzically, urging him to continue. "I long to travel the world, discover the undiscovered. Experience that which has yet to be discovered but my father has refused me. He is insistent on my staying in London. He refuses to give me my inheritance that I may finance my trip. My mother managed to sway him but only so. I have to marry and obtain an heir so that my father would change his will, giving me my inheritance."

After he spoke there was a new understandable silence as both absorbed what the other had said. It was until Sarah spoke in a bid to lift the sombre mood. "Well it seems like we're both at a conundrum here. You, not willing to be tied down by marriage but forced to be so inorder to receive your inheritance while I, am forced to find a good husband in this undeserving lot in a few weeks before my grandmother forces me into a marriage that I don't want. Well that's something to bond over. What are we to do?"

Sarah finished with a small laugh that was mirrored by the man seated next to her.

"We are to simply face our demons head on."

Before Sarah could ask him to elaborate, she heard her mother call to her.

From where she was seated Amelia could see that her daughter was having a conversation with someone but the terrace wasn't lit enough to see who it was and she was in a hurry to get to her daughter.

Sarah rose and bid her mysterious stranger farewell not knowing when or where she would see him again.

As she walked away she looked back at the gentleman who then tipped his hat to her and rewarded her with a smile. She couldn't help but find him excessively familiar. His identity was at the tip of her tongue but she couldn't for the life of her spit it out. She followed her mother to their carriage. Apparently her brother had gotten into a scuffle with one of his friends and after getting a bloody nose from a lucky punch, her mother was scurrying them away to avoid scandal. As they sat in the carriage and rode home, her mother asked her who she had been talking to but all she could say was, "I don't know." For she hadn't even asked for his name. One thing she did know for sure is that he was the mose definitely one of the most interesting men she had ever met, if only she could figured out who he was. Sitting in silence, she stewed in regret, the anonymity she had thought of as a blessing was now what was plaguing her mind, along with the hint of familiarity she had felt. Did she know him? Had she ever met him or did he just look like someone she knew... Letting out a sigh she realized that she may never find out.

Jonah walked into the ballroom, the smile on his face dropping when he was assaulted by three different Mama's, all bragging about their daughter's needle work, he let out a shaky smile even whilst swearing internally. If he had to hear about one more prospective bride, he was going to set himself on fire.

Fighting his way to freedom, he was soon by his mother's side, hoping she was done with all her gossip so they could go home. He was exhausted and angry at being forced to attend a ball after travelling for long. His mother was

set on pairing him up with every eligible girl in England, it was something that irritated him to no end but he understood her dilemma. Jonah had no intention on marrying but his father's demands were clear, marry or go broke. His mother was just taking advantage of his moment of indecisiveness to push as many debutantes his way as possible before his moment of clarity set in. Jonah knew very well that he had a choice to tuck tail and go back to his travels whilst still maintaining his monthly allowance or he could just swallow his pride(and opinion), get a wife and his inheritance in the process. Never again would he be dependent on his father. His independence was the only thing making him bite his tongue from snapping at the countless Mama's nipping at his heels. Spotting his Mother he let out a breath of relief only to be filled with a sense of dread when another group of mothers flocked around her. Escape was futile in this situation so he powered on and walked up to her. He found her gaze and he could tell that she was about to introduce him to one of her friends when she registered the look on his face.

The Duchess was eager to have her son home and was excited to show him off but he was fed up with the constant attention and the overall desperation. Leaning close to whisper to his mother he said, "Mother, I am excruciatingly tired and for the moment I do not wish to be introduced to any more blushing debutantes or their pestering mothers."

"Jonah, that is not the way I raised you. You are to be polite and respectful to my friend. Her daughter is an extraordinary girl who would be an incredible wife for you." Julia, seeing that her son was not convinced added to ease his tension. "I promise, she is the last one for the night. I would have made you great Lady Amelia but she had to attend to family matters."

Jonah's ears perked up as he looked to his mother for further information, even as he smiled at the passing young ladies.

"Lady Amelia Sutton? Isn't she Sarah's mother?"

Julia glared at him before correcting, "yes she is miss Sarah Sutton's mother. She is now a lady and as a gentleman you will regard her as so." Julia smiled through her admonishing.

Jonah let out a scoff that earned him another glare, "lady? Sarah couldn't become a lady if she tried, she's much to headstrong for such a title. I'd imagine her living with the wolves before I'd imagine her as a simpering debutante."

Julia let out a knowing smile as she faced her son and gave him her hand which he took, gracefully leading her across the ballroom. "I've changed my mind, I will introduce you to my friend at the next ball for now let us go home and rest I'm sure you are extremely tired."

Halfway through the journey, the Duchess broke the silence in the carriage by saying, "Sarah has become a beautiful, well mannered and well educated young lady. She has surprised us all and she might surprise you when you meet her. I would have liked to introduce you two but I didn't want to start a riot. You two always had a rivalry that no one understood. I bet neither of you could remember where it stemmed from."

Jonah laughed, regarding his mother with a smile. "Honestly I don't think either of us do. Even though we may have outgrown our childish rivalry. I still don't like her so don't get any ideas." Jonah felt the need to warn his matchmaker of a mother, heaven knows she could play Cupid to the pope himself.

"I would never. Heaven knows that you two would murder each other if left alone in a room together. Let alone marriage." Julia laughed at that, looking at her son.

After a few minutes of silence she noticed that Jonah had started to fall asleep, slipping into slumber. A certified guilt enveloped her at having dragged her son to a ball immediately after his return from his travels. As she looked at her son she could feel a mixture of pride and worry fill her heart. Pride at the man he'd become, worry at who he wanted to be.

Unbeknownst to his mother Jonah had already decided on finding the woman he had been conversing with at the ball and asking for her hand. If he was going to be forced into a marriage he did not desire then why not choose a woman he liked and one who was faced with a similar conundrum. He had come up with the idea minutes after their carriage started moving. As a matter of fact he had come to the decision once his mother had pulled out a very long list of London's most eligible debutantes once they had gotten into the carriage.

The mystery lady was beautiful, smart and much more tolerable than most of the women in his mother's list.

If only he had gotten her name, that was the last thought before he fully drifted to sleep. Deep sleep that had dreams featuring the woman with rich dark skin that held a stark contrast to his own milky white completion.

A nagging thought in his head that insisted that he knew the woman. Familiarity nagged his brain even as he slept. Plaguing his dreams.