2

The Winchester Mansion was renowned as one of the best-built works of craft in London. Its well-purple painted walls and five large chandeliers delighted its living room, conveying its aesthetic pleasing beauty inward.

Today, the purple-colored walls were well blended by the lighting of the one golden, two-white, and two-silver shining chandeliers. In addition, the chandeliers reflected the colorful and expensive material made gowns and suits of all the guests in attendance, depicting a truly first of many balls in the new year.

Among the attendees were the Baron of York, well acquainted by Lord Winchester; Lady Hardington, the Baron of Hardington's wife, with her four daughters –two on their second season of attendance and the other two on their peak season of introduction. However, well-known to Lady Hardington, and many others, the first two girls had already, in some degree, spoiled a successful betrothal for their younger sisters. Also present were the Viscount's two sons, Lord Henry FitzWilliam and his brother Lord James. In addition to these, were other bachelors and spinsters: seeking partners, socialization, and entertainment, along with other guests.

Nonetheless, none stood out more than the elderly Lady Evelyn Somerset, known to be in attendance only to gnaw, take in, and spread gossips to her absent friends. She was the most hated of all elderlies, but none stood to correct her of her informalities. The lady always stood, with the help of her lion-head cane, at the topmost corner of a living room, if not the first floor, where she elated to observe the happenings on the ground; intending to observe who was in attendance, the bachelors seeking a wife, the spinsters who were twice rejected, that who was thrice liked..., in addition to the groom who seemed uninterested with any pretty lady at the ball. To that groom, she found him prideful and she angrily detested him.

Today, though, the Lady, Lady Evelyn, seemed quite busy. She stood at the left corner of the Winchester mansion, with her, three handsome-looking lads–one with a black well-lined waistcoat, and two with knee-length black tailcoats. They all had almost the same heights, an added advantage to a lad when it came to seducing a lady. However, one of the lads, wearing a black knee-length tailcoat and an appeasing black top hat, stood apart from his fellows, constantly checking his watch. He seemed uninterested and detached from the party. After five minutes, the lad was already gone, and the rest had started separately associating.

"Victoria dear...," The Countess of Lancaster came to call out Lady Victoria, who was still being held on by her brother Andrew from socializing.

He had chased away five already eligible bachelors: First, Lord Beming, whom he called too old for his sister. Second, was the Viscount's first son, Lord Henry FitzWilliam, who he dismissed by saying Victoria needed minutes to rest before embracing the dance floor. Third, who was called Lord Hordy, from Wales, who Andrew dismissed saying he needed adverse research about him, as it was the first time getting acquainted with him. According to Andrew, he needed Victoria's first societal dance partner to be an exquisite and highly appreciative gentleman who indeed appeased him. However, the truth was, no man was perfect for Victoria, in Andrew's eyes, other than he himself, of course.

"Dea.., come," the Countess called out, grabbing Victoria's left hand, "…have you seen Lady Evalyne's…"

"Mother, I know what's best for Victoria." Andrew fast intervened in his mother's talk, making the Countess suddenly gaze towards the two daughters of Lady Hardington, as a speculation and encouragement to the Hardington mamma, to acquaint her new daughters to the Lancaster Lord.

"Argghh..," In frustration, Andrew called out, hastily freeing himself from both Victoria and his mother's sight. He sought to avoid the occurrence of many mamas seeking him to add his name on their daughters' dance cards in addition to acquainting them with him. He claimed to be not ready for children and, most especially, marriage. However, the honest reason was he had a more- than-friendly affair with a lowlife classical literature actress at the other end of the city, in some brothel, well known to him.

"Come dear," The Countess called out Victoria, dragging her through the crowd straight to the left corner where Lady Evelyn stood, now alone.

"Lady Evelyn…, my daughter..," The Countess nervously called out.

With a glimpse of scan from head to toe, Lady Evelyn looked at Victoria, shamelessly. She carefully examined her face, a second time, digesting the shape of her scalp, and questioning whether she had eaten enough. However, what amazed Victoria, making her feel more uncomfortable under the elderly gaze, was the fact that Lady Evelyn overly scrutinized her stomach.

"Has she bled yet?" Lady Evelyn blurted out a question blatantly, making the Countess nervously rub her palm on Victoria's arm. "Shy one, I see…" The woman added, "I shall acquaint your daughter to one of my guests. A shy girl might give birth to a shy ruler, not appreciative.., hush!!" she finished, leaving the Countess and her daughter standing there in disbelief, as she walked through the crowd, in search of someone.

"Mother..," Victoria whispered, her eyes depicting worry.

"She meant nothing by that, my dear..," Her mother encouraged.

After some minutes of Lady Evelyn disappearing into the crowded guests in-attendance, she came with four handsome-looking men each with their own appreciative expressions.

"This is Lord Hordy…" Victoria's brother had already dismissed him, "these two are the Viscount's sons: Lord Henry FitzWilliam and Lord James FitzWilliam…, and now my three guests, one has quite escaped my trap, Prince William and Prince Edward."

This made Victoria's eyes shine for a small part of the night, realizing she was being acquainted with the Princes. Of course, she knew Prince William, the son of the second wife of King Charles the second. But she still did not recognize Prince Edward, although she knew rumors of the King having placed some of his children to rule the land of Wales on his behalf.

"I wish not to have your dance card full of undeserving thwarts…, ha!" Lady Evelyn walked off, aggressively grabbing the Countess of Lancaster's hand away from her daughter, towards the room where the aging Lords and Ladies socialized and enjoyed the party.

"Lady Lancaster, please…," Prince William called out, slightly raising his palm and pushing his hand forward,

"…may I have this dance." He added, smiling ear to ear, his blue pupils shining in belief that the ladyship would not reject his request. In addition, being a prince, made the rest respect him, except for Edward Mcvourse, who was a little late in conversing. He was still familiarizing himself with the words to use. Victoria gladly accepted the request, as any lady is supposed to, and on the dance floor they joined, as another romantic classical music was played, and they both waltzed in slow motion, in awe.

"What kind of man do you prefer?" Prince William questioned, his eyes deeply gazing on Victoria, whose major focus was her feet movement, as she feared stepping on him or missing her step, and perhaps falling onto the ground. Victoria was too occupied with her desire for perfect dance, making her dance partner clear his throat again, "What kind of man charms you?" He now repeated, with Victoria's full attention on him.

"I…, I…," Victoria stammered, making her more nervous and the situation more awkward than she had ever been. But of course, it was understandable. This was her first dance, her first societal introduction dance, and the world was looking at her, now, more than ever.

"Would you like a drink?" Prince William questioned, after noticing the misery in Victoria, who had already slightly nodded after his request for a drink. He had, of course, gotten used to this sort of nervousness in more than one girl.

After the Waltz, they both walked to the first waiter in sight, as Prince William demanded two glasses of champagne and offered Victoria one. Victoria had never drunk before, and it was from Amelia's stories that she learned that drinking too much in a societal introduction might induce judgment leading to little missteps during the dance.

"Lady Lancaster…, can I have this dance?" Before she could even breathe in and out, or better take in a sip, Prince Edward Mcvourse called her out, ignoring the hate look that his half-brother was giving him.

To create an impression, Victoria gladly accepted and was tortured onto the dance floor again. From Prince William, went the two Viscount sons, to the Hordy Lordship, in addition to Lord Trinktell, who was cut short in between their dance by Victoria's third brother, Christian, after noticing the suffering in her sister's face, despite her forceful smile at the men trying to acquaint themselves with her.

"I am really tired; we should go home…," Victoria cried, in between the dance, her voice more of a whisper, and Christian gladly nodded.

"Andrew already left, Beaufort is nowhere to be seen, and Mother left while you were dancing with the Witzman stupid sons." This made Victoria chuckle a little, and, "Father has told me to bring you home."

With that, Victoria nodded, as the Waltz ended, and they both left the dance floor and headed towards the open front door.

"Lady Vic…, Lancaster." Prince Edward Mcvourse called out, rushing towards Christian and Victoria. "You are?" He suddenly questioned, glaring at Christian.

"I am Lord of Lancaster. What is it you wish from my sister?" Christian questioned, his chest puffing out, an act he always did when he was either ready to fight or showing a sign of detest towards the person in front of him.

"Goodnight, Lady Lancaster!" Prince Edward tensely added, leading to Victoria nodding to him.

"She danced with you because it would be disrespectful not to." Christian emphasized, and Prince Edward just nodded, his blue eyes gazing longingly at Victoria, as Christian grabbed her hand and left for their lone carriage.