The Lady and The Gentleman

Anxiety welled up inside of Violet as the carriage came to a stop in front of the large mansion. Outside of the windows, she could see other ladies and gentlemen heading inside to get away from the cruel wind. As her father came around to the other side and assisted her out, Violet couldn't help but think that coming tonight was a mistake. How was she possibility prepared to handle this new world? Where she had grown up, people said what they meant and if there was a disagreement, a fight would start there and then. Though Violet had heard enough stories about the upper class to know that was not the case with them.

As she followed her father inside, she was quick to notice some of the others staring at her. Violet smiled at them politely, trying her best to remember her training. Her father made it clear that she needed to be on her best behavior. One wrong move and it would be catastrophic. The man made it sound like everyone around them would point and laugh, but she truly hoped that that was not the case.

Once inside, a servant assisted her in taking off her cloak, Violet smiled and thanked the man. Though she only received a glare from her father and a motion to come to his side. She was quick to do so. As they headed to the ballroom, she took a moment to readjust her gown. Oh, it was absolutely monstrous. How did these ladies move with such ease? Victoria was finding it hard enough to breathe easily. Her hand brushed along the beautiful light blue cloth. Her white gloves brushed along the lace. The dress was easily worth a few months of her old rent but her father insisted on the best for her 'coming out'. Her hands then reached up to her chest, ensuring that the low hemline and her necklace were correctly in place.

At the entrance to the ball, Violet stood up straight and focused on what was in front of her. She took her father's arm again and walked out. Her father whispered to the man and the man turned to the crowd and spoke in a forceful tone. "Announcing, Duke Byron of Devonshire, and his daughter Lady Violet."

Edgar feigned an interested smile as his mother attempted to orchestrate a conversation between himself and Abigail, the youngest daughter of one of their closest acquaintances. She had not been out in society long- in fact he remembered attending the ball in honour of her debut not three months ago. As they spoke, he discreetly examined the woman in front of him. She had on a lavender evening gown accompanied by an intricate up-do and a single string of pearls around her neck. She was polite, educated, and admittedly very attractive, but she was boring.

His gaze began to drift as his thoughts did the same. Glancing around the room, he saw many fine ladies occupied by dancing, talking, and playing cards. He knew that his objective at these gatherings should be first and foremost to find a suitable wife, but the problem was that much like Abigail, many of these women had a great capacity to bore him. Since he had been old enough to consider marriage, he found himself wanting something out of the ordinary- something exciting. He didn't wish the stuffy, formal marriage his parents had on himself in a million years. What he wanted was to care deeply for someone, and for that person to both challenge and excite him in ways that many of these women did not.

"...Dont you think Edgar?...Edgar?" His mother's voice interrupted his wandering thoughts and he directed his attention back to the conversation in front of him.

"Yes Mother, the new piano forte looks absolutely exquisite in the parlour." He replied, with the same false amusement on his face "Now if you'll all excuse me." He finished, raising an eyebrow at his mother so to acknowledge her ulterior motives for this encounter. Her eyes widened with shock and anxiety as he bowed politely and walked towards the wine.

@ wither

As her father lead her through the ballroom, Violet turned her attention to him. She needed to stay focus on what he was saying and who he was introducing her too. And she needed to try and not to focus on those who would stare. Even though her father did not warn her, her teacher had. The woman was very strict, as she had been the headmistress for a famous finishing school. Though she was also very blunt about the state of Violet's situation. People were going to stare, they would gossip and it was likely that they would say unflattering things about it. The woman made it clear that it was Violet's responsibility to rise above it. If she could prove them wrong about who she was, then they would have to accept her.

The first issue was to stop the rumors that Violet was not Duke Byron's real daughter. Though Violet thought the manner should be easily put at rest. The two of them shared some very similar features: dark chocolate hair, striking light blue eyes and high cheekbones. However, there were differences between the two of them. Violet naturally had more feminine features than her father. Her nose was smaller, unlike the large mountain that sat on his face. Her lips were also fuller and a lighter tone than his. Furthermore, and surprising to Violet, she had fairer skin. She believed she had spent more time outside working than he had but yet she matched closely with the ideals of beauty of being as pale as a white cotton sheet. This was something her teacher had commended her on, as if it was something Violet had worked on.

There were certainly some things about her appearance that her teacher had been horrified by. One being her natural posture, which the corset was fixing at the moment, much to Violet's displeasure. Her hands were another issue, as they were 'working hands'. Something that apparently must be covered up at all times by gloves until her hands became more ladylike. Violet had no idea what that meant exactly but she knew it stopped her from eating tonight, unfortunately, as it was 'improper to eat with gloves on'. The teacher was concerned about a laundry list of things about Violet when they first met but had managed to get her ready for tonight either way. Though Violet had a long way to go before getting rid of the old bat.

As her father walked her up to a group of noblemen, Violet pulled herself out of her thoughts and smiled politely. At least her teacher thought her smile was charming enough to not need fixing. Duke Byron turned to them. "Violet, may I introduce you to Duke Killenger and his son Lord Matthew, Duke Ferington, and Lord Poptons."

Victoria smiled to the four of them and bowed her as they did theirs. "It is a pleasure to meet my father's acquaintances."

@ BearGirl

"Thank you." Edgar smiled as one of the house staff handed him a glass of wine. He cast his gaze down at the glass for a moment, examining the swirling red liquid against the fine crystal. As he looked back out into the room, he wondered where his father was. Off talking sport with one of his many acquaintances no doubt. He had been told by his father earlier that night that there would be quite a few guests whose acquaintance he'd not yet made. This idea intrigued Edgar, he truly did love meeting new people, though so far he'd only met one, and the encounter was dull at best.

He walked deeper into the ballroom in an attempt to find his father, he passed a group of three women speaking in hushed tones about something. He couldn't quote make out what it was, but they seemed to be glancing over at something as well. Gossip wasn't an activity he readily participated in. He was sure though, there were rumours in town of which he was the subject- especially given his social status, wealth, and lack of wife. As he moved by them, one by one they all looked up at him and bowed their heads politely. He paused for a moment to flash them a winning smile and bow in response. Once they were out of his sightline, he could hear faint giggling before they returned to their conversation. He seemed to be undeniably charming when it came to the opposite sex.

The charm however had not come without some percentage of hard work. At a young age, his father had him working with one of the finest teachers that money could buy, so that he could follow in his footsteps and carry on the Worthing name with pride, and the demeanour of a true gentleman.

"Edgar! My dear boy!" his father chimed, as he finally located him in the far corner of the room near the fireplace speaking to his uncle. "Now have you been enjoying yourself this evening? What wonderful company we are keeping tonight!"

Edgar lit up a little more genuinely then, he truly did admire his father. "Yes sir, I can hardly imagine a better party, you have truly outdone yourself." He listened a while longer to his father and uncle discuss various happenings of the evening as he let his gaze drift about the room again.

"Ah yes!" his Fathers voice perked up, "There is one acquaintance I know you have yet to make, dear boy. An old friend of mine- Duke Byron." His father's eyes searched the party for a while before he spoke again. "Oh good, he stands just over there with his daughter."

His father stepped forward then, gesturing for Edgar to follow. They took their leave of his uncle, and before he could say anything, they were walking across the room.

@ wither

As her father and the other men started to speak, Violet could feel her mind wandering off. While she had found their conversation slightly interesting in the beginning, it grew more and more boring to her. It even worsen when they started discussing things and people she knew nothing about. Though Violet knew why she was here. She wasn't here to speak her mind to her father's acquaintances. It was her responsibility to stand there, look like a presentable young lady and eventually get a husband. Tonight she just had to follow her father around until he was satisfied. To apparently make these proper men and woman get used to her being around.

However, soon she felt her father ever so lightly touch her elbow, trying to get Violet to pay better attention to what was occurring. Violet moved her attention back to the group, glancing over at her father for a moment who seemed to flash a quick stern look. She wasn't quite sure what was happening yet but whatever it was, it was important. Violet needed to be alert for whatever was coming their way.

As she turned slightly to follow her father's line of sight, she could see an older man walking with, who Violet assumed to be, his son towards them. Moving her hands in front of herself, she folded them together and watched them with interest. Who could they be that got her father to suddenly get them both to be on their best behavior. Surely they couldn't be overly important, right? It wasn't like the Queen herself and her family were here.

Once the men were joining their group, Duke Byron cleared his throat and started to speak. "Duke Worthing, it is fantastic to see you here. Please let me introduce you to my daughter, Lady Violet."

Violet looked up to the older gentleman and smiled warmly before she bowed her head slightly. "It is a pleasure." She said gracefully. Though meanwhile, the only thought on the young woman's mind was how strange introductions were in proper society. Violet felt as though she should be introduced to him, not the other way around. But it was always the men who were introduced to the women.