Secrets & Scandals •Anthony Bridgerton•

Diamond of The First Water Part I

Diamond of The First Water Part I

GROSVENOR SQUARE

1813

The carriage bustled and bounced down the unpaved roads of London. However could she manage it? Ester never liked the city as she far more enjoyed the country. Nevertheless she found herself once again back in London for her first social season.

Her mother, Juliana was sweating prolifically and her father, Jacob looked miserable. Her older sister, Mariana was the envied one of the bunch. She adored London and longed for the season since her first the year prior.

Although Mariana never acquired the family hair, with bouncing blonde curls, with such light color that would make any man swoon, she had a beauty of her own with raven pin straight hair and pale skin.

Her mother often told Mariana that"The good Lord himself bestowed upon her the kiss of midnight."  Which happened to be the ungodly hour her older sister was born. Following a horrendous birth that lasted for two days. That was how Mariana entered the world.

Ester looked outside and noticed the many people surrounding every street corner, with hats of the latest fashion and colors of bright yellows and pinks. She even noticed the three Featherington girls climbing rather sloppily into their family carriage. All families eager to meet the Queen's approval for their daughters.

Ester never understood why the Queen would need to approve a young girl's beauty before the public. It wasn't like she would marry the Queen. Nevertheless, she did thank her mother and father for allowing her to wait till she was a little older than Mariana before she was to be thrusted into the terrifying grip of society.

She was of the ripe age of eighteen and eager to escape the clutches of her overbearing mother. How Mariana took the thrashing of her mother's high pitched tone, she never understood.

"Oh! Look, there goes Viscountess Violet and young Daphne! Oh, Daphne sure has sprouted like a beautiful flower this year. I believe she will be the prettiest of the bunch this season, don't you agree Jacob?" Her father, engrossed in a novel of carpentry nodded slightly. Not paying attention in the slightest to his rambunctious wife.

"Oh, yes." Jacob's monotone voice called out to her. Despite the dullness of it, invoked a calming wave through Ester's frazzled nerves. Her father always managed to do that for her.

"Oh, Jacob this will be the best season yet. With little Ester and Daphne joining the season! We must find you someone suitable Ester or else people will think we cooped you up so long because we feared you weren't enough!" Yet, her mother still rambled.

 "It's only a blessing after all that Mariana found someone last season. Poor Charles Billingsly, he took her even for no more than £4,000. It's all on you Ester to find someone this season. Oh! Mr. Sloehigh if I think of it I should truly faint." Ester, very unladylike rolled her eyes at her mother. A women who tended to be rather dramatic.

"You mustn't think too hard on it. Ester will surely find someone to catch this season. If not, then we will surely be ruined." Jacob Sloehigh very wittily retorted to his wife. Earning a small smile from Ester.

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Ester looked out the carriage window as they approached the entrance to the castle. With many ladies eagerly chatting with their families. The new debutantes easily stood out with the elegant white silk dresses, with the beautiful golden trim. Each strikingly similar with their own personal touches. The long, white feathers however were the easiest way to find an eligible young lady this social season.