In the pride of England, the clouds were dark and it was about to rain. But a little boy ran through the streets, his eyes fixed on the grand home of the Sinclair family. His feet pounded the cobblestone road as he rushed towards the door, a letter clutched tightly in his hand. It was addressed to Lady Elizabeth, the daughter of the wealthy merchant.

As the boy arrived, he was greeted by the butler who led him to the drawing-room where Elizabeth was sitting. Her strawberry blonde hair was pinned back, her dress immaculate, and her posture regal. She was everything the boy had imagined a lady to be.

"Excuse me, milady," the boy said, panting. "I have a letter for you."

There were two letters, Elizabeth took one and her sister took the other letter from the boy and thanked him before dismissing him. She opened the letter, her curiosity piqued. It was an invitation to a ball hosted by the Earl of Ashworth, one of the most prominent nobles in London. Elizabeth had heard of him but had never met him. She was excited at the prospect of attending his ball and meeting new people.

With a smile on her face, Elizabeth asked her maid to prepare her for the ball. She knew that it was going to be an eventful night, and she was eager to make the most of it. Little did she know, that night would be the start of a journey that would change her life forever.

As Elizabeth collected the letter from her sister's hand, she noticed the amused expression on her face.

She sighed, knowing her sister's tendency to make fun of her. There must have been something in the letter that had caused her to be this amused.

"What is it, Jennifer?" Elizabeth asked.

Jennifer held back a giggle before replying. "It's from your Henry. He seems to have asked for your hand in marriage, would you say yes and fly the nights with him?"

Her other sisters laughed along with Jennifer as they made fun of her.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. She tore open the envelope and read the contents of the letter.

"Dear Lady Elizabeth," she read aloud. "I would be honored if you would grant me the pleasure of your company at the Earl of Ashworth's ball. I have been given an invitation from one of my clients and It would be a pleasure to introduce you to some of my esteemed colleagues. I await your reply eagerly."

Elizabeth couldn't help but feel a pang of excitement as she read the invitation. The Earl of Ashworth was known for throwing the grandest parties in all of London, and it would be a great opportunity to make new connections. But at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder if this is a sign that Henry wanted to make her is wife.

She had been dating him for three years tops. They have never been seen public together as she was a wealthy merchant daughter and he was just a carpenter.

"Well, well, well," Caroline, her one and only best friend teased. "It looks like you've caught the eye of Henry after all. I believe this is the first time you would be soon together with him. Wonderful. You mustn't keep him waiting."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes once again, but a small smile played at the corners of her lips. She knew that her they meant well, even if their teasing was a bit much at times.

She quickly penned a reply to Lord Henry, accepting his invitation, and set her mind to planning her outfit for the ball. Little did she know that this simple acceptance would lead her down a path that she never could have imagined.

As the sun began to set, the Sinclair household was bustling with activity. Lady Sinclair, mother of the house, was busy giving instructions to the maids on how to prepare her daughters for the ball. Elizabeth was sitting by the window, a book in hand, as she watched the hustle and bustle of the household.

Her younger sister, Liana, walked in and snatched the book from her hand. "What a bore, Lizzie," she exclaimed, flipping through the pages. "You and your books. You should be more like me, always dreaming of handsome suitors and grand balls."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and took the book back from her sister.

“I would rather read about adventures of handsome men than think about me being their wife seated in the drawing-room waiting for their arrival from a war”

She had always been the studious one in the family, spending most of her time with her nose buried in a book or playing the piano. But despite her love for literature, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the thought of the upcoming ball.

Lady Sinclair walked in, her hands full of ribbons and lace. "Elizabeth, my dear, you must look your best tonight. A duke is coming to the ball, and I want him to take notice of you."

Liana giggled. “Mother, you want Elizabeth to marry a duke? How could she when she is head over heels over a certain person that his name starts with an H”

Elizabeth blushed at the mention of that

She had been secretly admiring him for months, ever since they had met at a dinner party. He was charming, witty, and had the most piercing blue eyes she had ever seen. She secretly wished he would propose to her, but she knew her mother's constant meddling could be off-putting to potential suitors.

As Lady Sinclair and her sisters fussed over her hair and dress, Elizabeth couldn't help but daydream about the ball. She imagined herself gliding across the dance floor, twirling in Henry's arms as he whispered sweet nothings in her ear.

Elizabeth's dress was a sight to behold. The bodice was intricately embroidered with gold thread, and the skirt flowed out in billowing layers of silk. The sleeves were delicate and sheer, with tiny beads sewn into the fabric that caught the light and sparkled like stars.

Her strawberry blonde hair was swept up into an elegant chignon, with a few loose tendrils framing her face. Her lips were painted a deep shade of cherry red, and her eyes were accentuated with a touch of smoky eyeshadow. As she stood before the mirror, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel a little thrill of excitement in her chest. This was to be her first ball of the season, and she was determined to make the most of it.