Chapter 3, Part 1: In Which Many Light Hearted and Gay Amusements are Had

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

A week later, on the evening of the twenty-third of December. We find ourselves at the Duke of Kent's London home, a most beautiful and sizeable establishment at the north of the Park. At the heart of the house is a stunning ballroom decorated in the most up to date style. It is double height, with a minstrel's gallery perfect for watching the people below. A room has been set aside near the ballroom for the ladies to refresh their toilettes and for their maids to wait for them if they have been brought along. There is also a supper room adjacent to the ballroom where lavish refreshments of the most fashionable sort may be found. In the ballroom itself there is a small orchestra, scattered seating to rest one's weary feet a while, and upstairs there is an exterior balcony if one requires fresh air and the privacy of the stars... Ladies are given dance cards at the door. Since this is a rather grand affair, you will give your name to the Master of Ceremonies at the door to the ballroom and be announced to the company upon your entrance.

I look around the ballroom with satisfaction. The orchestra is tuning up, the candelabra glitter. Evergreen wreaths and swags hang from the walls to give a festive air, and of course there is mistletoe here and there. I smile to myself. I am expecting a splendid turnout this evening, of all the notable people in the city. Sadly Her Majesty is already at Windsor for Christmas, but I have a number of high ranking guests attending. I smile at turn to Arabella, who is acting as the hostess for the evening since I do not at present have a wife. She is wearing a fashionable dress of red velvet, which shows off her small waist and white shoulders admirably. She wears pearls in her hair and at her throat, and she is quite the credit to me. For myself I wear a sober jacket and breeches, but my waistcoat is a rich patterned navy, and my stickpin is a sapphire that matches my eyes quite perfectly. I am sure Lady Wanda will notice, I think, and I smile to myself.

"Are you ready to greet our guests, my dear?" I say to Arabella, and she smiles and takes my arm.