Sheffield, England - 1843

"Adam Lambert! The ball is going to start!" Jacqueline bursted into his bedroom chamber.

At the balcony, a fine young man stood quietly, looking at the crowd on the garden. It was early in the evening not even the sun was still shining. Women with fancy ball gowns and men in their Victorian suits.

It was a Masquerade ball. Celebrating Adam's lordship over Sheffield. They invited the Queen and her husband, Prince Albert as one of honorable guests. Carriages from different nobles queued up in front of the manor.

"I'm coming, Mrs. Jacqueline."

"You must not going to be late!" Jacqueline was his nanny since he was five after his mother, Lady Diana Penelope Theron died. "You'll might be embarrassed after then."

He huffed. Adam turned around and went out to the Ballroom. The butler, Harold followed him. He was Adam's bestfriend since they're kids. "Sir, the priest was waiting for you."

When they got arrived, Father Cameron John was standing on the platform. The crowd cheered as he walked through the aisle. Adam bowed at the Queen and the Prince then stood beside Fr. Cameron.

"Since Lord George of Sheffield died last month, according to the law that every legitimate firstborn must be the heir to the lordship over the land. His son, Adam Lambert will now honorably be the Lord of Sheffield."

Fr. Cameron took the crown of twisted gold vines from the cushion which Harold was holding. He laid it on Adam's head. Adam knelt down in front of the Queen. She took her sword and placed the tip of it on each of his shoulders.

"Adam Lambert Earldon, the Lord of Sheffield!" Cameron declared, the crowd cheered and clicked their glasses in toast. Adam was staring at the woman in green gown. Her red hair was neatly decorated with fresh daisies. Her face was hidden behind the mask yet still beautiful to every gentlemen's eyes.

He walked towards her, grinning. "What do you think of this ball, m'lady?"

"It's quite magnificent." He could see her olive green eyes looking at him. The orchestra was playing the Mozart's Sonata. Slow music encouraged people to dance the waltz.

He offered his hand and asked. "May I dance with you, m'lady?"

She nodded and held his hand. He led her to the dance floor. They both bowed and danced with each other.

"What's your name, M'lady?"

Her lips curled up in smile. "I won't tell you my name."

"How can I know you if I-"

"Just call me Beauty. Everyone's calling me that!" Adam never knew that she's a hype.

"Beauty." His gaze locked on her lovely eyes. "I can see it behind your face."

"Don't flatter me, my lord."

"I do not yet it's the truth." He smirked. Beauty felt her cheeks went red under the mask. Their bodies pressed gently as they dance the English waltz. An electric shock ran through her veins as he leaned his head, and she could feel his breath tingling on her collar bone.

"I wish it wasn't a Masquerade so I can see your gorgeous face, Beauty."

"But I prefer to hide it from this stunning young man in front of me."

He chuckled. Adam held her waist, showing her the trustworthy and security in his hands. Beauty couldn't stop but to stare at his face. Freshly trimmed beard with dazzling blue eyes. His blond hair was neatly combed. She was imagining that she's staring at the marbled statue of a Greek god or one of those paintings of the Renaissance period.

"You smelled like vanilla." His nostrils inhaled the scent on her shoulder.

Somebody grunted. They stopped dancing and turned out that it was Lord Maximus Polomus of Italy. Adam smiled at him.

"May I dance with Miss Beauty?"

Beauty mouthed saying that they will see each other later. It was then after Maximus led her to dance, leaving Adam behind.

∞

The town was ruled by his father, George Earldon. A man who only cares about money and fortune. But never got a chance to help the townfolks. His mother was left by this lazy gentleman with her son, Adam.

Adam grew up in a home with rules to abide. Modesty and chivalry was his image of a gentleman. Despite that his father didn't spend much time with him, Mrs Jacqueline helped him to learn everything.

Here comes his childhood friend, Veronica. Her father was the Duke of Derby and they're close to each other. Her parents didn't not approved her clumsy manner and prefer her sister Vivorie as his future wife because of her meek and gentle aura.

But their families began to rage a dispute and the two of them were forbidden to communicate with each other. Since he was seven years old, he never saw her again.

Harold approached him by tapping his shoulder. "My lord, the manor house was about to become dusty and may the servants clean the house up?"

"Harry, they may." He saw Mrs Jacqueline coming into the office. "What do you want Mrs Jacqueline?"

"There's a letter sent by the post." She gave him a folded paper. He opened it and read the passage. They're written in beautiful cursives.

"Who sent this letter?"

"The letter was sent without the sender's name or address."

"That's strange."

Love, I also remember those tarts, which were made my mother. You would crept into the kitchen and have a bunch of tarts into your vest. I would laugh at your funny jokes even they're not as hilarious.

If it's Veronica then why she would send him a letter like this? He shook his head and places the letter on the little chest. He didn't like neither Veronica or her sister.

From his heart, he had feelings for Miss Beauty. Admiring not her face but her cheerful and sweet character. He longed to see her face. Adam took a paper and a quill then wrote a letter to her.

13 January 1843

Dear Anonymous.

Good day! Have you wrote me a letter? Do you know me? I could understand that you know me because of my lordship over the town of Sheffield.

Yet how are we related? I have only had a friend who we suffering from a dispute between our families. Her name is Veronica. Veronica Annaliza Knight.

Did I forget you? Perhaps I did. I think you have sent a letter to a wrong person. How can you love me? Sorry to say that I'm in love with someone named Beauty. Do you know her? Where did she lived?

She's famously called as Miss Beauty. She came to my masquerade ball yesterday and danced with me and I almost tend to kiss her. But I never had a chance to talk with her again. She's a gentlemen's wish. I think she might fell for somebody else.

Yet if you knew her, please tell her that I want to communicate with her through letters. Even she doesn't want me to see her face.

I apologise for hurting your feelings. But I do love her.

Sincerely,
A. L. Earldon.

He placed the quill down and called Harold. Harold quickly came into his office. He stood in front of him.

"What do you want, my lord?"

Adam stood up from his seat and walked around the table. He gave Harold his letter. "Give it to the unknown sender."

∞

28th January 1843

Dear Adam L. E.
Sheffield, England.

My lord, pardon me for writing you an unknown letter. This is Miss Beauty, to whom you are looking for. It's nice to hear you fallen for a woman like me. Sadly, I am not allowed to go outside anymore but you can still talk to me through letters.

I think you forgot the memories we've been doing when we're young. I'm so glad to see you growing a young lord of Sheffield. Your looks are so captivating that I'm might want to escape from my house.

What do you think? I'm in love with you and I laughed at your response to my first letter. Oh I knew Veronica, she's a lovely lady with a witty soul. She's lovely indeed.

Back to the topic, do you love me? Can you see my beauty under my mask? Well, you might mean the beauty's of inside out. Thank you for your compliment, my lord.

I want to ran with you! Love you and fill you with my kisses but we only talk through letters. I guess we can be lovers that only us know about it.

If you willing to...

Sincerely yours,
Miss Beauty.

2013
Monday...

"What do think of the third letter?" Adam asked his sleepy historian in front of him. Victoria rested on her palm and smiled weirdly. Her eyes were still shut.

"Have you sleep well last night?"
Granny Vine stirred up the coffee with the teaspoon while standing beside the table.

"I don't know... Well what happened?" Victoria asked back.

The young man and her granny looked at each other. Adam shrugged. "I don't think she slept well last night."

Last night, Victoria never had a good sleep. She keeps fantasizing about him. Her mind was filled with butterflies of love. Wow, she hasn't been in love before but it slowly turns out that she had feelings for this troubled young man.

"I did." She insisted then yawned.

"She lied. Oh well, you have to go to the carnival nearby." Granny Vine drank her tea after giving her the cappuccino coffee. "Be energized, my darling."

Victoria opened her eyes and stared at her cappuccino. She took a glance at Adam, he was writing a list of clues about the letter. His lips moved to speak something that cannot be heard.

She drank instantly and wiped her mouth with her hand. Granny Vine was just observing her unfamiliar gestures. Victoria got up from her seat and made an excuse before Adam nodded. She dashed through the stairs and arrived at her bedroom.

She sighed after closing the door. What happened to her? She quickly went to the closet and chose what clothes she want to wear. Just to clear off her thoughts. She wore a black bra with high waist denim trousers and leather boots.

She stood in front of the mirror. Her hair was untamable and her lips were pale as a result of having slight anemia. Iron tablets were prepared inside her medical pouch alongside the vitamins and pills.

She sat on the mattress, pouting her lips. Her hands reached out to braid her frizzy red hair. Eighteen inches long made her hand go tired. After sealing her hair with a hair-tie, she glanced back to the mirror and smiled weakly. Well, nevermind.

The door went open. Granny Vine came in folding her arms. "Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing." She lied. Victoria scratched her arm and sat down on the mattress.

"Don't lie to me, Vic."

She exhaled. Her lips curved into a doubtful smile. "I cannot understand myself anymore."

Granny Vine chuckled. "Don't be problematic! There are a lot of problems to solve!" She sat beside her, holding her numb hand. "That's normal. Pretty much normal for young people like you."

She looked at her soft green orbs. A red head fell for a blond man. Victoria spoke. "This isn't normal."

"It is, it's called 'Puppy love', sweetheart."

She bit her lip. "I'm afraid, Granny. I'm afraid that I would become like my brother Kevin."

"Darling, my only Lady. Don't be afraid of your feelings. Everybody has its own love story. Like novels, it would sometimes end happily or not." She cupped her face.

"I know. I don't believe in fairytales or stupid love stories and-"

"Listen! Love is unexpected and mysterious. You cannot comprehend when it arrives. Feelings were just a response to your heart but remember that love is an action. It accepts who we are. It isn't fussy like your brother Sean." They both laughed, remembering her brother who dislikes eating vegetables.

"So what? It waits. Let it go."

"Frozen fanatic. I see." Victoria furrowed her eyebrows. Her Granny laughed wholeheartedly. She was thrilled to see the upcoming movie Frozen.

"Just please don't mind me squealing at the movie." She smiled.

"I don't. But you have to keep it from the public. My gosh, Granny!" She facepalmed and shook her head. "I'm sending you to the home for the aged."

"I'm too young for that! Victoria Ann Stilton!"

"I guess they're accepting women in fifties."

She giggled and guffawed. "That's enough, Vic. Time to go!" She got up and slipped her hand under her pocket, taking a few bank notes and gave them to her. "For your fun!"

Victoria threw her arms around Granny Vine. "Thanks for everything, Granny."

"Your welcome." Vine pressed her tightly. She released her and gave her a shock. "Adam waited for us in a hour! My goodness!"

"Don't worry Granny." She was expecting that Adam was the Adam before, the latebutt guy. "He'll understand."

They both went out to the main entrance of the manor house. Adam was there waiting with a notebook in his hand. He was wearing white sleeveless top, exposing his toned arms. His medium length blond hair was tied up in a small bun. He smiled like he was excited about the carnival.

Victoria snapped herself for staring at Adam and Granny Vine winked at her, making her blush more. "I think Peppa Dog doesn't want to go with you guys."

"Good because Adam won't enjoy his time with Peppa!"

"Vic! You fooled me."

To stop the little fight, Granny Vine turned around and yelled. "Goodbye Kids!"

"My goodness, we're not kids anymore." Victoria raised her eyebrow to Adam. "Right?"

"I guess we are."

"Adam knows how to revenge me!" She pushed him away.

"I'll do it when the time is right." He grinned but it became a frown when a question popped up. "What will we ride?"

Victoria turned around to look at the gate, 500 hectares from the house. "We'll just walk."

"Okay, if you want water, just tell me because I have an extra water bottle here in my bag." He hanged the bag over his shoulder.

Victoria went flushed. She silently told herself not to make it obvious. "Okay."