I get into the carriage. Enoch waves me and my parents off. We are going to the ball of the Montague family. They are the richest aristocrats in England. My father is only invited because he made a ring for the daughter, after which Dad and the Lord became pretty good friends. I look out of the window; the Montague's estate is incredibly beautiful. Sometimes I feel a bit envious of this family, they seem to be so extremely perfect. Well, the son does look like an arrogant brat. My father has mentioned that there is also a daughter who is approximately my age. We arrive at the huge Manor House. Our mansion is big but this mansion is at least twice the size. I try not to look surprised. Someone comes and leads us inside. Many people are already there. I feel out of place. I look at all the beautiful clothes when suddenly I see a girl in a creamy white dress. She is beautiful. I want to walk towards her, but my father suddenly starts talking to someone. "Eleanor, this is Lord and lady Montague." The lord gives me a kiss on the hand and I perform a curtsy. "Nice to meet you Eleanor, your father has told me a lot about you." I smile, but deep down I would love to roll my eyes. A young man too beautiful for his own good and ego approaches us. He gives me also kisses me on the hand. His beauty and sophistication appals me. He introduces himself as Yves Montague. "How beautiful you look miss." he comments and I thank him, but I would also really enjoy the ability to slap him in his stupidly beautiful face. "Would you like to dance?" I look at my father for a moment and say yes. He can dance incredibly well and he is too nice. I don't trust it, I find it awfully suspicious. Eventually, we walk out of the ballroom unto the platform behind the house. "What are your interests?" he asks. I frown. Is this a trap or something? "Oh, just the usual, embroidery et cetera." He smiles and looks at me. "Quid mihi, sensus erit tibi hoc intelligendum est?" I know what it means and this makes my whole face start to flame. "I knew you would understand Latin." "Do you try that with every girl?" I ask cynically. hH shakes his head. "You are different. You think I'm an over the top egotistical bastard who has too much power for his own good." "Can you read minds or something?" He laughs and he is instantly a little less unsympathetic. "Shall we actually dance now?" He extends his hand to me and I put my hand in his. He smiles mischievously and starts dancing, like you did as a child. We stomp, shake our heads, throw our arms everywhere and nowhere and spin around until we are nauseous. We end up leaning against a railing and talking for a bit. Suddenly, a girl's voice sounds behind us. "Yves?" He turns around. "What is it?" "I've been looking for you the whole time." "Sorry, but I'm here now, aren't I?" I turn around, it's the pretty girl in the creamy white dress, my heart instantly forgets how to work. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Yves looking at me. "This is my little sister, Frances. Frances, this is Eleanor." "How beautiful you are," I say. Frances smiles shyly. Yves bites his lower lip. "I'll leave you ladies alone for a moment, I suddenly remember I have something to do" "What?" asks Frances. "Do you need help," I ask. "Something somethingie and no I don't need help at all," he says as he slowly walks away, almost tripping over his own feet.

"Hi" I say doubtfully. "Hello," she says. She looks at her shoes. I take a deep breath and start talking very fast. "Are you also interested in writing? Or are you more into other kinds of art. Do you like embroidery, because of course I like that too." I laugh nervously as I continue for a while until I see the puzzled expression on her face. I smile, embarrassed of course, she starts laughing. I laugh with her in relief. "You are comical Eleanor, has anyone ever told you that?" I shake my head. "Well I find you rather entertaining." "I'm glad." "I love art by the way. I make my own paintings." I smile. "So does my little brother." "How funny." We stand there for a moment in the most comfortable silence I have ever experienced. "May I see that ring?" she asks, pointing to my hand. I give her my hand, her gloves are incredibly soft and her hands are elegant like the wings of a graceful swan. She gently strokes my hand and looks at the ring. Her eyelashes are long and hide her expressions. "Did you get it from your father." I nod. "What small hands you have," she says and smiles. "If you want to marry my brother I would definitely do so. It would highten your standing and my brother is a nice guy behind the façade of the clever know-it-all." I look at her and can't contain my laughter. "Do you really think I want to marry your brother?" She looks at me sheepishly. "Ideally, I would never marry. Why do I need a man to be important?" I say. "My brother said the same thing once, but my father said that would be unacceptable." A boy comes out. He has the same king of hair as Yves but his is blond and it is slightly curly. I am startled by him "Cyril, why do you have to look for her now?" says Yves pulling on his arm. I look at the boy, he is just as pretty as Yves but he seems less proud of his looks. Well, he might be a little less beautiful. I suddenly notice that his dress suit has a green flower embroidered on it. He smiles and kisses Frances hand. "Nice to see you again Frances. And who might this be?" he asks. "I'm Eleanor," I say and offer my hand. He kisses it. "Nice to meet you Eleanor. What family are you from?" "Okidoki Cyril, that's enough questions for today." "Don't be so unkind, Yves." Frances says. "This is Cyril, Yves best friend and my model for my portrait studies." she continues. I nod at him and he does too. He looks at Yves but Yves doesn't look back. "Come," Frances leads me back to the room. I look back for a moment and see Yves looking at Cyril. I frown, what a peculiar pair.