" Charlotte and Lily, get ready my dears, we are going to the Hampton Ball tonight."

Giggling and chatting could be heard from the girl's dressing room on the second storey. Charlotte was now eighteen and Lily was a year younger. With the passing years both girls had turned out to be witty and beautiful inside out. They were courteous and polite and always stood up for each other.

"Lily, not so tight...its hurting."

"Just be a good girl and stay put. Its our first ball after all. Don't you want to look pretty?"

"I do but how will I breathe in such a tight corset?"

"You will get used to it soon."

"Will there be handsome men? Oh I wish I meet my prince tonight and dance away to our heart's content"

"I wish you do.", said Lily but there was a slight hurt in her voice as though she did not like the idea. Charlotte noticed it but said nothing. She must not want to let me go away with some pretty men. That's obvious. We're sisters after all.

They put on their gowns and shoes, did their pretty faces and hair and finally they were ready. When they came down from the stairs they looked alluring. Beautifully shaped, soft white flesh exposed at the shoulders, waiting to be held. The decollete gown accentuated their figures and their faces shone with delight and excitement, smiling with their lovely eyes. Their hair was done up in a neat bun with their locks curled up and hanging down their temples, shaping their sharp faces. On their hands were white gloves shaping their slender long fingers. It was impossible to say who looked better. Heavenly would be the word which best suited them.

The ball was nothing short of their expectations. The ballroom boasted of its grandeur. Chandeliers were hung up on the high ceiling, a grand orchestra played from the stage- there were a variety of string instruments playing-viola, violin, cello and harpiscord- harmonising to create melodious music. The polished marble floor glittered in the light. Neither of the girls had seen such fancy dresses in their lives. Men wore long black tailcoats with polished black shoes. There were so many different types of hairstyles that the mind could not keep up with. All the ladies carried a mother of pearl fan in their hand.

It was their debutant ball, where their father would introduce them to the society. After Mr. Dalton introduced them to the host of the ball, he signalled to the orchestra to stop playing. The host announced, "Presenting the Dalton daughters- Miss Charlotte and Miss Lily Dalton"

All eyes turned towards them and Charlotte's heart started pounding loudly. Lily spoke up. "Thank you all so much for having us. Hope we get to know each other better."The orchestra resumed and couples resumed talking and clinking their glasses of drinks. Charlotte trusted Lily in these matters. Though she herself was elder, she had grown to be shy. Lily on the other hand was meek in her childhood, now was more confident. Her father passed away when Lily was eight and Mr Dalton had taken her in and treated her as his own daughter. Charlotte's wish of having a sister had thus been fulfilled and she was overjoyed. Even now she considered Lily her blessing. Victor had married and settled in Stourhead. Alex was still in search of a wife. However tonight he was ill and thus unable to attend. No one knew about Lily's origin other than her present family and she was taken to be a Dalton by all.

Suddenly a gentleman approached them and spoke to Mr.Dalton.

"Hello gorgeous ladies. My name is Andrew Jones. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Lily was about to reply but to her surprise Charlotte spoke up first.

"No not at all. The pleasure is all ours."

"May I have the next dance Miss Charlotte?" said Andrew and extended his hand. Charlotte blushed, took his hand and said" Yes, you may."

They danced all through the night, laughed and talked.

Lily danced with a few men too. She was graceful and polite. Culture and etiquette was obvious in the way she carried herself. She smiled and chatted with her dance partners but her eyes darted to Charlotte time and again and an unknown feeling creeped in her heart when she saw her sister glowing with joy in the arms of Mr. Jones. Was it fear? Yes that must be it. What else could it be?

That night they returned home. Charlotte utterly exhausted but satisfied. Lily? Well she was not sure. The former was bubbling with excitement and joy and spoke rapidly.

"And you know what Lily, Andrew is a businessman. He owns two mansions in Wiltshire and is very kind. He told me he would come visit us! How exciting would that be? Ah! I've found my knight. I can't wait to see him again."

"I love to see you happy dear but don't get too attached so soon. You barely know him."

"Its love at first sight Lily.... And by the way what about you? Did you fall for anyone? There were many handsome men who danced with you. Surely one or the other should have caught your eye."

"Yes there was one."

"Who was it? Tell me."

"It's a secret. Now sleep. It's already so late. Papa doesn't like us sleeping till late in the morning."