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"Be it shame or slander, seduction or smear, there is but one thing that humbles even the most highly-regarded members of our dear ton... a scandal! Well, dear reader, it should seem that all of Grovesnor Square has been left to ponder a rather scandalous question, indeed. Might one former diamond's recent fall from grace turn out to be the most damning scandal of all?"

Aurora steadied herself as Teddy grabbed her hand, easing her off of the boat. Her aunt and father stood beside her, Jasper already lost in the dancing crowds of the evening's festivities. The blonde girl smoothed out her lavender colored dress as her aunt pushed her curls behind her shoulders. Instead of leaving the strands to cascade across her back fully, half of her hair had been pinned into an ornate bun with a scatter of white flowers neatly placed in the golden strands. She allowed her father to take her arm as he guided the four of them towards the party. As they passed other patrons, Aurora smiled politely as her eyes darted around for her best friend.

"I wish not to alarm you dear," Aurora paused her steps as she eyed her nervous father, "but I fear my reason for being present this evening isn't entirely innocent."

"I do not understand." Aurora tried not to frown as she noticed a few people sneaking glances at her family.

"The son of an old friend of mine has come to visit and he's here to find himself a wife." Aurora paled as she heard her father's words.

"Find himself a wife or to marry me?" She questioned, her tone slightly bitter. She had wished to find her own husband for her season, not to have one arranged for her.

"My dear, if he wasn't a capable young man I would not have agreed to house him for the duration of his visit. I trust that he will behave accordingly. I shall only ask that you keep an open mind upon his visits. The future is unpredictable, he very well could be your favorite suitor."

"Fine." She agreed. "That is the only favor I will do for you. But I wish to do this season my way, no other input is wanted."

"Of course, dear." He smiled contently and placed a chaste kiss atop her head. "Now, come, let's get names written on your dance card." The tall man smiled as his daughter grew giddy at his words. Her love for dancing was inherited from her late mother, and it always warmed his heart when he watched his favorite girl twirling around, even if he despised every man who danced with her.

"Ah, sister, looking radiant this evening!" Jasper stumbled upon them a few moments later, his eyes glossy and cheeks rosy as the effects of the many drinks he consumed lingering in his system. "Father, have you grown taller?" Jasper blinked as he peered up at Jedidiah. "Or have i shrunk?" He mumbled.

"Brother, you're looking quite flushed. Have you eaten anything?" Aurora giggled as Jasper stepped beside her and grabbed her hand, clutching it tightly.

"I don't believe I have." He frowned as he pondered her question. "I can not recall."

"Right then." Teddy smirked as he pulled the boy away from his sister. "I shall take over from here. Brother, Aurora." He bowed his head as he took his leave, dragging the grumbling blond man with him. Maddy shared an amused look with her niece before trailing after her husband.

"Always with the dramatics." Jedidiah rolled his eyes. "Come, I see your friends." He reached for his daughter's arm and guided her through the crowd to the people she claimed as family. "Lady Bridgerton, looking lovely as always." Aurora and Daphne shared a secret smile as their lone parent greeted the other.

"Thank you, Earl Hanford." Violet smiled politely at him. "Aurora, dear, your beauty is outdone tonight."

"Thank you!" Aurora beamed as she smiled as big as she could. Before they could say anything more, the announcer for the evening shouted for their presence. Daphne and Aurora latched onto each other as their parents stood behind them.

"It is with great privilege I present Vauxhall's newest spectacle of illumination. Feast your eyes above and allow all that is radiant to overwhelm you!" Aurora and Daphne gasped in unison as they smiled gleefully at the lights above them. They walked away from their parents to observe the different angles and their smiles were wide as they marveled at the sights.

"Oh, Daph, I have never seen anything prettier!" The Hanford girl giggled. Her eyes were torn away from the golden lights as Anthony came up beside them.

"Is it not the most bizarre?" Daphne beamed to him. "Look, brother!" The girls began to feel uneasy as they noticed the sullen look on his face. They shared a curious glance before Daphne questioned him.

"Lord Berbrooke's barony is over 200 years old." Aurora gasped as she realized what he was telling her. "His lineage is legitimate. He's had an excellent education, possesses no debts, never hurt an animal or a woman, and is even a decent shot. To speak strictly, there is nothing wrong with him."

"Except that he is old enough to be her father." Aurora pointed out. Anthony gave her a tight lipped smile before regarding his sister.

"What should any of this-" Daphne began to ask her question before Anthony interrupted.

"You are to marry him." He simply stated.

"Nigel?" Daphne bit out.

"I had to find you a husband, sister. Now be grateful it is done." Anthony gave another toothless smile as he met Aurora's wary glances. "It should be just as easy for you to fall in love with Lord Berbrooke as it would with anyone else."

"I will not hear of this!" Daphne stormed away and Aurora and Anthony were left standing in their same spots. Aurora decided to give her dear friend a few moments of peace and instead turned to regard the man beside her.

"Surely, you could not find anyone else?" Aurora questioned him as he stepped closer to her.

"My reasons are valid and factual." He responded. He held his arm out and she placed hers in his as they walked among the crowd. "You don't seem that upset with me."

"I understand your reasoning." She let out a small sigh. "I, alike Daphne, wish nothing more than for a true love's match but even I am facing her same dilemma. My family will be housing a suitor my Father has chosen for me."

"He's arranged for you a husband?" The face of his younger brother flashed through his mind as he expressed his shock.

"Of sorts." Aurora confessed. "He will be just one of many I must entertain until I receive a proposal."

Anthony was unsure of how to respond to the girl's words. He knew his Mother was scheming for her to be paired with his brother but now the news of another man entering her life will surely cause conflict in those plans. He loved the girl like a sister and wanted nothing more for his brother to find happiness with her, but he feared that if Benjamin didn't act upon his hidden feelings soon, her heart would yearn for another.

"Would you care to dance?" He finally spoke.

"As long as you promise to keep your name off my dance card." Aurora teased him. "And these other desperate men away from me."

"I promise." He grinned. He led her to the dance floor and they began to match the steps of the other pairs, ignoring the watchful eyes of those around them and oblivious of the drama happening in the gardens.

As the dancing came to an end, Anthony left the girl's side to seek out his brothers. Aurora was left near the steps of the dance floor as she gawked at the fireworks erupting in the sky.

"It is a marvelous sight." Lady Danbury appeared beside the blonde girl. "I noticed your dance with the Viscount, have your affections shifted from one brother to another?"

"I assure you, no affections have been in effect nor have they shifted. The Viscount is merely like a brother to me, his feelings the same." Aurora smiled politely.

"I do fear what his brother will make of that dance. And the three that followed."

"Why, Lady Danbury, are you insinuating that one of the Bridgerton men has romantic feelings for me?" Aurora met the Lady's smirk with one of her own. "I can assure you, they do not."

"If you say so." They silenced as whispering echoed around them. They followed the sight of the parting crowds and the two shared a secret smile at the sight of Daphne and the Duke walking together. They held hands and small smirks as they made their way to the stage. "They make quite the pair." Lady Danbury remarked.

"I must agree." Aurora smiled but questioned quietly at her friend's new suitor. Last she heard, they held hate for each other and now they appeared smiling and almost in love. Had it been anyone else, she would have been fooled but she knew her friend and the look of love on her face was fake. She had questions and she vowed she'd get her answers.

"His face is rather unfamiliar." Aurora glanced curiously at Lady Danbury before following her gaze. Standing not to far from them beside her father, was a redheaded man the blonde had never encountered. She knew by his friendly faces with her father he was the one who would be staying with them. Many eyes had turned from the newfound couple to the fresh face but his eyes seemed to focus on hers. Her father pointed in her direction and Aurora watched as the man took confident steps towards her. He stopped two steps away from her and she curtsied as he bowed. She noted his tall stature and broad body, he was much bulkier than any man her age, but it was his ocean blue eyes that stood out to her.

"Lady Hanford, may I have this dance?" He flashed a gleaming white smile at her.

"You may." She held out her hand and he placed a chaste kiss across her satin covered knuckles before guiding her into place. As the music began, he began to speak quietly to her.

"I apologize for not introducing myself before." His heavy accent sounded in her ears and she almost sighed at the sound of it. "I am Laird Oliver Evander. The title continues but you may just call me Olly."

"As you wish, Olly." Aurora smiled at him. She paused as he dipped her before righting her as the dance continued. "You may call me Aurora. I'm afraid there isn't a shortened version of it."

"Tis alright lass, we will come up with one on our own." The smile he gave her was almost enough to melt her. But as she stared into his blue eyes and felt his large hands gently grasp her waist, she couldn't help but wish he was another. And the blue eyed man who watched from afar, couldn't help but wish the same thing.

"How are you faring, brother?" Anthony sipped his drink as he handed a glass to Benedict.

"Fine." Benjamin uttered the single word as he glared at the dancing pair.

"I do regret telling you this, but her father has set him up to be a potential husband for her. You need to hasten things along if you wish to court the girl."

"Aurora does not wish for an arranged marriage." Benjamin grunted. His brothers smirked to themselves as they heard his disgruntled tone.

"Then perhaps you need to present yourself as one of her suitors tomorrow." His brothers left him as he grabbed a glass of champagne from a nearby servant and swallowed it in one gulp.

"Maybe I shall." He mumbled to himself.

"For those not in attendance at the Vauxhall celebration, you missed the most remarkable coup of the season. It appears Miss Daphne Bridgerton has captured the interest of the newly returned Duke of Hastings. How the young miss secured her newfound suitor is yet to be determined. And let it not go unnoticed of the mysterious new arrival who only had eyes for our other diamond of the season. Perhaps, love is simply in the air at Vauxhall and our incomparables have found their husbands. No stone will go unturned as the newfound couples dance the night away. Yet, if anyone shall reveal the circumstances of these matches, it is I.

Yours truly, Lady Whistledown."

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