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   "Grovesnor Square, 1813

Dearest reader,

The time has come to place our bets for the upcoming social season. Consider the household of the Baron Featherington. Three misses foisted upon the marriage market like sorrowful sows by their tasteless, tactless, mama.

"Tighter." Lady Featherington demanded of her dressing maids. Her daughter winced as the corset grew tighter, cutting off any chance to breathe painlessly. Her sisters made faces of empathized pain as they watched and dreaded their turns. Their mother growled out more demands for the corset to be tighter, informing her girls that to be beautiful meant you had to suffer endlessly. Her redheaded daughters didn't agree but couldn't bring themselves to argue. They were all finally of equal age and ready to be presented to their Queen and potential suitors. Their arguments were futile.

Far better odds might exist in the household of the widowed Viscountess Bridgerton. A shockingly prolific family noted for its bounty of perfectly handsome sons and perfectly beautiful daughters. How very perfect indeed!

The Bridgerton household was in a quiet frenzy as everyone prepared themselves for their exciting morning. Three of the sons gathered in the foyer as they waited impatiently for their eldest sister to appear. They heard the annoyed musings of their sister Eloise get closer to them and Benedict approached her in disbelief. "Is our dear sister still not ready?"

"She's only been preparing herself the entire night." His sister Francesca beamed at him whereas Eloise rolled her eyes and fiddled with her lace gloves.

"You mean her entire life." Eloise grumbled. Out of her three sisters, she despised the societal standards and practices the most. Choosing to believe a woman should prioritize education over marriage - an argument her mother had with her daily.

"I shall run upstairs and hasten her along." Colin informed his siblings before making his way towards the stairs.

"Colin wait!" Benedict rushed after him, putting an arm out to stop him. His twin brother Benjamin followed behind dully, the boy not having an interest in the conversation.

"She likes me better than you, Benedict." Colin answered simply.

"Did she say that?" Benedict gaped at him.

"Everyone says that." Colin smirked slightly.

"Is this true?" Benedict turned to his twin, appalled at the notion.

"I don't like him better." The boy replied.

"You're his twin, you have to say that." Eloise piped in from behind them. Benedict huffed in shock and Benjamin made a face but ignored his quiet mumbling. "Enough of this." She groaned. She stepped up to the stairs and stomped her foot. "Daphne! You must make haste!" She turned to her brothers with a grin, "should you think she heard me?"

"I don't think she has. You ought to try again." Benjamin smirked.

"Please don't." Benedict uttered.

Or maybe your bets are with the Hanford household. The only daughter of Earl Hanford has entered the marriage market and is predicted to be a quintessential option for our bachelors in need of a bride.

The Hanford manor was quiet as everyone hustled around for the exciting day. The smell of sweets wafted throughout the large home as the chefs baked for the Lady of the house. Jedidiah Hanford waited patiently at the foot of the stairs beside his brother and his son. Both were dressed handsomely, clad in reds and whites.

"How much longer do you think she'll be? Its nearly time." Jasper shuffled eagerly on his feet. Alike any older brother, he was both dreading and eagerly looking forward to the season ahead of them. He was still unmarried, having survived a season of his own the previous year. He knew what it entailed and he could only hope for the perfect suitor for his younger sister.

"We really should make haste brother." Theodore informed him kindly. Jedidiah nodded.

"Bailey, fetch my daughter will you?" The stoutly man nodded and rushed up the stairs.

Aurora Hanford smiled at her reflection. She didn't flinch or wince as her aunt fiddled with her dress, occasionally tightening her corset if needed. The social season was one the girl always obsessed over. Every year, from the time she was a child until now, she would make notes of how the Ladies acted and behaved, wanting to make her season one to remember, not one to repeat.

"I do believe you're ready." Her blue eyes met those of her aunt Madeline in the mirror. She gave her a wide smile and thanked her sweetly. Her gaze drifted back onto her reflection and admired the way the white floor length gown fitted to her frame. The sleeves were capped, the bodice detailed with glittering silver designs, the skirt flowing with a thin layer of pale pink tulle over the satin white satin fabric underneath it. The dress was made to her liking, it being a perfect description of the girl's style and taste. The Modiste had outdone herself. A rapid knocking startled her from her thoughts and she shared a quick glance with her aunt before picking up her skirt and walking to the door. She opened it and gave a polite smile to the man that awaited her.

"Is my Father ready, Bailey?"

"Yes my Lady. He waits for you downstairs."

"Perfect." She allowed the man to lead the way and she beamed as her family appeared in her line of vision. "I am ready." She announced herself and the three men stared at her in awe. Her blonde hair was neatly pinned atop her head, her small tiara with diamond flowers perfectly placed. "How do I look?" She eagerly asked her father.

"Beautiful, my dear." He smiled.

"Yes, yes, you look amazing, truly. We must go now." Jasper rushed them all to the door and Bailey opened it for the group. As she walked down the steps, she noticed the Featheringtons and the Bridgertons exiting their houses as well. Her handmaiden grabbed the train of her skirt and Aurora gave her a thankful smile as they walked to the carriage.

"The Queen awaits." Jedidiah smiled at his daughter as he took his place beside her in the carriage. His son rode accompanying them while brother and his wife rode in a separate carriage.

"I'm so nervous." Aurora confessed as the carriage started to move.

"You mustn't be. You will do perfect."

"How can you be so sure of that? What if she deems me ineligible? Or worse, what if I faint?" She gasped.

"Then I shall catch you." Jedidiah grinned at her. "And you shall do so elegantly and beautifully."

"Father, what if I receive no suitors?" She knew as the daughter of an earl she was predicted to have many men traipsing through her door.

"Then you will die a spinster and leave your brother to be the one to provide heirs." He answered plainly.

"I will not be a spinster!" Aurora gasped. Then she smiled as she saw his lips twitch upwards. "I suppose I'll have to do my hardest to find someone worthy of my love. I fear any child of Jasper's will be an illiterate fool and we cannot allow his idiotic tendencies to spread any further."

"Lets not allow the world to suffer anymore." He joked along with her.

"Or any more than it has to." She commented, a giggle escaping. She saw the other carriages roll to a stop and she nervously reached for her father's hand.

"You will be perfect, my dear. Do not fret any longer." He placed a chaste kiss atop her head before exiting the carriage, holding his hand out to balance her. Once her feet were planted firmly on the pavement, she glanced around her as her father smoothed out her dress. He handed her the train and she took it gently from him.

"Oh look, there's Daphne!" She smiled widely as she spotted her closest friend not too far from them. "May I go and say hello?"

"Not yet. We need to get you inside." She pouted but didn't put up a fuss. Jasper joined them and held his arm out to her, her uncle and aunt trailing behind him.

"Shall we?" She nodded eagerly and the group of them headed inside. She noticed the girls straying to a separate room and Madeline gave her husband a fleeting smile before escorting the girl away from them.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I might convulse." Aurora confessed. They entered the room and glanced around at the other ladies making their entrance to society and their mamas fussing over them. Madeline took a few steps closer to a wall before turning to her niece.

"You look so much like your mother." She smiled softly as she attached the large white feather to the girl's tiara.

"Do you think she'd like my dress?" Madeline nodded with a teary eyed smile and helped the girl smooth out her dress. The topic of the girl's mother was always a sensitive subject for the family. Having passed from an unfortunate accident when she was merely a child, Aurora only had her handmaiden Stella and her aunt Madeline to guide her through life. She always swore she'd be nothing like a lady without them.

"Aurora!" The blonde heard her name and as she looked away from Madeline, she caught the eye of her best friend. "Oh you look so beautiful!" Daphne gasped.

"Me? Daphne have you looked in a mirror?" Aurora gushed. Violet Bridgerton smiled at the sight of the two girls excitement. She could recall memories of the two planning out that exact day ever since they could learn what the day was. "How are you feeling? Any nerves because I fear I'm feeling rather sheepish."

"Nonsense Rora." Daphne giggled at her friend's frantic state. "You're anxious over nothing." Daphne dismissed her worries. "Also we can't have anyone hearing of your state. These mamas are like vultures this time of year."

Today is an important day, and for some a terrifying one, for today is the day that London's marriage minded misses are presented to Her Majesty, the Queen. May God have mercy on their souls.

"Miss Prudence Featherington, Miss Philippa Featherington, Miss Penelope Featherington, all escorted by their mother, the Right Honorable Lady Featherington." Aurora smiled politely as the three girls passed them, their mother sending a hateful glare to both her and Daphne.

"Like vultures." Daphne whispered to her.

It is only the Queen's eye that matters today. A glimmer of displeasure and a young lady's value plummets to unthinkable depths.

"Miss Daphne Bridgerton, presented by her mother, the Right Honorable, the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton." Daphne took her place in front of the doors with Violet by her side and Aurora shot her an encouraging smile before the doors opened and shut again. Aurora couldn't hear any sound from inside the grand room so she could only hold hope for her dearest friend. She knew her turn was next and with her aunt by her side, she took her place in front of the doors and awaited the call of her name.

"Miss Aurora Hanford, presented by her aunt, the Right Honorable, Lady Hanford." Aurora took a deep breath in before slowly exhaling and letting a kind smile grace her lips as the door opened. Hushed murmurs and quiet gasps echoed around the room as she made her appearance. She took slow and graceful steps towards the Queen, ignoring the many looks being sent her way. Once at the foot of the stage, she curtsied and held her position as she awaited the Queen's reaction. It was mere minute before she spotted feet enter her vision and felt a finger tilting her chin upwards. With the same smile still on her lips, she stood to her full height and tried not to balk at the Queen's presence.

"Perfect, my dear. A real beauty." The Queen placed a chaste kiss atop her head and returned to her throne. Aurora kept her composure and curtsied once more before slowly retreating from the room.

But as we know, the brighter a lady shines, the faster she may burn.

( author's note: any words in bold and italicized will be lady whistledown's iterations. as always, please comment what you think and if you'd like, vote! (:  )