ChapterOne
Ellen Bamber was pouring her heart out on foolscap, her jumbled thoughts pouring in tiny droplets through her quill pen. She often felt like her thoughts would overwhelm her if she did not put them down in ink, and lately, she had been having an awful lot to think about indeed. The Queen herself had proclaimed Ellen the Diamond of the Season. Ellen had to wed this year, or it would surely be a stain on the great Bamber family name. As if on cue, a sharp rap sounded at her door and it burst open.
“Sometimes, Ellen, I feel like the motive behind most of your actions is to upset me.”
Ellen never knew how to respond when her mother seemed this distraught.
“What do you mean, Mama?" she asked, genuinely confused.
“You were supposed to be at the modiste for the past hour, yet here you are, scribbling folderol in your chemise when you should be getting your final fitting for the Opening Ball.”
Ellen Bamber steeled herself for the tongue-lashing that was to come. Her mother was never one to mince words.
“News around town is that Elizabeth Connolly just announced her engagement to Lord George Rutley, the Baron of Lockesley. I hear he is quite a handsome fellow."
“Of what pertinence is this information, Mama?” Ellen asked her brows knotting together.
“That chit is two years younger than you are, Ellen. I had tea with Lady Carmine yesterday. She expressed concern about your escapades with that adventuress, Marjorie Connolly.”
Ellen sighed. “Marjorie is my cousin, Mama. You do not need to be so formal.”
“The relation is distant so I refuse to acknowledge it. Besides, even a blind man knows you are more beautiful than her. After all, you are my daughter. You are now yoked only by virtue of your own obstinacy. Now, go get dressed. It would be rude to keep Madame Pierre waiting any longer.”
Her carriage arrived at Madame Pierre’s shop a few minutes after noon. Ellen was excited to be out of the house at least. Madame Pierre was unarguably the best modiste in all of London, and her designs were always the talk of theton. Ellen especially loved visiting her shop because it provided her the opportunity to meet with her best friend, Marjorie. Her cousin had a notorious reputation for being a rebel. As a result, she was not allowed in the Bamber residence any longer as Ellen’s brother, Duke Bamber, thought her a bad influence on his only sister.
Marjorie beamed at Ellen as soon as she stepped into the shop.
“Announcing the arrival of the Honorable Ellen Bamber, Diamond of all Seasons and Desire of all Men,” she announced, still smiling from ear to ear, and she performed a fake curtsy.
“Delightful. Announce to the wholetonthat I am too obstinate to be wed, you slow top,” Ellen replied in a hushed whisper, but she could not stop the smile that was tugging at her cheeks.
“Did you hear that Walter and Claire are rumored to be married?” Marjorie asked as Madame Pierre began to fit Ellen’s dress.
“Walter of Casterfall? Isn’t that the Viscount’s fourth son?” Ellen asked.
“Yes, of course. And you know what’s so strange about it?” asked Marjorie.
“What?”
“Edward had set his cap at her first.”
Ellen gasped lightly. “Would not that cause a rift between both brothers?”
“Why, yes. That’s what you’d think. But the heir to Casterfall isn’t one to hold a grudge over such a thing, I hear. The man has set his sights on someone else already.”
“Turn around while I fix your gown, Ellen,” Madame Pierre said, interrupting the girls’ chatter temporarily.
* * *
“What would thetonsay if the Diamond was late to her first ball of the Season?” Lady Bamber’s high-pitched nasally voice rent the room, piercing through Ellen’s beauty sleep. Her eyes flickered open with a start and shut back immediately from the intrusive sunlight that flooded her eyes.
“You’re the only person I have ever seen who would not mind being late to the first ball of the Season. Out of that bed now!” her mother huffed.
Ellen sprang up immediately, defying the drowsiness that begged her to shut her eyes for a few moments more. “Good morning, Mama,” she yawned. “The ball isn’t until later tonight, Mama. Surely you can grant me a few more minutes of blissful rest before then?”
If looks could kill, Ellen was sure she’d be six feet under already. Her mother’s stare was boring holes into her head, but Ellen could not help but give a little chuckle at the situation. She imagined what her dear Mama would have made the servants go through that morning to ensure that everything was ready for the start of the Season.
Clarisse, her lady’s maid, helped her into the tub after she had removed her night clothes, and she flinched. The water was too cold, almost chilly but she restrained herself from asking for fresh water. She needed the coolness that it afforded her since her mother would be hovering around her all day.
