The guests were arriving in groups. It was my father’s annual dinner party, another boring night of conversations and unneeded flattery. It was also the night when my mother and father would look at each maiden and wonder which one would be my bride. That was the problem with being the son and only heir of a wealthy nobleman; a first-rate businessman and the fifth in line for the throne. I shook my head as my father continually winked at me as each virgin walked through our door; and rolled my eyes as yet another bunch of gossiping girls walked past.

Half way through the procession of people my heart sank. My mother had unthinkably invited the two girls I most detested. They were best friends and could have almost been sisters.

“Driselda! Margarite!” I acknowledge as they came towards me. They did not walk past as every one else had done but stayed by my side with obnoxious smirks. They were dressed in full regalia, beads, pearls, jewels, satins, silks, and overpowering perfumes. They were always trying to grab my attention, and unfortunately I had to be polite.

Before long the guests were inside and my parents were herding the last stragglers into the main room when someone came nervously to the door.

My mouth gaped open when I saw her.

She was dressed in silver and blue, her hair was down in golden waves and she had dazzling sapphire eyes. She looked at me and stopped, we held each other’s gaze for a while before my father ushered her in.

As she stepped gracefully in, every head turned and the whisperings started.

Dinner was a rowdy affair. I sat at the bottom end of the table; unfortunately my mother had been unspeakably kind to put me between Driselda and Margarite. The Ugly Step-sisters I called them. They were loud and insufferable and competed for my attention.

Unluckily for them my attention was given else where.

My eyes involuntary strayed often to the mysterious girl who had arrived late. She sat in the middle half way down the table between Lord William Mason and Dame Martha Garroson. I noticed that her hands fidgeted and she often glanced in my direction. She would look at both Driselda and Margarite and then at me. I was again struck by her eyes, how they made you feel like you were the only person in the room.