My mother, The Dowager Duchess, Vanessa Hamilton, and Lady Diana Riverwood run about in a frenzy as they hurry to get Eliza, Diane and me ready to present ourselves to the queen and all of society. We shall be told today whether we are worthy of being someone's bride. I could laugh at the thought, but I was attempting to save my oxygen. My maid, Alisa, was being instructed by my mother to pull my corset as tight as possible. When my mother left the room to fetch ribbon, and I felt I could not breathe, I slapped Alisa’s hands away. She lessened the corset a bit and I breathed a sigh of relief. My mother glides back into the room and holds up a beautiful set of ribbons that would complement my gown perfectly. It was white and embroidered with roses and small crystals. I beamed at her as she helped me into it, and tied the ribbon about my waist. 

        "You look the picture of perfection darling." my mother smiles.

        "Thank you mama." my mother's graceful smile falters.

        Her surprise was expected. I have rarely called her 'mama'  in my adult years because of our grievances over marriage. I usually call her 'mother' or 'Viscountess' out of spite. It's not that I do not love my mother. I adore her. She is the reason for my strong will and independence. She was the strongest supporter of my dreams. I was even allowed to use my dowry as I pleased, until my sisters were born, I came of age, and my brothers fell in love. My mother had become enraptured with weddings, and matchmaking. She figured that if she could pursue her career and find love, then I could do the same. While I, on the other hand, felt that I shan't be so lucky as to find what she and my brothers have. I had to choose love or my career, and since my career is no longer an option, I thought I could try my hand at love.

        "I must say... I am surprised to hear such affection towards me from your lips." she hides a smile.

        "Shall I continue to call you Viscountess then?" I quirk my brow in her direction.

        She plants her graceful smile back on. "If you should even think about it, I shall give away your beloved dresses. Now make haste or we shall be late darling."

        She gracefully glides from the room, and I do my best to mimic her movements. Diane and Eliza have already departed with their mothers to their carriages. I quickly follow behind my mother and we make haste to the carriages. My brothers and their wives, the Duke and his brother Edward, and my mother and father all pile up into the carriages. My mother shamelessly shoves me into the carriage with the duke and his brother. She keeps pushing until she has forced me next to the Duke, and before I have the chance to protest she slips into the spot next to Edward while pulling my father into the seat next to her. We all make small talk for the long drive to the palace.

        The carriages gently come to a stop in front of the castle. I was in awe of the beauty surrounding me. My mother hurriedly tucked the stray black curls back into my elegant yet intricate updo before grasping my forearms tightly to straighten my back from its comfortable slouch. Her arms move quickly as she primps and primes me for the awaiting queen, and her hungry line of aristocrats who have all come to see hundreds of desperate young ladies all being thrust into a room to battle each other for an agreeable match. I lose my concentration when pain seeps from my cheeks through my entire face. 

        "Ouch Mother! That hurts." I screech.

        My mother shushes me and helps rub the pain from my burning cheeks. "It'll help bring color to your face darling. Now let's go."

        We each slither from the carriage and I stand gawking at the palace and all its finery before us. Through all of my travels with Samuel, I had never been to a palace, nor have I seen one. It was breathtaking, and we all seemed to be mesmerized by the pieces of art hanging about the foyer as we were escorted to the entrance where all the other young ladies were waiting. We each formed a line to be told in front of all of London whether we were agreeable for marriage, and one of us fortunate ladies would be the Diamond of the season, or as I like to call it the Belle of the Ball. That lady would be the most fortunate lady of all of England, and would make the most agreeable match for marriage. Every girl here hopes to be the Belle of the Ball. I hate to say it, but even I am hopeful.

        I was excited at what it would mean for me. From what my mother says, once you've been pronounced by the Queen herself that you are the Diamond of the season, men flock to your house to court you. Since I've decided to actually go through with finding a husband, I've been nervous about the calls I may have for suitors. I dwell between wanting many suitors to choose from and having none at all. Either shall be adequate enough. Although I told my parents I was poised to get through with courting a suitor, I cannot help feeling I'm unprepared compared to the other ladies around me. Even if I am prepared, will the man that chooses me be what my father was to my mother, or what either of my new found sisters are for my brothers? I have no more time to wonder what the future holds if I am named the incomparable of the season because it is my turn to be presented to the Queen. I am the last lady left and my stomach clenches as a courtier presents me and my mother to the Queen.

        "Lady Sabine Devereaux and her mother Viscountess Rosalind Devereaux of Hereford." shouted the old man as he wrinkled his nose in discomfort.

My mother and I walked arm and arm down the aisle towards the Queen as all eyes trail us for the moment that could make or break my family's status. My mother's words, not mine. When we reach the foot of the Queen's throne my mother lets go and my stomach drops to my feet. I do my best to bow as gracefully as I possibly can. It is slowly agonizing and unnaturally quiet. I hold my breath as I stay bowed there for a long moment until the Queen speaks.

        "Rise girl. Let me look upon your face once more." She demands, her tone indifferent.

I slowly and carefully pull my head up to meet the Queen's face. I move my eyes to her hers, daring to meet her eyes as she studies my features. I grow nervous that she will flick her wrist dismissing me as she did the others before me, until she utters words I thought I shan't ever hear expressed towards me. And from the Queen no less. 

        "You my dear, are stunning." She doesn't smile, but she winks at me and rises from her seat leaving the room in awe at her declaration of my beauty. 

        I stand completely and turn to my mother once the Queen has left and she is smiling. She glides towards me and leads me to the table of refreshments. We promenade about the room arm and arm. We spend the better part of the afternoon chatting until my mother deems it fit to head home. She is oddly silent, and my stomach is in knots. There was no diamond declared for this season, yet my mother appeared happier then every mother in the room.

Once we are all stuffed happily into our carriages and heading down the bumpy roads of England, my mother lets out a terrifyingly happy scream. My father continues to smile at me and my mother begins to laugh almost maniacally as she bounces up and down. I look towards the Duchess and Eliza who have entered our carriage. I am now aware the Duke and his brother were not in the carriage with us. I begin to think back to the last time I saw him, and I remember seeing him sneak off while we mingled. 

        "Sabine! Are you listening?" My mother snaps her fingers at me.

        I blink and focus my attention back on my parents. "Why are you so excited?"

        "You, my lovely girl, are not excited enough. My daughter is the incomparable of the season! I could hardly believe it and I was there. Can you believe it Samuel?" she beams.

        My father smiles back and I wrinkle my eyebrows in confusion. "The incomparable? She only said I was beautiful?"

        Then it hits me. She said nothing to the other girls. She merely sent them on their way or gave them a slight nod. She hardly even said a word to them. I imagined it would be grander than simply calling me beautiful. I certainly believed she would announce plainly "You are the Incomparable of the season", but I suppose the Queen has no time to fill my fantasies as I hoped. My chest swelled with pride. I've managed to make my mother happy. Then my heart dropped to my stomach. Now the game was afoot. Soon I shall have suitors, balls, galas, and art exhibitions. I am now a lady of the ton. In a day's time men shall flock to my door, and I would have to choose one of them to ruin my life or help my dreams thrive. Upon the arrival back at Hereford, Alisa handed me a letter as I entered my room. She helped me out of my corset and into a sleeping gown. I waited until she left the room before I took the long calming walk to my golly tree. I tore the envelope open and read the neatly written letter that was scribed  on the back of the queen's ball invitation.

Miss Devereux,

Congratulations on being named the diamond of the season. I hope you are as happy about the news as I am. Though I have known since we met you are incomparable to all of the ladies of the ton. A diamond in your own right. I hope things bring you happiness in the coming months. With that said, I feel I should tell you I will be away for some time. As a Duke I am responsible for quite a many things. It should take three weeks, but I have become dependent on your company. I shall continue to write to you while I am away. If it pleases you, feel free to write back. 

Until we meet again,

Your Friend, Elijah.

I smile at the words rereading them over and over before hurrying to pull out my ink and paper. I sat for a moment, and thought of what to say. I had know idea what to right back. I shouldn't be that hard. We were friends and we got along quite fine. In an instant my words found me, and I dipped the quill in the ink and began to write out my reply.

Your Grace,

Thank you for your congratulations. You flatter me so. I am indeed happy, but I am also nervous. There will be many suitors to come, and I shall not have you to help me due away with the rotten ones. I suppose my brothers will have to do it in your place. Bring back a bottle of the finest wine as compensation for your untimely disappearance. Please travel safely, and finish your business quickly for your company has indeed grown on me as well. It would please me very much to receive, and reply to your letters.

Sincerely,

Sabine 

I carefully placed the letter back in its envelope, and rushed back to the house to find Alisa, she was in the kitchens eating pastry tarts. I hurried over after I had put the letter I’d written in its own envelope, and held out to her.

        “Please mail this as soon as possible, Alisa.” I place the letter in her outstretched hand.

        She smiles as she holds the letter. “Two weeks back home, and you are already exchanging love letters. You are indeed incomparable.” 

        I keep my face free of emotion. “It is not a love letter. Just friends keeping in touch.”

        She smirks. “He has been gone for only six hours. He wrote out the letter on the invitation to the Queen’s declaring party, and in a matter of minutes of receiving and reading the letter you have written a half a page reply. And you say it's not love? Only friendship?”

        I roll my eyes and turn my back to her. “We are friends, nothing more. Mail the letter please and Thank you.” I stormed off to my bedroom.

        I hurried up the stairs, into the room, and under the comfortable goose feather blankets. A smile cursed my face as I stared out the window. It was not love, but it was the start of something. Of what? I had yet to decide. I yawned and let myself drift off into a deep sleep.