Alice. You look lovely. What can I do for you?
Thank you, Charles, for you kind compliment. I need your help. You see I have a wager with my friends. The first to fill their dance card shall forever be known as the most beautiful among us.
There is no doubt in my mind that you are by far the most beautiful. Which renders your wager quite pointless as far as I can see.
No, Charles. That's just your very kind opinion. But I am quite desperate to win, if I may be honest with you. Please introduce me to some of your friends.
Of course, I shall. We can't have you being beaten, can we?
Charles introduced Alice to five of his friends and they all asked her to reserve a place for them in her schedule. Alice was quite elated. She was surely going to win.
The ball was a splendid affair. The Ferguson's were very wealthy and they had just built a new ball room. This was its grand opening. It had six enormous chandeliers, three down each side of the room. The tea and card rooms were the most luxurious on the ball circuit, and the orchestra had their own balcony.
As Alice glanced around, there seemed to be no shortage of suitors, but she knew precious few of them, and without being introduced it was not the place of a lady to talk to a gentleman. To Alice's horror, Georgina raised six fingers when she caught Alice's eye, and a few moments later, she read Sophia's lips as she said seven.
Alice had made up her mind.
Excuse me, sir. I know it is certainly not my place to address a gentleman without an introduction, but I find myself in a slightly awkward situation.
Then prey tell, what can be so awkward that it brings you to leave the well-trodden path of social etiquette? The man Alice had addressed was the most handsome man at the ball. He was tall and dark, and his eyes instantly drew Alice's attention. She had never seen such beautiful blue eyes. His face was thin and his features fine, a most aristocratic and trustworthy individual, Alice concluded.
Oh, it really is a terrible thing I am about to ask you.
Madam, either you tell me or I shall turn my back and continue my conversation. You decide, he said, impatiently.
Very well, Alice said determinedly. I would be grateful if you and your two friends would give me your names that I may enter them in my dance card. Alice spoke fast, feeling her cheeks flush. She knew what she was asking was highly inappropriate and she wanted it to be finished as soon as possible. “I have a wager with my friends. I must win, you see.”
Well, indeed, quite a cheek, if I may say so, he said, as one eyebrow raised above the other. In fact one could go so far as to say, quite shocking.
Sir, please. I apologize. Please ignore what I have asked, it was improper. I will now take my leave of you.
Do not be so hasty. Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement. Just a minute while I consult my friends. He turned to the two men standing next to him and talked to them. Alice could not hear what they were saying but their gestures left her in no doubt that they were referring to her. It is settled. You may write our names in your dance card.
Thank you, sir, you are most kind and you have helped me more that you know.
However, before I give you our names, you must promise me you will walk with me in the garden after our dance. The gardens here are magnificent and it is a beautiful summers evening. What do you say?
Alice glanced around searching for her parents. She knew it was not fitting for a lady to wander around the gardens with a gentleman without a chaperone. But he really was handsome and most trustworthy. Sir, I would be happy to walk with you.
Alice gave a little jump as she came up behind Georgina. It's full, she said.
It can't be, you got here late and I was ahead of you. You must have cheated, Georgina said, a look of extreme frustration etched onto her face. She looked across at Sophia who instantly knew she had lost.
Oh really, Alice. You win everything. Will you one day take pity on us? asked Sophia. It really is too much.
I am sorry, dear friends, but it appears I am the most beautiful one among us, and may you never forget it, Alice said with a smile on her face. The other two walked away and entered into a heated debate about how Alice could possibly have pulled off such a sudden victory.
The announcer shouted, the next dance will be a Brown's Reel
I believe this is my dance. It was the handsome man that had helped Alice fill her dance card.
Sir Reynold, it will be an honor to dance with you, Alice said as she looked in her dance card to remember what his name was. You have been a great help to me this evening, I will never be able to thank you enough.
Alice and Sir Reynold Edmonstone took to the dance floor. As they stood opposite each other, Alice looked at him more closely. He was indeed more handsome that was good for her. His blue eyes shone across the dance floor, and made her feel quite weak at the knees. He was broad chested and his legs appeared strong. She had no doubt he would be able to box even the largest of men to the ground. As the dance began, they circled one another and looked into each other’s eyes.