Dearest Gentle Reader,
As the snow recedes around the ton, we once again find ourselves in the fairest season of all - marriage season. Those who retreated from the ton during the winter now return, like birds of a season, to visit the courts, as well as to visit the ladies stationed throughout town. Many have endured several days of travel to court within our town, in both senses of the term, but love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey.
Surely, after the stunning success of last year, the Queen will swiftly want to choose a new diamond of the season, but Her Majesty surely knows better than to make such a choice in haste. There is a flutter amongst the mothers of the ton with daughters now old enough to make their debut in front of the Queen. Many young women are flying to Madame Delacroix in an attempt to find a dress nearly as stunning as the dress worn by Mrs. Daphne Basset, the diamond of last season. Yet others find themselves enrobed in the fabrics of the new modiste. While the new modiste’s new styles have been the talk of the ton, this author prefers the quality brought by Madame Delacroix.
Another factor burdening the minds of these young women and complicating the selection of the diamond, though, comes from our outside visitors. It has been said that late in the afternoon, several individuals arrived in a surprise visit from town. They claim to be here to visit the ton, but considering their availability on the marriage market, this author cannot help but notice that the timing is suspect. Perhaps they are here to visit their relatives, but also search for husbands or sift through the eligible debutants of the season.
Though not officially dubbed as the diamond of the season, it is hard to imagine that there will be a more eligible debutante than Her Highness, Princess Shadowheart of Bavaria. Despite her advanced age of 20, the Princess has thus far chosen to remain out of the marriage market, much to the Queen’s displeasure. Word throughout the ton is that the Queen is looking for one of her children to secure a proper heir for the King as his health continues to steadily decline. However, while her sons have been known to be spotted around a variety of gentlemen’s clubs in town, only the Prince Regent has succeeded on the marriage market. However, the Prince has yet to sire an heir, leaving the position of firstborn heir open for his other siblings. Perhaps Princess Shadowheart is looking to dip her toes into the possibility of creating an heir to the crown.
Two other eligible women also arrived along with Her Highness’s traveling party - Miss Karlach Danbury and Miss Lae’zel Featherington. Miss Danbury is the niece of the esteemed Lady Danbury, and having just turned 17, she is expected to debut with the other young ladies, presented by Lady Danbury herself. As Lady Danbury has been known to orchestrate a hand in the marriage market, so this author would not be surprised if Miss Danbury’s appeal was only slightly less than that of Her Highness.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
Miss Lae’zel Featherington, however, is the daughter of a cousin of the esteemed Lord Featherington. After the fiasco with Marina Thompson last season, this author would be surprised if Miss Featherington were deemed valuable on the market. In this case, the scandal rocking the Featherington estate may prove to be a poor sign for not only the Featherington daughters, but also Miss Lae’zel. However, only time may tell - perhaps the dignity of Miss Lae’zel Featherington will save her from spinsterhood.
The women of this season are not the only ones who will have to fight over the scraps from an eligible heir, however. Joining Her Highness’ traveling party, Duke Astarion of Lennox has also arrived just in time for the debut. While the Duke has been previously present during previous marriage markets, he has thus far remained aloof during any festivities. Last year, however, he did arrive at the final ball of the season. Could this signal that he is starting to look to court? If so, dear reader, be warned - if you should like to court Duke Astarion, let it be known that he plans to continue adjuring in the off-season to his castle in Lennox, and it is unknown whether he will attempt to return once he has secured a wife. Scotland can be beautiful in the summer but is cold and isolated the rest of the year, and His Grace is not known to socialize and does not often venture to even the castle grounds. One might be trapped in a castle for months on end with only your ladies in waiting for company.
His Grace is also accompanied by two other potential suitors: Lord Wyll Bassett and Lord Gale Ledger. Much like His Grace, Lord Bassett has stayed away from the marriage market until late last season. After the engagement of his cousin, the Duke of Hastings, it is believed by this author that Lord Bassett came to the ton to attend his cousin’s wedding. However, once he arrived, he was seen frequenting balls, and his name landed on the dance cards of many eligible debutants. While he did not court any young women last year, perhaps he arrived too late in the season to find his match. This year, he is expected to spend his time alone in the Hastings estate as the Duke and Dutchess are expected to only periodically return to their home in the ton during the season.
Lord Gale Ledger, on the other hand, is simply returning from his countryside manor for another season. Having never missed a ball, it was most unusual that we had missed his present companionship up until this point. The most shocking part of his arrival is his apparent comradery with Princess Shadowheart. As the princess has remained out of the marriage market until now, it is unclear to this author how Lord Ledger managed to create this bond. The true question is, however, if the two showing up together will lead to a considerably swift proposal from the Lord. And if that is indeed the aim of the lord, will the number of eligible suitors within the ton sway the princess of her steadfast decision? Only time will tell, and dear reader, I promise you, I will be watching with bated breath.
Yours Truly,
Lady Whistledown