‘Sorry Mama, I beg your pardon?’

‘Madison, will you stop day dreaming and pay attention. The modiste is here to finish your fitting.’

‘Yes Mama,’ Madison reluctantly stood up. She had been day dreaming about living in a castle, married to a handsome earl or even a duke and having a hundred servants. She dreamt of wearing fashionable gowns every day of the week, and the lavish balls she would be hosting in her enchanting castle.

‘Lady Madison, I have the most exquisite ivory muslin material to show you, and you will love the leaf green sash,’ the modiste murmured when they were alone.

‘I thought you are here to finish a fitting Sally,’ Madison smiled.

‘My lady when this material was delivered to me, I knew it would look splendid on you, so I’ve hidden it from everybody else,’ she spoke conspirationally.

‘Oh you are a dear Sally,’ Madison laughed. ‘Yes, make me the most glamorous afternoon dress with it,’ her hand brushed over the silk sash draped across the cloth.

‘I intend to make a design to show off your tightly corseted torso, and I know just how to ensure such a close-fitting dress displays "the perfect fit."’

‘We are invited to an afternoon tea party next week perhaps it will be ready by then.’

‘You can count on me my lady.’

‘Oh thank you Sally,’ Madison hugged the modiste, ‘you are a dear.’

‘I have dressed you and Lady Sarah since you was sixteen,’ she smiled,’ you are my nicest customers. Lady Sarah is an angel, but you must know you are my favourite. You have the perfect body,’ Sally formed an hour glass shape in the air. ‘It is truly an art to drape you in a perfect dress,’ she smiled theatrically.

‘You have lifted my spirits this morning,’ Madison sighed.

‘Pray tell me why you are so disillusioned?’

‘Nobody has made an offer for me,’ Madison was economical with the truth.

‘You and Lady Sarah had your come out last year. Are you saying nobody made you an offer?’

She did get half a dozen offers and declined every one of them. Either the gentlemen were not with good looks or strapping enough for her, or their title was not impressive enough for her high standards. She knew she was beautiful enough to attract viscounts, earls or even a duke. She did come from one of the best and well bred families in the country. The Sanfords could trace their heritage back for two hundred years.

The Sanfords had a comfortable and charming home in the country in Cricklewoods. Madison loved their country home, the clean fresh air, and where everybody knew ever body else. The community was loving and caring. It was so different in London. Madison’s parents, Baron Syanton Sanford and Baroness Rachel Sanford had rented a home in fashionable Berkley Square for two weeks for their daughter’s second season. It was hoped that Madison would accept an offer during this season. Madison disliked London. The people were too conservative and pompous. They were not as friendly as the people in Cricklewoods. And London was just too busy and noisy. When she did eventually marry, she hoped her husband would not desire to live in the city. She detested it.

‘I’m delighted Lady Sarah is here as well. Tomorrow we have been invited for tea by one of the patronesses. She is sure to present us with some vouchers for Almack’s. ‘Perhaps I will be receiving some interesting offers this season,’ Madison smiled.

‘I’m sure you will my lady,’ Sally agreed with a smile.

Madison was appreciative that her cousin Lady Sarah and her parents Lord Gilbert and Lady Diana Buckley had also rented a home in London, so at least she would have enjoyable company. Rachael and Diana were sisters. Madison loved her cousin Sarah, they got along famously. Whilst Sarah was the beautiful blonde with the striking blue eyes, Madison was a brunette with intelligent and expressive brown eyes.

Madison sipped from her cup of tea, as she waited patiently for her cousin Sarah and her mother Diana to join them. She and her mother were seated in the patroness, Lady Emily Downer’s beautiful drawing room. Infact Lady Emily’s entire double storey house was beautiful. The floors had white marble tiles. The sofa and the cabinets were all black, giving the drawing room a very classical look. A staircase leading upstairs was painted in grey. The bedrooms were upstairs and had large windows allowing natural light to filter in.

Rachael Sanford had accepted the tea invitation with the hope the patroness would issue vouchers to Madison and Sarah to attend Almack’s Assembly Rooms on King Street where young ladies went in search of husbands.

‘How old are the girls?’ Lady Emily asked, her critical eye assessing whether Madison was worthy of a viscount or an earl.

‘Both girls are one and twenty,’ Baroness Rachael smiled politely. And before the patroness could ask any more questions, Sarah and her mother Diana were announced. Greetings were exchanged with the patroness, before the girls enthusiastically embraced each other, leaving the elder ladies to engage in their own conversation.

‘Sarah!’ Madison hugged her cousin excitedly. ‘Oh you look lovely Sarah.’

‘Madison, how lovely to see you again cousin,’ Sarah smiled happily. ‘I dare say you will receive an offer before me. You always seem to attract the gentlemen’s interest,’ Sarah pouted.

‘Nonsense, you know you are the pretty one between us cousin,’ Madison countered.

‘I have not received a single offer this season,’ Sarah sighed.

‘Neither have I,’ Madison replied, but mamma tells me a lot of gentlemen are in town this season.

‘Well girls,’ the patroness exclaimed. ‘I see no reason not to offer you vouchers. You are presentable young ladies, and with sizable dowries. I think you will be successful this season,’ she commented.

‘Thank you Lady Emily,’ both Madison and Sarah replied simultaneously.

‘There is a soiree this Saturday evening at Duke Edward Rothsay’s house. He requested me to invite a few young ladies. If you have no other engagements, perhaps you would be interested,’ the patroness offered, knowing full well the girls would not say no.

Madison and Sarah looked at each other excitedly before they eagerly accepted the invitation.

‘I can not wait,’ Sarah whispered to Madison.

‘I wonder who will be there,’ Madison murmured.

‘I am sure we will have a wonderful time. Duchess Ann is a dear,’ Sarah smiled.

‘Shall we travel in one carriage?’ Diana asked Rachel.

‘I think that will be best,’ Rachel smiled, ‘and the girls do have lovely gowns for the evening.

The Rothsay house was a beautiful stone house. It had well manicured lawns. Huge beech and willow trees, cascading branches were almost sweeping the ground. A rushing river meandered through their property. The ducal estate had an impressive cobble driveway that led to the entrance hall of their home.

Madison was accompanied by both her parents Baron Stanton and Baroness Rachel Sanford. Sarah was accompanied by her parents, Lord Gilbert and Lady Diana Buckley.

‘Your graces good evening,’ Madison’s parents greeted the Duke and then the Duchess.

‘Baron Sanford, lovely to have you and your family,’ the duke greeted the family warmly.

'Welcome,' Duchess Ann smiled eagerly and greeted her guests

The visitors curtsied to their hosts, before the girls went off on their own. ‘Madison,’ Sarah whispered, ‘isn’t that Viscount Anthony Healey, looking our way?’

Madison and Sarah accepted a glass of champagne and walked to a corner of the huge ballroom to talk to other young peers of their age, whilst their parents mingled.

‘Yes, and I believe the good looking young gentleman with him is Sir Arthur Caldwell,’ Madison’s eyes met her cousin’s meaningfully.

‘Oh look, Sir Arthur is looking all flushed,’ Sarah giggled behind her champagne glass. The young men had exchanged a few words with each other and then they were walking towards the girls.

‘Ladies good evening,’ Viscount Anthony greeted. Both girls greeted him.

‘Good evening Sir Arthur,’ Madison greeted the shy gentleman.

‘Ladies,’ he murmured in a soft voice.

‘If your cards are not full, perhaps we can have a dance each, with the two of you,’ Viscount Anthony enquired.

‘Yes my lord that will be fine,’ Madison accepted.

‘We will save dances for the both of you,’ Sarah added.

‘It is still warm outside,’ Viscount Anthony remarked, ‘if your chaperone is present, may we walk in the duke’s impressive gardens?’ Before the girls could answer, they were disturbed by loud laughter and the arrival of another party of guests. Madison coiled her head to the entrance hall and her eyes came into direct contact with an extremely tall gentleman, with the darkest eyes and matching dark hair. He had the most attractive face, a square jaw line and he stood there arrogantly returning Madison’s gaze.

Chadwick Rochester.

Madison’s gaze turned to a glare as recognition revealed the noisy newcomer’s entourage. He was with another gentleman and three extremely fashionable ladies, and one of them was clinging to him, as if her life depended on that connection to him. Madison’s eyes narrowed distastefully before she turned away with seeming indifference.

‘We don’t need a chaperone,’ Madison smiled at Viscount Anthony. She tucked her arm into that of Sir Arthur’s, ‘Sarah and I always chaperone each other. Shall we?’ Madison smiled at Sir Arthur, but before they exited into the garden, she turned around one more time, to find that Chadwick Rochester was still looking in her direction. Giving him another icy glare, Madison followed Sarah and Viscount Anthony outside. Madison could not understand why she detested Chadwick Rochester. They had met at previous gala events. He always arrived with a group of ladies and gentlemen. He was not bad looking, though she was not interested in him, especially as he did not even have a title. The thing that irked her about him was that arrogant look he always had, as if he was laughing at her.

A year ago, at some party, she had the misfortune of dancing with him. Luckily it had been a country song, as she was passed from one partner to another, but she still remembered that it was very different dancing with him, than it was with others. He was a very forceful presence, and when she had been dancing with him, she had discovered that it was difficult to tear her eyes away from him. Fortunately since then she had not danced with him again, although on two other occasions, they had met again. Madison had politely greeted him and kept her distance away from him.

‘Is it your first season?’ Sir Arthur enquired nervously.

‘It’s my second,’ Madison smiled. ‘How old are you sir, if I may be bold?’

‘I’m three and twenty,’ he smiled looking at Madison, then looking away.

‘I’m one and twenty, if you would like to know,’ she murmured. She looked to Sarah and Anthony and saw they were happily sharing something amusing.

‘You live in London my lord?’ Madison enquired.

‘Thank you,’ he nodded. ‘Yes, in Berkshire,’ he nodded.

‘My father, Baron Sanford has rented a home here in London for two weeks, but our family home is in Cricklewoods,’ Madison smiled.

Music from the pianoforte was softly drifting into the garden. Maids were walking around with trays of champagne. Arthur took two glasses for himself and Madison. The aroma of grilled lamb, venison, ham, and country vegetables wafted through the air, to her nostrils.

‘Shall we take a seat?’ Arthur enquired, pointing to a bench under the fountain lights.

‘That would be lovely thank you,’ Madison smiled. She observed Sarah and Anthony were already seated at a bench, shared by another young couple and the chaperone they had met earlier.

‘Have you had a chance to see the play currently showing at the theatre?’ Arthur enquired conversationally.

‘Ye—yes,’ Madison was distracted, for out came Chadwick Rochester, still with the lady tugging his arm, and a gentleman a step behind the couple. They seemed to be walking further into the gardens and had to pass Madison and Arthur.

‘Good evening,’ He grinned, tipping his hat as he passed them by. Arthur quickly stood and returned the greeting whilst Madison remained quiet. Whoever the lady was smiled, nodded and continued with her arm on Chadwick’s as they seemed to hastily move further into the garden.

With one wary eye still on Chadwick and his companion, Madison attempted to respond to Arthur. Why was she so unsettled by that gentleman? He meant nothing to her. He means nothing to her.

‘Yes my parents, I, my cousin Sarah and her parents watched it last Saturday,’ she smiled. It was an entertaining show and the cast was very good,’ she hoped she sounded more enthusiastic that she was feeling. The gardens were beautiful. It was warm, there were sufficient lights that the garden was brightly lit up, but Madison wanted to go back inside.

‘Do you think we could go in for some refreshments sir? Madison stood up and signalled to Sarah that they were returning inside.

‘Yes off course. Lady Madison, would you like to accompany me to a house party on Tuesday evening?’ Arthur enquired. Madison did not want to, but thought perhaps, she may meet somebody interesting at that party.

‘I would like that very much sir,’ she nodded. They were about to walk to the drinks table together, when Arthur was intercepted by another gentleman. Madison walked ahead to help herself to some champagne.

‘Allow me,’ a rich baritone voice offered. Madison’s head swung with surprise.

But he had just been outside, and behind us with his companion!

Madison watched in stunned silence as the gentleman poured her a glass of champagne and added a little cider to her drink before handing it to her.

‘Thank you,’ Madison murmured politely.

‘Would you have a space on your card to save a dance for me, Lady Madison?’

‘I’m sorry Mr. Rochester, my card is full she lied.’

‘Indeed,’ his mocking eyes held hers, before Madison looked away. The gentleman seemed in no hurry. He emptied his glass of champagne and helped himself to another. Whilst he had diluted hers, he seemed to prefer his straight up.

He may not have a title but he was definitely the smartest dressed man at the soiree. His pantaloons were of expensive cloth. A meticulous necktie looked like he had taken hours to achieve the perfect knot. He walked in immaculately polished and rather expensive Hessians. He was definitely a gentleman who appreciated the finer things in life, if his suave dress sense was anything to go by.

Gentlemen of the peer, of the same status as her papa, did not work. It was unheard of for titled men of the peerage to engage in business, but this gentleman did labour earnestly. His callused hands were evidence thereof. She had observed that, when he had lifted her palm and planted a kiss on the back of her wrist on a previous occasion. Almost all of the gentlemen of the peer that Madison knew spent their time looking after their estates, visiting Almack’s or Whites and attending the Tattersall’s. This one was in a league of his own, arrogant, seemingly wealthy, indifferent to what others’ opinions of him were, and dare she confess, that he was quiet attractive.

‘Our gracious hosts have thrown a remarkable party, have they not?’ he continued to draw her into a conversation.

‘Yes they have,’ Madison replied politely, but if you will excuse me, I wish to return to my cousin Sarah.'

‘Who were you talking to?’ Sarah asked. She could not tell who the gentleman was, as his back was to her.

‘Oh I forget his name. We were both thirsty and just engaged in polite conversation about how lovely this soiree is, before I left him to join you.’

‘He looks familiar,’ Sarah persisted.

‘I do not think I have ever seen him previously.’

‘Oh well, Viscount Anthony has invited me to a ball this weekend,’ Sarah smiled.

‘I have just been invited to a house party,’ Madison added disappointedly.

‘I have requested Viscount Anthony to invite you as well,’ Sarah smiled, ‘and he said the more the merrier. He would send a carriage for the both of us, if we wish it.’

‘Oh a ball, that will be truly exciting,’ Madison exclaimed. She wondered if Chadwick would be there. ‘What will you wear? She brushed that thought away.

‘I still have not worn that gorgeous orange silk gown Sally made,’ Sarah replied.

‘And I have that peacock blue gown that I can wear,’ Madison commented.

‘Shall we take a ride into Hyde Park tomorrow, and then have lunch in town?’ Sarah planned.

‘Perhaps we shall collide into some charming gentlemen’s carriage and they can sweep us off our feet and take us to their castle,’ Madison whispered.

‘Oh cousin, I swear, sometimes you are like a six year old,’ Sarah tucked her arm into her cousins and giggled.

- _.