CHAPTER 1. ADVERSARIES AND GRACIOUS REMARKS

Dearest reader, the time has come to place our bets for the upcoming social season. Consider the household of the Baron Featherington. Three misses foisted upon the marriage market like sorrowful sows by their tasteless, tactless mama.

Far better odds might exist in the household of the widowed Viscountess Bridgerton. A shockingly prolific family, noted for its bounty of perfectly handsome sons and perfectly beautiful daughters.

Eloise complains, as her, Francesca, Hyacinth and I make our way down the stairway.

"Are you to complain the entire day, Eloise?" Fran asks, annoyed.

"Surely I cannot be expected to bear these fashions the entire day." Eloise replies.

"Indeed you can." I tell her, with a laugh, as I adjust Hyacinth in my arm.

"I feel like a princess." Hyacinth says. "Do I look like one?"

"Do you truly wish to know what I think you look like?" Eloise tells her, distastefully.

"Do not pay her any mind, Cinny." I tell Hyacinth. "You are looking absolutely stunning."

"On your left!" Gregory yells, as he tags Hyacinth's leg, and runs off, and she jumps out of my arms to chase after him.

"Is our dear sister still not ready?" Benedict asks, in disbelief.

"She's only been readying herself the entire night." I tell him.

"You mean her entire life." Eloise corrects. "It is your debut into society, also, but you are ready."

"I do not share the same ideologies with our dear sister, on which activity a lady should spend her time doing." I reply.

"I shall run upstairs and hasten her along." Colin tells us.

"Colin, wait." Benedict says. "I'll do it."

"She likes me better than you, Benedict." Colin replies.

"Did she say that?" Benedict asks, offended.

"Everyone says that." Colin tells him.

"Oh, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Colin." I interject. "But Benedict it everyone's favorite."

"Daphne!" We all turn, to see Eloise shouting at the stairs. "You must make haste!" She turns to us, calmly, giving us a small smile. "Should you think she heard me?"

"Of course she heard you." I tell her. "I think all of London heard you."

we both stand after stepping out of the carriage, our arms linked together.

"You are here." I say, surprised.

"Of course I am here, Sisters." He tells us. "I'd never miss such an important day for you and our family."

"No, you would just be late for it." Mama tells him, and I hide my laugh.

"Shall we?" Anthony asks, as Mama takes Daphne's hand, and I link my arm with his.

"You hair is a horrendous mess, brother." I tell him, smiling

Today is a most important day, and for some a terrifying one, for today is the day London's marriage-minded misses are presented to Her Majesty the Queen. May God have mercy on their souls.

announcer announces. "Miss Daphne Bridgerton."

The huge doors open, and I walk side-by-side with my twin sister.

"Presented by their mother, the Right Honorable, the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton." The announcer continues.

We walk down the court, and bow as low as we can.

The Queen slowly gets up from her seat, and makes her way towards us, giving both of us a kiss on the forehead.

"Flawless, my dears." She tells us, returning to her seat.

"Did that truly just happen?" Daphne asks, amazed.

"Keep smiling, dearest." Mama answers. "They are watching you... now more than ever."

But as we know, the brighter a lady shines, the faster she may burn. It has been said that, 'Of all bitches dead or alive, a scribbling woman is the most canine'. If that should be true, then this author would like to show you her teeth. My name is Lady Whistledown. You do not know me, and rest assured, you never shall. But be forewarned, dear reader, I certainly know you.

Sisters." Hyacinth tells us, as I sit on the sofa, quietly reading a book.

"Come, now. We merely simpered and minced in a pretty dress like everyone else." Daphne replies.

"Not exactly like everyone else." Francesca interjects.

"Oh, I shall need to go and visit with Penelope." Eloise tells us. "Her presentation was anything but.. What was it the queen called you again?"

"Flawless..." Daphne answers, smiling. "Or some such thing. Trust I was astonished Her Majesty offered me, out of 200 young ladies present, a most gracious remark."

"It was not just you." Eloise tells her. "Diana was there too."

"Oh, yes." Daphne replies, and I sigh.

"It's no difference, Sister." I tell her. "Enjoy, as for me, the compliment only means that 198 girls see us both as their adversaries."

"I wish you both luck, Sisters." Eloise tells us, laughing.

"Eloise!" Francesca scolds.

"What?" Eloise asks. "It is true."

"Mine and Diana's success on the marriage mart influences all of your prospects." Daphne tells them. "We will all need to find love one day. Indeed, a love as pure as what Mama and Papa once shared, if we are so fortunate. I merely hope I am able to continue such a grand tradition."

"Your dresses have arrived." Mama announces, and all of the girls, except me and Eloise rush to see them in the adjacent room.

"This one is quite ravishing." Daphne says, as Eloise and I lazily stand up and walk towards them. "Mary Edgecombe wore a similar shade last season. And secured three offers the very next day, one from an earl."

"Mary Edgecombe, now the Countess of Fulton, apparently spent the last year living in a cottage hundreds of miles away from her earl." Eloise tells Daphne, and I hide my smile under my book, as I sit down on another sofa, to continue my reading. "She is miserable. It says it all here."

"Do not tell me that is yet another scandal sheet." Mama tells her, distastefully. "Eloise..."

"No, no, this one is different." Eloise tells us. "This one lists subjects by name, in full."

"Let me see!" Hyacinth yells, and tries to grab the sheet of paper from Eloise's hand, but Francesca takes it first.

"Lady Whistledown." Francesca reads.

"Lady Whistledown?" Daphne asks, taking the paper from Francesca.

"The author." Eloise tells them.

"Do we know a Lady Whistledown?" Mama asks.

"Surely Lady Whistledown cannot be her true name." I comment.

"What does it say, dearest?" Mama asks as Daphne reads.

"She loathes the fact that we've been named alphabetically, oldest to youngest." Daphne tells her.

"Your father and I found it orderly." Mama replies.

"Lady Whistledown finds 'banality'." I tell them, not looking up form my book, turning a page. "The papers were distributed across town today without charge."

"How do you know so much." Daphne asks me, and I look up at her, with a mischievous smile.

"I know everything, dearest Sister." I reply, and she gives me a look, and I sigh. "I merely looked around, unlike you, who never looks away from a mirror."

"Without charge? What kind of author..." Mama starts to say, but cuts her off, as she reads more. "Well, at least she has one thing right. She has named Daphne and Diana as the season's Incomparables. She calls you both the 'diamonds of the first water'. Well, how lovely!"