We were all sat in the parlour at around 11am. I was reading, Matilda was playing the piano with Ambrose, Mother was embroidering and Matthew was trying to learn to dance with what seemed to be air.

"Matthew what are you doing?" i asked poking my head over the side of the couch to watch him trip over his own feet. "Have any of you ever wondered why i always say no to women who want to dance with me?" he replied clearly frustrated. I had only been here for about a week and already i knew a fair amount of dances, i was sure i could help Matthew learn just one. "here, dear brother, let me help." I insisted getting up off the couch and standing opposite him. "now, im sure you know how to bow." i teased. "right that's it, sit back down, i will learn to dance myself." he said clearly about to run after me. i ran back around the couch sitting back down again. "This is my safe spot!" i laughed "safe spot?" he inquired back at me. "yes! it means you cant hurt me while i'm on this sofa." i responded. He squinted his eyes and eye squinted mine back at his but in more of a mimicking way before we both burst into laughter and he dropped down beside me.

"speaking of dancing Diana, have you spoken to James since the dinner?" my mother asked me continuing to embroider. "Mother, it has been 2 days i'm sure if he was really dazzled by me he will send some flowers soon." i replied still catching my breath from laughter. "Diana, he's soon to be a duke! And he's perfect for you in every way, you cannot sit there and tell me that he didn't have a handsome face." she smiled finally looking up at me.

"Fine mother, if it makes you happy, i will send word that i wish to promenade with him." i assured her. She cheered and got up leaving all her crafts behind before grabbing my arm and taking me upstairs to choose my dress and do my hair.

(Diana's dress and hair)^^

"You look wonderful Diana, just wonderful." Mrs Haywood beamed smiling and hlding her hands close to her chest like she was proud. For some reason, her sense of pride by just seeing me in a dress made me feel something i'd never felt before almost like... fulfillment. i went towards her and hugged her tightly and she put her arms under mine to rub my back. I felt a tear go down my cheek from disappointment that i had never experienced a moment like this with my mother in the 21st century but also from happiness that i was experiencing it now with Mrs Hay- my thinking chain stopped.

And in that moment i knew she was a mother to me, somehow, someway she loved me as any mother would love their daughter. I took comfort in that thought before coming out of her grasp and wiping the tears from my cheek. "Thank you Mother, i do look rather pretty." i managed a small laugh and she linked my arm with hers before leaving the room.

Ambrose was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs in a fine suit and a top hat. "someone's looking rather charming today. What's the occasion?" I asked joining putting my gloves on at the bottom of the stairs. "Mother thought it would be a good time for me to look for a wife, and what mother says goes so i didn't have much of a choice." he replied. "Why not Francis?" i added, "because 'Francis has alot to think about right now' pfft alot of women to think about more like." he answered putting his arm out for me to hold onto.

Ambrose and I walked all the way into town and then around the big fountain in the middle of the very green area. "oh dear, i think i may have just spotted an old flame, though she still does look dazzling to say the least." Ambrose said. "Well little sister, this has been fun." He added fixing his waistcoat and walking towards the woman and her friend. "Ambrose!" i yelled from behind him. He definitely heard me but just chose to ignore me, as i stood there rather embarrassed.

Nobody walks around on their own, and that's exactly what Ambrose had left me to do.

"Miss Haywood, it seems you are alone on this fine day, may i join you?" i heard the familiar voice of James Penbrooke behind me. I lifted my head up and turned around to face him "i suppose walking around with you will make me look slightly less of a fool." i bragged walking towards him. He pretended to get shot in the heart from my weak insult causing me to laugh a little bit, and i put my hands around his arm.

"Have we got any starers Diana?" he inquired. I looked around as subtley as i could, "many starers. Infact it's actually making me feel rather uncomfortable." i replied moving closer into James. "Well i am James Penbrooke and you are Diana Haywood, our attachment was bound to be adored." He grinned looking down at me, and i looked back up at him.

We had stopped walking and stayed this way for a moment. His eyes searched mine and i felt like i knew everything about him just by looking at him for more than a second which honestly surprised me as i'd never felt like that with anyone before. But then again i'd never felt anything romantic towards anyone in the 21st century before so i could just be getting caught up in my own thoughts you know? Maybe people look into each others eyes everyday and search their souls and i just... wasn't told about it?

James coughed and faced forward again bringing us out of whatever that thing was.

"What do you plan on doing this evening then Miss Haywood? It's just that i heard a ball was being hosted this evening and i was wondering if you'd accompany me there tonight." he said to me signalling his eyes behind us. His parents had just started catching up with us, so he clearly needed me to say yes. "I'd love to, more than anything your grace." i beamed at him and it almost looked real enough to be true. "Wonderful." he said back smiling down at me again.

"You'll have to excuse me for now though your grace, i must be catching up with my brother. It was truly lovely to see you" i added looking down. For some reason letting go of his arm was harder than i thought it would be as it fel so comfortable being there with him, but i let go and walked away.

i joined Ambrose who was sat on a bench alone. "I'm guessing that old flame of yours burnt you." i assumed taking his hand in mine. he took it and held onto it as if he had actually been emotionally hurt by this woman of his.

"I'm going to take a small guess and say she was more than just an old flame." i added. He let out a small laugh clearly trying to hide his pain before taking out his flask and gulping a huge swig. "Let's get home shall we?" he asked me still watching her as she walked away from him. "Let's go home." i said standing up and outstretching my arm to him as a sign of comfort and sympathy towards him. He took it and we walked back home again.

As soon as we had arrived at the door we realised how long we had taken to actually get home because everyone was waiting for us in the hallway of our house.

"Ambrose! You two are very much making us late to the ball this evening" Mother said to us clearly frustrated. "Sorry mother, Ambrose and I got too caught up in our dawdling, but don't worry i did manage to speak to Mr Penbrooke." i said in response knowing that it would immediately make her forgive us.

"oh... well um thats very good darling." she stuttered trying to act mad yet we all knew she was cheering on the inside. "What you are wearing is fine Diana, and the same goes for you Ambrose. Our carriage awaits us and we must make haste if Diana wants James to fill her dance card." she added. "Why should we be in a rush for him to sign my dance card?" i questioned. "Oh darling, everyone wants James Penbrooke to dance with them - just look at him." she answered sitting down opposite me.

Reflecting on what my mother had just said, maybe our attachment was going to be harder than i had thought...