Arranging a masked ball was harder than it sounded. Especially around Christmas, with so many balls underway. It was not enough to hold a ball and expect everyone to come to it. After all, they had countless options, some of them being held by people far wealthier and more important than her family. Of course, with the potential to become her newest suitor, many eligible young men would be attending. And with many eligible young men in attendance, the young women and their parents were bound to appear.

But Antoinette knew she needed to offer more than that. On her own, she would only stand to attract very young men, and less wealthy older men, and the women who would be interested in them. This would ordinarily discount people such as Dukes, who would have better things to do. Duke Haskett was the first step towards elevating the ball from a small affair to a standout success. His presence sent the message that this ball was going to be a higher class affair. This message would tell other men of his status to attend, ensuring that it became the high-class ball it sounded like.

Antoinette's work was still far from done. It was not enough for these important people to attend. If they had no reason to stay and enjoy the ball, then they would leave and either attend another event or simply go home. And the crowds would go with them, ruining the party. Antoinette made sure that there was enough high-quality wine to keep everyone pleased, and asked for Mary's cook to assist in the Byrd kitchens, to ensure the food was of the highest calibre. Antoinette also had musicians hired to play some engaging and popular songs to dance to. Not to mention the decoration, which involved having the servants empty half the rooms downstairs and arrange side tables with candles and platters, and line the walls with chairs.

The final touches were Christmas decorations, to inspire a festive spirit in all. A great fir tree was placed in every room and Antoinette and her mother decorated these trees themselves, to ensure they were resplendent and refined. Small ornaments and even bunches of holly and mistletoe were brought in to add some Winter charm.

But once everything was put together, it looked splendid. The candles glowed, the fires roared loud and bright, the paintings and ornaments were clean and resplendent. And Antoinette, looking around, felt reminded of that grand party at Duke Godwin's house. She knew her event could never match up to a Duke's, nor would she want it to, after all, outshining a Duke would be insulting to him. But to mirror the class and beauty of his party made her proud.

Standing in her best dress and shoes, Antoinette gracefully greeted every guest as they walked through the door. Most were people she knew, if only by name and face, but a few were invited by her parents or accompanying another guest. In some ways, this pleased her, as she knew it would guarantee a good mix of important people. But in other ways, it made her nervous, as she knew she would not be able to fully manage how people interacted with one another. She could only hope that the event would remain dignified by virtue of the class of people present.

As people began to pour in, Antoinette kept an eye out for her various suitors and for any single men from the area. She knew that now she was down to only one serious suitor, Sir Dodge, she would need to either settle for him, or to find another candidate or two, to ensure Sir Dodge, and society at large knew she had not decided yet. And her other suitors and would-be-suitors knew this too. They greeted her with a smile, and would even try and stop to talk to her, holding up the entry of other guests and forcing Lady Byrd to usher them along.

And then, she saw him. He was walking with his head held high, purposefully through the door and past a few other guests, straight towards her. They locked eyes, and dizziness consumed her mind.

“Miss Byrd,” Duke Godwin said softly with a slight bow.

Antoinette found herself blushing red as a strawberry. “Duke Godwin? Well this is a—”

“A surprise? I suppose so. You see, your parents invited me, but asked me not to tell you,” he said, blushing a little bit himself.

Antoinette glared at her mother slightly but then forced a smile. “I must assume you have forgiven me,” she said.

Duke Godwin nodded. “Indeed, I have.” He offered his arm. “Come, let your mother greet the guests. We have much to talk of.”

Antoinette was hesitant. She knew that he was still interested in her. She knew that society as a whole expected her to choose him. But she did not know if she wanted to put him ahead of all her other suitors yet.

“You run along, I will greet the guests,” Lady Byrd replied.

That meant her choice had been made for her. She could not insult the Duke by going against both his and her mother's wishes. She slipped her hand gently onto his arm and, smiling, they joined the crowd.

“I must admit, I did not believe you would return after how you left me,” Antoinette said, avoiding eye contact.

Duke Godwin hummed in an affirmative tone. “Yes, I suppose I was a little abrupt. It is only that...I am not used to being treated like one of many. I am used to standing out, and being treated with priority. It was a little shocking to me that someone would not treat me that way.”

“Then why have you returned?” Antoinette asked.

“Because you fascinate me. Nobody has ever rejected me before, and I suppose what you did was not a true rejection, but that you were even considering other options makes me curious. You do not think or act as other women have done. They desperately wanted to be my wives. But their desperation was offensive to me. You are the opposite, and that is very, very interesting,” Duke Godwin explained.

Antoinette nodded. Once again, she found herself in an awkward position. Duke Godwin's attraction to her was undeniable, but if he were telling the truth then what he was attracted to was not real. He was attracted to the confused version of her he only saw because her parents kept interfering and making a mess of events. And if that was the woman he was interested in, then he could not marry Antoinette, because that was not who she was.

However, she also knew that she was expected to choose the man with the greatest status and wealth. And that was definitely Duke Godwin. Sir Dodge could not hold a candle to Duke Godwin when it came to social standards, and everyone else at the ball came in a very distant third. Duke Godwin would allow her to live a good life, and support her family. But could she marry him in good conscience, knowing that he intended to marry an illusion, someone who did not reflect who she truly was?

She needed more time to think these matters over. Fortunately, Sir Dodge was quietly seething by the Wassail table.

“I am sorry, Duke Godwin, but I must mingle. It is my ball, after all, I am sure you understand.” She smiled as she released his arm. She could tell from the expression on his face that he did not want her to leave. But he could not say anything, after all, she was hosting the event. He had done the same thing to her at his own party.

He smiled. “Very well, I shall see you anon.”

She curtsied and walked off into the crowd, making a slow arch around to the Wassail table. Having stopped to greet a few people and ask them how they were enjoying the ball so far, she was concerned that Sir Dodge would have vanished into the background. But he was still there, looking a little sour. This almost put Antoinette off going to talk to him. She did not expect her men to act like petulant children. She expected them to act like...men.

And yet she decided to walk up to him anyway. Not only was he her only other serious suitor, but she felt that, much like Duke Godwin could not be judged for being haughty, Sir Dodge could not be judged for being immature. It was easy to forget that he was barely a year older than her, and raised with the same silver spoon in his mouth, if not even more lavishly. He had not had much life experience yet in which to mature. Antoinette herself was still childish in many ways and always growing. So why should she not give Sir Dodge the same opportunity she gave herself?

“Good evening, Sir Dodge,” she said with a deep curtsy. “I trust you are enjoying the party?”

He nodded and smiled. “There are a few people I know, but I was waiting for you. I thought you would greet me at the door, what with us courting.”

Antoinette nodded. “I should have, and I apologize, but hosting a party has its unexpected turns.”

“At any rate, I have a gift for you,” Sir Dodge took a small box out of his pocket and opened it before her.

The rubies in the necklace shone brightly. Antoinette's jaw almost dropped before she remembered to carry herself with decorum. Instead, she took a deep breath. “They are lovely,” she said. She knew better than to reject a gift like this. It would insult him to suggest she did not like it, or he could not afford it. She had to accept.

“I believe rubies suit you. At least you wear them often. And look, they will go with your dress,” he smiled.

Antoinette reached up and took off her little gold chain, dropping it in her bosom, before reaching for the necklace.

Sir Dodge pulled the box away with a slight smirk. “Allow me,” he insisted.

Antoinette felt a little anxious allowing Sir Dodge to fasten the ruby necklace around her neck. She could feel him caressing her shoulders as he did so, and once he stroked her hair. He was taking his sweet time, and she knew full well he only did so to touch her. But she did not wish to cause a scene, and he was doing no real harm. Besides, in the eyes of the public, he was “simply” fastening an expensive necklace he had bought her. She knew that she would be considered in the wrong were she to react.

She sighed in slight relief as the necklace was finally done up and resting heavily on her chest. Her fingers traced over it a few times. “They are perfect. You are a generous, and thoughtful man.”

Sir Dodge also seemed a little relieved about this. “Now you look the part as hostess. Come, I shall introduce you to a few interesting people.” He offered his hand.

Daintily, Antoinette placed her hand on his, and he began taking her around the room, looking this way and that for someone to introduce her too. It all seemed rather forced.

“I simply...I wish for you to enjoy the company of my acquaintances,” he said with a shrug. “And, I suppose, for you to see the sort of person I socialize with.” He smiled at her. For some reason, the smile looked cold and forced.

Her absence at the door had made him genuinely unhappy. He and Duke Godwin...they truly were two of a kind. They were both the sort of man who wanted her entirely to themselves, who were jealous and picky and believed the universe revolved around them. Duke Godwin did so due to his status keeping any unpleasantness away from him. Sir Dodge did so due to his youth and inexperience. But both saw Antoinette as an item to be owned and commanded. Both were too possessive and too sullen at times for her liking.

But Sir Dodge more than redeemed himself. Walking her around the room, he introduced her to his acquaintances. She saw a whole new side to Sir Dodge as he mingled. A genuine side. He seemed much more relaxed around his friends, much warmer, much more himself. What she could not comprehend was...Why was he not like this with her?

It seemed to Antoinette that the decision was murkier than ever. Sir Dodge still had the sort of presence which made her uncomfortable. He may be the life of the party for everyone else, but for her, the one woman he ought to admire and love and entertain, he was flat and dry. And yet despite all his flaws, he was generous and lively, and well-connected. He was a truly romantic soul with all the right people in his address book. And he may not have as much wealth or status as Duke Godwin yet, but with his youth and talents, he was sure to rise up the social ranks.

Duke Godwin, on the other hand, exuded charisma. He was brave and friendly and warm and generally an amazing person to be around. And yet he was so self-absorbed and distracted. At his own ball it made sense that his eyes would wander and he would be focusing on himself and his own appearance. But even at a ball held by someone else, he acted as though It were his job to look good. And although in many ways it was his job, Antoinette was unsure she could bear to live with a man who was continually peacocking. And yet...he was still a charmer, still vastly wealthy, and still a Duke.

They had both so far passed the test of being rejected by her on the floor, but barely so. Both had proven themselves able to overlook her absence, whilst obviously resentful of her freedom. Neither was a bad option, but both were far from perfect.

Pondering how best to tell them apart, Antoinette landed on the key to her own happiness: she needed a man who could make her feel prized as well as support her family. And both men, in their own way, were managing it. But one would surely stand out. She decided that she would dance with them and, during the intimacy of the dance, she would talk to them about a woman's place in the home, and a man's place in his wife's family. The one whose answers showed he would treasure her and support her family would win her over. The other would have to look elsewhere.

Antoinette made her excuses to an obviously bitter Sir Dodge and went to the bathroom to freshen up, gather her courage, and rehearse a few lines she would try out on each man. Once she felt confident, she marched out and to the middle of the dining hall.

Silence slowly fell over the party, other than the sounds of footsteps as anyone who was not in the hall quickly rushed in to see what was about to happen.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to my Christmas ball,” Antoinette announced. “This is the first event I have held on my own, but I trust it will not be the last. And next time, the Lord allowing, I shall hold one beside my husband. However, for now, what is a ball without dancing? Please, done your masks, and clear the floor if you will not dance, as the music is about to begin. I bid you all a wonderful evening.”

She ended her small speech with a curtsy. There was slight applause before the music started and people began moving this way and that, with those who wished to dance marching out to the centre, and those who did not movde to the sides, or left the room entirely.

As the dance began, Antoinette found her mask, determined to divide her time equally between her two serious suitors. She had intended to begin with Duke Godwin, but Sir Dodge found her first and bowed down. “May I have this dance?” he asked. His voice sounded smooth as honey. And yet so completely void of emotion.

“You may.”