Lady Ellen Newton stood by her mother and greeted their hosts with as much warmth as she could manage. She was truly delighted to have been invited to such a wonderful ball as this—for she had heard that Lord Marchington’s ball was one of the best of the Season.

“I must thank you for your invitation,” she said with a smile, as she curtsied. “I am so delighted to be here this evening.”

Lady Marchington smiled back at her. “It is very good to have you here, especially since this is your first Season.”

“Oh, but she has been dreaming of this for so long,” Ellen’s mother, the Countess of Fancot, replied. “Her father was rather ill, as I am sure you know, but is quite recovered now.”

“And glad we are to hear it,” Lord Marchington replied, with a slight incline of his head. “Now do enjoy yourself, Lady Ellen. There will be gentlemen eager to make your acquaintance, I am quite sure.”

Ellen sighed happily, as she walked toward the staircase that led to the ballroom, overcome with delight. She had been forced to remain at home for two years until her father’s condition improved – although, at the time, she had been filled with thoughts only of him and not of what she was missing. Her father had been weak and tired for these two years, often spending days in his study entirely alone, without wishing to see anyone at all – not even his wife. There had been very little the doctor could do, proclaiming it to be a deep melancholy with no external symptoms, and so Ellen and her mother had wept and prayed and hoped that one day, the melancholy would leave him.

And, for whatever reason, as the flowers came into bloom and the sun began to shine, her father had emerged from his study like a hibernating animal slowly creeping from its den. It had taken some time – weeks even, but he was soon back to full health. At times, however, Ellen still caught the look of sadness in her father’s expression, and being entirely unable to comprehend it, she had found herself entirely at a loss as to how to help him. At least, however, she was able to come to London with her mother, even if he did not attend balls and the like.

“Now, my dear,” her mother said quietly, as they descended the staircase together. “I know I have warned you of this before, but no more than two dances with any one gentleman, and certainly do not allow any of them to hold you too close, particularly with the waltz.”

“You are giving me permission to waltz?” Ellen asked in surprise. “I had thought you—”

“It is two years since you should have been out, so yes, I am quite happy for you to waltz,” her mother interrupted. “But do ensure propriety at all times.”

Abuzz with happiness, Ellen smiled over at her mother, taking in her softened expression. Clearly, her mother was delighted that she was able to give Ellen a Season, and Ellen loved her for it. “Thank you, Mama.”

Her mother pressed her hand for a moment. “Not at all. I well remember my own Season, and I am thrilled that you are able to have one of your own. It will be wonderful, I am quite sure of it – so long as you make sure to stay away from all the rakes.”

Ellen frowned slightly, her mouth pulling just a little. “But how am I to know who they are?”

The Countess of Fancot laughed softly, pointing to Ellen’s left. “I believe that Lady Charlotte will be able to help you there.”

Ellen turned at once, her face brightening as she saw her dear friend, Lady Charlotte, coming toward her with her own mother in tow. Lady Charlotte was the daughter of the Marquess of Thurston, and given that their mothers had been very close friends, it seemed inevitable that the girls would become bosom friends. Lady Charlotte had already had one Season and had brightened Ellen’s loneliness by coming for an extended visit with her mother when Ellen’s father had been at his worst.

“My dear Charlotte!” Ellen exclaimed, embracing her friend. “How good to see you!”

“Did you not know we would be here?” Charlotte asked, her eyes bright as she stepped back from their embrace.

“I knew you were in London, but I did not know that you would be at this particular ball,” Ellen replied, her evening growing all the happier. “I have only just come to London, you see, and it has been something of a whirlwind!”

Charlotte laughed, her brown eyes glowing. “Of course, I quite understand. May I say just how beautiful you look, Ellen? You are certainly going to make an impression on the gentlemen here!”

Ellen, who had always been rather self-conscious about her red hair, put one hand up to her coiffure, delicately patting it. “Do you think so?”

“Of course!” Charlotte exclaimed, smiling. “You have the looks of a siren, with your red hair and green eyes.”

“A siren!” Ellen cried, rather horrified. “I would not have them think that I—”

Charlotte laughed, shaking her head. “You need not look so horrified, my dear friend. Come now, let me show you around the ballroom and introduce you to a few people. You will have your dance card filled up almost a once, I am quite sure of it.”

Ellen glanced over at her mother, who was still in deep conversation with Charlotte’s mother. “Might I go with Charlotte, Mama?” she asked, interrupting their conversation. “It will just be to take a turn around the room.”

“But of course!” her mother exclaimed, sending a warm look toward Charlotte. “Thank you, dear Charlotte, for being so thoughtful. I am sure Ellen appreciates it.”

Charlotte inclined her head before looping her arm through Ellen’s and hurrying off through the room, oft times squeezing through a seeming army of guests who were not inclined to get out of anyone’s way.

“Now, here we are,” Charlotte said happily, as they came to the end of the room that led out to the gardens. “There are quite a few of my acquaintances that I want to introduce you to.”

Ellen found herself greeting one gentleman after another, followed by a few ladies. Charlotte chattered happily, whilst Ellen found her dance card handed from one gentleman to another, nodding and smiling as each one requested the pleasure of her company. She could not quite remember everyone’s name, but given that she was practically surrounded by new acquaintances, she thought that it was not too much of a failing. Besides, Charlotte would be able to remind her of their names and titles later on.

“And, of course, we must tell Lady Ellen whom she is to avoid,” Charlotte continued with a laugh. “There are a great many rogues out there, my dear friend, although none of the gentlemen standing here could be called such a thing.”

“Indeed not!” one of them exclaimed, sounding a little offended. “I should not be particularly pleased if anyone was to think me a dishonorable gentleman.”

“As would I,” said another, with a small frown. “You will find, Lady Ellen, that the majority of gentlemen are, indeed, trustworthy, but there are a few scoundrels amongst our lot.”

“Then who are they?” Ellen asked, a little breathlessly. “I would like to know so that I can avoid them. I fear that I am rather in the dark at this present moment.”

Charlotte grinned and leaned forward, talking almost conspiratorially. “Well, there is Lord Masters, who is known to try and take as many women as he can to his bed, and also Lord Ravenscroft, who is a man with such a dark countenance that it is a wonder he gets as much attention as he does!”

“Goodness,” Ellen breathed, her cheeks coloring at hearing her friend speak so plainly about these gentlemen.

“And do not forget Lord Bonar,” one of the gentlemen said with a disdainful sniff. “Quite the rascal, that one.”

“As is Lord Middlemarch.”

Ellen nodded slowly, mentally trying to remember as many names as she could.

“But the worst is none other than Lord Hartley,” Charlotte finished with a broad smile. “He is here tonight, no doubt, and is quite the handsomest of gentlemen.”

“But a rogue nonetheless,” Ellen said, seeing her friend nod. “I do thank you all, I very much appreciate your candor in this matter.”

One of the gentlemen chuckled and held out his arm toward Ellen. “We are telling you these things plainly, Lady Ellen, so that we honorable folk might have more of your company.”

Ellen felt herself blush and smiled up at him, aware that the next dance was about to begin. “I will not think ill of you for that, Lord Smyth,” she murmured, putting her hand on his arm.

“In fact, I would say it is only right,” Charlotte added, as she followed Ellen and Lord Smyth onto the dance floor with her own partner. “After all, good deeds should always be rewarded.”

Ellen did not quite know what to say, wondering if such a comment said that she thought rather highly of herself, but much to her relief, the gentlemen only laughed.

“I will always be glad of your company, Lady Ellen,” Lord Smyth murmured, as the dance began. “I do hope I will be able to dance with you again on another occasion.”

“I am quite sure you will,” Ellen replied quietly, doing her best to ensure that she did not put a foot wrong when it came to her dancing. She did not want to make a mistake.

Thankfully, the dance went beautifully, and as Lord Smyth took her back to the rest of their company, another gentleman came to claim her almost at once—and back she went for another dance, her smile radiating happiness.

The rest of the evening went just as wonderfully, for Ellen did nothing other than dance and smile and converse, delighted that she had made so many new acquaintances. Charlotte appeared more than happy with her friend’s introduction to society, assuring her—with a quiet whisper—that she would soon have gentlemen calling on her, if not requesting to court her for her hand. Ellen could not bring herself to agree, although she did feel her heart fill with happiness as Charlotte spoke. She just hoped that this Season would prove to be as happy a one as she hoped.