Author's note : Hi! I'm shivering in my bunny slippers here. This is my first ever attempt at posting a story for the eyes of the literate world, so be kind. If flames are constructive I wouldn't be adverse to them. After all, I'd be glad for some help. I'm not as talented a writer as Flawless Storm(whose stories are brilliant, in case you might want to take a look even if I do risk some humiliation in her wake.), but without much further ado:

Fold after fold of crimson silk adorned her body. Gold stitching and glittering jewels were placed in intricate designs at carefully determined places. Diamond and ruby dropped from each ear and a matching diamond necklace with a ruby pendant lay at her throat. The mass of ebony curls were piled artfully atop her head with a few tendrils left to frame her face and to explore the nape of her neck.

Looking in the mirror, there was no doubt in her mind that she looked lavish, but she was not satisfied, however. No matter how beautiful the gown or the jewels, she still looked plain. It was nearly impossible for a person to still look plain after being covered in head to toe with such beautiful clothes, but for her, it was every bit as possible as it was for her cousin to look beautiful in a paper bag.

Sighing gently, she retrieved her black satin gloves and pulled them on up to her elbow. She headed out of her chamber and started to the grand white marble staircase. She peered over the banister and scanned the immense crush. She could hear the murmuring of the crowd and the velvety music drifting up to her ears. Spotting her cousin, she couldn't help the scowl that made its way to her lips.

It wasn't that she didn't like her cousin, because she loved her cousin. Lady Evelyn Guelph was the embodiment of benevolence. She was the sweetest, most amiable creature that she had ever met. Evelyn was the paragon of a woman; virtuous and submissive, yet still intelligent in her own right.

At the moment, her cousin was dancing with an unfamiliar gentleman. Young and handsome nonetheless, you would have to be to be able to dance with the beloved Lady Evelyn. She looked perfect as always in a green satin gown, her light blond hair pleated and arranged neatly on her head. Sighing again, she made her way down the marble steps.

"Claire, dear, you have finally come down. You are missing all the fun, darling."

She smiled wanly at her aunt. "I'm sorry, aunt Violet. I was torn between which earrings to wear," she lied.

"Oh, of course, my dear," she said with a dismissive wave. "I understand completely, such a difficult job, being presentable to the ton."

Claire nodded mutely. She knew that her aunt, Lady Cambridge, would be very understandable. At least when it came to looking your best at all times. "Evelyn looks like she is enjoying herself."

Her aunt's expression brightened further, if it was at all possible, as she watched her daughter. "Yes, she is. I'm so pleased with tonight. It has gone perfectly so far."

"It's beautiful, aunt Violet. You did an amazing job." That much was true. The place looked absolutely amazing. The immense ballroom was lit by eight crystal chandeliers. The prisms making specks of rainbow colour lights across the ceiling.

Evelyn, who had just finished dancing with the young man, made her way towards her cousin and mother. Her cheeks were flushed a light pink and her hazel eyes glittered. "Claire! You finally came down."

Claire smiled. "I wouldn't miss your nineteenth birthday, Evelyn. Looks like you're having fun without me anyway," she said referring to the handsome gentlemen that were not-so-subtly making their way towards Evelyn for a dance. "It looks like your are about to be swamped by your many admirers once again."

Evelyn sighed. "Oh dear, I never seem to have a break." She grabbed Claire's hand and grasped it. "You'll help me fight them off won't you? You dance with some of them."

"Oh nonsense. Evelyn, you will dance with all of them. It would be rude to decline. Besides, they are all very wealthy and that handsome young thing over there is a future duke."

Evelyn turned to her mother with a pout. "But mama, my feet are beginning to hurt." Lady Cambridge waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Hush darling, you will dance with the gentlemen."

Evelyn threw Claire a pleading look, but she shrugged helplessly. It wasn't exactly her idea of a good time to be taking the leftovers from Evelyn's dance card. Evelyn frowned, but obediently accepted an invitation to dance.

Claire turned her head just in time to spot a gentleman enter the ballroom. All eyes, it seemed turned at the exact moment to stare at the handsome man who had strolled into the room. Claire smiled a small smile and felt her heart begin to race like it did every time he entered the same room.

The man spotted her and made his way towards her. He stopped in front of Claire and smiled. "Claire ," he said kissing the back of her hand. He turned to her aunt and did the same. "Lady Cambridge."

Lady Cambridge gave him a polite smile and nodded her acknowledgment. "Lord Ascott, how nice of you to attend."

He flashed a sweet smile. "Of course. I wouldn't miss Evelyn's nineteenth birthday." He turned to Claire and his smile melted into a different sort of smile. "Lady Cambridge, would you mind if I stole Claire away from you for a moment?"

Violet hesitated but nodded after a moment. "Certainly, my lord. I mean no, go ahead."

"Thank you." He held out his hand and Claire grasped it tight. He lead her towards the doors of the terrace and pulled her out into the gardens.

"It's about time you showed up! I was going to be bored out of my skull standing there with my aunt Violet." Claire fixed him with a stern look, but it dissolved quickly when Lord Ascott looked at her sheepishly.

"Sorry Claire, I had some business to take care of. I couldn't get away,"

She couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips. "It's alright, Eddy, just as long as this doesn't happen often." She laughed when he shook his head vigorously. "Good. Now, tell me what you have been up too."

He looked away from her and shook his head. "I can't, Claire."

"Why not?" she demanded. "I am your best friend, Eddy, you can't keep me in the dark. We tell each other everything!"

Again, he shook his head.

Claire stared. There was no point in arguing with the man. It had been like this for the past month. Edward Dormer, Viscount Ascott, had been acting utterly strange and would not tell Claire a damned thing. Apparently, he did not trust her with the information. That thought made her frown. She and Eddy had been best friends since childhood. It just so happened that when she reached the age of eighteen, which had been almost four years ago, she realized just how much she wanted Lord Ascott. Wanted him to see her as a woman instead of his little sister.

"I'm sorry Claire." Edward clasped her hand and started to pulled her back to the ballroom. "Let's go inside now. I have to wish Evelyn a happy birthday."

Of course. Claire thought sarcastically. She knew full well that Edward had an infatuation with her beautiful cousin. Who didn't? But she knew that Edward had more feelings for Evelyn than most the other men who flock to her and it broke Claire's heart.

She stopped abruptly which caused Edward to look back at her with a questioning look. "You go ahead, Eddy, I think I'll stay out here for just a little longer." Edward turned around and walked to her. "I can't leave you out here by yourself, Claire. It isn't proper."

She rolled her eyes. "It isn't very proper for me to be out here with you either." She gave him a small push towards the house. "I will be fine. Now go wish my cousin a happy birthday," she said flippantly.

"Are you certain?" he asked.

"Yes, yes. Go!"

With one last look of askance, Edward turned around and strode into the house, looking for Evelyn.

Claire watched him walk away and turned around to walk down the path through the gardens. She didn't know why she put up with Edward's constant drooling. It was positively revolting to see the hoards of men fawning over Evelyn Guelph. She was well aware that she was altogether jealous of her cousin, but it was justified. Edward was her best friend and Edward was meant for her. She was sure of it. She had never felt the way she felt about Edward ever before for any man in her life. If only he wasn't so besotted with Evelyn. She just had to hope that Edward would soon realize that he belonged with Claire and not the perfect Evelyn.

Claire stopped suddenly and stared at the bush to her right. She was certain it just giggled . She took a step toward it and heard another noise, this time it wasn't quite like a giggle. More curious, she took another step towards the giggling bush. "By Lucifer!" she gasped. There behind the bush was a barely dressed woman sprawled atop a fully dressed man. Blushing a bright red, she stepped slowly away from the bush. "I'm terribly sorry," she murmured to the startled pair.

When she was safely away from the bush, she let our a breath. Dear lord, that was embarrassing! She touched her fingers to her cheeks which were still a doubtlessly flaming red.

"Now that, darling, is why a young lady should not be walking in the gardens unescorted at night."

"Bloody hell!" Claire gasped, hand to heart. She turned around to face the man leaning against a tree. He was dressed elegantly in severe black evening wear, crisply white starched shirt and intricately tied cravat. His hat was tilted rakishly on his head, eyes partially covered and he was playing idly with his walking stick. All in all making him look all too mysterious.

Eyebrow raised, he studied her. "Such language for an innocent lady," he murmured.

"Who are you?" she asked him warily.

"I'm not sure I should tell you. After all we haven't been properly introduced and I should not even be speaking to you."

Claire rolled her eyes. "Don't feed me lines on propriety. I am not all too concerned at the moment. Besides, sir, you spoke to me first so you cannot just pretend you didn't and leave me wondering who you are ."

"Very true," he said stepping away from the tree. "But I'm afraid I will just have to leave you wondering."

"Wait, you can't!" But it was too late, the man was already strolling down the opposite end of the path. "Men!" she cursed. She spun around and marched back to the ballroom.

So, was it bad? Tell me! Please?