1 Pilot Chapter: The Beautiful Stranger

It was dusk when we arrived at the Whittaker Estate for the ball they are holding. A month ago, my family had received an invitation to the ball that was being hosted by the Earl of Whittaker. It is stated that his eldest son, Tristan Whittaker, to celebrate his 28th birthday. The theme for the ball is a masquerade party which I'm most excited about because I love costumes.

My sisters were all excited about it mostly to get to meet the son. The Whittaker is one of the highest of nobility and its famous for its diamond company. I'd be excited about it and be hopeful if they hadn't pointed out my flaws, Charlotte mostly. "Don't be ridiculous," she would say, "He would want a woman who is mature and responsible not someone who behaves like a child. She's right. I, Maybelle Barbary, am notorious for having such childish manners, I couldn't even act authentically mature even when I wanted too. I can't help it when I'm born different from normal people, especially when I'm only the youngest. However, who would want to marry someone with a girl like me?

Throughout the month, we've been preparing for the ball. We went dress shopping, getting dance lessons and learning the etiquettes of being a lady and how to behave around a man. Until at last, the big day has arrived we all got on the carriage and began our journey to the ball. During our trip, I began to feel a disturbing feeling forming in the pit of my stomach. To be honest, I thought about to just stay home but my parents insisted that I go. Another thing is what is this Tristan Whittaker like? Although he is very popular with the ladies, he is rarely seen in public. Therefore nobody knows what he looks like. Is he a big and strong man or is he small and scrawny? Is he kind and considerate or is he cruel and cold-hearted? I'm kind of afraid to find out.

We've finally arrived at the Whittaker manor and we have all got out. Charlotte was dressed in an elegant ballgown that is of peacock color scheme; blue dress with a train of peacock feathers that travels from the back waist of her dress all the way down to the hem of her dress, long blue gloves, a necklace with a pendant that resembles a peacock feather with a pair of matching earrings and a headband with a majestic peacock feather on top. Her hair was styled in a bun with a strand of her hair dangling down to her chest. Carrying with her is her stick mask that also has peacock feathers on it. Loretta is dressed in a red velvet short sleeved dress with a bow on the center of her collar dress. Long black silky gloves a red choker and a tiny red hat with a black feather. All of her hair is styled in an elegant updo. On her face is a sleek black and red half mask. Annabelle is dressed in a, I must say, an adorable pink floral dress with long sleeves that fans out at the elbows. With her dress is a pink wide brimmed hat with pink roses at the top and a pink rose choker. Her hair is styled in ringlets. Her half mask resembled a pink butterfly. I wore a white dress with short puffy sleeves, with three white roses on the center of my chest, one at the right side of my dress. White elbow width gloves, a simple pearl necklace, a pair of pearl dangling earrings, and a hat with roses on top, two strings of pearls dangling from it and two feathers from the top. I was the only one that didn't get stylized but there is a rose clip at the back of my hair. My mask covers the left side of my face, white with laces and roses. It too has beads hanging from it. My father was wearing a jester mask while my mother wore a simple yet elegant half mask.

I took a good look at the Whittaker manor. This is a manor? It looks more like a castle; it's even bigger than our house. We all entered inside the manor; even the inside is so huge and glamorous with everything dazzling. There were music and a whole lot of people all chattering. This manor is practically cramped with all these people. I stayed close with my family until the party is officially started. After a while all turned our heads towards the top of the stairs as soon as we heard a loud voice.

"May I present, Earl Charles Whittaker," the elderly butler announced, presenting an equally elderly earl who bowed his head to him and then to us. We all clapped at his presence.

"Hello and welcome," he greeted in moderate loud voice, "I'd like to thank you all for coming, especially on behalf of my son. Unfortunately, he's rather running a bit late, it's not like for him to miss out on his own birthday, but he will be here soon. For now, while we wait for him, please enjoy the party."

As soon as that was finished, the party had officially begun. We all migrated into this enormous yet beautiful ballroom where the music played and people danced. As soon as we entered we all scattered. My Charlotte and Loretta were out flirting with attractive men while Annabelle was helping herself at the refreshment table. My parents were talking with another man about business. As for me I was out dancing with each different people including men. I felt like I've been dancing for hours, that's when I've decided to take a break and go to on a chair by the window, watching as the dancing keeps going. When I saw my sisters dancing with gorgeous men, my face fell a little. In every party, although I loved to dance, I would have loved to have danced somebody. Unfortunately most men would have prefer one of my sisters just because they were older, more developed and more beautiful than me. Compare to me I'm still blooming, my body still looks girlish.

"Pardon me, Miss, would you care for a drink?" a voice asked.

I turned my head away from the dancing scene to find a hand extended towards me with a champagne glass filled with gin. I took the glass from his hand and was about to say thank you to the man, but when I looked up, I froze. Standing before me was what may be the most handsome man I've ever saw. he had golden blonde hair with a side swept bang and charming emerald green eyes. Half of his face was covered with a black mask with a gold trimming. He was dressed as a cavalier from the 17th century; a red shirt with wide lace collars, and lace cuffs, high waist trousers, a pair of black boots and a black cape draped over his left shoulder. He wore a black cavalier hat with a red ostrich plume on top. I continued to stare at him as I absentmindedly took a sip.

"I saw you sitting down all alone and you looked a little thirsty," the stranger explained, "So I thought I should give you something to drink."

"How thoughtful of you," I praised, "I deeply appreciated."

"May I sit down with you?" he asked.

"Huh?" That's when I realized he had asked a question and I snapped out of mind. "Oh yes, yes, you may!" He took a seat on the chair next to me and I returned my gaze back to the dance floor. I continued to sip awkwardly, unable to ignore the fact that there's a man sitting right next to me. For some reason my heart began to pound a little bit and I'm starting to blush.

"What's your name?" he asked. Once again I've found myself drifting off into space again and I snapped myself back into reality again. I've felt foolish.

"Huh? Oh! I'm sorry!" I apologized, he chuckled as I fret. I managed to compose myself, placing the glass on the table next to me and introduced myself. "My name is Maybelle Barbary. I'm the youngest daughter of Baron Edmund Barbary and Baroness Hannah Barbary. And you are?"

"Just call me Nicholas," he replied.

"Well then, I'm very pleased to meet you, Nicholas," I greeted, extending my hand to him.

"The pleasure is mine," Nicholas acknowledged, taking my hand and shook it. Then he released my hand. "So what are you doing sitting here all alone?"

"I was just resting," I answered, "I've been dancing for a long time and my feet were starting to hurt and I needed to catch my breath. What about you? Why aren't you out dancing?"

"I also needed to take a break too," he answered.

"Say, have you happen to see this Tristan Whittaker?" I asked.

"Can't say I have," he said, "If I did, they would have announced his presence."

"You make an excellent point," I agreed. "What kind of person that doesn't show up to his own birthday party."

"Maybe something was up that was making him late," Nicholas suggested.

"Maybe," I half agreed, "Nevertheless, the party is still great."

"Do you like to dance?" he asked.

"Oh yes!" I eagerly answered, "I've always loved dancing since I was little girl. Sometimes I would dance around in either my bedroom or out in the garden even when there's no music."

"So you come to these often for the dancing?" he probed.

"A couple of times," I vaguely answered, "Actually, I've just turned seventeen a few months ago and this is my first time I get to go as an adult, especially at night time. When I was a child, when my parents hold parties, I wasn't allowed to attend to attend simply because I wasn't old enough for these things especially late at night where it's way past my bedtime. Annabelle, my sister, she was too young for these things too. Although sometimes as soon as they thought that we were asleep, we would sneak out of our bedrooms and hide among the balconies over the ballroom and spy on the party. I still remember the music, the sight of people dancing and laughing. As I watched couples dance I would imagined myself dancing among them especially with a lovely dance partner. What about you? Do like going to these things?"

"I'm partial to it. I liked to dance too, sometimes," he admitted, "But I only do it at parties. I hardly do dancing anywhere for I'm always too busy with other things."

"Like what?" I questioned.

"That's a secret," he grinned, holding up his finger to his lips to indicate it.

I'd be lying if I'd said I couldn't care less, but I was rather disappointed. I would have loved to get to know him. In fact, how come he gets to know about me, but I can't to him? It doesn't make sense. Normally when a man and a woman have a conversation with each other, they both usually tell each other about themselves. That's how these things work, they get to know each other. But Nicholas is different, although he did told me a little bit of himself, but it's not all of him. What could he possibly be hiding?

"I must say, you do look ravishing," he complimented.

"You really think so?" I asked, blushing, "I didn't think something as simple and pure as this would attract someone like you his attention."

"I like it," he said, "It represents the pure and innocent young woman that you are and I like that. I also loved how your green eyes stands out from your costume."

My costume makes my eyes stand out? I've never really thought about that. Although I have dark hair like my family, with my mother, Charlotte, Annabelle and I with brown hair and Loretta and my father with black hair, I was the only one with green eyes while everyone else has brown eyes. I was considered the oddball of the family because of it.

"It's a shame that no men seems to notice what a beautiful woman you are," he said.

"I know," I sadly agreed, "But I could care less whether men notice me or not. On the bright side at least I don't have to worry about having to deal with the stress of being someone's wife. I'd rather be living as a free-spirited independent young woman than to live a life as a wife confined to such struggling responsibilities."

"Sounds like an ideal life," he commented, smiling.

"I've been told to look at the bright side of things in life," I said, "Besides, I prefer dancing over trying to get a boyfriend."

"Well, in that case," he gets up and bowed before me, extending a hand, "May I have this dance?"

"Huh?" I was confused while blushing at his gesture.

"Well, you did say you loved to dance so I'm asking if you would like to dance some more," he explained.

"That is true," I agreed, shrugging, "though I don't see why not."

"Is that a yes?" he inquired.

"Yes, I'd love to dance with you," I gracefully answered, taking his hand.

I got off from the chair and Nicholas escorted me to the dance floor. Once we were at the middle of the dance floor, he placed his hand at the small of my back and lift my hand into the air with his other hand as I placed my hand on his shoulder and we began to waltz. We waltzed as the music played, I can feel eyes staring right at us but I didn't care. I was only focused on Nicholas. Now that I got a really good close look to him, his eyes are really charming, I feel like I was being mesmerized. And he smells nice too. His body also felt warm with my body close to him. I felt him pull me in closer until my chest is completely pressed against his. He leaned his face close to my ears and he whispers, "You're a remarkable dancer." I blushed at the compliment as he pulled his face away from me. I looked up to meet his genuine smile where I was truly mesmerized. I continued to dance with him throughout the rest of the night until he pulled me away from the dance floor.

"As much as I loved dancing with you," Nicholas began, "But I'm afraid I must leave."

"Why? Can't you stay a little longer?" I asked.

"Believe me, I wish I could," he said apologetically, "But I'm sorry, I have to go."

Without saying another word he turned away and immediately exited the ballroom, leaving me all alone. I watched him as he leaves. I turned away from where he left and absentmindedly shuffled through the ballroom until I eventually found my family. I walked over to them.

"Why hello, Maybelle," my father greeted warmly, "How are you enjoying yourself?"

"I was having fun especially when I was dancing with the most handsome man," I said.

"What!?" Charlotte exclaimed.

"A man? Dancing with you?" Loretta reacted astonishingly.

"How handsome?" Annabelle asked.

"Oh how wonderful!" My mother praised.

"Oh? And where is this man you speak of?" My father eagerly asked.

"He's gone," I sadly replied, "He didn't explain why. He just left."

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry," Father comforted me, hugging. I hugged him back.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?"

We all turned our heads towards the butler. This time next to him is a young man with golden blonde hair wearing a white suit and a silver mask covering the top half of his face. I don't know why, but he somehow looked familiar.

"May I finally present the Earl's son, Tristan Whittaker," the butler anointed.

"Hello, everyone," Tristan greeted, "Sorry I'm late. I got so caught up with work I've lost track of time."

"We're just glad you've finally arrived," his father said, then he leaned towards him, "Even though you've just arrived only half an hour until the ball is over."

"Hey, at least I came at all," the son chuckled.

"Now that the most important man has arrived, may I present the cake," the butler disclosed.

As soon as the announcement was made, the servants rolled in the cart where on top was sizable birthday cake. They started serving out slices of cake to each party guest, including myself. Well, there is a silver lining to this evening. Although the dance with the beautiful stranger was cut short abruptly, at least the cake was delicious.

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It's been two days since the ball and I still remember the dance with Nicholas on that night and I still can't help but wondered. He was so handsome yet mysterious. First he offered me a drink, he asked to sit with me and gets to know me, then he asked me to dance with him and we danced until lastly he all of a sudden leaves. I still didn't get what was that all about; I wish knew more about Nicholas. Nicholas, who are you really and what are you hiding? I was out in the garden with my sisters having lunch until Beatrice, our maid, came.

"Miss Maybelle," she said me, "Pardon the intrusion, but your father requests your presence. He said there are important visitors who wishes to see you."

Without questioning her, I got up and followed Beatrice. Who are these important visitors Beatrice was talking about and what do they want with me? I wondered. We've finally reached the drawing room where father was. As soon as I entered, I've noticed that father wasn't alone and I've found out who were these important visitors. It was Count Whittaker a couple of nights ago, the other man I wasn't sure for his back was to me. Both older men got up as soon as they acknowledged my presence.

"Ah, Maybelle," Father greeted, coming over to me. He placed his hand. "Maybelle, my dear, you would not believe what has happened. Count Whittaker and his son had come and he said he had come to make an arrangement and he wanted to speak with you." I've never seen my father so giddy.

"Good afternoon, Miss Maybelle," Count Whittaker greeted, bowing before me. I curtsied back. "I'm delighted to see you, especially for my son. This is Tristan." As if on cue, Tristan got up.

"It's very nice to meet you, Miss Maybelle," he greeted, extending his hand.

"How do you do?" I replied back, shaking his hand, but when I got a look of his face, there was something familiar about him. I peered into those eyes; those were the same emerald green eyes Nicholas had the other night.

"Nicholas?" I uttered.

"Actually, Nicholas happens to be my middle name," he said.

"Wait, what?" I was confused.

"You are indeed correct, I am that man you've danced the other night," he explained, "I am Tristan Nicholas Whittaker and I wish to marry you."

"What!?" I nearly shouted.