6 Chapter 6

As the festival approached, locals adorned the streets of London with colorful lights and set up businesses and stalls across the city. Youngsters rush across the performers as they rehearse, and children run across the parade floats as they rehearse.

Back at the Morrison residences, they had their own set of celebrations, which included a ball. Every maid in the house was busy preparing, and Lady Morrison was in charge of double-checking all of the invites before delivering them.

Evelyn was getting ready for work in the maid quarters.

"Oh, no! You're preoccupied with spending time with the Duke, while we're trying to find a solution to your nemesis's problem "Piper cracked a joke.

Evelyn inquired, "Nemesis?"

"Yup, the Evil Lady Morrison, always stealing our poor Princess Evelyn while her prince comes to save her," Piper says as she impersonates the lady and transforms Maggie into Evelyn.

As she jokes, she gets a smack from the head by Linda, " if you act In front of the lady , you'll get a ticket out of the house" said Linda

"I'm sorry, aunt," Piper apologized.

"Are you going to the festival, Lily?" Maria inquired.

"I'm not sure, it's my first festival in London," Evelyn answered, "but back home, we'd have the wine stop as custom."

"Wow, wine, how lovely," Maria exclaimed.

"Why don't I talk to my boyfriend about bringing us some wine tonight?" Piper said.

"You can," Maria said.

"Sure, as the bartender's girlfriend, I can get him to alter a small bottle for us to enjoy the festival," Piper remarked.

"Enjoy yourselves," Evelyn said.

"Aren't you coming, big sis?" Maggie inquired.

"I'm not sure," Evelyn admitted, "but if the Duke grants me permission, I'll be able to join you."

"How about inviting the Duke?" Maria suggested.

"Are you insane?" Anne exclaimed. "It's impossible; the Duke is the most important person at the ball; without him, the ball will fail."

"It's worth a shot," Maria said.

I'll try my best" said Evelyn leaving the quarters

As she walks to the mansion halls she checks the daily newspaper and suddenly stubbles to a person

"Are you ok miss" said a manly voice

As she looked up it was the duke's first youngest brother and third son of the Morrison family, He was tall and slim young man with dirty blonde hair and deep, green-grey eyes. His bangs are parted to the right and he has rather neat and wore a long ponytail.

He smiled at her and gave his hand, " are you ok miss" said the fourth Duke.

" yes I'm fine thank you, sorry for pushing you, I was not in mind while reading the newspaper" said Evelyn

" oh no, I'm to blame" said the Duke

" Then I'll take your leave" answered Evelyn running

Before he could call her, she disappeared, " what a interesting woman"

" Sir Michael ,there you are, where have you been?" said a lord

" Nothing just taking a smoker while a cute lady with white hair pushed me" said Michael

" oh that must be Lady Montefiore, she's a secretary to Sir Matthew" said the lord

" Montefiore huh ! A girl working for my brother" said Michael walking

Back in the office, Everyone was busy working while Evelyn was writing notes and concentrating in her work.

" aren't you getting someone to be your escort" said a lord who came towards her

"I'm not sure" said Evelyn

"If you don't mind, could I ..." before he could ask, Matthew interrupted, " Evelyn, where are the reports for the shipments which was imported to the west province"

" yes my lord, could you give me a minute" said Evelyn to which he smiles and then gives a glare look to the lord scaring him.

In the office everyone who always used to talk in her back, now started liking her wants to try their best to invite her as their escort but could not face her cause of the Duke who always gives a glare look whenever someone asks her

" I thought I would get a chance" said a lord to another lord as they were dispersing home in the evening

While others left, only Matthew and Evelyn were left in the office. There was a silence in the room, neither Evelyn nor the Duke spoke .

As the time struck twelve, Evelyn was getting sleepy, " Sir, may I take my leave , I just finished doing my work"

" sure, you can leave, thanks for the hard work" said Matthew, there was awkward silence

Just as she was stepping outside," wait!..." shouted Matthew

" yes my lord" said Evelyn

He walked towards her, " um I know it's late, I was thinking whether you have a escort for tomorrow evening"

" I haven't plan yet, whether I should go to the ball or not, and also I think ball is not my cup of tea, as I know the people will speak bad about me" said Evelyn justifying

" nonsense, tell me who and I will arrest them at once" Said the Duke

Evelyn laughed, " sure my lord, I'll let you know"

Seeing her laughing made him smile, " so do you want to attend the ball"

" I'll try my best" said Evelyn

" Then I'll see you soon" said Michael bidding her goodbye

Back in the quarters,Evelyn told to her maids,

" what really" said Anne

" How romantic" said Maria

"Do you have a dress to wear?" Piper inquired.

"I don't want to stick out in public, so I'll wear my prettiest gown to the ball," Evelyn anxiously replied.

Everyone was stunned into stillness.

"You are not a commoner anyone," Linda snarled inside, "you are personally invited by the Duke, you should dress correctly."

The present maids all answered, "I agree."

Piper guffawed, "I can't believe aunt is saying this."

"Come on ladies, let's make our Princess lovely," Maria exclaimed.

"uh... Wait" before Evelyn could speak, Anne and Piper grab hold of Evelyn's hands

" don't worry I'm in your care" said Maria as she begins her makeup

In the Ballroom, every noble were present, including the Duke

" This is going to boring" said Matthew sipping his wine

" I assure you that however you ask in your first dance is meant to be your partner for life" said his close knight

" I don't believe in fairytales" said Matthew

" you always don't believe anything" said Michael as he walks forward to Matthew with his wife

" I didn't hope to see my brothers here" said Matthew in a an annoyed voice

" Don't say like that, I just came yesterday and this is how you welcome me" said Andrew, the youngest son of the Morrison

" It's better to believe, so not to believe" said Matthew

" you talk many things that don't make yourself understand" said Jacob, the eldest

" why are you all bothering me" said Matthew

" Is someone coming" said Andrew

" no, no one" said Matthew

Michael smiles, " oh he sure is waiting, it's that lily maid, isn't it"

" Your secretary" Said Andrew

Matthew blushes

"I see you're interested in Lady Montefiore, you've done a lot for her," Jacob said. "It's nothing, she was just a helper, I just rewarded her so she could achieve her goals," Matthew blushed.

"I understand your anxiety, but keep in mind that whoever you choose brings happiness to the Morrison family, not to you," Jacob stated as he walked toward his wife.

As he sipped his fruit drink, Andrew said, "Those are some words from our older brother."

Lady Morrison abruptly summoned Matthew, saying, "Matthew, could you please come here for a moment?"

"What does that old hag want?" Matthew raged. "Mind your words, she's our mother," Michael countered.

"Sorry" he said storming off

"I can't wait to see those two fight again," Andrew added.

As Matthew approached Lady Morrison, the Viscount Sir Adams and his daughter Elizabeth Hawkins stood in front of her.

"Please greet them," Lady Cotton said.

"I'm Lady Elizabeth from the House of Hawkins, and it's a pleasure to meet you."

" Pleasure," Matthew stated solemnly.

Elizabeth was startled for a time, but the Viscount persuaded her to ask the dance.

As soon as the music started, everyone made their way to the dance floor.

"Sir Matthew, may I have this dance?" Elizabeth inquired.

Lady Cotton said, "Fast accept her."

The door opened, and there was light in the ballroom. He looked annoyed but couldn't say no because he was bought to take her hand.

Her wavy white hair looked like she was the Snow Queen, and she wore a gleaming white gown studded with diamonds that lit up the room.

Evelyn was nervous as she peered around the room. Matthew smiled as he walked away. Elizabeth

Lady Cotton exclaimed, " Matthew!"

Evelyn was looking around, perplexed, when she noticed Matthew, who extended his hand and asked, "Madam, may I have this dance?" She smiled as she extended her hand, and they walked to the center of the dance floor and began dancing.

Everyone in the room looked at both of them, and it appeared as if summer and winter were dancing together.

"Who is she?" inquired someone.

"She looks like a snow Princess," another person commented.

"To which house does she belong?" asked another.

More and more people were speaking, while Lady Cotton and Elizabeth were enraged on the other side.

Lady Cotton snatched her fan and walked away, leaving Elizabeth envious.

Everyone was clapping for the two dancers, and while Evelyn, who was dancing, appeared nervous and blushing, he was smiling when she looked at him. "You look lovely, Lily," Matthew said.

When the music stopped, each dance bowed and moved on to the next dance, while Evelyn, who was feeling uneasy, asked if she could take a break.

"Are you okay, Evelyn?" Mathew asked as he noticed a cut in her heel.

"It's fine, it must be from dancing," Evelyn said.

"Wait here, I'll bring some maid to apply to the cut," Matthew said, motioning her to sit.

While she was waiting, Micheal and Andrew arrived.

"Good evening, Lady Montefiore," Micheal said.

" Ah good evening, My lords," Evelyn said as she tried to get up.

"Woah, hang in there or you'll hurt yourself," Andrew said.

"That dance was beautiful," Micheal said.

"It sure was, and it's the first dance," Andrew said.

Yes, the first dance means that the Duke has chosen you as his bride," Micheal said.

"Bride!.. no way my lord, I'm a low Nobel and the duchess will not like me," Evelyn blushed

"anything can happen," Michael winked and walked away.

"Bye, sister in law," Andrew joked as he ran away.

"Wait my lords," Evelyn said, but she was cut off.

Elizabeth was in front of a group of girls who approached her.

"I know where this is going," Evelyn said to herself, knowing what was going to happen because she had witnessed many stories when she was alive in her previous life.

"Hello ladies, what do I know the pleasure?" Evelyn smiled as she acted as a lady who is perplexed.

"Do you know who I am?" Elizabeth inquired.

Evelyn asked, "Are you the girl I saw biting the handkerchief while the Duke and I were dancing?"

"You have guts talking to a noble, you filthy commoner," Evelyn said.

When Andrew saw Evelyn and Elizabeth fighting, he turned to his brother Michael and said, "Look brother, that cheeky Elizabeth is back to her old tricks again.We should help her"

Before he could save, Michael stopped him, saying, "This isn't our fight, it's theirs, though you should be careful when you're talking to a lady like Evelyn."

"What do you mean?" Andrew inquired, perplexed.

"You can see it for yourself," Michael said.

As they stare at each other, Evelyn says, "For your information, I am a countess, I am legally a noble, so it is you who speaks rudely to me."

"You have the audacity to steal my future husband from me," Elizabeth says as she hurls her drink at her dress.

Her group laughs at her, and everyone turns to look at them. Evelyn doesn't say anything until the Viscount rushes over and begs Evelyn's forgiveness.

Elizabeth is taken aback and yells, "What are you doing, father?"

"Do you know who you humiliated?" slaps the Viscount. The Viscount was questioned.

"Isn't she a lower noble than us, we can do whatever we want, she's like an insect to us," Elizabeth remarked.

Matthew returns with a glass of water for Evelyn.

He notices the scene and wonders, "What is going on over here?"

" Sir Matthew, look at this, this sneaky noble doesn't know how to speak properly; she speaks as if she's a higher noble and makes disparaging remarks about me."

"How dare you call sneaky noble," he screamed at her, "you are speaking to the Hawkins family's investor."

Evelyn grabs the water and splashes it on Elizabeth

"What the hell ?" she exclaimed.

"You accuse me of being rude, you started this mess, you came and said I'm seducing the Duke, let me tell you straight, the Duke came to me for the dance, I just came here because I work for the Duke." Evelyn justified

"but..."

"Let me finish, Miss Hawkins, The Viscount is my client and respects me, and I handle all of the Hawkins family wealth, while your father worked hard for the family, you disgrace him by destroying his name, is that what you want?" Evelyn glared.

"I'm sorry, Miss Montefiore, please forgive my stupid daughter," the Viscount apologized, bowing.

Evelyn raises him and says, "You are elder, and I'm like a daughter, so I'll let this slide for now."

"Thank you, countess," the Viscount said.

"If you'll excuse me," Evelyn said as she walked down the hall. Michael claps as she walks, and everyone else does as well.

"Arr..." Elizabeth enraged, but Matthew appears out of nowhere and addresses her as "Viscount Hawkins."

"Yes, Duke," the Viscount replied.

"I won't name her punishment for accusing or making derogatory remarks and causing the party to devolve into chaos; it's up to you," the Duke said.

"Yes, Duke, I've already decided to keep her under house arrest for a month," the Viscount said.

"Father!" exclaimed Elizabeth. "Shut up," the Viscount instructs his daughter, pulling and dragging her hand.

As the Duke searches for Evelyn, he comes across her in front of the garden maze.

"Are you all right, Evelyn?" Matthew inquired.

"I'm fine, my lord; I'll go change," Evelyn said.

"I'll accompany you," Matthew said.

"No, sir, I'm fine; I'll just change and join the girls at the festival," Evelyn replied.

" I'll accompany you," said the Duke.

"No need, sir, the party needs the next leader, and you are very important," Evelyn replied.

"Fine, I'll see you soon," the Duke said as he walked away.

She smiles and walks back to her quarters as he walks away.