DESIRES AND DEVOTION

CHAPTER 1- THE BALL

The ton had been preparing for the upcoming season and it was no different in the Giles household.

In the ladies' room had Savannah, her mother Lady Elizabeth Giles and their modiste. Savannah was putting on the dresses Madame Walter had taken her time to put together, and oh how beautiful they were.

A lingering thought had come across Savannah's mind, "but mama what if I get no suitors?" what she really wanted to say was, what if she found no suitor amiable.

It was one thing to get prospective partners and another to actually like them.

"I daresay, you are the prettiest woman there is, the gentlemen will come lining. Besides, your father and I have arranged a special meeting for you", Lady Elizabeth spoke with great admiration for her daughter. A child she was really fond of.

She was the only female child she bore and she was determined to get her engaged this season.

She was beyond convinced Savannah had all the qualities of the diamond of the first waters, the queen had said so herself too. For no reason should she be an old maid like she was. The thought of that sent shivers down her spine. In her time, she married three seasons late but then she could say the stigma was worth since she married the love her life, Sir Richard II of blest memory.

Curious, Savannah could not help but wonder who the man her parents had planned for her but she did not ask, not in front of Madame Walter. Although the woman has been like another mother to her being that she is the mother of her beloved friend Seraphina, she dared not discuss matters like this in front of her.

She was a woman of this city after all, and oh how they loved to gossip, her mother included.

Word did have a way of spreading, just last week a scandal had occurred in the Greenwood's home. Grace, the third daughter had eloped with a man of no title and no prospect and thus had brought shame to her family.

Although in her opinion she thought it was a matter of love but the whole act was something to be frowned upon, especially for the fact that she was having intercourse with a man who had not properly sought for her hand.

The news spread like wild fire and the whole family had been ostracized ever since.

Poor Greenwoods.

The last thing she would want is for anything to go wrong and spoil her family's name because of her especially. Her parents had spent quite a great deal for her first season. She could not afford to ruin their efforts.

"oh Madame Walter, I really do love this", she cried in awe doing a twirl in her new pink dress.

It fit her properly, flattering her lean figure. The bustier cupped her plump breast beautifully, not to mention how the color complimented her caramel skin.

"Mama, I love this, can I wear this to the ball tonight", she was hoping she agreed. She had already felt bad for picking two expensive dresses.

"of course, my sweetheart, you look absolutely stunning".

Few other dresses were selected for the various occasions lined up for Savannah. Two weeks from now, she was going to host her first ball after her successful debut. It was just another opportunity for her to find suitable suitors. Also, being one of the eye candies of the season, she was hopefully going to be invited to many other balls and dinners.

Hopefully.

***

Tensed. That's how Savannah felt. This was something so very new to her, although quite frankly she had been preparing for this moment all her life ,it still felt somewhat surreal.

In an hour's time she would be in the ballroom, her first time since she had come of age.

The idea of being in the midst of such a crowd was not something she fancied, talk more of mingling with men, not one of her favorite species she dares say.

Yet she told no one how she had been feeling, not even her older brother. She could only but imagine how worried he would be if she laid down her concerns.

This brother of hers could hold the heavens for her sake.

"A sight for sore eyes", Lord Richard III Giles gushed at his baby sister's beauty as he walked into the room.

He was here to accompany her and mother to the ball. In his father's absence he had taken up such responsibilities as the man of the house. It has been two years since they lost their beloved father to a ship wreck, however they spoke of him as if he was still in their midst. He was in their hearts.

Looking at Savannah in that pink dress he could not be prouder. Her lovely brunette hair she had raised into a bun and adorned with white flower pieces. He had to admit, she was not much of a baby anymore, nineteen years of age and ready to be a wife.

"you flatter me so much brother," she blushed at her brother's compliment.

"I did nothing but state a fact, does she not look astonishing?" he threw the question to his younger brother, Fredrick who was tending to his bunny.

His eyes left his bunny, his gaze resting on his older sister, she looked ravishing but he would not give her the satisfaction of that, that is not how they played.

"I say she looks like this everyday, plain old savannah"

Savannah shot him a glaring look, "I would not be triggered by your unkind words, I dare not give you that gratisfaction", they all laughed.

It has become the norm for Fredrick and Savannah to tease one another as long as they knew their limit.

The young lady continued admiring herself in the mirror, she indeed looked gorgeous. Mother walked in with a small box in her hand, "I have a gift for you"

She stood behind her daughter, opening the box she brought out a square cut diamond necklace.

"My mother gave this to me in my season, and she got it from her mother in her season", she said placing it on her neck. "I am hoping you give it to your daughter in her season".

"This is so beautiful mama, thank you", She admired the heirloom on her neck.

"and did I say how gorgeous you are?", Lady Giles asked, admiring her daughter.

Savannah chuckled, "if I am not mistaken this is the thirty-first time"

"thirty-first?" lady Giles Elizabeth gasped, "you lie". They chuckle at her histrionics, if there was one thing mother was good at it was drama.

"C'mon now, let's start going, the carriage awaits", Lord Richard called out. Following his lead, they all walk out of the house.

Arriving at St. Johns ballroom, Savannah was amazed by all the lights, the room was colorful, Ladies and Gentlemen clothed in beautiful materials. There was no one here who didn't dress to impress. But most of all what she loved was the classical music from the violins and the pianoforte.

I hope tonight will be a night I never forget, she said to herself.

After greeting the queen, the host of the ball it was time for them to settle in;

"Now Richard, if you keep holding her by the arm like that, she would hardly have the chance to converse with any suitable suitors", Lady Giles said. Savannah and Richard had been arm in arm since they arrived, she feared he was scaring the gentlemen away.

Savannah mentally cried she didn't want to leave her brother's side and be attacked by these preying eyes. They were already looking at her, gawking at her in fact. She noticed, although she pretended to give them no eye.

"in my eyes no man is suitable for her, she is just too good for these lots. But I hear you mother, I would leave her to interact". He removed his hands from his sister's arm and their mother had a satisfactory smile on her face.

"you could also use this opportunity to find a wife for yourself", she chipped in. Richard groaned, "not again mother". For the umpteenth time the idea of a wife was brought up this night, tonight is for Savannah and not him.

"I am just saying, there is nothing wrong if both of you get married off this season"

"How about we focus on Savannah for now, I will marry when I am ready, I give you my word". Right now, a woman was the least of his desires. The topmost priority he had now was to make sure Savannah married into a respectable home, secondly, he has unfinished business in France.

"ah drinks", Richard said using that opportunity to escape, "I care for some too mother", Savannah said following her brother before her mother could say a word.

She knew her brother wouldn't let her stick to him all night, especially not after mother's reprimanding. So, after taking a few drinks with him she granted the first man who approached her a dance.