A/N: First off I would like to thank Sistergrimm for all her help. She rocks! Thank you for all your help with the plot and being my beta. Seriously guys if you haven't read her stories you should be hit with a crowbar. Please enjoy and review we worked hard on this!

Lucinda was pulling the strings of my corset as tightly as my frame would allow; she placed her foot against my figure leaning back and pulling the contraption even tighter. My body bent in pain as I reached out to stop myself from falling to the floor knocking over the brush with the silver handle from the French oak side table. Everything in my chamber had been imported and made of the same fine wood. I cursed the damned sunlight streaming through the drapes announcing noon.
A knock sounded at the door and a muffled voice announced it was only our butler with a letter.

"Just a moment," I called as Lucinda tugged a rose petal pink velvet gown into place and adjusted the pearl buttons. I stepped from behind the screen and glided to the door.

"A letter for you Lady Rosalie, from Countess Dwaning." He handed me the letter and I nodded my head as a sign of dismissal before closing the door.

"Lucinda I no longer require your assistance you may go; but if you will, tell my brother I require his company."

"Yes, Lady Rosalie." Lucinda bowed and stepped out of the room never turning her back to me. I glanced down at the small envelope in my gloved hand and sighed already knowing what it held. Countess Harriet Dwaning would soon be hosting her annual Summer's Night Ball every noble family attended- it was almost mandatory. It was also a torturous event, if by night's end if you were not asleep you were lucky indeed. Alas, I would be attending as always with my brother and that girl. As if he could read my mind, at that precise moment my dear brother Edward entered the room.

"Sister I am told you requested my company."

"Ah, yes Edward it seems Countess Dwaning has once again invited us to her Summer's Night Ball." Edward's shoulders dropped and his bright green eyes dulled. He disliked the Countess's balls as much as everyone else, this year was no exception. Then much to my surprise his eyes brightened and his notorious sideways smirk grew across his boyish features.

"My dear Rosalie, I am most gracious for this news. I shall send notice to Miss Bella at once." My eyes narrowed Edward knew how much I detested his young, shy Isabella. Not only that, but they were now betrothed! The nerve of him; she a merchant's daughter and he the Marquis. It was unheard of- she was beneath us and of no noble blood. I took a deep breath calming myself and when I spoke, my voice was guarded.

"Darling Edward, Miss Bella has not been invited and the ball is solely for nobility."

"Yes, but she soon will be nobility and I will insist she is granted entrance. The Countess will dare not deny her." His words were sugary sweet and they made me sick, so I spoke rashly.

"It shall never be allowed. The lowly merchant's daughter has no place in our society and everyone knows it. You are only setting her up for heartbreak and embarrassment. The marriage will never take place." I scoffed. Edward flinched as if my words were flames on his skin and then his eyes darkened and he glared at me.

"Watch your words, dear sister. I will be escorting Miss Bella and she will become the Marquess. I advise you keep your opinions locked away and treat her with respect." His words were like venom. I felt as if I had been slapped- Edward had never spoken to me so harshly, not before that girl came into his life and claimed his attention and affection. He turned and marched out of my room slamming the door. I glared after him; the day I respected Miss Isabella Cullen I prayed would be my last.

I still held the unopened envelope in my hand. I carefully broke the seal and opened it reading the elegant script.

Countess Dwaning requests your attendance on the

Sixteenth of June for her annual Summer's Night Ball

Dinner will begin at 7 o'clock

Followed by Music and Dance

The sixteenth of June, that gave me a week to prepare. I picked up the delicate little china bell from my bedside table and rang it. Lucinda appeared at the door.

"Yes, Lady Rosalie?"

"Lucinda, we have a ball to prepare for call for the carriage."

"Of course Lady Rosalie," and so it began, the whirl of another Season- would there be a man worthy of me this time? I smirked at the thought.