DISCLAIMED
Please don't hesitate to check out my other Vampire Diaries stories xxx
Chapter 1
The Forbes Residence, Kensington, London
Caroline Forbes stared at the beautiful white dress on her bed.
Trudie Peterson's dress shop was always fairly busy, but the Social Season ensured that she was inundated with society's ladies. Of course, there were other dressmakers in London, but Trudie Peterson was the only one that mattered if you were an elite. When a lady wanted to make an impression, the shop at 56 Fairview Gardens was the place to be.
This was her debutante dress.
For years, Caroline had been awaiting this time. As a woman from a respectable family had only one goal in life: make a good match when they came of age. This training had been more important than her actual education. Everything had gone towards Caroline being the perfect debutante. She had the perfect manners, a fine singing voice and a wide range of poetry to discuss- if the man was so inclined to be interested in such things. It had seemed like it would be years before it happened, but it had now arrived. Caroline and her mother Elizabeth had got to Trudie's as fast as they could.
Being the only child (and daughter) meant that a good match was essential and boy did she know it.
The dress beside it was even more exquisite. After the actual presentation, the first ball of the season was probably the most important- it set the standard for the woman. It was make or break. Of course, it was another Trudie Peterson design. The colours could vary, but it was always blue for Caroline- classy and pure, the perfect look for a husband seeker. In a matter of days, she would be wearing both.
She prayed she wouldn't be the one to make a fool of herself in front of the monarch. Two seasons prior, Miss. Unity Coleman had taken a shot of gin to calm her nerves- not even an hour before the presentation. Miss. Coleman, as it transpired, could not hold her drink. As she went to curtsey to the King and Queen, Miss. Coleman fell over and let out a fart so terrible that they had to clear the room for half an hour. This was so disastrous that Miss. Coleman didn't receive a single match for the entire season and spent the next one with family in Scotland. As far as Caroline was aware, Miss. Coleman remained unmarried.
Caroline simply feared that all of her training would just leave her brain the moment that it mattered. She could not afford to be this season's Miss. Coleman.
There was a knock at her door.
"Enter!"
A page entered, "Miss. Pierce is here."
The sentence had barely left the page's lips when Katherine Pierce came barrelling into Caroline's bedroom. An annoyed sigh came from the page's lips, but he left them alone anyway.
"Have you heard, have you heard?"
"Apparently not."
"There's been a scandal," Katherine sang, sprawling herself out on the bed.
Caroline rolled her eyes. Katherine Pierce had been her best friend since they could just about toddle. Katherine also loved scandal and gossip- she had such a wicked tongue when it came to spreading it, especially when it was during the season. Whenever Katherine hurried into the Forbes home, it usually meant something interesting had happened. She had no inhibitions whatsoever.
"You do not have to sound so delighted about someone's misfortune," the blonde chided gently.
"It's about Malachai Parker."
"Again?" Caroline sighed, "What has that rake done now?"
"Eugenia Roycott was caught alone with him in his father's private study by her grandmother. Mrs. Roycott pitched a fit and demanded that Malachai marry her granddaughter to 'preserve her honour.' From what I am told, it was more than just a sneaky kiss- they were practically in their undergarments. Now we know what Malachai is like, so he said no. Poor Eugenia has been declared ill and will be staying with an aunt up north. That would not have happened if Eugenia didn't look so plump around the middle. She will be sitting the season out and will be returning in about a year. I didn't know one could predict an 'illness' so, but I guess her condition will fade by that time."
"That Malachai Parker has seduced more girls than any other man, yet they get sent away while he gets off scott-free. God help the poor woman who is forced to marry him."
"They all do it, he's just stupid enough not to be discrete about it."
"How did you find out anyway?"
"One of the maids in the Parker household is very friendly with Lydia. See, this is why I am friends with the help- they know everything. Oh don't look at me like that, they're people too, I get it. Seriously though, just sit down in the servants' quarters after hours and they tell you everything."
"I assume Eugenia will be back next season?"
"If they hush it up, sure. If not, she's going to be an unmarried mother for the rest of her life."
"I feel terrible for her."
"She was stupid to get intimate with Parker, but you're right, she doesn't deserve this just because he can get away with it. I hope the man I marry has either done all that business before the engagement or keeps it quiet, because I fear that I will be unable to stop myself if he humiliates me."
"Do not be so cynical Katherine, perhaps your future husband will not be that sort."
Katherine snorted, "We are expected to be pure and chaste, but they can go and sleep with all the whores that they like. I am not naive enough to believe I will marry a man who is a virgin on our wedding night. So long as he keeps his affairs private and does not rub it in my face, we will have no problem. You've been reading too many romance novels dear friend."
"Is it wrong to want to be in love with the one you marry?"
"It's not wrong, but it's hopelessly naive. We are to marry for survival. As long as the man isn't a total bore or brute, we must count ourselves as lucky. All I want is a man who doesn't mind us trying for babies all the time."
Katherine smirked.
"Don't be so crude Katherine."
"It isn't like you will die still flowered."
"It is a duty one must endure, not to be boasted about."
"You won't say that once you try it."
There was another knock on the door. The page entered.
"A letter for you, Miss. Forbes."
"Thank you Hobbs," Caroline took the envelope from the plate, sliding it open with her letter opener, "Oh my, it looks official- oh gosh, it's the presentation order for the palace. I'm in the first group- and so are you."
"Who else have we got?" Katherine snatched the letter from her best friend's hand before reading aloud.
The first group to be presented to His Majesty King Edwin III and Her Majesty Queen at Buckingham Palace on the 12th March in the year of our Lord 1815, at 2PM:
Miss. Bonnie Bennett, Daughter of Sir Rudy MP and Mrs. Abigail Bennett
The Honourable Caroline Forbes, Daughter of Baron William and Baroness Elizabeth Forbes
The Honourable Elena Gilbert, Daughter of Baron Dr. Grayson Gilbert and Miranda Gilbert
Miss. Megan King, Daughter of Mr. Nathaniel and Mrs. Kitty King
Miss. Hayley Marshall, Daughter of Mr. Walter and Mrs. Margaret Marshall
Lady Rebekah Mikaelson, Daughter of Duke Mikael and Duchess Esther Mikaelson
Miss. Olivia Parker, Daughter of Mr. Joshua and Mrs. Eleanor Parker
The Honourable Katherine Pierce, Daughter of Viscount Nigel and Viscountess Frances Pierce
Miss. Virginia St. John, Daughter of Mr. Dalton and Mrs. Norma St. John (Both Deceased)- Sponsored by Mrs. Marjorie St. John (Aunt)
Miss. April Young, Daughter of the Reverend Peter Young and Mrs. Alice Young (Deceased)- Sponsored by Mrs. Matilda Saunders (Cousin)
The Honourable Annabelle Zhang, Daughter of Baron Andrew (Deceased) and Dowager Baroness Pearl
The ladies looked at one another.
"It is not a terrible list," Caroline decided, "There is no one on here that I massively dislike. I dare say that we have gotten rather lucky."
"We have Little. Miss Perfect though."
"She's your cousin, Katherine, and she's not so bad."
Caroline didn't mind Elena Gilbert, another dear friend, but Katherine really disliked her cousin. To Katherine, there was nothing better than a simpering sycophant who everyone fawned over for no apparent reason. It wasn't like Elena had a personality of a wet blanket, it was that she barely had a personality at all. People said that Katherine and Elena were basically identically, which really annoyed the former.
"Let's see who else… Bonnie Bennett is a decent sort," Katherine thumbed through the list, "Another Parker, fantastic. Megan King. King as in the Birmingham King family?"
"Yes," Caroline nodded, "Megan is sickly, she never gets out much."
"Hooray for her. It'll be interesting to see Virginia St. John; I do not believe that the family is close. I know that Marjorie St. John's son is of eligible age, perhaps he will be there. They say Lorenzo St. John is the best of them."
"In two days, we shall find out."
"We shall."
-WHEN I MET YOU IN THE SUMMER -
"May I come in?"
Caroline nodded. Elizabeth Forbes crossed the threshold.
"Let me do your hair for you sweetheart," she picked up the brush and started pulling it gently through Caroline's blonde locks.
"How is Mrs. Dawson?"
"No improvement. I hope that you and Katherine are happy to be presented in the same group. Whoever you marry must be happy for you two to be joined at the hip for the rest of your lives. My, I remember when you would toddle together in the park, it seems so long ago."
"I've been blessed with a good presentation group, mother. I hope Miss. King is alright, she is often at home- perhaps I should take her under my wing, it can be terrifying being new in a social situation."
"That would mighty kind of you sweetheart. Just remember though, you must look out for yourself as well."
"I know," Caroline sighed.
"Your position as a daughter with no brothers means you must unfortunately have to work a lot harder to find a match, it is more essential. Marrying a titled man would be very helpful, especially if he is the heir. You need security for when your father and I are gone. Look, we have a trust fund for you so that you have some money independent of your husband, but that stays between us of course. So long as he is kind and moneyed, you should be fine."
"How did you choose father?"
"You may find it hard to believe, but I was quite attractive back in the day."
"You still are, mother."
Liz laughed.
"You are too kind. Anyway, I had several suitors. I chose your father because he seemed kind and humble. I did not believe I would love him, but I knew that I couldn't afford that. Your father provided me with a home and security. It may not be a romance novel love, but I am content. There is one essential thing I want you to remember."
"Yes?"
"Just because you need to choose well doesn't mean you need to lower yourself. Remember that you are Caroline Elizabeth Forbes and you are worth it. I beg that you remember your value in life and do not demean yourself in this pursuit. You will find a decent husband. Be both intelligent in your search and faithful in yourself. Besides, you will be the most beautiful girl there."
"Lady Rebekah is there, I hear that she is incredibly beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you, my dear. Do you like your dresses?"
"I wish every dress could be so beautiful."
"They are stunning, aren't they? I miss those days. Buying dresses seems like such a chore when you grow older, it is so much fun when you are young."
"All eyes will be on Elena though."
"You do not need to compete with her, you are both lovely girls."
"I wish I did not have to compete with her, mother, but I do."
"Just relax," Liz put the brush down, "You do not need to worry two days before your debut, it will make you ill. Now get some sleep so that you can rest for prep tomorrow. Goodnight, don't forget your prayers."
"I never do, goodnight."
Caroline continued to stare at herself in the mirror after Liz left. She knew what her mother said was true about having to find a good match, but she also just wished that her heart would be fulfilled.
Love did not matter here, but she wished that it would.
Hi all!
I know it's not the best start, but I promise it'll get real good soon. It's not going to be a long story anyway, probably ten chapters at the absolute maximum.
Next Time: Katherine, Caroline and the other ladies are presented to the monarchs, followed by a grand ball. How will they fare with their first set of suitors?
Thanks again and please don't forget to review xxx