BRAND NEW STORY GUYS! Velverva aka Kuro-d inspired me to write this so I blame her. Cover art done by her :D

Chapter 1: The Newcomers

London 1848

The summer of 1848 could mean only one thing for the upper elite society of London; the social season was upon them. Women who have reached the age of marriage are launched into society in order to find a husband – preferably someone of great wealth and name. This was a great time of excitement amongst the ladies of the upper class. All across the country, the finest ball invites were being sent out, girls were getting measured so that they have new dresses for the occasion and only the best silverware was getting polished.

The morning of the first of June brought a flutter of excitement as the mail arrived at Arundel Castle – the seat of the Earl of Arundel, a prominent and favourited Earl and his family. A proud footman carried the mail into the main dining room where the Earl, the Countess, their two nieces, nephew-in-law, great-nephew, and the great-niece were seated midway through their breakfast.

"Your lordship," the footman said, offering the mail to his master.

"Thank you, James," the Earl said, taking the mail.

The footman called James bowed and left the room while the Earl opened the mail using his trusty letter opener. The Earl's eyes scanned the letter and a smile appeared as he reached the end of the letter.

"Seems we are invited to Earl of Westmorland's grand ball on the thirtieth," the Earl stated. Elsa almost choked on her food as this was announced. Her uncle noticed this and scowled. Elsa quickly tried to cover it up with a cough but it didn't work. The Earl already knew what had transpired. "I know you don't like the family," he continued to his family.

"That's an understatement," Elsa muttered while her sister snigged into her crumpets.

"Nevertheless," their uncle continued, "we have a duty to attend." He placed the letter down in front of him and surveyed his two nieces. "I want you both there for this event. It's bound to be the ball of the season, do you not agree, my lady?" He turned to his wife, the Countess of Arundel, who was sitting next to him.

"Oh yes," she looked just as eager for the ball as her husband. "I do hope the Queen of Corona is there. I do adore Arianna; she is always good value for gossip."

"We need to find a husband for you Elsa," The Earl continued deciding not to pursue whatever his wife was talking about, "this ball should have suitable candidates for that, maybe even inside the Westmorland's own family."

Elsa had to hide her eye roll. "Yes sir."

"Good," their uncle patted his lips with his napkin before getting up from his seat, "now if you excuse me, I have work to attend to."

Elsa watched as her uncle left the room before she eye-rolled at her sister who sniggered again.

"What's so bad about the Earl of Westmorland, mama?" Elsa looked down and saw her three-year-old nephew, Josef, tugging at his mother's arm.

Normally the children would be in a separate room having their meals as it was the standards of the time but Anna loved having them around for mealtimes. It was an order placed by the Earl due to Anna's insistence and so Elsa's niece and nephew sat with them for most breakfasts and some lunches.

"It's not him," Anna sighed, "it's his youngest brother."

"Are we gossiping?" their aunt said shifting her seat closer to them. "Oh, this is a good story."

"Hans Westergaard," Elsa said to her nephew. "He was going to marry your mother but your dad beat him to it."

"He's not a nice fellow," Anna continued.

"Very entitled if I remember," Kristoff added in.

"He needs a readjustment," their aunt Greta said. "He's not very gentlemen like."

"A prat in other words," Elsa muttered while Anna scowled at her.

The two sisters had to end the conversation there as the nanny had just entered into the room to take Anna's one-year-old daughter, Helena, into the nursery with her older brother.

"So," Elsa cast her mind around for a change of topic – a nicer one, "how's the pregnancy coming along?"

"Good, I think," Anna patted her middle which was showing a small bump, "I am only three months along but the doctor was happy last time he saw me." Anna surveyed her older sister for a moment.

"What?" Elsa asked of her, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you actually want to get married, dear sister?" Anna asked. "Over the last many social seasons, you have had countless suitors but yet, never accepted a proposal. Why?"

Elsa shrugged. "Just wasn't interested I guess."

Anna continued to look at her sister before she went back to her crumpets. Elsa thought it was rather straightforward why she hasn't gotten married. She just wasn't interested in anyone. Maybe one day, she may meet the man of her dreams but until then, she was perfectly happy being a spinster and never marry at all.

Jack walked down the gangplank of the SS Charlotte that had just docked at the London Docks. Behind him, two female figures followed him into the docks – his mother and younger sister had accompanied him across the Atlantic. Jack looked up at the hot summer sun that was above him. Wiping his brow slightly, he started on his way towards the exit. Hoisting his bag, he wound his way around the hundreds of people at the docks.

"Keep up Pippa!" his mother called to the lagging girl.

"Do I have to?" she asked, not increasing her stride at all.

"We are expected there by Friday!" their mother said, sounding anxious.

"Relax mother," Jack turned to his other family members, a grin broadening across his handsome features, "We have time. It's only Tuesday afternoon."

His mother made a tutting noise but didn't say anything further on the subject. The three Frosts made their way towards a line of carriages that were parked.

"How much to get to Arundel?" Jack asked the driver.

"I can take you to Croydon for twenty-five shillings," the driver said. "You will have to change horses there and again at Crawley."

"Done," Jack said, handing over the shillings.

After helping Pippa into the carriage, the three Frosts were soon on their way. The road to Arundel wasn't the best. It was bumpy and slow. It took the rest of the afternoon to just get Croydon. At least they found lodgings at a reasonable price although all three of them had to share a room to Pippa's annoyance. According to her, Jack snores which he only laughed at. Pippa kicked in her sleep so he felt like they were even. Getting to Crawley was even worse. Pippa moaned and whined the entire way there but then again; she was barely fourteen and they were going to be stuck in a carriage for a while.

Jack tried to pass the time by either reading books or by examining their surroundings. Neither seemed to work as his mind was elsewhere. A girl with long raven flowing hair and dashing green eyes kept his mind occupied as she had done for his entire trip here. Memories of a time long gone kept his mind away from the carriage and back in Pennsylvania.

"Jack!" the voice of his youngest sister brought his mind crashing back down to earth. "What kind of birds are those?" his sister jabbed at the window as they passed a field that had numerous birds flying about.

"Oh, I don't know," Jack squinted at them. "Finches I guess?"

His mother eyed him but didn't say anything further. Did she know what was preying on his mind?

Elsa walked into Arundel village bright and early on a Thursday. Next to her was Anna and her husband. Her niece and nephew had been left back up the house in the nursey to stay there with Nanny. Hopefully, they would be able to have their afternoon nap – although Josef liked to rebel against this and Helena often followed suit. It caused quite a lot of annoyance for the nanny whereas it only made Elsa and Anna laugh. As they walked, people took off their hat and bowed at them. They were quite recognisable as the Earl's nieces. Anna suddenly took off when a familiar shop came into view.

"Anna, slow down!" her older sister yelled after her, sounding exasperated. "You're pregnant remember?"

"I just can't wait to try on my new gowns!" Anna called back after doing a one-eighty.

Elsa shook her head but only smiled. "You have married quite a woman," she said to her brother-in-law.

"Don't I know it," Kristoff said with a laugh.

The three of them entered Madame Andrepont Fine Dresses And Silks which was situated on the very corner of the street. Anna practically bowled the poor woman herself over as she entered the shop.

"Mrs Bjorgman," the Frenchwoman said as she recognised who had entered her shop, "and 'ere we 'ave Mr Bjorgman and ze ever so lovely Miss Winters!" Madame Andrepont bowed to the new arrivals. "I 'as ze requested gowns in back. Should we try Mrs Bjorgman first?"

"Yes!" Anna squealed as she stepped up to get measured.

"I 'ear someone is expecting their third child," the dressmaker said as she made adjustments around Anna's waist.

"Yes," Anna replied.

"Hush Anna," Elsa said. She turned to the dressmaker. Gossip was the enemy of their family. It leaked into every corner of the village. "We are keeping that within the family you see."

"I understand completely," the Frenchwoman said to the elder Winter before turning back to Anna. "We will make some adjustments to give you more room for ze baby."

"That would be great," Anna said rubbing her middle. "Corsets can only hide so much."

"I can't wait for the day where corsets are no longer needed," Elsa said. "They are really a pain."

"Preaching to the choir here sister," Anna said as Madame started measuring the next dress.

"Wait," Kristoff said after several long minutes, "I thought Anna was only getting one new dress?"

Elsa gave him a 'are you kidding me' expression to which he immediately cowered.

"You do realise this is the event of the social calendar?" Elsa said to her in-law. "We need dresses for all the social balls we have been invited to and being the nieces of a prominent Earl means a lot of balls so…"

"A lot of dresses," Kristoff finished. "Sheesh, how much is this costing?"

"At Madame Andrepont's prices," Elsa breathed at him, "an arm and a leg. Don't worry, Uncle is fitting the bill."

The three soon exited the shop with promises that Madame Andrepont would send the dresses up to the house as soon as they were finished.

"Well," Anna said, taking her husband and sister by the arm, "that was fun. Now, where?"

"How about the library?" Elsa asked pointing at the large building.

"I said fun Elsa," Anna scowled before her expression lightened up when her eyes fell upon a familiar face. "Oh, there's Diana! Diana!" she called out.

Anna raced off to meet her friend leaving the two behind. Kristoff shook his head slightly but there was a grin on his face.

"Does she ever slow down?" Kristoff laughed.

"You tell me," Elsa laughed back. "Come on, Uncle will probably be wondering where we are by now. We really should be getting back before he sends out a search party."

It was early Friday morning when the three Frosts came upon Arundel village and before they knew it, Arundel Castle. As they stepped out in front of it, his mouth opened in awe as he looked up at it. The Earl must be a powerful man to be able to live here with dozens and dozens of servants at his beck and call.

"Ah," a voice came down the stairs, "you guys must be the new servants." The speaker was a man – probably in his forties or fifties – with greying hair. He surveyed the three of them, his eyes lingered on Jack's untidy hair, Pippa's dirty dress and the missing buttons on their mother's coat before he continued. "I am Henderson, the Butler here at Arundel Castle."

"I am Caroline Frost," their mother said, accepting a handshake from Henderson, "we have been corresponding by letter. These are my children, this is Jackson," she pushed Jack forward who gave a curt nod who received on in return, "and my youngest, Philippa," Pippa was pushed forward at the sound of her name.

"My name is Pippa," she scowled.

"Well, here you will be known as Philippa," Henderson said, not looking too impressed. "Very well, we will take you through to the kitchens and Jackson to the stables to get set up. Follow me."

The three Frosts were led into a magnificent entrance hall. Beautiful artworks hung around the wall and a marble grand staircase led to the upper floors. Jack couldn't stop staring at everything. Their old house could fit twice in this entrance hall alone. Suddenly a graceful figure starting to glide down the stairs, one delicate hand sweeping down the banister while the silk dress floated behind her. Blonde hair, in an elegant braid, fell very neatly down her shoulder and her sparkling blue eyes caught his. Jack's mouth opened slightly as the woman drifted down the last few stairs.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Henderson said.

"Yes," Jack breathed but he knew that Henderson was referring more to the interior of the castle rather to what Jack was looking at.

"Who are these people Henderson?" the woman said to the butler as she approached the newcomers, a book was ladled in her beautiful hand.

"My lady, I am so very sorry, I didn't realise you were here," Henderson did a small bow of his head to the woman. "These are the Frosts – Caroline, Jackson and Philippa – who are the new servants to be working in the castle." He turned to the Frosts who was enraptured with the new addition to their party. "This is Lady Elsa, the eldest of his lordship's nieces."

"Nice to meet you," Jack's voice came out feeling breathless and jittery.

Lady Elsa gave him a once over and a small smirk came over her features. "The feeling is mutual. I guess I shall be seeing you again very soon."

With that last statement, she swept from the room leaving Jack gaping after her.

A/N: Hope you guys liked this Victorian AU! More updates to come!