The ball began promptly at 8:00 with dinner beginning at 7. The gentlemen were the first to arrive and although they complained somewhat in having to wait for the ladies, it was well worth it. The ladies of St. Maria's filed in, one lovely face after another. The ballroom was soon a flurry of fine silks and ribbons and the gentlemen were not too shy to ask for a dance.
When the ball was well on its way, Edward Kingsley, a top student at St. Anthony's School For Boys, tried to escape into the gardens but was captivated by a lovely woman who entered the room. She was of medium height with dark almond eyes and flowing hair that was tied neatly into a bun. She had on a fine silk dress and held herself with as much poise as any man could ask for.
"Good Evening my lady, forgive me for not waiting for an introduction but I could not let your name be from my mind for one more moment, pray what is your name?" The lady blushed but her friend stared incredibly on.
"Excuse me sir, but it is not a proper gentleman who does not wait for an introduction. My friend does not talk to ungentlemanly men." The girl pulled her friend away and Edward was left embarrassed.
"Forgive my fellow students sir, they know not what they say." A girl said. Edward turned around only to find a lowly student whose face was rather pleasing but her dress was as ratty as any he had ever seen.
"Forgive me, but you go to the ladies school?" Edward asked.
"Indeed sir, I am a student there. My name is Annabelle Denny." Now of course this was Alexandria but she and Maria agreed on this alias. The gentleman stared on and bowed his head.
"Edward Kingsley, pleased to make your acquaintance." Said the man, "Pray forgive my manners but who may be that lovely woman I had met?"
Alex was a bit put off at this statement. He showed no interest in her, but called on her to help him to persue the most arrogant lady in her acquaintance.
"I do sir, her name is Lady Gwenevere Bertrand. She is the daughter of my uncle's sister, Mrs. Caroline Bertrand, who once was Lady Caroline Bingley. Do you know of the Bingley family?" Alex asked hoping to impress the gentleman with her high connections.
"I haven't the pleasure. Pray are the Bingley's an established family?"
"Indeed, I believe that Gwenevere is to inherit twenty thousand pounds." Nothing compared to my fifty thousand but he must not know that the gentleman's eyes expanded.
"Pardon my manners, Miss Denny, I have imposed on your time, in return you must grant me with a dance." Alex agreed and the two stepped out on the floor.
When the dance was over, Alex ventured out to find her friend who was, ironically looking for her.
"My dear friend who was that you were conversing with, he is rather handsome." Maria asked glancing at Mr. Kinsley.
"Rather handsome indeed, but his behavior is completely rude. He didn't even think of me as a prospective wife and acquired about Miss Bertrand. I have never been treated so in my entire life!"
Maria couldn't help but laugh.
"Well Miss Darcy I daresay you are now a simpleton with nothing to recommend you. Welcome to the world of any average woman."
Alexandria pondered this statement but determined to not give up, she had another plan.
"Maria, I must beg your assistance another time."