"Miss Bradford it's time to wake up" were the first words Isabella heard before she opened her eyes to the awaiting stare of her maid Lilly. She awkwardly sat up and rubbed her eyes before groggily asking "What time is it?" "Its 8am Miss. Mrs Carter is asking for you" came Lilly's reply. "Oh blast it anyway....The ball is tonight!" she gasped before jumping from her bed to quickly dress herself. She had had a fitful night's sleep due to Nancy's shocking news the day before. An array of thoughts had flooded her mind and she still wondered what Alexander's response to his visitor; to put it politely, had been. After her promise to Nancy that she would not reiterate what she had been told, she had decided to spend the remainder of the evening in her room. She was more than curious to discover if Miss Spencer had indeed stayed the night, or if she had been dismissed. Secretly she wished for the latter.

When Isabella arrived downstairs Mrs Carter was in a tizzy. "The venison for dinner has not yet arrived and cook is becoming panicked!" she exclaimed worriedly. "Calm down Mrs Carter, all will be well, and if it doesn't arrive soon I'm sure we can replace it with beef!" Isabella replied calmly. Mrs Carter visibly took a deep breath before she nodded "I better finalise the seating arrangements...his grace requested that a couple of changes be made!" Mrs Carter said sighing before she hurried away.

After a few hours had passed, Isabella began to feel that everything was finally under control. The kitchen staff were busily preparing the vast amount of food that was needed to feed over a hundred guests and the house looked astonishing. The garlands had been draped along the banisters of the vast staircases and white flowers suffused the main ball room and reception rooms, giving an atmosphere of sophistication and grandeur.

Dusk soon settled in and fire lanterns all along the avenue to the house were lit. Isabella stood at the main doorway and mused that each lantern looked like a blazing star in the distance. She smiled and turned around, only to come face to face with Alexander. "You have done well Isabella, the house has never looked so splendid". Her heart began to beat harder and her mind went blank before she forced herself back to her senses and smiled imperceptibly "Thank you...I am glad you approve. Well I had best get back to it... the rest of the guests should be arriving shortly" Quickly walking past him on shaky legs, she made her way to the kitchens.

She had planned to act normally until after the ball at least, however, on seeing him, her legs had turned to jelly. "Damn it, pull yourself together" she berated herself internally before she reached the kitchens. A preposterous amount of food lined the tables of the kitchen and staff scuttled to and fro trying to prepare for the gargantuan task of feeding some of England's most elite. "All going well Miss. We are on track and the venison arrived about an hour ago!" cook announced. "Oh good! Well keep up the excellent work" Isabella replied smiling. Checking the time she noted that it was 4.30pm so she decided to start the next task- getting herself ready!

On entering her room Lily was awaiting her and quickly bustled forward "I will start on your hair first Miss" she announced smiling. Isabella took a seat and tried to stay as still as she could under Lily's ministrations. After an hour she had curled and pinned her hair up in the most amazing hairstyle Isabella had ever received. Tiny pearls were placed among the curls and they shone in the candlelight. Lilly then applied some powder and rouge to her face and finished by putting some pink rouge on her lips.

Isabella looked at herself in the mirror and blinked at her own reflection. "You look beautiful Miss!" Lilly whispered. Laughing Isabella replied "It's all thanks to you!" Lilly chuckled saying "You are too modest Miss! Have you decided what dress you will wear?" she inquired. "The scarlet one I think" Isabella said beaming. Since it had arrived she had yearned to wear it but she was also a little nervous. The colour was bold for an unmarried woman, however she longed to wear it since it had been specifically designed for tonight's ball.

Lily laced the the back and Isabella then turned to see herself in the mirror. The dress flowed to the ground and clung to her, emphasising her curves. "Hmm should I perhaps wear the cream one? She inquired starting to doubt her choice. "Defiantly not!" Lilly replied giving her a wink. Isabella laughed and was about to leave the room to make her way downstairs when Lilly called her back. "Miss! I forgot to say...his grace had this sent up yesterday along with a note that I should give it to you today". Noticing that she was holding a square velvet black box she took it and hesitantly opened it before a gasp of astonishment escaped her lips.

Within was a pearl and diamond necklace. "It's magnificent" she breathed and Lilly nodded in awe. Staring at it she gulped and was about to take it from the box before a feeling of unease overwhelmed her. Closing the box she attempted a smile and handed it back to Lilly. "I don't think I need any further embellishment!" she said giving a forced laugh. Lilly gingerly took the box back. "Very well Miss! Enjoy the ball!" she murmured. Isabella thanked her and left the room before she preceded to walk down the long staircase to the second dining room that was used for large gatherings. "What does he mean by giving me jewelry!" she thought becoming annoyed at his strange behaviour "He probably gave another necklace to his mistress!" she scoffed.

On entering she noticed that most of guests had already arrived. However, uneasiness overtook her when she noted that she knew very few of them. They were from very different social circles after all. Deciding to get a drink to calm her nerves she made her way to the punch bowl on the far side of the room and began to ladle some into a glass. "I'd be careful... that stuff is quite strong!" came a male voice from behind her. She turned and came face to face with a rather handsome looking fellow with fair hair and a dashing smile. "Thank you sir, but I'm sure I can manage it!" He laughed in response "Perhaps you can!" Isabella couldn't tell why but he seemed vaguely familiar when he smiled.

"Dinner is about to be served, please take your seats" came a male voice and the guests moved toward the exquisitely arranged dining tables. The mysterious man at her side then looked to her "Shall we take a seat?" Checking the seating arrangements they noted that they were seated opposite each other at the center of the main table. "This is fortuitous" the gentleman said taking his seat. Isabella soon realised that she was thankful to have a companion to talk to, as most of the other guests knew each other well.

A server then came forward and filled her wine glass "Thank you Matthew" she replied. On using his given name the gentleman across from her raised an eyebrow and inquired "You know him?" Isabella smiled starting to become a little anxious at how he would respond to her reply. "I am the governess here, so I've tried my best to learn everyone's name" she spoke more confidently than she felt. He stared at her then before one side of his mouth raised into a lopsided grin "I would have never guessed Miss..." he paused. "It's Miss Isabella Bradford" she responded at his pause in speech. "Ah well it's a pleasure to meet you, my name is John Acton, Baron of Aldenham, at your service Miss Bradford" he said bowing his head.

He did not question her further on her position in the household, which made her relax. "So how do you know the duke?" Isabella asked. The baron smiled "He is my second cousin". Isabella looked at him and giggled "I would never have guessed that! You are not very alike". Where Alexander was dark and light eyed, the baron was fair with dark brown eyes. However as they talked further Isabella noted that there was something similar in their expressions, particularly when he smiled with that lopsided grin that she had seen from Alexander on occasion. "Perhaps that explains why I thought he seemed familiar earlier" Isabella assumed inwardly.

"His Grace the Duke of Rothbury" a manservant announced and Alexander strode in. He looked to be a foreboding figure when dressed immaculately in black evening attire. The suit fitted his tall muscular physique to perfection she noted before looking away.

An elderly woman whom Isabella did not know entered on his arm. She too was dressed splendidly, with expensive jewelry draped around her neck. Taking his seat at the top of Isabella's table, Alexander immediately gained everyone's attention and welcomed them before saying "Eat drink and be merry!" His address was short and to the point and Isabella mused that she would have expected nothing less. He had been vocal in his distaste for society gatherings; to her at least.

The elderly woman took the seat at his right hand side while a younger timid looking lady was seated to his left. Looking across the vast dining room, Isabella's eyes came to rest on none other than Miss Spencer. She was seated at one of the tables to the right and an air of confidence seemed to exude from her. Isabella's stomach gave an unexpected lurch and she quickly tore her eyes away. Taking a rather large sip from her wine glass, she turned to the Baron smiling "So what part of the country do you hail from?"

They chatted for some time and she soon began to enjoy their easy conversation. Despite what he may have heard of her, he did not inquire into her new station. Instead they were idly chatting about the entertainment that she had organised for the night, when a feeling of being watched came over her. Turning to look down the table, her eyes met Alexander's heated stare.