Once I'd finished my...eventful reading, there was a lot on my mind. For example, the whole 'you need a reason to go home' thing was really stupid. I have people I love and care about there, I think that's a good enough reason to want to go back! And don't get me started on 'you will fall in love during the last dance' yeah - doubt it mate. With who? Mr Lewis?

Right now, I just wanted to find Ambrose and go home, well home.

Of course when I came down the stairs he was sandwiched between two bar maids who were whispering in his to distract him while clearly thing to steal his golden pocket watch. I knew I had to do something, but I wasn't sure. Honestly, I couldn't come up with some sort of James Bond type plan so I was just straight with them.

"Get your hands out of my brothers pockets and go serve the men who actually want you!" I demanded walking over to them and putting the blond ones hand in the air to set my brother free.

Wait. I- I didn't mean that. I know he's not my brother, but sometimes, you know, when I think to myself I can't really be bothered to specify which reality I'm living in. That's all.

Ambrose stood up and didn't pay them before swinging his arm round my shoulder and guiding me out of the inn. "You just saved the only thing I hand left of father." He said sitting down in the carriage and pulling out the watch from his front pocket. "Thank you Diana" he added, now looking at me. "I wasn't going to let bar maids take away something so special to our family. Maybe if you didn't have fathers watch on you I would have ordered an ale myself and tried guess how long it would've been before you had noticed that they were looting you." I joked, and we both laughed.

Once we got home it seemed that everyone was in the parlour so I brought Ambrose in there with me. It was around 6pm and they all looked nice and suited up for some reason.

All I wanted to do was go upstairs and try and 'think of a reason' to want to go home and see if I can - summon the portal? - back again. But instead I had to go upstairs to get ready, not wallow in my thoughts of despair.

"Diana, Ambrose. Where on earth have the two of you been?" My mother announced stopping her knitting from the other side of the room. "Dear mother do not fret, I was simply promenading with Diana for suitors more in the town. She insisted we went and what kind of brother would say no to his darling little sister finding a home and a husband." He lied with a smile plastered across his face. I slowly turned my head to face him and gave him an approving smile.

"Oh, alright then. Well, well done to the two of you and Claire will take you now to get ready Diana. CLAIRE!" She yelled. Claire ran up to me and took me upstairs.

^^ (Diana's ball gown and hair)

I went downstairs and everyone was ready but Francis and Ambrose were talking to each other so instead once I'd reached the bottom I went up to Matthew and held onto his arm. "One of these days I'd like to be able to breathe in one of these dressed." I chuckled fidgeting with my dress to try and make it feel more comfortable. He went to the back of my dress and cut off what felt like a button. "Matthew! What have you done?!" I snapped at him putting my hand straight to my back as if to cover up. But my back wasn't bare, and nothing felt broken. "Calm down Diana, I cut off an unnoticeable button that makes the dress feel less tight. You see, I used to have a thing with a seamstress." He laughed and winked. I hit him in the side but then couldn't help laughing either.

"Mother! I am to be on Matthews arm tonight." I said. "Of course darling" she replied. "Why thank you m'lady." He whispered. And I smiled back at him in reply before we left.

When we were at the Penbrooke's and were taken into the dining room, everything was so beautifully lit up. The chandelier was directly above the table and candles were spread across it too. Everyone took their seat around the table and once I had got comfortable it seemed that I was sat next to the boy I, well - stared at, during the ball the other day.

"It seems as though you just can't seem to leave me alone, Miss...?" He accused in a low whisper putting his napkin on his lap. "Haywood, Diana Haywood. And for your information I was inquiring about why you'd come in as red as a Berry. That's all." I replied leaning into him slightly, so no one could hear our slightly passive aggressive tone towards one another. He laughed in response to my reply and said "Well, my name is James Penbrooke and this is my parents dinner." He grinned confidently.

I dropped my cutlery which then made loud crash on the plate causing everyone to look at me. Clearly Ambrose let out a snigger as he would be the one to laugh at my embarrassment. "I am very sorry for the disturbance, something made me jump is all. Please don't stop eating on my account though." I spluttered sounding like an absolute twat as ever. If everything wasn't so perfect here, I would've fully gone off by now.

At last, chatter filled the room again and colour returned to my face. "So, Miss Haywood. I suppose you mother has brought you here to look for a husband." He suggested continuing to eat. "Yes, of course she has. But in all honesty it is the last thing I want to be thinking about right now." I replied. "I've never met a woman not in want of a husband befo-" he stopped and a smile began to form on his face. "James?" I asked to see what the hell was happening to him. He turned to me "sorry about that Miss Haywood, a very good idea just occupied my thoughts for a moment." He said. We spoke about various things throughout dinner, but then Mrs Penbrooke insisted we turned this evening into a dance, therefore, it did.

Mr Lewis was here and I would rather die than have to dance with him again. Instead I went outside into their gardens which were obviously very big. I felt the cold air on my arms and face which made me realise how hot it muds have been inside.

"Avoiding someone?" I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned around to see James with his arms behind his back walking towards me. "Yes actually, everyone. My sincerest apologies if it seems I am ill mannered but I'd rather not dance with anyone." I replied. "Not at all. In fact I don't really feel like dancing either." He said. "Why? Is there somebody else? Men are normally looking for wives left, right and centre." I joked. He went silent. I let out a laugh and shook my head. "There is someone else Mr Penbrooke." I added. "Yes, and I need your help." He responded.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

(Play while reading because it matches the scene 😅)

"Need my help? Whatever for?" I asked in disbelief. "My father is a duke, when he dies I will take his place making our family one of the highest in society. The woman I love isn't lower class but she isn't high enough for my parents to allow me to marry her. After this season we are going to marry in secret and elope together." He announced. I let out a heavy breath, shocked at everything he was telling me. "What does this have to do with me?" I asked. "This season my parents are being particularly pushy with finding me a wife and... and I need a distraction. Just like you do. We both have our reasons for not wanting to marry this season, so maybe we could pretend?" He suggested.

It was perfect. The attachment would give me more time to figure out how to get back and it could prevent me from meeting the man I was going to fall in love with. Yet I still needed to sound like I was shocked.

"Pretend?!" I said. "Yes but only for the season and then you never have to hear from me ever again." He assured. I paused for a while. "I suppose it could work if we appeared... contempt and comfortable with one another, and we looked as though we wouldn't want to be in anyone else's company other than each other's and even tried to make it seem that we were falling in love with each other." I suggested. "It would have to be realistic James, because if someone knew... our families would be ruined forever." I added. "I know, I know. But if your heart really does belong where you think you should be, then I think anything is believable." He said. "We go in there now, and you offer me a dance, I will say yes and that'll be the start of everything. Once I say yes to that dance there is no going back." I warned him standing a few steps closer to seem more intimidating.