Augustus Evershire entered the room his mother had called him into. Mrs. Evershire seemed to be more than excited as she looked up at her son, practically bouncing. "Oh, Augustus, the most wonderful thing has just happened!" She smiled, motioning for him to follow her to a plush looking sofa.

He did so, brushing a piece of straw off of the deep green coat he wore. He sat and looked to his mother, the redhead curious at what his mother had to say that was so very exciting for him to have to hear this very moment when he should have been preparing for a hunt.

"Theodora is having her coming out ball! Don't worry, Father already said that she's suitable for you to court," the woman started to ramble.

"A ball mother? You called on me from preparing for a hunt, to tell me about a ball?" He asked dully. This was a woman's thing to worry over. "I'll go to it if I absolutely must, but I'm expected at George's for a hunt." He said, standing with a curt bow, he left his mother sitting there.

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Katherine Bennett rolled her eyes unbeknownst to her Lady, watching as Theodora Robinson held up two particular necklaces which had been painstakingly picked out from among the various jewelry spread out across the table before her. "What do you think, Kate? The pearls or the ruby?" Theodora asked sharply. "I think the ruby would suit you best, my Lady." Theodora frowned with a haughty shake of her head, "I don't know why I ask, of course you wouldn't understand these things, help me put on the pearls." Kate did so dutifully with a sly smile. She was familiar with her Lady's contradicting temper and at least knowledgeable enough to know it did not flatter her features but of course, whatever the Lady desires. "This is one of the most important events of my life, you know. I have to look my absolute best, all the wonderful potential suitors!" Theodora exclaimed excitedly much like a child, as Kate performed the final touchups to her Lady's hair and outfit. Theodora, wearing a bright yellow gown, puffed sleeves, waist cinched within an inch of her life, bustle empasising her posterior, finally entered the ballroom with Katherine behind, plain in a maid's outfit and a small amused smile on her lips.

((Feel free to add or change Theodora's appearance however you like I just randomly came up with something xD))

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Augustus was not pleased when he was shoved into their carriage. Apparently they had known about the event for the past two weeks. That explained why his little sister seemed to be in a huff about everything. He himself wore a dark blue waistcoat that covered a slightly lighter shaded vest. Both his breeches, boots, and gloves were black and every garment was accented by some piece of gold. Tonight the boy's eyes were a greenish color with a hint of blue at the center.

His mother was draped in ruffles of forest green, cream, and had a green ribbon choker tied neatly around her dainty neck. His father wore the same arrangement as Augustus, but with colors that complimented his mother's green tones. Mostly greens and his breeches cream with brown boots and gloves. Everytime the Lady Callie would turn her head, her pearl and emerald earrings would swing back and forth.

Upon their arrival, his father stepped out and then helped his mother. Augustus followed shortly after. After being announced, Callie shoved her son in the direction of the ladies and snatched her husband's arm to go talk to the married men and women with his father. He sighed and walked towards the blonde in a yellow dress, he gave a smile and kiss her knuckles, "Why, Miss Theodora, you seemed to have blossomed overnight." He said, some of the girls around swooning slightly at the gesture.

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Katherine stood quietly in the furthest corner of the room, her gaze filtering over the various members of the upper-class in elegant blues, reds, greens, yellows, but inevitably always returning her attention to her Lady, lest she was to be summoned at any moment. She did not care nor particularly respect the upper-class, but she knew she had to do what was necessary in order to maintain her position and earn for her family, although that did not prevent her from small acts of defiance here and there such as pulling her Lady’s corset too tight and feigning innocence. Katherine observed as a gentleman approached her Lady, taking in his appealing attire, and felt a twinge of jealously. She may dislike the upper-class but by God did she desire to wear their elegant outfits, an extravagant gown perhaps, and be for once, the center of attention.
Theodora’s cheeks turned a dark shade of pink as she felt the light touch and kiss. “Oh my, why that’s very kind of you, Mr…?” she asked bashfully. She was also aware of the jealous glances of the other ladies around and to them she seemed to give a brief triumphant glance.

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He smiled, "Evershire. Augustus Evershire," he replied, sweeter than honey. He gave a polite nod to the rest of the ladies. "I'll be off now, happy birthday. I'll be sure to put my name down on your dance card, m'lady," he said with a slight now as he excused himself to a smaller group of men his age. George was the first to take notice and greet him.

"I've already signed you up, very last so you'll be sure to be the last thing on her mind tonight!" George grinned triumphantly. He seemed more interested in marrying off his friends then getting married himself. He'd even gone to their mothers and brought up suitable matches for their daughters. Which is why Augustus rolled his hazel eyes as he accepted a glass of champagne.

He sighed, scanning the room. He had his back towards the wall as he hunted for someone to write his name on their dance card. He didn't plan on standing idle while a party went on. He was there, might as well enjoy it. For his first dance he picked out a pretty girl with blonde ringlets who blushed everytime he said something. As he spun in circles with the girl, he found himself smiling at the giddiness. Behind her though, many of the young ladies had stopped their fanning and shot daggers at the small Female. He wanted to roll his eyes. Women could be so very competitive.

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Katherine watched as the handsome stranger in the blue coat excuse himself and walk away from her Lady to join the other gentlemen, and could not help but smile with amusement as she observed Theodora’s blissful unawareness of an essentially polite rejection. They are all so self-absorbed, the maid thought to herself. Although she mostly dutifully paid attention to her Lady, Katherine found herself often scanning the room for that exquisite blue coat accentuated with gold, and lingering on its wearers’ copper red hair and vaguely handsome features. Now as the maid observed the man dance joyfully with another lady, she felt another slight twinge of jealousy. In her position, Katherine could only hope Theodora’s family would take pity on her and perhaps arrange a suitable, albeit surely loveless, marriage. Unconsciously, she found herself slowly inching closer along the wall of the room towards the charming gentleman. At this moment, her beloved Lady quite childishly bounded up to Katherine, her face estatic. "Evershire!" Theodora exclaimed to her maid, "did you see that wonderful gentlemen in blue approach me? Augustus Evershire!" Upon seeing Katherine's dazed expression, Theodora continued. "Of course you wouldn't know, but he is the one father has been talking quite fondly of these past few days! I believe father's in association with his father, isn't that wonderful?" Evershire... Katherine wondered to herself as her Lady continued her exicted monologue.

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Augustus had seen the lady walk towards the maid. Who could miss a banana yellow dress when everyone else was in dark, rich colors? He couldn't help but smirk as he saw the lady talking and the maid was clearly not as overjoyed as her mistress was. She seemed almost bored, it made his smirk turn to a smile. Bold. Very bold for a maid.

He'd been so caught up in staring at them and smiling, he didn't notice when a young woman approached him. Dark hair and eyes but her skin was almost as pale as his. Her gown was a beautiful scarlet. "Excuse me, are you Augustus?" She asked quietly, a playful smile playing at her lips as she spoke her words. "I couldn't help but notice you staring at Lady Theodora. I know she's quite the catch, isn't she? Do you plan to court her?"

The young lordling turned his attention to the young woman in front of him. He thought carefully as he glanced once more to the maid and lady. That was a question though, did he plan on courting her? He knew his father and mother both expected it. Marriage was all about connections. He smiled politely at her, "Well, I was considering it. Perhaps I might. But I was just admiring how bold she is," he smiled, not exactly meaning the Lady. "Would you like to dance?" He asked. The lady blushed and nodded. So away they went, returning to the dance floor.

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“Have you been listening to a word I have said?” Theodora demanded of her maid as she finished her excited spiel. Katherine, whom had listened with her ears and paid attention to the man in question with her eyes, promptly met her Lady’s large interrogative brown eyes. “Of course, milady,” the maid replied dutifully, “although…” Katherine murmured under her breath as she lifted her gaze suggestively towards the ballroom floor. Theodora followed her maid’s gaze and briskly turned around, her gown twirling as she did so, and at once noticed Augustus dancing with another young lady in red. Katherine perceived an envious pout on her Lady’s face and watched her as she left to return to the dance floor, clearly towards the red-haired gentleman. This further amused Katherine, whom by now had begun to enjoy herself just by observing the various mannerisms of the arrogant upper-class. However, before she was able to ponder this further, she heard a cry. The maid immediately scanned the room for bright yellow to find her Lady on the floor. Was this a ploy or was she actually just clumsy? Katherine thought to herself with a sigh as she diligently rushed to help Theodora.

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At the cry of the maiden of the hour, the music was pressed to a pause. Augustus politely excused himself to personally check on the lady. He reached Theodora at the same moment Katherine did. He offered a quick smile to the maid he'd remembered from the wall and gave his arm to the Lady on the ground before him. A slight twinkle in his eyes as he grinned at them.

"Now, Miss Theodora, are you quite alright? I'm afraid you gave the band quite the scare for a moment," he said lightly. The Lady in red stood just behind Augustus, talking behind a fan that matched her gown perfectly. The surrounding ladies stares at the female on the floor and handsome fellow reaching his hands towards her. In their minds they all saw this as an excuse for his attention, and to steal it from Rosalie?

The lady in red stepped forward, "My, my, Theodora. Are you alright?" Rosalie said, her face was painted in the perfect picture of worry but the women and men surrounding them could see the tension even though her waist had been cinched as tight as possible without her passing out. "The entire parties stopped to make sure, so please enlighten us." She said. Many in the crowd agreed, wanting it to be over already.

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“Milady, are you alright?” Katherine parroted the crowd, out of duty however also out of concern. If something had happened to the Lady, especially on today of all days, the servant would take the blame regardless of the circumstances. Her hands rushed to lift Theodora by the other arm however by then the Lady was gently pushing her maid away as she instead took the arm of Augustus with a flushed smile. Typical, Katherine thought, and returned the gentleman a grim smile. Theodora, rising from the floor, somewhat clinging onto Augustus as she had waved off the support of her maid, replied Rosalie as well as addressing the crowd with an innocent smile, “I am quite alright, just a little trip, everyone do please continue.” It was a childish ploy, but it seemed worth the embarrassment to Theodora whom gave the lady in red a triumphant glance. “Milady, should I call the doctor to check?” Katherine suggested dutifully, albeit already predicting her Lady’s likely answer. “No, no, I am fine,” Theodora replied stubbornly, although she seemed to be leaning quite heavily on Augustus. Katherine flicked her green eyes to meet the seemingly green of the gentleman's, almost questioning. She wondered what he thought of her Lady, and that perhaps he could talk some sense into her.

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Augustus looked at the maid. She seemed upset about the ploy that Theodora had made to snatch his attention from a now fuming Rosalie. Now, the banana dressed female clung to him. He could feel the very weight of her enormous gown. Still, he dragged his attention away from those who truly intrigued him to the lady on his arm. "Theodora, you must be more careful," he said, taking note of the time. Almost over. Almost time to go home and to his warm bed and finally be done with it all.

Or so he thought, out came his mother, locked arms with Theodora's mother. They seemed to coordinate their dress colors since his mother's was only a shade darker. After checking up on the younger, she smiled excitedly. "Well, now that we've cleared up that you're undamaged... We're coming to tea tomorrow. Your mother and I couldn't help but notice what a handsome pair you'd make." She said, patting the other woman's hand encouragingly. "So, hurry up and finish the last dance, Theodora. You'll want to be nice and rested for tea tomorrow, dear," she said before she whisked the other away before Augustus could even possibly imagine a comeback.

"Shall I have this dance, then?" He asked, giving her a bright smile. Pressed. Forced. He could feel his teeth nearly grinding, but he continued and made sure it reached his eyes so the naïve creature could continue thinking him as a gentleman and not a whining brat, rebelling against his parents wishes of him to marry. Out of the nobles in this room..

Theodora had to be his last choice.

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Katherine had returned to the outer corners of the room and glanced at the grand clock upon the wall. It bought her some relief that the event was drawing to a close, however she would still have to help her Lady into her grand soft bed before she could finally rest. With impatience, Katherine watched Theodora travel across the room with Augustus, however she was provided with some comic relief as she watched the awkward shuffling of her Lady’s ungraceful shy feet which almost collided with the gentleman’s elegant boots. Later as Theodora reluctantly parted with Augustus, Katherine returned to her Lady’s side to find herself bombarded with excited monologue as they returned to her room. “Oh, it was just magical!” Theodora was exclaiming childishly as Katherine performed her routine, practically from muscle memory, undoing ribbons, removing accessories. “And, I shall be seeing Augustus again so soon, tomorrow in fact! Mother has invited them over for tea. Oh Kate, do remember to bring out my favorite pink dress, I shall want to wear it tomorrow.” At this, Katherine subtly raised an arched eyebrow. “Yes, of course milady,” the maid replied, although personally, she thought it was hideously juvenile, with pink ribbons stitched alongside. Nevertheless, she anticipated another amusing day ahead. Once her Lady was comfortable, Katherine wished her a goodnight and returned to her own quarters, exhausted.

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Augustus grumbled the entire way home. His favorite boots, scuffed. His toes, bruised. The lady was nothing shy of a disaster. Would he parents truly doom him to such a horrid fate? He groaned and undressed himself, not caring that he left the articles of clothing along his floor. His butler winced though, "Good night, young master," he said, feeding the fire that would warm Augustus' feet during the cold night.

"Good night, Samuel. I shall see you in the morning and I shall tell you the terrible tale of what's happened," he sighed dramatically and flopped into his bed and under the covers to hopefully warm up the sheets of thick cloth. Samuel simply laughed at the young man. Yes, he was aware he sounded no better than an old gossip like his mother and her normal party of women. But, he must, simply MUST understand just how wretched this girl was. She may have had her coming out ball but she was no better than a mere child after a sure scolding.

Samuel nodded and picked up his master's things before blowing out the candles and making his exit back to the servant's quarters. Like Augustus, he was out as soon as his head hit the pillow. In the butler's dreams danced a thousand teacups that needed a washing. A very thorough washing.

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