I could not help but smile at the fresh sea breeze on my face as I, Aiden Hennicker, hopped off the ship. "Good sailing, boys!", I shouted back to the sailors.

I began walking away from my ship when Fredrick, my personal servant, stopped me suddenly. "Fredrickson, what brings you to the docks?", I said as I laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. He stumbled but then regained his composure, "Just Fredrick, sir." I shrugged and began walking away. He shouted after me, "Sir! Your parents request you return home at once!" I pushed my way past some people and sighed, "Yes, yes, I will be back soon -"

"Now!" I stopped in my tracks when I heard my father's voice. I took in a deep breath and shook my head as I turned around and said, "Father, I did not expect you to be away from the estate."

"Your little shenanigans will cease this moment, Aiden. I ask that you step inside the carriage or I shall have someone escort you." Two servants appeared behind him and I rolled my eyes. I could easily break away from them but I did not want to cause a scene. "Very well then. But why the rush?", I asked as we got into the carriage.

"The Beausants have returned." His words rang in my head.

***

During our tense family lunch, my mother repeatedly went on about the Beausant ball and being my most charming self to win one of their hearts, along with their riches. My father, however, took an angrier approach. Discussing my appearance and how I look unfit to attract any female, let alone a Beausant. So I cleaned myself up, including having a shave, and snuck outside. I laughed to myself at how easily I had done it without catching anyone's attention. I ran a hand through my hair and walked back into town, winking and smiling at girls who would stare.

"Aiden! I thought you were at home!", I turned around and began walking backwards, speaking to Richard, a frequent drinking companion. I called, "Ah, but is it not too lovely to be stuck inside all day?" I turned back around and crashed straight into a woman. I grabbed her wrist so she would not fall, then looked down at her. "I do apologise, madame. I should have been watching." I shot her a smile.

As she looked up at me, there was a moment of confusion on her face. She stood straight and said, "Thank you very much indeed, I am a bit clumsy, please do forgive me. I was not looking where I was going." She smiled absent-mindedly at me. Maybe she had a lot on her mind.

"Madame please, you should not be the one apologising," I gave a slight bow and smiled. "May I have the fair lady's name?"

She gave me a puzzled expression like I should have known it already. Maybe I should have known her name, but I did not. "My name is Suzanne," she looked back at me. "Whose company am I enjoying?"

"Aiden Hennicker, at your service, my dear lady," I winked at her as I bowed, the corner of my lip lifting into a smile. "Although I find it strange that we do not know one another." I raised a brow, "What is your surname? It would be impolite of me to start addressing you by your first." A man seemed to appear out of nowhere as he stepped up in between Suzanne and I. I took a slight step back and furrowed my brows at him. "And who are you?"

"My name is Suzanne B..." She stopped as she saw the man walk between us.

"I am Suzanne's brother, Laurent. I've come to inform her that she is needed back home." He spoke to me in a very formal manner, "We hope you are coming to the Beausant ball tomorrow night so that we can talk more, but at this moment, we cannot." He looked at Suzanne, "Make haste Suzie, this is important."

She said farewell to me and walked off in the direction of home, with Laurent following closely behind. He had been following her for mere seconds before he was stopped, by none other than Miss Jacy Weatherby. I looked past them to see that Miss Suzanne B, had stopped to talk to someone as well. Who was that man? I squinted my eyes to try to see more clearly. Was that man a Danford? Damn those Danfords and their uncomely lifestyles.

I shook my head and continued my walk. I thought about what Miss Suzanne had said. Oh joy. A ball. It must be the one my parents had mentioned.

***

For the next hour, I walked the streets of Harrogate, thinking. I had an idea and needed one particular person for it to work. The Weatherbys' servant opened the door after I had knocked, "Mr Hennicker, with whom would you like to speak?" I replied. "Aliana ...", then walked in after she turned away.

As I sat with the Weatherby sisters, waiting for Miss Jacy to leave so I could talk with Miss Aliana, I was enjoying making them turn red. Miss Jacy with her blushing, and Miss Aliana as she got increasingly redder the madder she became. She was very protective of her sister and could not stand my flirtatious advances.

Finally, Miss Jacy left the room, but before I could speak, Aliana wailed, "Congratulations. You have managed to scare my sister away. It takes quite a lot to do that."

"What a shame," I stood up and walked over to her. "Is she not supposed to know? You seemed a bit defensive over the matter."

She sighed and looked away, "Mother and Father expect me to marry their son. I do not want Jacy thinking her friend is someone on the market, and that her sister is even going after his wealth."

"Well, that's alright," I said with a smirk. "If it does not work out with one of the Beausant sisters, I can ask for her hand instead. I am almost as wealthy."

"Hold your tongue," she hissed at me. "What is it that you really wanted?"

I told her bluntly, "To discuss tactics. I want you to win the heart of the Beausants' bachelor. I am being required to win the heart of the ladies. So shall we work together in this, dear Aliana?"

She glared but slowly nodded, "What is it you plan to do?"

"Befriending the other should do nicely. I know females talk substantially to one another about men, do you not?", I said plainly.

She shrugged, "Maybe, but I do not. Much too exhausting."

I looked her in the eyes to gain her full attention, "It is simple Aliana. This is a competition. For a good life for you at least. So what do you say? We tell each other the secrets the Beausants give to us. I tell you the son's secrets and you the sisters'."

She nodded, "You have a deal." We heard their maid call for lunch and she looked over at me and suggested, "Feel free to join us, but I will not allow you to sit with my sister." I nodded and we walked out of the room toward the dining room.

When we walked in, I saw that Jacy had already sat down at the table. Aliana promptly took the seat next to her, so I sat down opposite Aliana. The table was set, and plates of rolls and fillings had been placed in the centre. Mrs Weatherby came in and gasped, "Mr Hennicker! I- if I knew you were coming for lunch-"

I smiled and shook my head as I stood up, "It is no trouble, Mrs Weatherby. I love sandwiches." She smiled shyly and sat down beside me, and I sat back down after her.

Aliana rolled her eyes and leaned over to Jacy, whispering something I couldn't make out.

Jacy whispered quietly back to Aliana, but Mrs Weatherby caught them doing so, "Girls, is that really lady-like to whisper at the table. What would your father think of this behaviour?"

Aliana glared at the mention of her father, "No mother. He would not like it."

"I do not mind, Mrs Weatherby. Although-", I said as I leaned towards the two of them. "I would love to hear what they are whispering about."

Jacy looked at Aliana, knowing how much she hated when mother mentioned him, "We were just talking about our dresses for the ball. Nothing that important." Mrs Weatherby was still glaring at Aliana, "We will talk later, mind your manners now."

The tension present within the house made me shift in my seat uncomfortably. Aliana had mentioned her father being a hopeless drunk, and news of that had spread throughout town. She was definitely a girl who cared about her reputation. "Are you all excited for the ball then?", I asked, trying to change the subject, as I took a bite out of my sandwich.

There was an awkward pause in the room before finally, someone spoke.