The Incomparable's match

A young boy ran through the ton, handing out the latest scandal sheet, known otherwise as Lady Whistledown. People eager to read the latest thoughts about the seasons beauties.

It has been said that,
"Of all bitches dead or alive, a scribbling
woman is the most canine."
If that should be true, then this author would
like to show you her teeth.
My name is Lady Whistledown.
You do not know me, and rest assured,
you never shall. But be forewarned, dear reader,
I certainly know you.

Louis was waiting down stairs for his sisters to change for the nights ball that would be held at Lady Danbury's. Well, Clara was getting ready and Josephine had changed into something more comfortable, choosing to wait a bit longer before once again being shoved into a stuffy dress.

The sound of a knock from the door caught his attention, a Butler walking over and opening it. "Ah, my dearest friend!" Brandon spoke joyously as he walked in to the house. Emilio following after the man. "Brandon, Emilio." Louis greeted them as he got to his feet, bowing his head towards the two men.

"I must say, that young sister of yours is quite ravishing." Emilio spoke teasingly with a slight smirk tilting up his lips. Brandon chuckling softly at that, he couldn't help but wonder if Emilio meant those words or only said them to jab at their friend.

"Amusing, really, you are." Louis rolled his eyes. Brandon's attention fading away from Louis as his striking blue eyes went to the stairs. Emilio glanced back as well but out of mere curiosity of what Brandon had found so intriguing. "What?" Louis questioned before turning to the stairs.

Josephine looked at her brother and his friends. "Who might this be?" She questioned, Brandon first noticing how she didn't show the respect most women did in the presence of a man. "I have the same question about you, miss." Brandon took a daring step forward, trying to ask as if he wasn't at the gathering and presentation of the young woman.

"Josephine, these are my friends Brandon Edgerton and Emilio Dueñas." Louise said as he offered a hand towards his sister, which she surprisingly took, allowing him to help get down the last remaining steps.

"A shame, couldn't have been Anthony no?" She gave her brother a fake pout, loving the look of annoyance that flashed in his brown eyes. "Well, I think it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Josephine. " Brandon cut in, his smile widening to see her green eyes turning to gaze at him.

"I'm sure." Her voice held some sass as she looked back towards Louis, the young girl not sure what to think of her brothers friends. Emilio was fine enough in her eyes as he had greeted her and that was it.. but this Brandon man, he was truly something.

What was with her return sparking meeting her brothers friends, first Charles and now these two? She dreaded the idea of meeting more people.

"Miss Rowlington, are you going to be in attendance at Lady Danbury's ball this evening?" Emilio asked her, trying to bring polite conversation back but he would learn; polite was difficult for Josephine.

"Unfortunately." She sighed. "I suppose I should be reading myself." She thought the idea was foul as she spoke it but she wanted to leave the company of men she wasn't sure about yet. "Of course." Emilio took her hand, kissing the back of it. His hand that wasn't holding hers was behind his back.

Brandon quickly followed suit, noticing how her hands were gloved even in their own home. He pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand, both of his hands before him. Looking at the two men as she backed up towards the stairs, once she reached them she rushed up.

"I apologize for her..,she's been off since her return from school." Louis said sincerely. But he was taken back by Brandon's smile. "She's intriguing, definitely a much needed breath of fresh air to most women in the ton." He said with a small chuckle.

"I suppose I should go talk to her, make sure she is ready and will be on her best behavior. I shall see you both tonight." Louis said dismissing himself, his two friends taking that as heir cue to leave the house.

~ at the Bridgerton household\

Hyacinth looked Daphne, positively giddy. "You absolutely sparkled, sister!" She said enthusiastically as the two sisters laughed. They were changing out of their finer gownes. "Come, now. I merely simpered and minced in a pretty dress like everyone else."

Francesca looked towards her eldest sister. "Not exactly like everyone else." She commented. Eloise placing down the scandal sheet. "Oh, I shall need to go and visit with Penelope. Her presentation was anything but.... what was it the Queen called you again?" She looked towards Daphne, a blue dress being pulled over her as she smiled widely. "Flawless...or some such thing." She tried her best to remain modest and humble with such praise being giving to her.

"Trust I was astonished Her Majesty offered me, out of 200 young ladies present, a most gracious remark." Daphne said, Eloise's eyes going back towards the paper. "Yes, it was quite a distinction. And now 200 young ladies have a common adversary. I wish you luck, sister."

"Eloise!" Francesca scolded, looking at her, yet her voice remained soft as the smile vanished from Daphne's face. "What? It it's true."

"My success on the marriage mart influences all of your prospects.  We will all need to find love one day. Indeed, a love as pure as what Mama and Papa once shared, if we are so fortunate. I merely hope I am able to continue such a grand tradition." Daphne said as she moved towards her sisters.

Violet opened the door to the room, walking in with joy on her face. "Your dresses have arrived." She said happily. All but Eloise moving happily towards the door in a rush to see the newest wardrobe additions. Eloise groaning some as she followed her giggling sisters.

"This one is quite ravishing." Daphne said as she looked at the white dress. "Mary Edgecombe wore a similar shade last season." Violet said with a smile on her face.

"And secured three offers the very next day, one from a earl." Francesca said as she looked at the dress adoringly. "Mary Edgecombe, now the Countess of Fulton, apparently spent the last year living in a cottage hundreds of miles away from her earl. She is miserable. It says it all here." Eloise gestured towards the sheet she held.

"Do not tell me that is yet another scandal sheet. Eloise-" Violet started to reprimand her daughter. "No no, this one is diffrent. This one lists subjects by name, in full." That caught Hyacinth and Francesca's attention. "Let me see!" Hyacinth was the first to rush over.

Francesca snatching it from their hands as she looked at the words before flipping it over to the name. "Lady Whistledown." She read out. Daphne walking closer. "Lady Whistledown?" She asked as she took the sheet.

"The author." Eloise informed. Violet looked towards the two maids in the room as well as her daughters. "Do we know a Lady Whistledown?" She inquired curiously. "Surely Lady Whistledown cannot be her true name." Francesca said as the group followed Daphne from the room as she still had possession of the sheet.

"What does it say, dearest?" Violet asked, looking towards the oldest girl. "She loathes the fact that we've been named alphabetically, oldest to youngest." Daphne read out. "Your father and I found it orderly."

"Lady Whistledown finds banality." Daphne handed the paper to her mother. "The papers were distributed across town today without charge." Eloise told them as she walked behind Violet, placing her head on her shoulder.

"Without charge? What kind of author--" Violet paused as Daphne pointed at something, both gasping and laughing softly. "Well, at least she has one thing right. She has named Daphne as the season's Incomparable. She calls you a "diamond of the first water". Well, how lovely!" Violet placed the sheet against her chest.

Eloise grabbed the paper back from her mother. "But it also says that the incomparable has a match, mama. Someone else who Lady Whistledown thought could be the Diamond. " She said as she looked down at the paper. A look crossing Violet's face. "Josephine Rowlington? The girl who rather run about with the boys, fencing before she was sent to finishing school? I know she's your freind Eloise but...Josephine has not a candle she can hold to Daphne."

It's short but it's something.