The first ball of the season

Josephine was leaning against the wall of the carriage, her eyes closed as she flinched with each jolt of the wheels.

She peeked open her eyes to see the concerned face of Louis looking at her. "What?" She asked in a soft manner, smoothing out her black dress. "We do not have to go if you feel unwell." He told his youngest sister.

The strain placed on her weighed heavy on her shoulders and showed on her face. He wanted to take away her burdens, pains, sickness, heartache. He wanted her to be okay and happy.

"I am fine. The world turns still, the sun is shining, my heart beats. I am fine." She replied as she closed her tired eyes once again.

Lady Danbury was leading Abigail through the crowd once again as they charmed and talked to the crowd. Lady Danbury proud of how Abigail has opened up, now she is still a spitfire but she's grown to like membered of the ton. Some more then others, yet she hasn't seen him since he went on his travels.

Thomas and Charles was at the ball, Abigail seeing them. A look of delight crossed her delicate features as she rushed over, enveloping them both into a hug. She hasn't seen them since the wedding.

"It is so good to see you!" Abigail gushed softly as she stepped back. Thomas smiled at her. "It is good to see you as well Abigail." He chuckled at how much she had changed.

Charles smiled at her, the boys eyes flickering around to see if he could spot the rest of the Rowlington family as they have yet to see them since the country house. That's when his eyes landed on them, seeing Josephine dressed all in black.

He tugged on Thomas's arm and gestured towards him. "What happened?" He asked in a whisper as Thomas looked over at them. His brows connecting in concern. "I do not know." Thomas spoke before leading his husband towards his family with a hurried step.

"Who?" Was all Thomas asked as he reached them. The great sadness that crossed Josephine's face shattered him, seeing his mirror look distraught over something he wasn't sure about hurt.

Louis gave the youngest a sympathetic look before he took Thomas's elbow and lead him away from Josephine and Elmer, the other son leading the girl further into the room.

Charles moved towards them to hear what has happened, after all he is a part of the family now. "It is Brandon..he had to go back to the front lines and he is not coming home." He informed with sorrow in his voice as he casted his eyes towards the ground.

Elmer wanted to stay by Josephine as his eyes caught Molly's across the room. The younger sister looking towards her brother. "Go to her. I will not break if unattended for a little while." She encouraged him with a soft, slightly fake smile.

Why should she be the reason he isn't with the girl he cared about? Just because his sister had a broken heart didn't mean he should stay by her side the entire time.

Elmer took Josephine's hand and gave it a caring squeeze. "I shall return to you shortly." He promised before he went towards Molly, Josephine watched as they happily went to the dance floor together.

Thomas reached Josephine's side and instantly bullied her towards him, the girl leaning into his touch. "I am so sorry Joe." He whispered softly as he pressed his forehead against the top of her head.

Josephine hated the pity worse as each sorry didn't bring him back yet it could bring about another wave of hurt as she thought of that they were apologizing for.

She was jolted from her memory when someone quiet literally ran into her. She didn't have the care to snap at them to watch where they are going but looking up to see his soft eyes and nervous blush spreading on his cheeks she's unsure if she would have had the heart to scold him.

"My sincerest apologies..." His eyes scanned the black dress. "and condolences." He added on. Thomas was looking at him before offering a hint of a smile in Josephine's sake. "Thank you."

The strange man had steely grey-blue eyes and dark hair that was slightly curly. "I'm Zacharias, Zacharias Canthrow." He introduced himself, he had a nervous air to him, a sweet awkwardness shining in his eyes.

"Thomas Rowlington, this is my sister Josephine." He gave a small nod in greeting. The three looking at each other briefly before Zacharias gave them a quick flash of a smile. "I should be off, have a nice night." He backed up slightly before starting to walk again. The new comer seemed nice enough to the twins.

Clara had found Delilah amongst the crowd, drawing her off to the side. Anyone who looked could see the smile slowly fading from Delilah's face as Clara spoke, the darker haired girl's eyes flickering towards Josephine.

The music played sweetly through the air as people danced together, couples so happy unaware of any pain around them as they looked into each other's eyes. Abigail and Colin danced far to close, Penelope's eyes on the two with a hint of sadness but she did care for him.

"Care to dance?" A voice asked beside Josephine, Thomas having gone back to Charles, the two standing off to the side. They would dance if it was a friendly affair not one for the whole ton.

Josephine looked towards the man, his brown eyes were dancing with a light but yet still looked sharp. He seemed friendly. She was about to deny him the dance when she thought maybe dancing would keep her mind from wondering. She placed her gloved hand in his, flinching slightly but he didn't take notice of that.

"What is your name, darling?" He asked with a small smile. The nickname made her cast him a glare. "Josephine." She replied simply. Her head held high. The smile widened some at her sharp response, the way she held herself. "I am Bennett." He chuckled as they took to the floor.

Josephine hardly spoke to him as they danced. She learned he was a Duke and suddenly the world was mocking her. A Duke trying to be charming and witty, Zacharias with his blue eyes and dark hair.

Why must the world hate her so? If it wanted to repay her all the trouble it has cause the fates would send her back Brandon, sending her back her general.

Josephine's eyes flickered around the room taking on all the familiar faces luckily there was only three new ones. Zacharias, Bennet and a rather lovely tan skinned woman with short dark hair, Princess Anora of Germany.

Duke Bennett Ryder was looking down at the woman he danced with, her eyes shifty as well as her mind, flickering through multiple things to keep them from resting on a certain topic.

"You look far to focused for such a beautiful woman." He commented softly, and truly he meant nothing bad by his comment. Hr meant well but Josephine didn't see it that way. "So my only value is that I am beautiful in the eyes of a man? What if that was your case, what if men where nothing but some play thing for women to look at and comment on. Would that feel good? Having people judge you based on if you are physically appealing?"

With that Josephine stepped back, gave a polite but quick bow and hurried off to the side. The girl heading to her honorary older brother, Anthony Bridgerton, as she didn't want to bother hers any more.

Bennett felt regretful as he looked after where she had gone towards a man he has heard about. The man seemed soft to her yet he's heard how stern and cold Anthony Bridgerton could be.

Mayfair was turning out to be a very interesting place indeed

Okay please comment your characters because those who are inactive I might remove characters as I am struggling with figuring some things and would be easier with less characters