Dearest Reader,
It is finally time to address the largest elephant in the room these past few weeks. The most captivating match of the season, the pair that only seemed to have eyes for each other, are suddenly thrust into opposite sides of the ballroom. Instead of expecting a swoon-worthy courtship and dreamy engagement, the Prussian Prince Friedrich and London's very own Miss Diana Vincent seem to be civil strangers once again. As Lady Whistledown, I am to remain unbiased. However, I cannot hide my disappointment of being robbed of what could have been the most prodigious weddings of the season. It seems that Prince Friedrich has been swept away with a beautiful Fruelin from his home country. Perhaps, dear reader, he misses home more than he is willing to admit.
Miss Diana Vincent is also getting more attention from another suitor. One in particular has been seen dancing with her not once but twice in one course of the evening. The handsome Naval Officer, Sir Roger Steffan is by no means to be ignored. Fresh off the boat, newly knighted, and a Captain to boot. He has amassed an impressive military career that could rival the Duke of Wellington. The sunkissed Captain looked rather dashing in his military uniform and it said his rise in rank nearly outpaced his rise in fortune. Will this be a comparable alternative for our Miss Diana Vincent, who seems to have borne what surely must be a great disappointment with the failed connection with a Prince? The grace seen by Miss Vincent is admirable but is that because she has the most pleasant distraction? Perhaps we will see Miss Vincent embark on a different kind of adventure with the Captain."
"I swear whoever Lady Whistledown is she must be following you." Damien looked up from the gossip sheet glancing at Diana currently absorbed in her book. "Also how does one get not get a harsh observation by Lady Whistledown?"
"That's what happens you are actually a polite person and not some animal flirting your way through the debutantes." Darcy eyed his brother earning a breakfast roll tossed his way.
"You are grown men!" their mother scolded them before turning to Diana. "Well my dear? Is it true? Are you having a 'pleasant distraction with Sir Steffan?"
The chatter around the table quieted, even the twins turned to hear Diana's response who hasn't found any words at present.
"He is quite a distraction mother and he is entertaining." Diana replied not even sparing to look beyond her book.
"Diana...don't be coy truly, should I be looking at him closely?" her mother pushed the book down.
"Why are you asking?" Diana frowned.
"Because he wishes to call today my dear." her mother responded.
Diana pursed her lips before responding, "Yes, allow him."
Dominic raised a brow at her, Diana still could not discern how Sir Steffan was getting any benefit from pretending to court her other than encouraging prospects of a great match. It felt to her there is much more at stake for him.
Diana settled in the sun that poured from the window of her parlor. It had helped to continuously plan and read up on the continent and had questions for Sir Steffan himself on his advice. Biscuits, tea, and cakes were prepared for his arrival. Her mother and the twins settled at the far end of the parlor as Sir Steffan was announced.
The Captain walked in with a beautiful bouquet of an assortment of flowers and handed them to her mother the twins and herself. "Thank you for allowing me into your lovely home." he grinned at them earning happy sighs from the younger Vincents.
"It is a pleasure to have you here, please have a seat." her mother said as Diana settled away from the window and onto the settee.
Once her mother was out of the way and less in earshot Diana smiled up at Sir Steffan. "Do you find this awkward at all?"
He laughed before whispering, "A bit but this will all make for an excellent dinner story one day don't you think?"
"Let's hope this doesn't end in some horrible tragedy." Diana chuckled.
"If you don't mind my boldness, I have read in Lady Whistledown that you are handling the Prince's sudden lack of interest, well and I want to know if you are truly alright." he asked, the laughter and teasing left his eyes. Diana saw immediately, the seriousness and concern.
"In truth?" Diana collected her thoughts, they had become less chaotic as time passed. "I am currently in a strange state. I find that some days it feels like if I stand perfectly still, I don't feel anything but if I sway in a direction because of some piece of gossip it can break me apart. Other days I can't find that stillness and I wish to remain broken apart preferably in my room alone."
Sir Steffan studied her his expression did not hold any pity but some sort of understanding. Diana also couldn't help but study him as well, there was something about him that she didn't mind telling her true feelings to. Perhaps that was the power of strangers, he was a kind void that offered no judgment or pity but an ear to voice her feelings.
"Well, I shall send luck your way. The Prince truly lost out on something remarkable." he said eying a piece of cake.
"You flatter me and it is not necessary." Diana glanced at her mother hoping their voices were low enough that she wasn't hearing the conversation.
"Not flattery but truth. I will admit when I first met you I had thought you would be some strange chit, who someone how managed to blackmail the Prince in this strange scheme." Sir Steffan said.
Diana blinked absorbing his words, "What did Sir Elliot tell you?" she asked trying to quell her irritation.
Sir Stefan leaned in lowering his voice even more "Well, Sir Elliot facilitated our meeting but it was Prince Friedrich that spoke to me personally."
It shouldn't have surprised her but Diana had thought after their last meeting he would have handed off the matter to Sir Elliot to manage on his own.
"So you know the Prince?" Diana asked, hating her voice was barely a whisper now.
Sir Steffan took a long drink of his tea the debate was evident, Diana wondered if she would get the whole truth out of him.
"Yes, we are friends, we had worked together on some skirmishes." he said.
"Oh!" Diana blinked tucking away that information. "It makes sense, of course, both of you with military backgrounds."
"I hope this doesn't change your thoughts of me or this arrangement." he whispered.
"Despite our situation Sir Steffan, please know that I will not hold that against you." Diana assured.
"Oh, I believe you won't, I am beginning to see you are not that kind of woman." he grinned.
"Bold of you to assume, I could be perfectly devious." Diana quipped earning a laugh from him.
"He did mention that you could be cheeky when you felt like it." he chuckled, Diana stiffened trying to maintain the smile on her face, he noticed immediately. "I apologize."
"No, no it is quite alright." Diana blinked trying to ease him with a smile.
"Let me make it up to you by asking me anything you wish." he said.
Diana glanced at her mother, who was doing her best to strain and hear what they were talking about.
"Tell me," Diana murmured, "Why are you going along with this ruse? Truly."
Sir Steffan shifted the assured man was not so assured at that moment, seemingly once again at a debate with himself.
"I know you have secrets but what is worth this ruse if, in the end, this will humiliate you?" Diana whispered.
Sir Steffan stared at her, "There are worse things than the humiliation of a failed engagement, I know that is hard for you to believe right now."
"I am not experienced in the way of the world, Sir Steffan only the dramatics in stories." Diana admitted, "So what is it that could be worse?"
He sighed before whispering, "My reputation is at...stake, I am sure at some point you would hear of it, but I simply cannot love who I love."
Diana's brow furrowed, "Surely, you could figure it out away! I'd hate to be an object of someone's pain if the person you love sees us."
"You are not I assure you." he smiled.
"I don't understand?" Diana frowned, bitterly adding. "If it is a matter of inequality matches have been made despite it, it's just a matter of fighting for it."
"It's a different kind of inequality, in fact it's...illegal." his voice barely a whisper, Diana stared at him and the pieces began to fall in place.
"I see." Diana said, trying to find her next words.
Sir Steffan replied, panic rising in his voice. "I have said too much."
He nearly stood but Diana's arm shot out and stilled him.
"Don't mistake that as judgment, please!" Diana started turning to him keeping her voice low. "I don't care Sir Steffan about that, all I care about is ensuring this ruse isn't indirectly hurting someone else."
"No, not at present." he said nervously, eyes shifting to her mother.
Diana drew his attention back to her, "Sir Steffan, your secret is safe with me. You can't help who you love, this I know. I hope you are careful, the laws at present are barbaric."
"So now you understand, it's important that I court you and appear madly in love." he said sadly.
"I can certainly help with that and I'm sorry I forced this out on you, it wasn't what I expected." Diana said shame filled her after realizing the severity of such a confession.
"It was bound to come out, my reputation is barely hanging by a thread and this worked out perfectly when Prince Friedrich offered to help." he said.
"He knows?" Diana whispered.
He nodded with a smile, "He is dreadfully loyal and like you didn't care, though I had thought he was going to have me hanged when he found out. He told me I could trust you you know, that of all the people in his acquaintance you are someone I would never regret knowing."
Diana's breath faltered.
"And I hope you are finding this out on your own." Diana replied.
"Indeed I am." he smiled again, drinking from his cup. It seemed a strange weight was lifted from the room now that Diana understood the stakes. They moved on to less serious things, Sir Steffan sensing Diana was not at all prepared to hear any more about the Prince. Diana was able to draw out his advice on all the places he had visited, mentally noting all the places and things she wanted to see.
The afternoon passed quite pleasantly and Diana felt strange contentment when focused on the topic of conversation, it didn't leave room for wandering thoughts or feelings to overwhelm her. When he had left, her mother descended on her like a hawk finding its prey.
"Well? My dear?" she asked impatiently.
"He is quite pleasant." Diana was all she could say. "I shall like to see him again."
"Well, if you feel it is right, I will accept his calls then." her mother replied. The scrutiny Diana felt under her gaze made her pause.
"What?" Diana sighed, hating that stare.
"It's just that...while he seems like someone you can get on with. You are not alight like....before." her mother admitted.
Diana winced at her words as she continued. "I know what I saw with you and the Prince and I just don't want you to rush into something else just for the sake of-"
"Mother!" Diana cut her off standing, her legs shaky. "I am...trying!"
"Everyday!" Diana hated how her voice cracked, "You don't think I don't realize that I can barely breathe? That I can't even find myself to truly smile about anything anymore? Or that even at this moment, I feel myself ready to let the earth swallow me up? I am not "alight" as you think I should be, but how can be when the person that made me feel everything so wonderful all at once is about to marry someone else? I am in charge of my life right now and I know Sir Steffan doesn't make me feel the way Freddie did, but understand that I refuse to give myself like that ever again. So yes, he is someone I can get on with because maybe I am looking for someone safe!"
Diana rushed upstairs before her mother could get a word. It was a small truth, while she had every intention of rejecting him one day, she knew if she had to marry it wouldn't be for love, she couldn't let herself die like that again.
A/N: HIIIIIIII! We are getting closer to ending this story. I may have been OBESSSESSED with Kate and Anthony in Season 2. Personally, to me that is my kind of slow burn. Let me know what ya'll thought about Season 2!!
LSO EDWINA AND PRINCE FRIEDRICH???????? I do like the idea, however, I'd make Edwina go through some personal self-discovery journey first before meeting him or maybe during? I don't know there were some things I was not super impressed with her, especially handling Kate and Anthony. I get the hurt she went through and said some things but like she knew from the start what he wanted......I know she is young and she had some lessons learned with that whole ordeal but seems like she needs a little more cooking to do before she'd be Princess.