Dressed in the most extravagant ensembles, the lords and ladies of the ton are ready for the first ball of the season with enough gossip about their honourable mysterious host.
"I heard he does business with anybody that needs his help.' whispered the Lord Whittington standing among some of the Lords in attendance.
"How generous he must be." That came from the Earl of Thornton.
"Or you mean how unprofessional he is, no real businessman will be generous like that when it comes to money."
Lord Dicken mentioned and just as one of the other lords was about to reply, Quinn himself having overheard everything that was being discussed made his way to them.
"Gentlemen, good to have you here with us at the first ball of the season. Thanks for honouring our invitation, trust you are having a good time?"
He greeted them while they tried to cover their expressions with a polite smile as if they were not just talking about him.
"Of course we are, Lord Branford. For somebody that does not engage in social gatherings much, you sure know how to throw a nice ball." The Earl of Thornton said
"How nice of you…" Quinn was saying when he noticed the men's attention was far from him. He followed their line of sight to see Lord Weaver, Nesta's father enter the hall while there was a lot of murmuring going on.
He looked around not seeing Nesta and when he moved to welcome him and asked of his daughter's whereabouts, he heard the whole room gasping and when he looked up he could understand why because he found himself missing his breath as well.
There she stood, the woman who had managed to occupy his mind. He thought about how her first appearance back to society will be and he could not help but be stunned, she is truly a vision.
Catching himself, he moved to them and personally welcomed them inside.
"Lord Weaver, Miss Weaver, you are most welcome. Thank you for gracing us with your presence. He said this loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, a silent warning letting them know they are his special guests.
"Thank you, Lord Bramford. It is a pleasure being in your humble abode." Lord Weaver replied his greetings.
"Miss Weaver, it is nice to see you again. How do you feel about your first appearance after a long time?" Quinn asked while taking her hand and leading her inside.
"Thank you for having us, Lord Bramford. I could not believe I missed so much because of these people and I am sure my father and I will be the topic for the whole night."
Nesta smiled seeing everybody's gaze fixated on her and Lord Bramford, she could practically see the wheels turning in their head. One could almost think they never expected her to return back to society, that too with the mysterious Lord.
"There are enough gossips to go round for the night and I can say your name is at the tip of everybody's lips. I told you those gowns will do wonders." Tessa said to her as she reached her side and Nesta smiled hugging her.
"Lady Bramford, thank you for having us tonight. And I can see their eyes on me, especially the ladies standing close to the center of the room.
Thank you so much for the gowns and everything, you ensured I do not make a fool of myself tonight. I am really grateful." Nesta said appreciating all that Tessa did for her.
"I already told you to stop thanking me. I enjoyed spending time with you which I have not done with anyone for a long time now.
And as my brother's special guest, I need to make sure these ladies and their mamas know they do not stand a chance.
"Enough with the gossip now Tessa." Quinn said as he drew Nesta's attention away from Tessa and offered her his hand, "may I have your first dance, my lady?" he asked, further shocking the other young ladies.
"Yes, you may, my lord." Nesta smiled as she put her hand in his and they walked to the centre of the room where other people were dancing together in pairs.
More questions were raised as people wondered why the Lord of Castleberry would be dancing with Lady Weaver after the scandal her family suffered.
"Maybe he is not aware of the shameful act committed by her father." Lady Shannon commented on what was before her eyes.
"What does she think she is doing throwing herself at the young man? Hasn't her family suffered enough crisis?
To think of what the man and his family would think when they finally know of her family's situation. Another scandal in her family's name, I hope that sends her off for good." Lady Diana said with so much spite.
Tessa looked at the group of the gossiping lady and thought what a nice meal some of them would be not even having the desire to feed on all of them because of how bitter they will taste in the case of Lady Diana but she thought against it as she moved to where they stood knowing such act among nobles like them will raise suspicion and eventually expose their kind to the world making them vulnerable to the enemy. She stopped walking when she reached their side.
"You know my brother is a very generous being and I am sure he doesn't take kindly to people gossiping or saying bad things about his special guests."
The ladies gasped learning that the Weavers are Bramford's special guests. No one received a special invitation for the opening ball of this season, quite a shock learning the laughing stock of the ton a year ago would be the special guests of the opening ball this season. Time to greet old friends, the ladies decided.
Tessa grinned seeing the look on the other ladies' faces. She couldn't enjoy the night more as she scanned the room from the corner she stood at.