1814, London
Lady Alexandra Beaufort, youngest daughter to the Duke of Exeter woke early to a blissful May morning on the day of her 18th birthday. Alex, the raven-haired, blue-eyed Beauty of Exeter beamed in anticipation of what was sure to be the best day of her life, and it would all start with tea with her dear sisters, both now Countesses in their own right.
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"Lizzie, Maggie!" Alex cried as she warmly embraced her sisters on their entry.
"Alex, dear, you've certainly filled out your corset since Christmas!" Margaret teased.
Alex glanced down as she smoothed out her skirts, smirking "Yes, well cook has been keeping the biscuits in ready supply."
"If her biscuits do *that* to one's bosom, I daresay we should request a dozen now!" Elizabeth replied as they all joined in bawdy laughter.
With the tea poured and the niceties complete, Margaret brought up the topic of the day. "Alex, are you looking forward to your coming out ball tonight?"
Alex barely suppressed her excitement. She had been looking forward to this ball for months, as much as her father had likely been looking forward to the end of it. After spending obscene amounts of money in Paris on the newest fashions, Lady Alexandra had arrived in Mayfair looking every bit the debutante and ready to dazzle London. The minutiae of the start of the London Season was well underway: the presentation to the Prince Regent complete, the calls made, the cards left, Hyde Park strolled, and all that was left to truly begin was Marchioness Tilbury's ball tonight. After much effusive discussion of gowns and ribbons and jewels and the ladies' opinions of the eligible young noblemen in Town for the Season, Alex cheerfully proclaimed, "But all of that is secondary to my extreme fortune in seeing both of my sisters on my birthday."
With that, Lizzie and Maggie gave each other a meaningful look. Lizzie spoke first, "Darling, has Papa spoken with you at all about tonight?"
"Papa? No indeed, he's been ever so busy with business since we arrived in Town. In truth, I've hardly seen him."
"No word at all?" Lizzie looked almost panicked.
Alex couldn't possibly account for Lizzie's change in mood and looked to Maggie, who drew a determined breath, "Alex, tonight it is very likely that Papa will begin providing you lessons."
"Lessons?" Alex was stunned. Her father? The Duke barely had two words in a day for her, let alone a whole lesson. Alex had excelled in all of the usual accomplishments expected of the daughter of a peer, what more could she possibly know? "And why should he do that? Why now?"
"Well," Maggie pressed on, "when we were your age and starting our Seasons, he did the same for both of us."
Lizzie regained her voice, "They were marriage lessons."
"Oh! Well I should like that very much!" Alex had never felt truly close to her father, and she almost jumped at the thought of gaining his attention and perhaps even his approval. In fact, she would dearly love to understand more of the intricacies of running a new household, gaining the respect of tenants and staff, and any other matters to which she didn't already attend at Exeter.
Maggie looked again at Lizzie, smiling, "Yes, we both enjoyed them as well."
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It was almost dawn by the time Alexandra left the Tilbury ball. She leaned her head back against the cushions of the coach, triumphant. And exhausted. "I suppose I'm done for." she sighed to her aunt.
Charlotte the Dowager Countess of Devon smiled warmly at her niece, "My dear, a young lady cannot be undone by one ball."
"I am done for, because I will never have a night like that again in my life."
Charlotte chuckled. "Darling Alex, you've made a conquest of the entire ton, whatever shall you do now?"
"Begin my lessons!" In the tumult of the day, Alex had nearly forgotten what her sisters had told her just that afternoon.
Charlotte looked bemused, "Yes, I suspect you will. When do you begin?"
"Oh, I hope tomorrow." Alex sighed, then lifted her head. "Aunt, did you receive marriage lessons during your first Season?"
Charlotte contemplated, then replied, "Not in the same manner, but yes I suppose I did. Alexandra, I know your father is very distant, but he loves you, child. More than you know. Just see that you do everything exactly as he says."
Obedience was never difficult for Alex, not especially now that she would be spending time with her father. On one point, however, Lady Alexandra was wrong. Marriage lessons would start tonight.
"Alexandra." Alex jumped. The booming voice was her father's, and not what she expected to hear upon entering the Manor at four in the morning.
William Beaufort, Duke of Exeter stood in front of the door to his study, half in shadow, holding a glass of the his finest brandy.
"Yes father?" Alex sounded almost tremulous. The Duke was a large mountain of a man, and rarely raised his voice above a baritone grumble.
"Please join me in the study." This was not a request, and it was bidden without delay.
Alex entered already babbling, "I'm so sorry father about the hour, but my dance card became completely full before I noticed what was happening and Aunt Charlotte was there with me the whole time and I assure you..."
One large hand held up to Alex stopped her deluge of explanations.