Dark Regency

 

Dearest Gentle Reader,

I hope you are as excited for this season as I am. The stage is set and the players ready themselves to begin the game. Although, propriety dictates that one shouldn't be too excited, lest one's exuberance be unleashed wantonly. Take, for example, Lord Llewellyn's excitement at the races. But perhaps his loud exclamations were merely intended to distract from his consistently unlucky friend, Lord Ashworth—who, according to persistent rumor, has lost his fortune and will be seeking a wealthy wife this season to replenish his coffers and restore life to his vice. Let us hope he fails at his task.

On the brighter side of controversy, the majority of the Ton already knows that all bets will land on Lady Vanessa Sinclair to be proclaimed the Diamond of the Season. This writer will not disagree. Lady Vanessa exhibits a grace and social composure that reach far beyond her years. Our Queen can see this for herself and does not need this writer to advise her or the Ton on this fact. Let it be that this writer agrees with the majority evaluation. That is all.

Let us, instead, turn toward the other young ladies whose presentations are to be forthcoming quickly. If the Diamond has already been agreed upon this early, what shall they do in such an unlucky market? And woe to the spare sisters! This year's marriage market is sparse enough; how will the pressures of overbearing Mamas and the constant threat of Society scandal weigh upon our young ladies? Who will be strong enough to sustain our Queen's measuring eye?

Only time will tell.

—LADY WHISTLEDOWN