The next ball arrived quickly and I soon found myself being pulled out of a carriage and into the castle hosting the ball.
Hardstone Court Castle was much smaller than Edinburgh Castle but its gardens stretched out further than any eye could see. A page boy was assigned to Lord Fairlaw, my aunt and I to lead us to the ballroom. I was absolutely fascinated at all the different trees and flowerbeds carefully arranged. Soon we arrived at the entrance to the castle. The three of us followed the page along a brightly lit corridor. At the end of the corridor lay two grand doors between two tall guards. As we arrived the guards opened the doors and we were lead into the ballroom. It was a marvellous sight. The ballroom overlooked the back gardens and its walls were decorated with the finest tapestry. At the centre of the ceiling, the coat of arms of the Daley family line was painted in bright colours and surrounding it were the coat of arms of all families that had married into the Daley bloodline.
"Admire it child."said a voice to my right. My head immediately shot towards it to see my aunt grinning. "Wouldn't it be wonderful to see your family's coat of arms up there by the end of the season?"she said as she flicked her fan and walked away. Suddenly, a bugle sounded and the floor cleared to make way for the King along with the Duke of Melrose and his family to pass through. The King then walked up to the throne set up next to the orchestra stand and addressed the crowd.
"I welcome you to the second ball of the season. As a sign of gratitude for hosting this grand ball in their household, I grant the first dance to Lord Wilfred Daley, eldest son of the Duke of Melrose." His voice boomed across the room. Lord Daley quickly skimmed over the crowd and to my relief, he walked in the opposite direction to where I was standing. He bowed to a lady in pink and she curtsied back before the music started and they began to dance. Shortly, the music stopped and the couple were parted. I was still standing alone when Lord Daley aporoached me.
"May I have this next dance?"he asked as he bowed to me.
"You may."I replied as I bowed my head to him. He lead me to the dance area and we started dancing to a waltzer.
"I apologise for choosing another lady to accompany me through the first dance."he began, whispering into my ear. "My father insisted that I should dance with her as she is the King's niece."
"No need to apologise my lord."I whispered back. I pulled away just in time to see his lips curve into a smile.
"I would love to show you the gardens. They are amazing at night."he whispered again. I nodded in approval and we gracefully danced our way to the ballroom's exit. We walked along the same corridor until we were once again in the gardens which were now lit up with beautiful lanterns causing the dewdrops on the leaves to shimmer in the moonlight. "Come this way."he instructed. I followed him as we passed beneath hedges and arches. After some minutes, we arrived at a point where the hedges were higher and thicker than before.
"What is this?"I asked curiously.
"A maze."he stated. "I have never failed to find my way out again before a woman."
"I like to think you have an advantage..."I smiled and so did he.
"Challenge me?"he asked.
"Challenge accepted!"I said before running into the maze as fast as my dress would allow.
I had been running into dead ends for what seemed like ages now and I could not discover a way out. I stomped back and tried to figure out which way to go. I thought I had it all figured out when I reached another dead end. I groaned in frustration and started walking slowly backwards when I bumped into something hard which collapsed under my weight. I let out a scream which was immediately muffled as I fell face-down onto the leafy ground. I looked behind me to see a dark, tall figure. The figure took a step closer to me and before I could run, his eyes shimmered in the moonlight. I instantly recognised him.
"Lord Riverood?"I asked feeling skeptical.
"Lady Charlotte."he said.
"What are you doing here?"I asked curiously.
"Hiding from my pain of an uncle."he smirked. "You?"
"I have no idea what I am doing actually."I said as I stood up and brushed the dirt off my dress.
"Are you struggling to find a way out?"he asked as if reading my mind.
"Precisely."I said.
"Come on I think I remember where I came in from."he said as he motioned me to follow him. After a few twists and turns we were finally back by the flowerbeds. I had never felt more relieved in my life.
"Thank you my lord."I said as I sat down on a bench to catch my breath.
"My lord?"Lord Riverood asked with his eyebrows raised.
"Is it not the proper title, my lord?" I asked feeling slightly confused.
"Aye it is. It is a bit too formal, do you not agree?"he said.
"Then how shall one address you?"I asked. He leaned in close as if he was about to whisper something into my ear, but instead he planted a kiss on my cheek.