As the daughters of one the most elite families at the time of transition from Regency to Victorian England, you caught the eye of many a suitor. Still, love was not your main priority, for education and self-preservation were. You were the epitome of both beauty and smarts as a charming young woman within the upper echelons of London society. Still, you were not quick to fall at a man's feet, no, you knew what you truly desired and it was not some older man your mother could marry you off to. So, you had been known for being picky, for you were quite the beauty, and one could even dare to say the most stunning lady of the ton. You stuck to books and nature, reveling in the simplicity of the less superficial parts that your small world held.

That is not the only thing that caught his eye though... The duke who had recently come into town for this season of weddings and courting first noticed your smile: the way it quickly spread onto those around you as though a festering plague. He saw you as sickeningly gorgeous, your long, luxurious hair pinned up so perfectly, and your soft, silken gown which adorned your body so. It was as if he had stepped into another realm, heaven, he thought, as he made his way to the refreshment table where you stood mindlessly looking over the empty dance card that you held.

You looked up to see a handsome, warm smile and kind eyes before you. He was always a lady charmer but held out. No one ever seemed perfect for him: all either too 'dull' or just..not fit for a man like him. But he had heard about your personality from fellow members of this side of English society, and he loved the chase, the ones who played hard to get. He lifted his hand to take your gloved one as a gentleman like him was supposed to, and spoke

"I must say that colour is a wonder in contrast with those gorgeous eyes..."