The Next Countess of Westmorland?!

Aurelia prepared even more fervently for this ball than the last, she couldn't believe that Max wanted to propose already. After breakfast, she took a long hot bath, hoping it would soothe her ragged nerves.

Aurelia's lady's maid put fresh lavender and rose petals in the water, and the scent mixed with her floral soap made her feel like a garden. Her thoughts drifted to the labyrinth of the Westmorland estate and Max's lips on Aurelia's. She secretly hoped for a moment where they could sneak away tonight but still remain under the guise of decorum.

As her hair dried from the bath, Aurelia ate a light lunch and had tea with Willa. Benjamin chose to go into town to the gentlemen's club for lunch and a spot of gambling.

"Do you think Max will really propose soon?" She asked Willa.

Snorting, she looked at her with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yes, baby sister," she giggled. "You shall be the Countess of Westmorland before the end of the season."

Aurelia smiled at her enthusiasm. "I hope he is not trying to lead me on," I worried. "It is all rather sudden." The doubting feeling resurfaces in my stomach, making me not want to finish my food.

Wilhelmina squared her shoulders and gave her a pointed look, "Marriage moves fast when you are at our station. When mother and father met, they were married after less than six months of courting."

"They were quite in love, weren't they," Aurelia wistfully sighed. "I miss them so."

"I miss them too, Aurie," Willa said, sympathetically patted her hand. "Every single day, I wonder why they were taken away from us so suddenly." Tears started to spring from her eyes, and Aurelia pulled her in for a hug. They held onto each other for a long while until Willa's eyes were dry.

"It's been three years, and it still feels like yesterday."

Willa nodded in agreement. "Let's not dwell on such sad memories on a day for much excitement."

Willa and Aurelia parted ways and began to get ready for tonight's ball. Winona, her lady's maid, started to braid small sections of her hair and wove them together into an elaborate bun held together by a giant jewel-encrusted comb with a small emerald in the middle. Curls framed her face and neck in gentle ringlets. Winona put a light pink rouge on her cheeks, which gave them a healthy glow. She lightly brushed rice powder on Aurelia's face to cover any blemishes and painted her lips a deep pink color giving them much-needed fullness and shine.

As the sun began to set, Benjamin made his way into her room as she finished getting made up. "You look ravishing, dear Aurelia," Ben said approvingly. "Mr. St. Clair shall have a competition tonight."

Aurelia rolled my eyes. "We shall see about that."

"I'll meet you downstairs when you are ready," Ben chuckled as he turned to leave.

Winona looked at her amusedly, "I don't think you want any attention other than Mr. St. Clair's, no?"

"You are quite right," Aurelia giggled. "Let's get dressed."

Winona tightened Aurelia's corset until she was gasping for breath, she drew the taut strings in the back into a bow. She slipped the chemise over her head while she grabbed her gown from the wardrobe. The silky white fabric settled over Aurelia, and Winona unlaced the dress for her to step into. The creamy gown was heavy, and Winona heaved it up with Aurelia's help to put her arms through. She swayed a moment, while she got used to the weight of the dress mixed with the tightness of the corset. The short-sleeved gown was complemented with Aurelia's cream gloves, light pink kitten heels, emerald earrings, and the necklace Max gifted her.

The necklace matched the delicate embroidery of the greenery throughout her dress, she loved the way it sparkled in her reflection. Willa knocked lightly on the door, revealing her to be wearing a deep blue gown with a small plumage of feathers in her blonde hair's updo.

"You look simply stunning, Aurie," She squealed. "I cannot wait for Maximilian to see you."

"You shall be the envy of the ball tonight," Aurelia countered. "That dress is gorgeous."

She smiled at her sister and collected her hand; Aurelia grabbed her fan from Winona as they walked out the door. They made their way down the stairs, and Benjamin shook his head in faux despair. "I shall be fighting off all the eligible young men in attendance of tonight's ball. My sisters are far too beautiful for their own good."

The girls giggled at his reaction as he grabbed them on either side of him, and escorted them to the carriage waiting for them outside.

The trip to the Lord of Glaston's estate was more extensive than last weekend's ball; by the time they reached the rotund manor house, the ball was in full swing. Ben helped Willa and Aurelia out of the carriage and into the manor, each of them at his side. Since their parents died, it had always been the three of them against the world. The orphaned Brooks children, her brother barely old enough to inherit the Viscounty of Carlyle when my parents died.