The Foxhavens arrive at the ball.

When the night of the Bellingtons' welcome home ball finally arrives, the Foxhaven family heads over just in time to be punctual. Since it's a formal event, they take the coach - it's the only thing big enough to hold them all, in any case. When they arrive at Forrester Hall, the Belligtons' home, all of the sisters unload themselves from the coach, Peggy and Alice chattering gaily, while their parents trail behind them.

Forrester Hall is a large, grand building, but a slightly dilapidated one. The Bellingtons do have money - it's not that they can't afford to keep the place up - but Mr. Bellington has always been a bit of a romantic and has enjoyed keeping the place looking like something of a ruin. Its brick exterior is coated on the flanks by ivy, while the marble columns fronting its porch are weathered and slightly gray with age. As the girls enter the home, though, they're reminded just how warm and inviting it is inside. The house is sumptuously decorated and the whirl of people, brightly colored dresses, and loud, joyful conversation fills the home. All of them feel their pulses increase. This is one of the first balls of Wiltshire's small season; no doubt the Bellingtons hope to make it a night to remember!

As the girls enter the ballroom, they all take in the guests. In one corner of the room, Mr. Twilwell is speaking with a sour-faced young man with dark hair,{if Twilwell-Anne > 0} Anne notices{else}Rebecca notes{endif}. There's a passel of soldiers standing together in a clump, speaking together, and Alice's pulse quickens as she sees {if Simmons-Alice > 0}Captain Simmons standing a little ways apart, watching the men over the rim of his glass with an aloof eye{else if Barnes-Alice < 0}that horrid Private Barnes laughing and chatting with his friends{else}how fine they all look in their bright red dress coats{endif}. Esther gives a little wave to Annalise, who's gorgeously attired in the latest fashions, a vibrant emerald dress, and is chatting enthusiastically with a young man who's got an ironic smile on his lips and a poof of light brown hair.

"Foxhavens!" a gay voice rings out. A dark-haired girl crosses the room to them, seizing each of their hands and giving them a quick peck on the cheek, one at a time.

"Georgiana!" Rebecca exclaims with pleasure. Georgiana Lightpurse is a close friend of hers and Anne's, though she's familiar with all five of the Foxhaven girls. The Lightpurses are a local family, also landed, but not so wealthy even as the Foxhavens' parents. Rebecca smiles at her. "I hope your parents are well?"

"You may ask them yourself," Georgiana says with a laugh. "They're here! Everyone in the county seems to be. It's a lovely way to welcome Miss Bellington home, don't you think?"

"Indeed," Esther says seriously. "I'm very glad that so many people have turned out to show their appreciation."

"But of course the most notable appearance is that of our new neighbor, Mr. Twilwell," Georgiana says, leaning close to the girls as she begins the gossip. "He's that blond gentleman over there - have you met him yet?"

{if Twilwell-Anne > 0}"I have, but only briefly," Anne says, a slight flush rising to her cheeks.{else}"Only I," Rebecca says. "He's a most interesting gentleman. Quite a decorator."{endif}

"Well!" Georgiana says. "He seems a perfect gentleman. And this other gentleman he's brought is a Mr. Vickery. I don't know much about him - he seems rather the quiet type - but he carries himself very well."

The implication is clear - Vickery carries himself like someone with money, and a lot of it.

"Ah! I see my mother wishes to speak to me," Georgiana says, returning the older woman's wave. "Enjoy the party, Foxhavens. I'll see you shortly, I'm sure."

As their sisters break up and spread themselves about the party, greeting old friends and new acquaintances alike, Rebecca leans close to Anne.

"{if Twilwell-Anne > 0}So that is Mr. Twilwell! It sounds like you made at least something of an impression on him," Rebecca says.{else}That is indeed Mr. Twilwell, and as I told you, he's...an intriguing man," says Rebecca.{endif} "Shall we go over to him and...make conversation?"

"Oh...well...yes, I suppose that couldn't hurt," Anne says, blushing slightly. Twilwell is a very good-looking man.

The girls make their way around the edge of the ballroom. As they approach, Twilwell and his friend break off their conversation and stand at polite attention. Twilwell smiles slightly to see the sisters approach; Mr. Vickery, however, does not.

"Ah! Miss Foxhaven. And this, I gather, is your sister?" he asks, giving them a short, polite bow.

"Indeed. Mr. Twilwell, this is {if Twilwell-Anne > 0}Rebecca," Anne says.{else}Anne," Rebecca says.{endif} "I trust that you're settling into Applethorpe Manor well?"

"Indeed!" Twilwell exclaims. "I am nearly fully staffed. Hopefully I will be able to keep that promise about hosting a gathering of my own in the near future."

His friend clears his throat, and Twilwell laughs. "Ah, my apologies. Miss Foxhaven - Miss Foxhaven - may I introduce you to my very good friend Mr. Vickery. He's been a close companion of mine since childhood," Twilwell says. Vickery gives them both a short, sharp nod.

"Charmed, I'm sure," he says. He doesn't sound it.

{if Twilwell-Anne > 0}"I have been thinking about your injunction to host a ball ever since you left," Twilwell continues blithely to Anne. "It's been some time since I had a conversation about a ball that stuck in my mind so clearly!"{else}"Your sister did mention you to me, Miss Foxhaven," Twilwell continues blithely, speaking to Anne. "But she did not mention that you were each equals in beauty!" Rebecca laughs.

"Well, you can hardly expect me to own being overmatched in that area by my older sister," she says gaily.{endif}

Anne hesitates, torn between her innate modesty and her desire to make a good impression on Mr. Twilwell.