Chapter Text
Lucy stood around with other young ladies around her age. All gathered around with the white empire dresses and feathers in their hair. They were all acting nervous as their mothers were trying to ensure they looked perfect. Every single one of them had spent their lives preparing for the moment they would be introduced to society as if this was the only thing worth meaning in their lives.
Lucy hated it.
All these girls dreamed and obsessed about was this day, but not her. She hated the idea of being presented as if she were some prized jewel to be won. Which was ironic since one of them would be declared the “diamond of the season”.
“Lucy, stand up straight, do we need to tighten your corset?” asked her mother.
“No mother, it's fine” she hissed. Her mother grabbed her arm and yanked her close.
“Don’t sass me, we have waited for this day for too long and I’ve put too much effort into you for you to throw it all away. You’re about to be presented to the Queen, so act like it” she sneered.
“Yes Mother” she replied quietly. Then the doors opened. One by one all the girls were brought forward. When it was Lucy’s turn she gracefully made her way forward with her mother and curtsied in front of the queen. She just gave a simple nod and Lucy walked off. She was not the diamond of the season. Lucy was honestly relieved, but she knew her mother would have it out for her and sure enough as soon they cleared the way, her mother yanked her into a corner.
“What on earth was that Lucy?!”
“What? I did everything you asked for, she just didn’t declare me the diamond”
“No, you screwed up, even her majesty could see you didn’t want this, is this all just a joke to you?”
“Oh would you stop it, Mother, you’ll give yourself a nosebleed.”
“Stop it Lucy!” her mother sneered once again and yanked Lucy’s towards her, gripping her arm painfully.
“If we were at home, I’d slap you for what you did. I have put too much time and effort into making you into the diamond and you just threw it all away. Luckily, you have the whole season to prove yourself so act like it” and then she let her go. Lucy nodded shyly and went to rejoin the group.
The next evening was the first ball. Lucy was of course in one of her stuffy dresses that would never be worn again, not that she cared for it anyway. She arrived at the ball with her mother as her chaperone. The ball was beautifully decorated and the music was lovely, but it just wasn’t what she wanted. She picked up her dance card and before she knew it, her mother immediately had suitors placing their names on it. Then she was whisked off onto the dance floor. She wore a smile on her face and pretended to enjoy it, but inside she was screaming. After she finished dancing with one potential suitor she excused herself to drink some lemonade. She was sipping her cup when she felt someone walk up next to her.
“I have to say, you’re one of the more beautiful dancers here,” said the man.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” said Lucy glancing at him briefly before returning to her drink.
“I don’t believe we met yet, I am the Duke Stanford,” he said extending his hand.
“Duke Stanford” Lucy heard her mother say as she came up next to her. Now Lucy knew she was really in for it. Her mother forced Lucy to face him.
“Yes, but you can call me Chris, and who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?” he asked.
“I am Lady Vanessa Chen, and this is my lovely daughter, Lucy,” she said.
“Pleasure to meet you, Lucy,” he said extending his hand again. Vanessa nudged Lucy and she extended her hand, which Chris took and gently kissed. “I see you still have some spaces left on your dance card, care to share one with me?” he asked.
“She would love to,” said Vanessa. Chris took the card and signed his name. Then a Waltz came up and before Lucy could have a say, she was dancing in Chris’ arms. He was a nice enough guy and not bad-looking either, but he wasn’t for her. Lucy already hated being in high society and the thought of being a Dutchess made her want to hurl. After the waltz, she excused herself for another break. That's when Vanessa hunted her down.
“What are you doing!?” she asked in a harsh whisper.
“I’m just taking a break”
“A break!? Lucy, you should be out there dancing with him. Do you realize how many girls will be after him once they realize he is a duke and yet he chose you.”
“But what if I don’t want him”
“Oh stop it already with your whining. This is your chance to prove to everyone that you are the diamond of the season. To elevate yourself in society and become a dutchess. Do you know what a title like that carries!? You will be royalty. So get out there and dance” She shoved Lucy towards the dance floor and it wasn’t long before Chris found her again. She continued to dance with him and it felt like her corset was suffocating her. Like she was dying. The air around her became thin. By the end of her third dance, she knew she had to get out.
“I’m sorry Your Grace, please excuse me” she curtsied and left. She went to where the cloaks were and then made a beeline for the exit. The night air felt refreshing as she walked away from the party. She took a big deep breath and the cool air filled her lungs and she began to relax. This life was overwhelming and there was too much pressure on her. She understood she was better off than most people and that any poor person would trade places with her in a second, but she would too. She didn’t want this lifestyle. She wanted a life where she was free to make her own choices and to have adventures. She would love to travel and see what life has to offer rather than being boggled down in society with nothing to do other than attend balls and find a husband.
The further Lucy walked the more relaxed she felt and before she knew it, she had walked far from the party. She just had to get as far away from everything as possible. Then she ended up on the pooer side of town. Lucy knew everyone said this area was dangerous and the people here were uncivilized, but she oddly enough, felt relaxed here. There were no rich people here breathing down her neck, judging every move. Then she felt a drop of water hit her head, then another and another. She looked up and realized it had started to rain. She pulled her hood up as the rain came down harder and she ran to find shelter. She noticed a shop still had its candle lit in the window and made a break for it. She opened the door and quickly turned, slamming it close. She leaned her forehead against it trying to catch her breath.
“We're closed” she heard someone say gruffly behind her.
“Sorry, I just need a minute to take shelter from the storm, then I’ll leave,” she said still leaning her head against the door.
“Doesn’t matter, were still closed”
“I just need a minute okay? Can you please give me that?” she exasperated. She heard a scoff behind her.
“Of course, a princess like you thinks they can do whatever they want” the man scoffed.
“I’m not a princess!” Lucy snapped turning around sharply and faced the man for the first time as she ripped off her hood, then she paused. She was taken aback by how handsome he was. She also swore she saw his eyes go a bit wide at her too. But then she quickly shook her head.
“Look, I understand you’re closed, but it is raining and I have no idea where I am, so if you could just let me stay here for an hour or two until the rain subsides, then I will go and you will never have to see me again. I can even pay if you like, just let me stay, please” She watched as the man sighed.
“You don’t have to pay me, here, have a seat” he gestured her towards a rocking chair and she sat down. When she did she was able to take in the fact that she was in a bookstore. She looked around at all he had to offer.
“I probably don’t have anything that's up to your standards, but you’re welcome to look around” he snarked.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m just saying you're used to poetry, plays, and Shakespeare. I don’t have anything like that here”
“As a matter of fact, I don’t like reading poetry, plays, or Shakespeare. I prefer books with an actual narrative that doesn’t take an encyclopedia to follow” she said. The man sighed and browsed. Then he pulled out a book and handed it to her.
“I have a feeling you will find this one relatable,” he said. She took it and read the cover.
Pride and Prejudice.
“Thank you,” said Lucy. The man nodded and Lucy began to read. Lucy found herself relating to Lizzy quite a lot through out the story. What it was like to be in this society and the pressure to marry and marry well. She had just finished chapter 4 where Lizzy was talking to Jane about dancing with Mr. Darcy when she felt a nudge on her shoulder.
“The storm stopped and it's getting late, you should probably head back,” said the handsome shopkeeper.
“Oh, thank you,” said Lucy standing up. She put the book down.
“If you want, you can buy it” he offered.
“No, it's okay, my mother would freak out if she saw this in the house. I’ll already be in enough trouble when I get home”
“I can walk you home if you like”
“No, it’s okay. Trust me when I say it will end badly for both of us if you do. I think my mother would actually kill me at that point”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means my mother only wants me to spend my time with rich men so I can find a husband.”
“Ah, so you are a princess” She shoots him a glare as he smugly smilies at her. “Well don’t let me hold you up Your Highness,” he said with a slight bow. She rolled her eyes at him and turned to leave but paused.
“Thank you again for letting me stay here, I didn’t get your name”
“It's no problem, and it's Tim,” he said extending his hand. Lucy smiled.
“Lucy,” she said, taking his hand and shaking it.
“Lucy” he replied softly. She smiled.
“Anyways, I should go now,” they said their goodbyes and she left, actually feeling happy for the first time in a long time.
By the time she got home, her mother was furiously waiting for her.
“Where have you been!? Do you have any idea what time it is!? Chris came up to me and told me you walked away from the dance and neither of us saw you since!”
“I’m sorry Mother, I didn’t mean to worry you, I just got overwhelmed so I left and took a walk around town. Then it rained so I just found cover.” her mother shook her head at her.
“What has gotten into you, this is not how civilized women behave. What is the Duke supposed to think”
“Why should I care what he thinks”
“Excuse me!”
“Look, I’m sorry I left without telling, but has it ever occurred to you that maybe I don’t want to be with the Duke or anyone else just because of status?”
“Oh my word Lucy, you have got to be kidding me!” exasperated her mother, “You have got to let go of these silly spoiled fantasies of yours.”
“Spoiled!?” Lucy retorted
“Yes spoiled. You are acting immature and like a brat. I raised you better than this and here you are acting like the world owes you something. You have embarrassed yourself and me today in front of the queen and all of society. And even though all the other girls would kill to have the Duke look at them the way Chris looks at you, you still find a way to whine and complain about it”
“Because I don’t want to throw myself at rich men for their money, I want to fall in love with someone for them”
“Oh stop acting like a school girl, you will fall in love later, but now is the time to marry. You are to court with the Duke and I will not hear of any objections”
“But I do not wish to court with the Duke”
“Silence!” she snapped at Lucy, “It does not matter what you want. The Duke will get you the status of Dutchess, that alone will put you high up in society, you will be royalty. Now, I will not hear any further of this,” she said marching up to her and getting into her face. “You will court the Duke and you better hope he forgets about tonight, 'cause if he doesn’t, I swear I will lock you in your room until you come to your senses, is that understood.” Lucy, now shaken nodded.
“Yes Mother”
“Good girl” She then grabbed her face and kissed her on the forehead. “Now, go to bed, you have a big day tomorrow”
“Yes Mother” and with that, Lucy went off to bed. As she laid in bed that night, she longed to return to the bookstore with the handsome shopkeeper.