Chapter Text
When Virginia Potts is only a few weeks shy of five years old, her parents fall incredibly ill and die, leaving her all alone in the world. However, the young girl doesn’t cry; not when the vicar she hardly knows tries to explain her what happened, not when she’s told to gather all of her belongings and leave, not when she’s sent to live with some nuns until they find an aunt or uncle, a distant cousin or a grandparent who will take her in.
Even at her young age, Virginia knows her manners; she simply thanks them and sits still, waiting until they discover that there’s no one else left, that the only family she’s ever had is now buried in two freshly dug graves.
But fate seems to have other plans for her.
Almost a fortnight after the funeral, a carriage stops in front of the nunnery and a man steps out, wearing the finest clothes she has ever seen. Virginia knows who he is, simply because the nuns are unexpectedly fond of gossiping whenever they aren’t busy praying; Lord Terrence Rhodes, a viscount who mostly lives in London with his wife and son.
She has never met a viscount before and she doesn’t know why he came here, but she does know her manners, so when he approaches her, she curtsies as best as she can, only swaying a little bit.
To her biggest surprise, the man kneels down in front of her until their faces are on the same level, and he gives her a warm smile, the kind that makes someone’s eyes soft. “You must be Miss Virginia Potts,” he says, his voice a low rumble.
“Yes, my lord,” she answers with a steady voice.
“Do you know why I’m here?”
“No, my lord.”
“Your father and I were close friends.” That surprises her. She may not know much, but she knows that people like the viscount are not friends with people like her family. Society doesn’t allow it. “We fought together and he saved my life once. I vowed to repay it in any way I can – which I failed to do. So, I am going to keep safe the one dearest to him.”
Before Virginia can decode the meaning of his words, she’s hurried into his carriage by the nuns, who are more than eager to send her off, happy that there’s one less mouth to be fed. Clinging to the only things she knows – her manners and the small bag with her few belongings – Virginia doesn’t protest, simply doing as she is told, and thanks the nuns for their hospitality.
The ride to London is long, but Lord Rhodes does a wonderful job of distracting her, telling her all sorts of stories about the scenery that passes their window, tales about the adventures he and her father shared, and humorous anecdotes about his family. Virginia, as always, remains polite, smiling and nodding, answering when asked something, but refrains from asking that one burning question: what is happening?
After two days, they arrive at the lord’s house – a house grander than any Virginia has ever seen before, with a tall gate and flowers adorning every surface possible, like something out of a fairy tale in the middle of a busy city like London. Inside, they’re greeted by all of the servants, each and every one greeting her with a smile and a bow or curtsy – she returns them all, making sure to introduce herself each and every time. Lord Rhodes doesn’t rush her, but because she doesn’t dare to look up to him, she doesn’t see his smile.
Eventually, she meets Lady Roberta Rhodes, who greets her with a warm hug that almost melts the tension and anxiety inside her away, and their son James who only looks a few years older than her. They’re all so nice and welcoming to her, full of smiles and compliments, feeding her, bathing her, and giving her a more than spacious bed chamber all for herself. Virginia thanks them for all of it, just like she’s been taught to do.
And then, she waits.
Waits for someone to tell her what to do, because no one has told her why she’s here. Lord Rhodes told her he promised her father to look after her, but what does that mean? Her parents were simple people with no land, no title, nothing that made them any different from most people in the country. She’s from the families that work in fancy houses like these, not live in them.
That must be it, Virginia suddenly thinks, relieved by the sudden revelation and having clarity. They want me to work here. It’s not the worst outcome, she supposes. They’re kind people, which is rare, and she vows to show her gratitude for their kindness through her work.
Over the next week, none of the Rhodes’ mention anything about her being a servant. Lord Rhodes takes every opportunity he can get to make the people around him smile, Lady Rhodes teaches her how to play the pianoforte, and James has a mischief in his eyes that he’s not afraid to share but hides as soon as his mother enters the room, replacing it with a charming smile. Virginia likes them, she wants to stay with them, so she makes sure that they notice she is diligent and useful.
She wakes on her own and makes her bed, washes, dresses, and braids her hair all by herself. She memorizes everyone’s tea order and what they like to eat alongside it, jumping to her feet to serve them as soon as someone even looks in the direction of the tea pot. She waters the flowers, tidies up after everyone, does her best to clean the big windows, sets the table and cleans up afterwards.
A few days later, Lady Rhodes grabs her arm as Virginia jumps to her feet after dinner to clear the table. “Dear, what are you doing?”
“I am doing the chores, my lady.”
“Yes, I see that, but why?” Virginia doesn’t answer, too stunned by the genuine confusion in the woman’s voice. Suddenly, something dawns on Lady Rhodes and her face softens. Carefully, she takes the dirty dishes out of Virginia’s tiny hands to cradle them in hers. “Virginia, do you know why you’re here?”
“To work for you, my lady.”
“No, my dear.”
Virginia blinks in confusion. She’s not here to work? Why, then? The answer flashes through her mind and she feels like a fool for not thinking about it sooner. “To marry your son?” She knows that she’s still far too young to marry, but she will get older. It’s a woman’s job to marry and have children.
And James is nice. True, she hasn’t considered marrying him and the thought makes her want to scrunch up her nose in an impolite manner, but he is witty and charming and fun and kind and from a very good family. What more can you ask from a husband? Love is a luxury not many have.
Lady Rhodes’ smile turns a bit sad. “No, Virginia. Should you both wish to marry each other in the future, then you are free to marry, but that is not why you are here.”
“Then why am I here?”
“To be part of our family. If you want to, that is.”
Never once had that thought crossed her mind. With wide eyes, Virginia stares – quite rudely, which she later realizes – at the lady in front of her, her eyes slowly traveling to Lord Rhodes and James who meet her surprised face with kind smiles.
And then, for the first time in weeks, Virginia starts to cry. She cries and sobs and shakes and can’t get a single, intelligible word over her lips, so overcome with sudden sadness about the family she has lost and relief and happiness about the family she gained that she can’t restrain herself. Her new family engulfs her in hugs and kisses on her forehead, and Lord Rhodes carries her to bed as if she weighs nothing and as if her tears don’t stain his silken shirt.
That night, when she is unable to sleep and lays in her bed, staring at the ornamented ceiling above her, Virginia vows to do everything in her power to make the Rhodes family proud. She won’t embarrass them, not when they have been so extraordinarily kind and gracious to her. How could she ever pay them back for their kindness? The little inheritance she got from her parents is barely enough for a proper dowry.
That is how Virginia decides that she will become the most promising debutant of all of London – nay, England! – as soon as she is of age. After all, the only way a woman can make their family proud is by marrying well.
From then on, Virginia ‘Pepper’ (a nickname she gained shortly after accepting her place in the Rhodes family, and while she can’t remember who gave it to her or when it happened – she is convinced it is because of her damned freckles, even though James insists it isn’t – it is now the name only her family and closest friends call her) Potts devotes every second of the day to reaching perfection.
She spends a lot of time on her appearance, not out of vanity, but because men are looking for a beautiful wife – everything else matters less. Even a less than ideal spot in society could be overlooked if she has a pretty face. So, Pepper spends hours finding out which type of dress looks best on her, which colour compliments her pale skin best, how to hide her freckles best, and how to curl her hair. She walks through the entire house with a book on her head, making sure that her posture is impeccable, even when James tries his best to make the book fall down – as revenge, Pepper makes him practice dancing with her again and again and again until she deems it good enough (and a bit longer, just to vex him). She practices how to best curtsy until her knees hurt and how to elegantly use her fan until her wrists ache.
However, at some point, she perfected all of that and still wasn’t old enough to join society. So, Pepper takes on all the other things a wife can be besides beautiful. She learns horseback riding and playing the pianoforte, she practices her singing, and even though she knows her voice will never be good enough to be an opera singer, it is at least good enough to not embarrass her family. She learns to write in beautiful letters and to read without stuttering, she embroiders hundreds of pillows, studies all the countries known to men, reads poetry, and studies art. Any topic that might come up in a conversation, from art to politics, she studies enough to discuss – even though she knows it will hardly matter. Women who speak their mind aren’t what men look for in a wife, so Pepper also learns to keep her opinions to herself.
Despite her ambitions to become the perfect debutant, she still finds time to do things she enjoys and is interested in. Even though Lady Rhodes told her she is not here to work as a servant, Pepper still makes sure to help them whenever she can. The work isn’t too different from what she did and saw her mother do when she lived with her parents, and it soothes her aching heart whenever she misses them.
To the surprise of everyone, Pepper enjoys organizing immensely. Whenever the Rhodes are hosting a dinner or even tea, she is in charge of planning everything to the last second. It is quite a useful talent, one Lady Rhodes praises her for, saying it will be very beneficial for leading a household once she’s married. The lord lets her read every book from his study she desires, even the ones deemed improper for a lady (Pepper only rolls her eyes at that – do men really believe a woman’s mind can’t process something like numbers or politics?).
She enjoys spending time with her friends, especially Natasha Romanoff, who seems to have an answer for every question, no matter how scandalous – Pepper’s cheeks still heat up when she remembers her friend’s answer to the question of how a lady comes to be with child. In typical Natasha fashion, she had looked completely unbothered and only smirked, enjoying the embarrassment of her friends.
But, without a doubt, Pepper’s favourite pastime is spending time with the Rhodes family – with her family. Even though she cannot bring herself to call the lord and the lady Papa and Mama, she sees them as just that. When the viscount suddenly dies, only a year before Pepper is about to be introduced to the ton, she mourns his death more than the death of her birth parents.
James becomes her dearest friend, despite their sibling-like tiffs. He encourages her to get back on her horse after she falls off for the first time, but he still teases her endlessly about it afterwards. When she’s practicing her singing, he comments about how the wails of their neighbour’s dying cat are more pleasant, but he beams proudly at her when Pepper sings during a soiree without embarrassing herself or her family. Pepper doesn’t stop making comments about James’ first crush (though only when the lord and the lady can’t hear them) that leave him blushing madly, but she also offers him comfort when his heart gets broken by the girl. Every time James leaves London for school, he vows he won’t miss her, but still sends her a letter every week – and Pepper never fails to send a letter back with a comment about how much she enjoys the full attention of Lady Rhodes and having no one around who steals the food from her plate.
And so, the years pass, until, finally, the most important day in Pepper’s life comes.
The room is filled with agitated debutants, no matter if this is their first season or fifth, all dressed in white, ornamented gowns, the best jewellery their families have and the (ridiculous) feathers, and their mamas bustling about, reminding their daughters to stand tall and smile and look pretty.
Ignoring the nervousness that is building up inside her chest, Pepper lets her eyes drift across the room, silently comparing herself to all the other debutants. They are about to be introduced to the ton, London’s society, by being presented to the Queen. The Queen will give one of them her favour, choosing the most eligible debutant of the season and therefore improving her chances to find a husband immensely.
Naturally, Pepper is striving to be that one lucky debutant.
Her friend Natasha catches her eye, standing next to her sister Yelena who looks less than pleased to be here, and they share a smile. Natasha is a true beauty, making every gentleman’s head turn when she walks down the street, but it is also a well-known fact that she has no intention of marrying any time soon, simply joining the ton to accompany Yelena and Pepper. Once, during a walk through the Romanoff’s rose garden, she confided in Pepper that she would gladly skip the entire marriage ordeal and become a ballerina instead, something she and her sister have been practicing since they were able to stand up.
Lady Rhodes touches her arm. “How are you feeling, my dear?”
Pepper gives her one of the smiles she’s perfected over the last years. “I am thrilled to meet the Queen.” Lady Rhodes – always able to see through her children’s masks – raises an eyebrow. Pepper looks around, making sure that no one is listening, before adding in a low voice: “Nervous.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” she soothes her, placing her hand against Pepper’s cheek. “Just be yourself.” Pepper doubts being herself will get her as far as she wants – needs – to go, but she accepts the advice with a smile nonetheless.
Finally, the doors in front of them open, and one by one the families enter the room, being presented to the Queen and the ton like a head of cattle on a market.
And then-
“Miss Virginia Potts, presented by the honourable Dowager Viscountess Rhodes.”
Pepper raises her chin, gliding across the room with a smile on her face, just like she has practiced, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room on her, but she simply refuses to look nervous. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees James, now Viscount Rhodes (he had inherited the title after his father’s passing) standing among the crowd, looking handsome and almost regal in his new coat, a small, encouraging smile on his lips.
When she reaches the end, Pepper curtsies, bowing her head and keeping it low, standing perfectly still no matter how unpleasant the position is, waiting for the Queen’s judgement. The Queen wallows in the fact that she has so much power over the ton, meddling with matches and pushing people together she seemed fit – however, her influence on them is shaking since the mysterious columnist Lady Whistledown started sharing the most scandalous gossip of London, ruining families with just a few words.
For a few moments that feel like an eternity, nothing happens. Pepper keeps perfectly still, all the while many doubts are invading her mind. Did she make a mistake? Had she overlooked anything? Even though she spent most of her life with the Rhodes family, she hadn’t been born into this society – what if she broke some unspoken rule, one that is so fundamental and obvious for everyone else that no one seems it worth enough to actually tell her? Did she ruin her chance to make the Rhodes family proud?
Suddenly, there is a hand underneath her chin, gently lifting her head. “Look at me, child.” Slowly – demure, coy, and whatever else makes her look humble – she looks up, right into the face of the Queen. The woman studies her face, inspecting everything from the curve of her nose to the distance between her eyes, the freckles blemishing her otherwise flawless skin, and the curl of her lips.
The Queen smiles.
“Flawless.”
Pride is considered unflattering for women, for men are looking for a modest wife, leaving the glory to them, but Pepper can’t help but feel that sinful feeling swell up in her chest as she enters the ballroom of her first social gathering. Every head turns towards her, a whisper weaving through the crowd. Not only had she gained the favour and approval of the Queen, but Lady Whistledown had described her as the diamond of the first water of this season – the most beautiful debutant and therefore the most desirable young woman to court.
How can Pepper not be proud? Having both the Queen and one of the most influential women of the ton elevate her like this; she’d dreamed of starting her first season like this, but she never really thought it would be possible.
Keeping her head high and a ghost of a smile on her lips, she floats into the room, expecting the first, bold young gentlemen to come forward and asking her to sign her dance card, thereby securing at least one dance with her.
However, the first gentleman who appears at her side and offers his arm for her to take is not the one she wants to see right now. “James,” Pepper says and takes his arm reluctantly, giving him a tight-lipped smile that her brother knows means she is annoyed at him – in return, he simply smirks. This is a common dance between the two of them. “I wasn’t aware you would be here tonight.”
“From all the talents you have masters, my dear sister, feigning a lack of knowledge isn’t one,” he answers, giving short greeting nods to the ladies and gentlemen they pass. “You know that it is my duty as the head of the family to find you a good husband.”
With a considerable amount of willpower, Pepper doesn’t roll her eyes and simply continues smiling. The head of the family – usually the father or, in Pepper’s case, the eldest son – secures a fitting match most of the time. There are stories where the future couple haven’t even shared a single dance before the men decided the wedding date. Yelena complains about it a lot (“Why do they get to decide who we marry? They aren’t the ones who have to spend the rest of their lives with those idiots.”) and Pepper can’t help but agree. The only reason she isn’t fussing about it, is because she knows James has her best interest at heart and wants her to be happy.
“Are you saying I’m incapable of finding myself a husband?” Pepper asks, because his comment still stung her.
“Of course not.”
“Or do you worry that no one will show any interest? Did you forget that I am the most desirable young lady of the season?”
“That is precisely why I am doing this,” he hisses, stopping and pulling her closer to the wall, shielding them from prying and curious eyes. “Every unmarried man of the ton will be trying to win your heart. They will be trying to impress you and therefore they will try to hide their less favourable personality traits.”
“And you know which gentleman is worthy enough?” Pepper can’t help but snap back, not liking his condescending behaviour one bit.
James narrows his eyes. “I do, for I have seen most of them at the club.”
“If the mere presence at the club is already enough to qualify a gentleman as unworthy, what does it say about you? Since you spend almost as much time there as you do at home.”
Given James’ title, his influential family name, wealth, and handsome face, he is one of the most eligible bachelors in all of London, no matter his age; however, he seems determined to avoid marriage, citing his new responsibilities as a viscount as an excuse, and escapes scheming mamas and young ladies by hiding away in the club that only permits gentlemen entrance. Natasha has shared some thoughts about what scandalous things might happen in the club, and she has yet to be wrong about something.
Before James can open his mouth – no doubt to continue this spat – Lady Rhodes appears, a smile on her face that both of them know far too well. It means the lady is not pleased with their behaviour. “Children,” she says, keeping her voice light and sweet, as if nothing was amiss, but her eyes say something different, “you shouldn’t quarrel at a ball, much less in a place where everyone can see and hear you.” They both mumble an apology. “Now, James, if you insist on escorting Pepper through the room, then do it. But start moving before the last dance ends, yes?”
Wordlessly, Pepper takes the arm James offers her and they start circling through the room again. It doesn’t take long until a gentleman approaches them. If Pepper recalls correctly – and she always does – his name is Lord Ambrose, eldest son of a highly regarded family, though not quite as highly as the Rhodes family, and he has a handsome smile. “Lord Rhodes, Lady Rhodes,” he says, addressing them first with the bow of his head, before turning to Pepper. “Miss Potts. You look very beautiful this evening.”
Besides her, she can feel James stiffen. Like the good sister she is, she ignores him. “Oh, you are far too kind, Lord Ambrose.”
James pulls his face into a brooding grimace. As always, Pepper continues to ignore him. Lord Ambrose isn’t quite able to do the same, growing nervous under the viscount’s intense gaze.
The lord clears his throat, trying to appear unbothered by it, but his smile falters. “How, uh, how are you enjoying your first ball, Miss Potts?”
“It is completely exhilarating, and so delightful to enjoy the company of so many good people.”
“Ah, yes, it is certainly a good chance to socialize.”
“Speaking of socializing,” James speaks up before Pepper can find a topic that would move this (admittingly boring) conversation forward, “I haven’t seen you at the club for quite a while, Ambrose.” Immediately, Lord Ambrose pales and James tilts his head in a way that looks almost innocent. “That would have absolutely nothing to do with your betting debts to several gentlemen, I am sure of that.”
Pepper doesn’t even bother to listen to Lord Ambrose’s stuttered apology as he takes his leave, frustration already building up in her chest. Across the room, she catches Natasha’s eye. By the looks of it, she is certainly enjoying herself, taking a sip from the lemonade while some poor man tries his best to woo her and her sister. Upon noticing Pepper’s gaze on her, she sends her a smirk. Pepper cocks her head towards James, just a little bit. Immediately, Natasha’s smile widens and she disappears in the crowd.
“Are you trying to find a good husband for Pepper or to drive all of them away?” Lady Rhodes chastises.
“You can’t possibly want her to marry a gambler and a cheat. If he would have any honour, he would’ve paid his debts already,” James huffs. “Of course, I want her to find a good husband. A respectable one.”
“What about him?” Pepper asks, nodding towards a gentleman that had just danced passed them, sending her a dashing smile. “Clement Fenton has a respectable reputation-”
“Mr. Fenton is a second son, therefore he will not inherit a title, and since he and his brother had a fallout many years ago, it is unlikely he will get anything from the family fortune. He is looking to marry into a wealthy family, not to make his wife happy.”
Pepper’s patience starts to wear thin. “And him?” She asks again, pointing towards a gentleman by the windows. “What is his sin?”
“It is well-known that he has a mistress.” James doesn’t give her a chance to get a word in, instead he fixes his gaze on one gentleman after the other. “If the rumours are true, that one has a child with one of his maids. That one is of dubious parentage, and the gentleman over there likes to lay his hands on women.” To control her frustration, Pepper grips his arms and presses her lips into a thin line. “I’m here to look out for you, not to keep you from finding a husband.”
“And will you actually let me talk to someone, so I can find out who might be my future husband? Or will you simply keep me from even looking at anyone?”
Before James can even open his mouth to say something, Natasha suddenly appears by their side. There’s a sly smirk on her face that is a stark contrast to the scowl on her sister’s face, who had been dragged along. “Lord Rhodes, it is so good to see you here,” Natasha greets him with a small curtsy, her voice saccharine.
James, clearly caught off guard by the two ladies, clears his throat, trying to put on his usual charm as he bows to them. Since Pepper is such good friends with the sisters, he knows them – and he knows that Natasha’s smirk almost always means trouble for everyone but her. “Miss Romanoff. Miss Romanoff. The pleasure of seeing you here is all mine.”
“I must admit that having at least one honourable gentleman here puts my mind at ease. Please, you must give me the honour of accompanying me to the dance floor for my first dance as a debutant.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly-”
Natasha doesn’t let him finish and simply holds out her wrist with the dance card tied around it, once more disregarding proper social customs by asking a man to dance with her. “Please. I insist.” Feeling the gaze of Lady Rhodes on him and knowing it would bring more trouble to decline than trying to argue, he quickly signs her empty card, probably thinking he can go back to keeping Pepper from talking to anyone, but Natasha isn’t finished. “And my sister’s card as well.”
Yelena glares at her.
Natasha smiles back.
Yelena narrows her eyes.
Natasha slightly raises one eyebrow.
With an unamused quirk of her lip, Yelena holds out her wrist for James to take. “Please. Sign it.” Her voice holds no enthusiasm at all, quite the contrary, actually, but he signs it anyway.
As if it was planned – and Pepper wouldn’t put it past her friend to have actually planned it – the orchestra starts intoning a new song, giving everyone in the room enough time to hurry on the dance floor and take their places. Immediately, Natasha grabs James’ hand and pulls him along, not accepting no for an answer, and finally, her brother leaves Pepper’s side.
“Thank you,” she whispers to Yelena as she passes her, genuinely grateful.
“You owe me,” Yelena simply answers, keeping her head high and her gaze hard, scaring away anyone who dares to come close to her. (Pepper doesn’t point out that one corner of her lips is slightly pulled upwards, because if the Romanoff sisters share one trait, it is that they both love scheming and ruining other people’s plans and expectations.)
After getting a reassuring nod from Lady Rhodes, Pepper makes her way towards the refreshment table, completely unchaperoned, letting everyone look at her and hopefully encouraging a gentleman to talk to her, now that Lord Rhodes is tied to the dance floor. Her eyes roam over the brimmed table, several large bowls of punches and lemonade, sweets from all over the world, exquisite pastries, fresh and exotic fruit, the sight making her mouth water, but of course she doesn’t try anything. She’s here to find a husband, or at least a few suitors, not to eat.
“Miss Potts.”
Unable to hide the small smile on her face and feeling the pride once again swell up into her chest (this time, that her plan of distracting James worked so well), Pepper turns around – and immediately freezes.
Lord Aldrich Killian stands in front of her, bows, takes her hand and presses a kiss to it – making Pepper very happy that she’s wearing gloves – before giving her a smile that can only be described as lecherous. “I am so happy to see you here.”
“Lord Killian,” Pepper greets him, pulling her hand away as soon as she can and slapping a smile on her face. Because she doesn’t know what else to say, she keeps quiet.
If Lord Killian thinks her quietness rude, he doesn’t mention it. “I have to admit, I’ve been waiting patiently for you to finally join the ton and make your debut. In fact, I’ve been waiting years for this.”
“I was merely a child back then,” she answers, doing her best to keep the smile on her face. There is something about Lord Killian that Pepper can’t put her finger on but that sends a shiver down her spine – and not in a good way. Maybe it is because he’s always looking at her in an inappropriate way. Maybe it is because he has been doing that long before she reached the age to even consider joining the ton. Besides, everyone in London knows that he is trying to climb the social ladder – Pepper, as a ward of the Rhodes family and as the diamond of the season, is the perfect target for it.
His eyes flicker to her empty dance card. “Perhaps you will allow me to sign your card?”
Over her dead body.
But she can’t exactly say that.
Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Natasha and James float over the dance floor.
“I think my brother is looking for me,” Pepper quickly says and rushes past Lord Killian. She knows the lord is bold (or hopefully stupid) enough to approach her again, even with James by her side. Even now, he does not give up, trailing after her and calling out her name, pulling way too much attention towards them.
This is not how she pictured her first ball to be. She was supposed to meet her future husband, not get chased through the room by a creep and be caged by her brother!
She hurries around a corner, finally out of Lord Killian’s sight, but because of her haste, her shoulder catches on something – or rather on someone – and she stumbles, the stranger’s hands grabbing her arms before she can fall. “Oh! My deepest apologies! I didn’t-”
“You’re forgiven,” a gentleman says, sending her a tight-lipped smile before moving to turn away again.
Pepper can see Lord Killian at the other end of the room, clearly searching for her.
Her mouth moves before her mind can catch up. “What is your name, sir?”
The gentleman stops and turns back to her, his eyebrows knit together in confusion. “I beg your pardon?”
“Your name,” Pepper repeats with a charming smile, moving so that she’s shielded from Lord Killian’s view. “Surely you must have one, sir.” Admittingly, she is taking a page out of Natasha’s book of Breaking Accepted Social Customs by introducing herself to the man instead of being introduced to him, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
The man looks her up and down, taking a second to really look at her, and Pepper decides to take the same liberties. He looks older than her, somewhere between her and James, his brown hair a bit messier than it is in fashion right now, a neatly groomed beard, and big brown eyes – Pepper is certain she hasn’t seen him anywhere in London before. She would have remembered such a handsome face, no matter how brief their interaction. His red coat is embroidered with golden yarn and pinned to the middle of his dark vest is a silver brooch with blue stones that almost looks like they shine as they catch the light around them.
Slowly, the man’s mouth forms into a smirk, making him even more handsome.
Unfortunately, he also starts talking. “I do have a name. And I’m certain you’re already perfectly aware of it.”
Pepper can only blink. “Pardon me?”
“No need to act coy with me, my lady. It seems like the dear mothers of the ton have stepped to new, even lower levels of scheming.” Even though his voice is full of humour, there is a slight strained undertone to it, and it sounds like he is more talking to himself than her. “Sending their daughters to accost me to forgo proper introduction.”
“Accost you-” Pepper interrupts him, unable to keep silent at his outrageous accusation. “Sir, that is not-” He looks at her, raising one eyebrow in a way that looks entirely too smug. Pepper pulls her shoulders back, straightens up to her full height – almost as tall as the man before her – and holds his gaze with an icy one herself. “What is your name?”
Instead of answering, he huffs out a puff of air, like she is the one with no manners.
Pepper can feel the anger in her stomach boiling up. “Your name!”
“Stark!” Both of their heads whip around, seeing James hurry towards them, a wide grin on his face. A grin that is immediately mirrored by the man Pepper had just been conversing with and who now happily ignores her to reach out and take James’ hand. “I thought my eyes were playing a trick on me, but you really are here!”
“I simply missed you too much, my dearest Rhodey.”
“It is Rhodes.”
“Not to me, and you know that.”
James simply ignores the jest. “I’m surprised to see you in London, much less at this ball. I thought the Duke of Hastings had a reputation of avoiding any place he could meet a potential wife.”
Someone lights a candle in Pepper’s head, clearing the confusing fog. “Oh, the Duke of Hastings, is it?” she says, trying her absolute best to keep her voice as polite as her words, but failing at it.
She, like the rest of all of England, has heard of the new Duke of Hastings, of course. Though, new isn’t quite the right word to describe him, seeing as he had inherited the title a few years ago. It is a well-known fact that he prefers the reputation of a rake and as a supposedly eternal bachelor over being married, as well as the fact that he has been ignoring his responsibilities for as long as he has had them.
Suddenly, James seems to realize that he isn’t alone with the duke. “Ah, yes. Stark, you surely remember my sister, Virginia Potts.”
“Your sister?” Lord Stark asks, his eyes jumping from James to Pepper, clearly confused for a second. Logically, Pepper knows she can’t blame him for it, seeing as they look as different as night and day, but she still makes a point of holding it against him. Then, to her surprise, something like recognition flashes across his eyes, and she is certain he wordlessly mouths Pepper.
Wait – did James just say remember my sister?
“This is Lord Anthony Stark, the Duke of Hastings,” James explains to her. “We went to school together and I had to pull his head out of the noose quite a few times. The headmaster had quite… a lot of first-hand experience with Stark’s desire to cause havoc.”
“You act like you had no part in it, Rhodey,” Lord Stark says, looking way too proud. “If I remember correctly, you’ve been a co-conspirator at least half of the time.”
“Then you clearly don’t remember correctly. I’ve devoted my time at university to broadening my horizons.”
“It is so good to know that at least someone still values education,” Pepper says with the sweetest smile on her face, looking from her brother to the duke. “Unlike other people.” As a woman, she isn’t allowed entry to a university and the very fact that Lord Stark disregarded his privilege so carelessly, angers her even more. Then again, given how much he ignores his duties, it shouldn’t be a surprise.
Lord Stark fixes her with another glance, but this time, there is something in his eyes she can’t quite place. Refusing to back down, she continues to smile and pushes her chin slightly forward. One corner of his mouth turns upwards, like this is somehow greatly amusing to him. Oh, how she wishes she had chosen to bring a fan tonight, simply so she could smack it across his face!
James clears his throat. “How long will you be remaining in London, Stark?”
It takes a moment, but eventually, Lord Stark looks from Pepper to her brother. “’til the end of the season, I’m afraid. My aunt insisted on it.”
“Ah, yes, it is quite impossible to get out of Lady Carter’s fangs,” James laughs. Lady Carter is an aunt in the same way Pepper is the daughter of Lady Rhodes. “I assume I will see you at the club, then.”
“Since it is one of the few places my aunt isn’t allowed in, yes, you assume correctly.” Pepper certainly doubts that a woman like Lady Margaret Carter can be stopped by a door a man told her not to go through, but before she can make such a remark, Lord Stark turns to her and bows, that damned smirk back on his face. “Miss Potts, it was a pleasure running into you here.”
She feels her cheeks burning, reminded that she has been the one who so rudely ran into the duke, but she refuses to show a reaction. Instead, she smiles and curtsies. “I wish I could say the same, Your Grace.”
Somehow, the comment seems to amuse Lord Stark even more, the smirk on his face stretching even bigger and lighting a certain spark in his eyes. Pepper decides to not remain long enough to find out what kind of spark it is, grabbing James’ arm and marching off. She can feel eyes on her, burning into her back and making her neck tingle – however, instead of wondering if those hungry eyes belong to possible suitors, she’s only wondering if Lord Stark’s eyes are among them.
“Pepper, what-”
“Did you tell Lord Stark about me?” she asks, not letting James finish.
“What are you talking about?”
“You said surely you remember my sister. Did you tell him about me?”
“Well, yes.” Some of the tension in her shoulders eases away, but then he continues speaking. “But he also met you.”
“What?” Pepper freezes on the spot, forgetting all of her manners for a second to stare at James, mouth slightly open. “When?” The thought that she has already met the duke and can’t remember it, infuriates her for some reason. Especially because he clearly remembered her, saying the name only a few people know her by. It makes her feel like she is at a disadvantage, and that is not something she likes.
James looks at her like she has lost her mind – maybe she truly has. “Many years ago, only a few days after Father brought you to us. He was visiting with Lady Carter and they stayed for dinner.” She searches her memories for this dinner, but there is absolutely no trace of it. “Pepper?”
“I don’t remember,” she whispers as something in her chest tightens. If she is truly honest with herself, she doesn’t exactly know why this irks her so much, but it makes her feel less in control. Like Lord Stark’s found a crack in her perfect plan and she is quite certain that he will use it to cause chaos.
“I’m not surprised,” James simply says, gently leading her through the room towards the table with the refreshments. “You were still heavily… influenced by what happened.” He certainly tries to find a nice way to say traumatized. “Why does it matter?”
Yes, why does it matter?
Pepper wishes she knows the answer to that.
But she doesn’t. So, she only shakes her head. “It doesn’t. I was simply… surprised by it, that is all.” James squints his eyes at her, obviously not believing her, but she doesn’t give him a chance to question her again. Instead, she steers them back towards the dancefloor, regaining control over herself with every step she takes. “Now, come, brother. Show me which of these gentlemen is respectable enough to even speak to me.”
With a roll of his eyes, James drops the topic and starts gossiping about the gentlemen in attendance, spreading out all their worst qualities in front of her. Pepper does her best to ban the duke out of her mind and instead concentrate on the scandalous tales.