Ball scene. Couples mingle. Prince Samuel and Duke Henry are in the crowd. Women in gowns of pastel colours and men in traditional suits. A young woman enters, dressed in a black, corsetted, ball gown with leopard print detailing. She leans over and whispers into the ear of The Court Marshal.
Court Marshal: Lady Darcy Amelia Parker; daughter of Count Eric and Countess Alexandra of Athelney.
A few members of the crowd glance up, but not much attention is paid by anyone - except for the Duke, who cant keep his eyes off Darcy.
Darcy walks through the crowd, and the Duke walks towards her. But Prince Samuel gets to Darcy first.
Prince Samuel: Lady Parker, how lovely it is to see you this evening."
Lady Darcy: Your Highness. (Darcy curtsies)
Prince Samuel: I believe the dancing is to begin presently, would you do me the honour of being my partner for the first?
Lady Darcy: I beg your forgiveness, your Highness. But, I am afraid I cannot accept. I have already promised my first two dances. You have flattered me greatly, and I apologise sincerely, but I am a lady of my word."
Instead of looking affronted, Prince Samuel looks pleased by her response.
Prince Samuel: I understand, I will leave you now. (Prince Samuel places a kiss on the back of her hand; Lady Darcy curtsies. Princes Samuel walks through crowd to talk to the Duke)
Prince Samuel: Lady Darcy has turned down my request to dance. Apparently, she has promised her first two dances to another man. She refused a Crown Prince to keep her word. I don't believe any other suitor will succeed in courting her.
(Duke Henry's eyes were locked on Lady Darcy, despite talking to the Prince. Her eyes are locked on his too.)
Duke Henry: Lady Darcy Parker is a woman of integrity, she would not betray her word, no matter who it was for.
Prince Samuel: No unmarried woman at this ball has promised a single dance to any suitor in hopes of securing a dance with the visiting Crown Prince. Yet, Lady Parker arrived tonight with two dances secured, and if I am correct in my thinking, the Lady is hoping that more shall be requested by said gentleman. (pause) She favours you. The band is starting up, you should go to your partner.
Duke Henry and Lady Darcy walk towards each other. The dancing starts.
Prince Samuel begins to dance with Lottie Oakland.
(music fades; dancing stops)
Duke Henry: I am in need of some air. Would you care to accompany me to the garden?"
Lady Darcy: It would be my pleasure, your Grace.
Duke Henry offers Lady Darcy his arm, she accepts. The walk away from the crowd.
(Scenery changes from ballroom to garden.)
Lady Darcy: You leave in three days. Where will you travel to next on your mission to find the Prince a bride?
Duke Henry: I am hoping to return home once our time here is through. I continue to have faith that the Prince will secure is future Queen here and there will be no more need to search.
Lady Darcy: The Prince has not appeared to favour any young lady in our quaint corner of the world to any great extent. Although, in my most humble opinion, he and my dear friend, Lady Charlotte would make a fine pairing.
Duke Henry: You may well be surprised, my dear Lady Parker, the Prince keeps much close to his chest.
(Enter Prince Samuel)
Prince Samuel: I am sorry to interrupt but I was hoping for an audience with Lady Parker.
Duke Henry: Lady Parker. (bows slightly and kisses the back of her hand) Your highness. (bows to Prince)
Lady Darcy: (curtsies) Your Highness.
Prince Samuel: You turned down a Crown Prince for a Duke, I cannot think of many, or perhaps even one other, young ladies who would make the choice you did.
Lady Darcy: I gave my word, happily, and a lady must stick to her word, and her principles.
Prince Samuel: I heartily concur, and greatly respect you for what you did. But, I suspect, being your word was not the only thing you feel a strong sense of loyalty to. I suspect that you find Duke Henry a preferable partner to all others.
Lady Darcy: Your highness is most perceptive. I supposed I do strongly favour him. I care for him deeply.
Prince Samuel: You cannot be swayed? Not even by the offer of crown and kingdom? You have many qualities that suggest that you would make a fine Queen.
Lady Darcy: Your Highness, you honour me greatly. But if you mean to propose to me, I beg that you do not. You should have a Queen who can give all she has to her King and his people. I do not have that ability, my heart has already been given to someone else. If I may be so bold as to advise your Highness, you should marry one who loves the man, not the title.
Prince Samuel: You really would make a fine Queen.
Lady Darcy: I believe I may be more suited to the title of Duchess.
Prince Samuel: I have heard all that I need to. Lady Parker, I may never call you my wife, but I hope I may continue to name you among my dearest friends.
Lady Darcy: It would bring me great joy, your Highness.
(Prince Samual leaves. Returns to ballroom. Walks up to Duke Henry.)
Duke Henry: You tried to sway her?
Prince Samuel: Yes. The Lady entreated me not to propose marriage. She is completely loyal to you. Her heart is your's, she made has made it clear, she chooses you over the crown.
Duke Henry: She will not have to choose, she is to have both. It pains me to have deceived her so.
Prince Samuel: It had to be done for you to be sure. You desired a wife, not just a Queen. And now, the is no doubt. Lady Darcy will understand, she, herself, suggested I find a wife who will love me more than my crown. I do not believe her being told the truth will alter her feelings or her wish to be your's.
Duke Henry: So, your doubts have been eradicated, dear friend? You were not so convinced just a short time ago.
Prince Samuel: I admit, I judged her by where she was raised. The young ladies of this community are so over-zealous in their quest to marry as high a rank as is attainable. I should not have judged her so, I should have formed my opinions on her, and her alone. You were correct in your belief of her feelings.
Duke Henry: So, we have found our Queen at last..
Prince Samuel: Yes, Sire, we have.
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