One: Be Careful Who You Trust

Dear fellow Wallflowers,

Having endured ill-treatment from relatives—who now want to marry me off to the first man who agrees to marriage—and would-be friends most of my life, this wallflower decided to take her future into her own hands. There is no better way to achieve this goal than to rise to the occasion and prove naysayers wrong while having a little fun. And, by fun, I mean revenge. Occasionally, revenge is the only way to prove you are better than the gossip. To achieve this goal, one must be willing to take chances while still protecting your identity. It would simply never do to ruin yourself, dashing all your hopes and dreams. This is Society, after all, and some rules should not be broken.

This will not be a simple task, for being in Town is like being at a constant masquerade. Everyone conceals who they are, their likes and dislikes, and their true intentions, all in the name of social advancement. Those same individuals, who claim to be friends, parade and put on airs are often the ones you need to watch for the most. Sometimes the only way to be yourself is to conceal your identity, your true wants and desires, until the time is right. And a masquerade is the perfect opportunity to test this theory. Some words of caution though, make certain your mask does not slip, and be vigilant, for rakes and fortune hunters lurk around every corner. And most importantly, beware the rake who masquerades as a friend, an ally. He is most dangerous to your heart.

How does a wallflower contend with the handsome rake who stirs desire and passion? Beat him at his own game. Seduce him, tempt him, make him believe your masked identity is your true identity. But this begs the question, what happens when a lady attends a masquerade and can be who she’s truly meant to be?

I can tell you from experience that after enduring a courtship gone awry, it is quite liberating to hold all the cards in this game of revenge, love, and chance. A concealed identity allows the wallflower to experiment with otherwise forbidden topics such as seduction, desire, and temptation. All of which a lady is not supposed to talk about, let alone know about.

Be careful who you trust, for there are always gossipmongers loitering about, waiting to uncover the next scandal, which can complicate matters, to say the least. And take heed of how much you reveal of yourself when you think no one is looking. It may indeed have the opposite effect. Instead of rising to the occasion, you may find yourself completely besotted. And never, ever—I repeat, never state, “I detest all men.” For the rake who offered his services to assist you in achieving your goal may turn the tables, just to tempt you.

Let me leave you with this last piece of advice. Beware your heart, for sometimes love sneaks up on you and ruins the best laid plans.