Extended Epilogues

Little Edward Blackmore, the future Duke of Rutherford, cuddled against his father’s chest as he listened intently to the story that his mother read aloud. Other children of only two years, Kenneth reflected fondly, did not seem to be nearly so able to sit still and attend to a book, but his and Charlotte’s Edward had proven himself to be quite the exception to the rule. Nothing caught the boy’s attention faster or more fully than a book, which was certainly a trait he had inherited from both of his parents.

In the two years since Edward’s birth, Kenneth had grown far more interested in matters pertaining to children than he would ever have dreamed possible, but he found the subject frankly irresistible. There was nothing about his son’s growth that he did not wish to be fully involved in, much to the amusement of the nurse, who often wondered aloud why she was needed at Rutherford Hall in the first place.

“And so they lived happily ever after,” Charlotte concluded the fairy tale in her sweet voice, letting the book rest on the ripe swell of her belly. It would not be much longer, she thought with some satisfaction, and Edward would have a little brother or sister to delight over. Recalling Kenneth’s tender and attentive care during the ordeal of her confinement with Edward, she did not feel terribly worried about the impending pain.

“The end,” Edward lisped adorably, bouncing with excitement on his father’s lap. “More!”

“No more tonight, I’m afraid, love. You must go with nurse and get to bed now,” Charlotte laughed gently. “But I will read another tomorrow when you wake up if you like.”

Kenneth hoisted his son into the air, making the sweet-faced little boy squeal with delight, before passing him rather reluctantly to the nurse.

“I scarcely have the heart to tell him no,” Charlotte confessed when Kenneth sat back down beside her. “It seems almost hypocritical when I feel just the same way when I am forced to set aside a good book.”

“As do I,” Kenneth agreed, kissing his wife’s brow tenderly. “And I believe I give in with far less grace when you stop reading aloud, for I could listen to your voice all day long. But he must have proper rest in order to grow, and it won’t do for you to tire yourself out, you know. You must think of this other little one.”

“I am having a difficult time thinking of anything else these days, I am so wild to find out if it will be a boy or a girl,” laughed Charlotte.

“You know I have insisted it was a girl all this time,” Kenneth pointed out. “I don’t believe I can do without a daughter to take after you.”

“Any girl would be incredibly lucky to have you for a father, sir. No one could be more attentive and loving to their children, I believe. Although my own father has taken to declaring that it is your unattainable example that keeps my sisters from settling willingly on lesser men. They insist that having seen the marvel of our own love, not to mention the way that you dote upon Edward far more than ordinary men seem to care for their small children, that they can never be content with anything short of our great passion.”

“Good heavens, that is rather a lot to put on me,” laughed Kenneth. “And terribly unreasonable, for I am afraid that no two people in the world could ever love each other as much as we do – it would be quite impossible, I believe.”

“I tend to agree with you, although I would not discourage my sisters for anything. But what can the odds be of another man such as yourself existing? Edward has a great deal to live up to with such a father,” Charlotte said fondly.

“I hope to do well by him, and this new little one, for I know how important such a relationship can be, whether for good or for ill,” sighed Kenneth.

He had spent many hours worrying over his ability to be a good father, feeling that the dynamic was fraught with peril. Little Edward’s obvious love for him was a constant reassurance, but he never wanted to take their relationship for granted.

“You do a great deal better than well, both as a father and as a husband. We are all lucky to have you, you know,” Charlotte assured him, pressing his hand gently.

“I am the lucky one, and I will never forget it,” he said, shaking his head at her. “Only imagine my misery if you did not graciously allow me to devote my life to your happiness!”

“Indeed, it would be second only to my own. But I won’t have you indulging in such melancholy reflections when you ought to be feeling nothing but pride in all you have overcome. You aren’t in danger of losing anything if you rest in the security of our love, you know,” insisted Charlotte.

“My greatest fear is of taking you for granted, little mouse, and the thought of the danger you will soon be in puts that foremost in my mind, I believe.”

“I will be perfectly fine, my love, I would not dare to leave you or Edward alone. But if I did I know that you would care for him just as I would. I suppose because I have such utter confidence and trust in you, I am not at all frightened of the future.”

“Your faith in me inspires me, Charlotte, more than anything else could. And you are right, of course, for I of all people ought to know better than to allow fear to dictate any of my thoughts or actions,” Kenneth declared as gently caressed her face. “I will promise to stop dwelling on such thoughts, provided you read another fairy tale aloud to distract me.”

“By all means then,” Charlotte laughed, opening the discarded volume once more. “Once upon a time,” she began, running her fingers unconsciously through her husband’s hair while the evening sunlight washed over them both.

If you want to know what lies ahead in our story, you may want to get the sequel…

A woman who detests the idea of a man touching her due to a past trauma. A man that needs to secure a wife and heir in order to inherit his father’s title. But how will those two people end up together without hurting one another?

Wedded to the Wicked Lord

Grace ran across the courtyard, her dress making sounds on the grass as she moved. She seemed excited to be outside. Emma noted that Grace loved the sun. She liked when the day was bright, so she could play in the garden. She was the exact opposite of her elder sister, Ana. Ana liked to stay indoors and read books. She liked to be left alone. And when she wanted to speak, she would speak on all the books she had ever read. Poetry was her favorite.

Sally placed a tray on the table, while Greta and Veronica, nursemaids to Grace and Ana respectively, stood close to each child.

“Careful, Gracie…so you do not fall,” Emma said as Grace giggled and picked flowers from the garden. She walked over and took a seat, while she watched Grace. Ana was also seated, her eyes watching Grace’s every move. Despite the fact that Ana was different from Grace, Emma admired that she looked out for her.

Ana smiled when Grace walked over and took a seat, clapping her hands and giggling. After all that had happened a few years ago, Emma was so grateful for her children, and for Brighton. Brighton was a new home, it was light, it was hope. She was happy that Ana and Grace would never have to live under fear. She was happy that her family was happy.

Her father had come down to Brighton twice, to see her and his grandchildren. And he often kept in touch, sending letters and sometimes, gifts. Mr. Anders also reached out as well. He had never come down to visit, but he did send greetings from time to time. Although Emma always remembered Henry’s father, it did not hurt so much to do so anymore. The pain was long gone, and she had only memories. Memories that caused no pain. The happiness her family had given her made it possible for her to overcome all of that.

The nursemaid, Greta, who had been following Grace around came beside Emma and curtsied. “My Lady, may I take the children in to have lunch?”

Emma nodded. “Of course. Of course.”

She kissed both their foreheads before they walked inside the house with the nursemaids.

“Darling.” Emma heard as she closed her eyes to sip her tea. She placed it down when she saw Henry walking towards her, grinning.

Emma giggled. Even after all these years, he still made her laugh. He still made her smile so much. He still made her blush. Henry was perfect for her. Even after all these years, he still treated her like she was fragile.

He kissed her forehead when he approached her. Then, he proceeded to take a seat beside her.

“How was your day?” she asked.

“Splendid,” Henry nodded. “Splendid.”

“Did the business deal go through?”

He took her hand in his and nodded. “Better than I expected.”

She smiled in satisfaction.

Henry relaxed in the seat, smiling. The cool breeze swept past them, and the sun dimmed a tad. Emma squinted her eyes and looked up.

Henry sighed. “Perhaps it would rain today?”

Emma shook her head. “I hope it does not. Rachael is arriving today.”

Henry’s eyes widened. “Of course.”

Emma nodded. “I can’t wait to see her.”

“As I.”

As they sat outside, talking and laughing, Emma could not help but wonder how everything had worked out so well for her. Henry squeezed her hand and she knew that everything she got, she deserved. She loved Henry with all her heart, and she never regretted that their paths crossed at all. Meanwhile, she would wait for her old friend to arrive. She had missed Rachael a lot.

****

Lady Rachael Allen, Duchess of Loringham, was who she had been. But now, Rachael was unaware of the woman who was seated now seated in the carriage. A woman in her late twenties, a wife to no one, stripped of her title, but favoured by the King. She knew that they had been praised for giving up the traitors, but she still felt ashamed, for having lived with Loftus all those years, and pretending that everything was alright, when nothing was.

She had been so afraid of what he would do to her, so all she had done was obey him. And now, even as she was finally free, she still felt that he was watching her somehow, waiting for her to betray him. She had a habit of looking over her shoulders nearly every passing minute. Even his death did not make her feel any safer.

She had been caged. At the beginning of their marriage, she had indeed loved him. She was mesmerized by him, by his ways and by the ease in which he carried himself and by the fact that he had acted as though he cared for her. But he had not. Everything changed when she had miscarried their first child, and from there on, she was unable to bear another. They had tried a few times, until Loftus got tired of trying, and rendered her useless.

The carriage hit a bump, and Rachael snapped out of her reverie. She wondered now, what she was going to do with her life. Although she was heading to Brighton, to stay with Emma Blackmoor in her new home, she still felt out of place. They had welcomed her with open arms, and were awaiting her arrival, but the awareness that they cared for her, did not ease her pain, or fill the void she felt inside.

The carriage hit another bump, and this time, it wheeled to a halt. Rachael sighed. She wondered what the problem was this time. Suddenly, she heard noises outside. There was a loud scream, and then, a struggle. Rachael’s heartbeat increased. She looked around her, but the curtains prevented her from seeing the outside. But she was curious, so she made to raise the curtain of the carriage, but the door was pulled open and she was dragged out. Her red hair flew around her face as she tumbled out of the carriage, falling to the ground.

She looked up, frightened. All she saw were two men, in black clothing, their faces were covered with black cloth as well, so all she saw was their eyes.

“Who are you?!” she screamed. “What do you want?”

But she was ignored. One of the men who stood above her brought a black cloth, like the one on their faces, and moved towards her. She moved back, screaming. Behind him, she saw her coachman, his hands were tied, and he was stuck by the carriage. His screams were muffled by what they had tied around his mouth.

Just as Rachael made to run, one of the men gripped her arms, and the other placed the black cloth around her mouth. She screamed and shook her head, her screams were now muffled. She however, kept struggling, until the black cloth covered her eyes as well. All she saw was darkness, as she was taken away.

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Jane looked out of the window, relieved to see her childhood home looming up over the hill. They were nearly there. Sitting in a carriage trying to distract a small child was not easy. Especially when that child wanted to climb up and look out without any help. Alexander had given up a long time ago. Jane had made a mental note to make him uncomfortable for letting her look after Judith on her own.

Once they were at Crawley Manor, Alexander was going to look after Judith by himself. It was Jane’s family home. She was going to enjoy seeing her family while her husband tended to their daughter. Jane bit back a smirk as she thought about it.

It had only been a few minutes since Judith Harrison had finally decided to calm down enough to curl up beside her mother, sucking her thumb. Now she was aware that they were nearly there, she was jumping up and down in excitement with many squeals. Jane sighed, but she couldn’t help smiling. Judith loved coming to visit her Uncle Anthony. Her brother – she couldn’t see him as an uncle – had softened considerably in the last year and a half, and he adored his niece. The new Earl of Crawley was a different man.

His new wife had seen to that. Jane couldn’t thank Mary enough for pulling Anthony out of his dark depression nine months previously.

“Honey?” Alexander touched her hand. “You all right?”

Jane rolled her eyes. “Now you’re paying attention. I thought you had forgotten we were here.”

Alexander flinched. “I thought you were doing fine without me getting involved.”

“Well, I wasn’t.” Jane shot him a glance, losing the fight to hide her grin. “When we get there, Judith is your responsibility.”

“How is that fair?”

“Because I’ve been wrangling our little lady the whole journey down.” Jane wrapped an arm around Judith’s waist as their daughter leaned towards the window. “It’s your turn.”

Alexander groaned. “You do drive a hard bargain, My Lady.”

“It’s only fair.” Jane giggled. “Then you will see how hard it is looking after a precocious eighteen-month-old.”

Alexander pretended to grumble, but Jane caught the smile before her husband turned away. He loved his daughter, so there wasn’t going to be any problem with Alexander seeing to Judith. The two of them were so alike, it was scary.

Their carriage pulled into the drive, stopping outside the front door. Anthony was already waiting outside, his arms folded as Jane and Judith were helped out of the carriage by one of his footmen, Alexander close behind.

“Finally,” he declared. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t get here.”

“Someone dropped her favorite toy out of the window.” Jane gave her daughter a tickle, which had Judith squealing. “We had to stop and rescue it, or we would have a very stroppy little girl on our hands.”

Anthony laughed. He leaned towards Judith, who squealed again and reached for him. Jane neatly passed her daughter to her brother before she ended up on the ground and stepped back as Anthony propped his niece on his hip.

“Oh, you weren’t any trouble, were you, Judith?” Anthony pretended to sound shocked. “Surely not?”

Jane groaned.

“No wonder she’s spoiled. You and Alex are the same.”

“She’s not spoiled,” Alexander protested. “We just mother her more than you do.”

Jane rolled her eyes, but she didn’t stop smiling as Alexander wrapped an arm around her waist. Anthony kissed Judith’s cheek.

“Let’s get you inside. Mary is looking forward to seeing you again, Miss Judith.”

He headed into the house, Judith chattering away in her baby babble. She was just starting to learn her words, and Jane knew it was only a matter of time before Judith was talking as much as her husband did. She was a fast learner, and it was almost impossible to keep up with her.

When she was with her cousin Louise, the two of them were unstoppable. Anna and Jane had laughed over their daughters and their antics, but neither of them would change anything. Certainly not their closeness, which suited Anna and Jane just fine. After settling everything between them, the two ladies had gotten close. Anna was a really decent lady. Jane was stunned she hadn’t noticed that before.

Sometimes, you needed something big to make you realize how silly you were being, and you needed to move on. Anthony had discovered the same nine months after losing the woman he had loved for nearly thirty years. Megan White’s sister Mary had arrived to deal with Megan’s possessions and to help Anthony out as he mourned. They spent a lot of time together, and soon fell in love. Jane was not surprised at all when Anthony invited her and Alexander to his wedding six months previously.

Mary was good for him. She kept him grounded, made him more relaxed. She was just what Anthony had needed in his life.

“I’ll go in and make sure they’re not causing havoc inside.” Alexander turned to his wife. “You coming?”

“I’ll just check that the luggage is being sorted.” Jane glanced towards the carriage as the footmen struggled with the two trunks on the back. “Make sure it’s all in order.”

“You packed them and checked them twice when we were at home.”

“Even so, I just want to be sure.”

Alexander shook his head with a smile.

“Honestly, you need to relax a little. We’ve got everything.” He cupped her chin and kissed her. “I’ll see you inside, then.”

Jane turned to the carriage as her husband went inside. He may have thought they had everything, but Jane’s mind was always niggling that something had been left behind. Maybe it was her overly-cautious nature that had sprung up recently, but Jane just wanted to be sure.

Jane checked that her trunk had been taken off the back of the carriage before it was taken off to the stables. She was about to go into the house when she heard a horse galloping behind her. She turned and saw a magnificent stallion slowing to a trot as it approached the house. Lee Wilkes was sat astride.

Jane smiled and walked out to him as Lee dismounted.

“Lee.”

“Jane.” Lee took the reins of his horse and approached her, kissing her cheek. “I heard you were going to be here.”

“Just for a few weeks.” Jane looked up at him. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, but what are you doing here? I didn’t think you had any business yet over in this part of the county.”

“Lord Crawley invited me to dinner.” Lee shrugged. “I thought I would get here early.”

“Oh, did he?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Jane folded her arms. “I know you, Lee Wilkes. You’re not normally on time for things. I bet you would even be late to your own wedding. What’s going on?”

“Well,” Lee glanced towards the house, “Let’s just say I have an ulterior motive.”

Jane looked over her shoulder, and saw Claire in one of the upstairs windows. Since Jane had left to become Mrs. Harrison, Claire had been promoted by Anthony to housekeeper. She was young for the job, but she was very efficient. It was a role that suited her. Jane had been proud of her friend to get this promotion.

Then she realized. She had suspected it before and teased Claire about it, but Claire had always denied anything. If she hadn’t blushed at the denial, then Jane would have believed her. From the way Lee behaved around Claire, the feelings ran both ways.

If their social stations were the same, there wouldn’t be anything holding Lee back. Jane knew that much.

“Ah. I see.”

“I figured you would.” Lee sighed. “I’m a fool, aren’t I?”

“You’re not a fool if you’re in love.”

“In my position? I’m almost thirty. I should be getting married to someone of my own social standing, not fawning after a housekeeper.”

“Love doesn’t discriminate,” Jane pointed out. “And her position doesn’t matter.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Jane paused. She was sure about it, but Society certainly wasn’t. They would create such an uproar that Lee would be driven out of London. He wouldn’t be able to show his face if he married a housekeeper. That would be painful on all levels.

Claire had disappeared from the window and Jane turned to Lee.

“Why don’t you tell her? I’m sure you would be pleasantly surprised by her answer.”

“I’ve already told her. She rejected me.”

Jane blinked. “When did you do that?”

“At Christmas.” Lee grimaced. “Not exactly the best Christmas gift I’ve ever had, I’ll say. I should be keeping my distance but…I can’t. That’s what is foolish.”

It was foolish. Jane felt pity for the Marquess. Nobody could help who they fell in love with, and he was stuck in the position where he couldn’t openly declare his love. Claire knew her place, and Lee wished he didn’t.

“I wish I knew what to say. But I can’t answer for Claire. I thought she felt the same.”

“She’s just more aware of the social barrier than I am,” Lee grunted. He shook his head. “And I’m getting to the point of not caring anymore.”

Jane could tell. It was eating him up inside. And constantly coming to the house to see her, even if they couldn’t interact as Lee wanted to, had to be hard.

An idea began to form. Jane smiled.

“Maybe you can work it to your advantage.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“I’m sure we can think of something.” Jane walked beside her husband’s friend. “I’ll have to have a word with Anthony first, but it could work.”

“What could?”

Jane giggled and led Lee towards the stables.

“Come with me and I’ll explain.”

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The big parlor at Westmore House was lit with torchlight. Laughter spilled down the length of it, and Raphaella looked down the vast space, feeling uneasy.

Lady Westmore laughed somewhere at the center of the room, her pale hair bright in the lamplight, her face warmed by a smile. Raphaella saw that, and felt reassured. Lady Westmore and her husband were good friends of her family.

At least, she thought nervously, there is somebody I know.

Visits to Westmore House with her brother, Canmure, were always awkward for her, though she had never actually told her brother that before. Sweet-tempered, loving Canmure would have been upset, and might even have canceled them utterly, which would have meant hardly ever seeing his best friend.

We are so rarely in the countryside.

She and her brother had attended London Seasons every year since the death of their parents, when they were teenagers. They now spent almost all their time there, living in their amply-appointed townhouse. It was, she thought uncomfortably, much nicer than the ramshackle estate in the countryside.

She smoothed a hand down her dress – a floaty muslin gown in the latest fashion. It was a little showy for the more modest country fashions, a fact which made her feel even more self-conscious than otherwise. Her red curls were highlighted by the darker color of the fabric, and she thought her full bust showed a little too much at the neck.

She looked around, blinking her dark eyes, searching for familiar faces. She spotted a dark-haired lady she knew, though she thought instantly how changed she was. Raymonde Hunsford, the heiress to Maverly!

She felt joy as she noticed how Raymonde looked so at peace. She had her hair in an uncomplicated style, the dress she wore was simpler than the ones she’d favored in London. But her cheek was red-toned and her eyes sparkled and she seemed lit from inside.

She noticed a man appear briefly in the room, his arm cradling a sleeping infant. He talked briefly with Raymonde, took her hand lovingly, then left.

“That’s Lady Raymonde,” a lady informed her. “She married the Earl of Alford last year. Now, there’s a story!”

“I don’t really wish to hear it,” Raphaella said softly, though she did it with a smile. “I was never much of a one for talking about people. Tell me about that beautiful purse, instead. Where did you get it?”

The lady – perhaps five years younger than herself – blushed furiously and looked at her toes. “Thank you,” she said, smiling up at her. “I bought it in London, at the famous seamstress’s shop.”

“Oh! I know the one,” Raphaella smiled tenderly at the younger lady. “I live not far down from the place. Is it in Bond Street? Tatley’s, yes?”

“Yes! That’s it!” The lady nodded. She looked pleased. “I love their work! Though, it’s dreadfully expensive…I begged Mama to let me get just something from them, so I could be in style…”

“There’s no style like good taste,” Raymonde reminded her gently. “And, since you picked such a lovely bag to go with that dress, you have plenty of that.”

The lady blushed even deeper, and Raymonde tactfully turned the conversation to something neutral. As the girl wondered away in search of tea, looking clearly more confident than she had when Raphaella first started talking to her, she noticed Lady Westmore drifting across the floor towards her. She bobbed a curtsey and smiled.

“Emilia!” she greeted her, kissing her cheek as she took her hand. “How lovely to see you!”

“And to see you,” Emilia nodded. “How are you? It’s been ages since you and Canmure came down for a visit.”

“It has,” Raphaella agreed, tucking a stray curl of red hair behind her ear. She felt her own full lips stretch in a big smile, just seeing Emilia – she had always been very fond of her.

“Luke will be so pleased to see him,” Emilia agreed. “Where is your brother, by the way?” She scanned the hall, blue eyes gazing about searchingly.

“He’s outside, taking a walk through the gardens,” Raphaella said, smiling warmly at the thought of her brother. “He said he wanted to check if Luke has made any improvements to the place.”

Emilia laughed. “Luke is always adding things here and there,” she agreed. “If I left him to it, the place would be turned to Kew Gardens. I have to remind him that we need to maintain the house as well!” She grinned and Raphaella chuckled in warm agreement.

She listened as Emilia shared the latest news, along with information about her child, now three years old. Raphaella felt her heart melt – she had always loved children. She was twenty-five now, and she worried that she might never have any. All the suitors she met had disinterested her so far, though she would have found it impossible to envy Emilia her joy.

“And Luke seems to have raised another one as interested in gardening as he is,” Emilia was chuckling. “The two of them are always wandering around in the grounds together, smelling leaves and picking flowers. I declare! We might as well throw caution to the winds and turn the whole place into a botanical garden now.”

“Why not?” Raphaella giggled. “The best one outside London!”

“Indeed!” Emilia agreed. “But, don’t tell Luke that…he’ll do it. Just tell me he won’t.”

Raphaella laughed, and just as she was about to reply, she was interrupted by Luke arriving, a grin on his slim, lively face. He greeted his wife lovingly, resting a hand on her arm, and then turned to Raphaella, bowing low.

“Lady Raphaella,” he greeted her respectfully. “How lovely! How are you?”

“Very well, thank you.” She smiled up at him, bobbing her knees in a polite gesture. She was about to mention the whereabouts of her brother, when she almost stopped breathing.

“Luke,” the tall, dark-haired gentleman with the gaunt, handsome face said. “Might you introduce me to your acquaintances?”

“Logan!” Luke grinned. “Of course. Lady Raphaella, may I present Lord Inverly, a good friend. It seems hard to believe you two never met.” He turned to the handsome man. “Logan, this is Lady Raphaella, a dear friend and sister of Lord Canmure. Are you sure you never got introduced?”

Raphaella bent at the knee, dropping a slight curtsey. She felt her heart thudding and she felt almost sure it was loud enough to be heard. She noticed that the gentleman was not looking at Luke, or paying attention. His gaze – dark and smoldering – was focused on her.

“Pleased to meet you,” she whispered. “Lord Inverly,” she added.

“You’re certain you didn’t meet?” Luke said, looking at Logan with a strange, slightly confused expression on his face.

“I am certain,” Lord Inverly replied, turning to Luke. “I would have remembered a lady as beautiful Lady Raphaella.”

Raphaella felt her cheeks flush with heat, and she raised her dark eyes to Lord Inverly’s face. He turned back to her at once, with a smile.

“My Lord,” she said, finding her voice. “You are not often in the countryside?”

“No,” he said, grinning again. He was shier than she had thought, she realized as he turned to her again, his eyes somewhat hesitant, his smile also. “I don’t come nearly often-enough. My solicitor and steward keep me busy in London. Perdition take them!” He grinned.

“You like the country, then?” Raphaella asked, smiling at him.

“Oh, yes!” Lord Inverly nodded. “I love the country – it’s free out here. One can stretch one’s legs, and take real rides. And, up here, the world is so beautiful!”

“You like the Downs?” she asked, referring to the Yorkshire Downs, the rolling, beautiful countryside.

“I do, yes!” He grinned. “There’s nothing more beautiful, to my mind. I feel free, here.”

“Yes.” Raphaella nodded, feeling a tingle in her own heart. She had never thought to meet somebody who thought about Yorkshire exactly the same way she did! She had fallen in love with it on the first visit, an impression which had lasted ever since.

“It seems we share some views, then,” he said, lifting a glass of cordial in salute.

“Yes,” Raphaella agreed. She had never felt like this before – never felt so instantly close to somebody, like she could talk to him for hours and they would only find more to talk about, not less.

When she looked up again, she noticed Luke and Emilia had moved, and also that Canmure had come back into the room. He was looking over at them with an anger she’d never known that he felt.

She shivered, and hoped that he did not disapprove of Lord Inverly. That would be very upsetting.

“We do seem to share many views, My Lord,” she agreed, taking a sip of her own glass of cordial. It was blackcurrant, a favorite of hers.

“Yes,” he repeated, smiling. “We do.”

She glanced back across the room, and was relieved to notice that Canmure had gone.

She put her glass down, feeling a mix of relief and worry. She wished she knew what was bothering Canmure. She also hoped, more than anything, that she would see Lord Inverly again, and soon.

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Lord Arthur Shepherd, Marquess of Bowmount, stood at the far corner of the ballroom, watching in anticipation, waiting for his daughter to be announced to society. Victoria was eighteen years of age, and it was finally time for her debut. He and Katherine had thrown her a lavish ball and invited people from far and wide. Both inside Gretna Green and Somerset. Everyone himself and his beloved wife cared about were present. He was so proud of her.

He made his way towards the center of the room. He had to make the announcement himself. He had to introduce his daughter, himself. He turned to the lady who had her arm hooked to his. His darling wife.

“Perhaps it is time we announce our daughter, Love.”

Katherine smiled. “Of course — Anne and Esther are coming over… Oh, is that Agnes? She’s all grown!”

He turned just in time to see her friends and their husbands making their way to them. The ladies bore smiles and the husbands all let go of them, so they could embrace each other enough.

Arthur showed his respects, by greeting them warmly. The ladies chattered away as they took back their places beside their lords.

“Every single guest came a whole day before! Pray tell, where have you two been?”  Katherine glowered at her friends.

Anne sighed. Agnes, who was behind them, smiled and curtsied. Arthur shook his head. The ladies had been lost in their usual chatter, so happy to see each other that even Agnes got caught up in it. Katherine stopped talking to hug her. Although Victoria was older than Agnes by several months, Agnes had had her debut a year earlier.

“You look so lovely, my dear. Run along, find Victoria. She will be thrilled to know you’re here.” Katherine laughed.

Agnes blushed and did as asked.

Anne shook her head. Her son was the youngest first child of the three friends, Gregory. But with the way she smiled at her Katherine, Arthur knew all too well that she had brought him along.

“Gregory wanted to come along. I don’t know why he’s so keen on seeing Annemarie.” She laughed.

Arthur did as well. Since the birth of his daughter, only a year younger than Francis, Gregory had liked to be around Annemarie, ever since his very first visit to her. The two were simply attached to one another.  Although they lived quite away from one another, they were good friends.

“He’s always loved her like his very own sister,” Katherine said. She stopped talking, her voice trailing off when she looked behind Anne. Arthur followed her gaze. Her mother, the Duchess of Somerset, and the Dowager Marchioness were walking up to them.

Arthur cleared his throat. He leaned into Katherine and whispered to her. “Perhaps it is time to announce our daughter, my love. You’ll have plenty of time to talk after.”

Both Ladies approached them, glaring. The Dowager Marchioness spoke first. “Victoria cannot wait to be announced. Perhaps that should be done now?”

Katherine kissed both her friends on their cheeks and promised to return. She looked at him, her eyes glowing with love. She hadn’t aged a day since he met her. His love was stronger than it had been, all those years ago. It grew, with each moment that passed. He kissed her hand and together, they walked to the center of the ballroom. Surrounded by family, friends and a ton of people they were simply acquainted with, Arthur introduced his and Katherine’s daughter, Lady Victoria Willington of Bowmount Hall, to the ton.

He had watched her grow, and although he had feared the day when she would be away from them, he knew that all would be well. Just as his and her mother’s life. He raised a toast to everyone in the room. There was a round of applause as she came forward, dressed in a golden dress, her hair pinned in a chignon. Her green eyes, were as beautiful as anything he’d ever seen before. His daughter was an epitome of beauty, and he was lucky that her mother, who was the love of his life, was right beside him. He sighed when he recalled that he had another daughter to look out for. To protect, to shield, to also present to society, sometime, someday, soon.

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