“I heard Lord Brookes is sure to take a wife this year,” Gabby Kimble whispered to Miss Daisy Ellis and Miss Justine Dawes as they stood together on the edge of the Earl and Countess of Windermere’s grand London ballroom. “He is sure to attend tonight.”
“I can’t see him yet,” Daisy complained but gave her an encouraging smile.
Lord Brookes was the viscount Gabby had already set her heart on marrying. Although it was still early in the season, she’d seen him riding through Hyde Park last week and had immediately appreciated the view. So dashing, so impressive on his russet-brown horse as it flew by, and surprisingly tipping his hat as he went by them. They had been introduced a few days ago, and she had become even more smitten with his attentiveness and good manners and conversation.
“I can’t yet either, unfortunately.” Gabby was not known to be led by her impulses, but she had decided Lord Brookes was the one who would capture her heart and hand in marriage. “I could ask our hostess where he might be?”
“Don’t you dare do something so brazen,” Justine hissed, apparently scandalized by her boldness. “A true lady waits for a gentleman to come to her.”
“How can it hurt to ask?” Gabby shot back. “My cousin seems willing to confide in me in just about everything else going on in society.”
Gabby’s cousin, their hostess Lady Windermere, was a very distant connection of her family’s, and it had been a stroke of good fortune that she was willing to help with Gabby’s first season. It made up for Lady Scarsdale, her older neighbor and would-be sponsor, returning to the countryside for her health, taking her son and new daughter-in-law with them. But she’d introduced her to as many as she could during the time she’d been with her and was humbled that she had enlisted her closest friends to help in her place.
Her cousin Bennett Kimble, her guardian until she was five and twenty years, had not felt it wise impose on so distant a relation. Yet that was exactly what everyone else did in society.
“I wish I had such a connection to share gossip with me,” Miss Ellis confessed, casting her eyes behind them to where their guardian’s stood. Irritation flashed in her eyes momentarily before a smile reappeared.
Miss Ellis was here because her guardian, a stern viscount, did his duty to his ward and had brought her out this year, but followed her everywhere. Miss Ellis had no mother or father too, or a wealthy cousin well placed in society to offer support during this difficult time.
But Miss Justine Dawes had been brought out by her older widowed sister, a woman who had triumphed in her own first season and snared a great matrimonial prize to become a viscountess.
Gabby wished to do as well.
Her season was beyond anything she’d ever imagined so far. It would only get better, too.
Her cousin Lady Windermere had excellent taste in friends, right down to the husband she had married. Lord Windermere was a handsome devil, wealthy, and with a generous spirit toward so distant a relation of his wife’s. Gabby was beyond grateful, yet there was only so much they could do to secure her a husband. The rest was up to Gabby. She was intent on making a good impression on the right gentleman as fast as possible.
She smoothed her skirts and refreshed the smile on her face. She wanted everyone to believe she belonged here. “I hope I can speak with him tonight. He was so polite and kind when I ran into him on Bond Street yesterday,” she murmured, and then caught Justine’s frown of disapproval for mentioning the man again. “I swear I did not run into him on purpose.”
It had been an accident, their collision. A fortunate accident. Serendipity, indeed. She’d been walking along, chatting with her cousin Bennett, when a scamp of about ten years old rushed past her, knocking her off balance. Gabby had stumbled straight into Lord Brookes’ path.
And he’d caught her!
Right there on the street.
Gabby had been in a viscount’s arms for mere seconds, but she recalled every exquisite moment as if it were a whole hour. Surely there was no better sensation than being held close by an attractive man!
“Well, I’m glad he caught you, so you were not hurt yesterday,” Daisy whispered. “But you should not read too much into such a moment.”
“No, she certainly should not,” Justine agreed, “You know nothing about him.”
“I know I shouldn’t, but I have made discreet enquiries.” She rattled off a list of his interests and achievements to her friends. Information she’d gleaned from conversation with Lady Windermere. “Is that not further proof that he’s a fine gentleman and worthy of our regard?”
Daisy giggled. “You mean your regard. Justine and I have not the same interest in that particular gentleman as you seem to do. I’ll keep an open mind about my prospects for finding a husband this season, as will Justine, I suspect.”
“Yes, indeed,” Justine agreed, but then frowned. “My decision regarding a husband will be well-considered and not the result of girlish speculation. I shall not be disappointed.”
Despite the rebuke from Justine, Gabby linked arms with her friends. “None of us will. This is our year. We’re all going to marry well and stay good friends forever, aren’t we?” she asked, knowing the answer already.
Gabby, Daisy, and Justine were an unstoppable team. The best of friends, despite only having just met. They could help each other navigate society this season. They’d met at their first ball, stood on the sidelines together as others danced. They had struck up a hesitant, whispered conversation since they had not yet been introduced to each other. After the formalities were performed, there had been nothing to stop their merry chatter every time they met.
“Now, do you think we’ve stood here too long? Let’s not be accused of being wallflowers and setting down roots. I think there might be a better view of the room from closer to the refreshment table.” Gabby glanced over her shoulder to where her cousin Bennett stood talking with Daisy’s guardian, Lord Throsby, and gave him a subtle, prearranged signal they would circulate. Bennett inclined his head, ready to shadow her everywhere.
They skirted the dance floor, weaving through guests not currently participating in the dance, until they found a suitably sized gap in the crowd on the other side of the room.
“This is much better,” Gabby announced, fluffing out the skirts of her finest satin ball gown. They had a fine view of the dancers, anyone at the refreshment table, and also the ballroom doors, where guests flowed through constantly.
“I still cannot see anyone new, or your lord,” Daisy whispered. Like Gabby, she too was hoping to make a good match this season but was willing to sacrifice her time to help Gabby with her singular pursuit of Lord Brookes’ favor first.
Gabby rose on her toes slightly, and then back down when she spotted their hostess headed their way. She was desperate to make a continued good impression on Lady Windermere. She was a countess of remarkable influence in the ton, both before and after she’d married her earl.
But she was also lovely and kind and had wished Gabby success in her first season. She didn’t have to feign her delight when the woman stopped in front of them and smiled warmly. Gabby dipped a low curtsy and rose. They had already spoken once at the door. “It is a wonderful evening, my lady.”
“Thank you, my dear, and may I say again how lovely you look tonight.” She smiled and glanced to each side of her. “You all look lovely.”
“Thank you,” they all murmured, the other two blushing a pretty shade of pink.
Gabby lowered her voice. “I took your advice to call on the bookseller you recommended this morning. Such a collection to choose from. Bennett was in raptures.”
“And yourself?”
She nodded quickly. “I found many a volume to please me, too.”
Gabby was not sure she should announce to the world how much of a bluestocking she already was. Prospective husbands were said not to like women who might exceed them in education. But since coming to live with her older cousin, she’d devoured every book in his collection and now had to wait until he added more when funds and fate permitted.
“A woman can never acquire too much knowledge of the world,” Lady Windermere told them all, before something caught her eye. “Oh, how wonderful. He came. Do excuse me, ladies. There is someone I must speak to,” she whispered and then rushed off, calling out, “Sebastian!”
They all swiveled to watch the woman greet an exceedingly handsome stranger with great enthusiasm. Someone Gabby had never seen before, but from whom she could not look away. The man had a presence she’d not encountered before. She straightened her spine as her cheeks grew strangely hot just looking at him from this distance.
Gabby cleared her throat. “Do we know who that is?”
Justine leaned close. “That is Sebastian Spence, the Duke of Mamble. They say he keeps his older sister imprisoned.”
Gabby gaped. “Who says that?”
“Well, everyone worth knowing in higher society,” Justine murmured. “My sister was speaking of him just the other day. She’s shocked he’s dared show his face in Town.”
The Duke of Mamble was a truly wicked man then. But this was the first gossip Gabby had ever heard of him. “He doesn’t look wicked,” she whispered, noticing a thousand things about him at once. Tall but not too tall, broad in the chest and strong-muscled legs encased in evening breeches. His clothing was first rate, but his golden-blond hair was a little long to be considered fashionable. He had the look of a man used to getting his own way. That was the nature of dukes, though.
Justine nudged her. “Looks can be deceiving. He banished his other sister to the countryside, too. My sister hasn’t seen her in years and years, and they were once very close.”
“I can’t believe anyone would talk to him if that were true,” Daisy whispered, eyes narrowed with suspicion, both on the duke and on Justine. “And why would Lady Windermere invite such a creature to her ball if it were true?”
“I’ve no idea,” Justine whispered. “My sister told me to stay far away from him and I intend to. Maybe she had to invite him for some reason.”
Gabby glanced at her cousin, Bennett, wishing he might be standing closer to hear these rumors and voice his opinion. He’d visited London before and seemed to know a surprising number of fellows in society. Bennett would not want her around a bad man and Lady Windermere might try to introduce her, as she had with many eligible bachelors so far.
Until she knew the truth of how to behave around the duke, she decided she must ignore his appeal, but once she peeked in his direction again, she could not seem to look away.
He didn’t look cruel, but as Justine warned, first impressions were not always accurate.
He was more handsome than anyone else in the room, though, and he had such a presence that she remained aware of him even when not looking in his direction. He’d a serious face, a straight nose, but his full lips drew her eye as he conversed. He did not smile with the same zeal Lord Brookes shared with everyone he met, but he was mesmerizing just the same.
Mamble’s dark gaze flickered restlessly about the room even as he conducted a prolonged conversation with Lady Windermere. It was clear they were well known to each other, and friends, which seemed absurd, given the rumors about his cruel behavior toward his sisters.
His eyes passed over her position quickly—but then they returned to her and her friends.
The warmth she’d felt upon studying him intensified as their eyes met and held across the crowded room. His eyes narrowed and Gabby could feel a blush climbing her cheeks with his prolonged scrutiny. It was almost impolite the way he stared at her, but she held her ground as long as she could, refusing to be intimidated by a powerful man so far above her.
Eventually, the corner of his mouth quirked up in amusement and he looked back at Lady Windermere, resuming his conversation with her as if Gabby was already forgotten.
Gabby dragged her eyes away from him and finally found Lord Brookes and his sunny smile directly across the room from her. She let out a sigh of relief to see the viscount at last. She was already halfway in love with the man and had no need to look at the figure of so notorious a duke.
Gabby whispered to Daisy, “Let’s move again.”
“But we just got here,” Justine complained. “Oh, has Lord Brookes arrived?”
“Yes, indeed he has,” she reassured them, ignoring the flutter in her stomach from nerves, “and not a moment too soon.”
Lord Brookes looked so handsome tonight and, as ever, he chatted with a large group of ladies that surrounded him. The man she had set her heart on marrying was already laughing and clearly enjoying the attention he was receiving from those nearby. She desperately wanted to be one of them.
She wanted to be the most important one of all to him, too, but she could not butt into his conversation. She had to wait for him to come to her as Justine claimed.
Daisy nudged her. “I wonder why Brookes was so late arriving?”
Gabby turned to Daisy. “I do not know, but he’s here now and clearly in a good mood.”
“Whenever is he not?” Daisy asked dryly. Daisy had a deep suspicion of gentlemen who smiled too much. She thought them all disingenuous.
Gabby smiled a lot herself, hiding her discomfort as she fidgeted with her empty dance card. Lord Brookes was known to be fond of dancing and always in good humor. They were the things she liked about him most of all. Some men could be moody creatures. Her cousin Bennett was a prime example of that. Unhappy on occasion but often unable to say why. There was little she could do to lift him from his black moods, and she was always glad when he took himself away on days like that.
Gabby straightened her spine and hoped to make herself even more appealing and earn a dance partner. The right one would be Lord Brookes, but he hadn’t noticed her yet. “Let’s go around to the left a bit farther, so he sees us standing together.”
They tried, but a set was ending, and the guests filed dutifully off the dance floor to rejoin their own parties, slowing their progress.
She fought the tide to remain beside Daisy but soon realized that Justine had somehow fallen behind. The current was too strong to turn back to fetch her and propelled her to the edge of the room instead. She held firm to Daisy’s elbow as they found an open space near a window. When she rose on her tiptoes, she spotted the feathers Justine wore on her head, quite some distance away. She had returned to her sister without saying goodbye.
“Well!”
“Well, indeed,” Daisy agreed, frantically fanning her face. But then she leaned close. “I swear someone just caressed my bottom.”
Gabby snapped out her fan, too, but only to speak behind. “Really?”
Daisy nodded. “Say nothing to my guardian about it. He’ll only become cross if he learns such a thing occurred right under his nose.”
“Agreed.”
Lord Throsby was unnaturally strict and protective of Daisy. She endured all sorts of ridiculous rules about where she could go and who she was permitted to talk with. Gabby suspected she had only just passed muster herself. “I would never break a confidence to your guardian,” she promised.
“Nor I,” Daisy whispered back.
Their guardians drew close, forming a protective wall to save them from being jostled about again.
Daisy suddenly pressed the back of her hand to her brow. “Lord Throsby, would you mind fetching us a glass of punch each?”
Lord Throsby, a man not inclined to take orders well, glared at Daisy and then Gabby, and finally grunted, “Stay with Kimble.”
Lord Throsby did not like to have Daisy out of his sight for long or left to her own devices. It was a miracle he trusted Bennett with the task of watching over her. Throsby’s behavior might have been endearing if the man possessed a little gentleness in his soul. But they were ward and guardian only, argued constantly behind closed doors, and had nothing in common, or so Daisy claimed.
Bennett was a much better guardian. He did not want to be privy to every conversation Gabby ever had. He trusted her not to make a fool of herself and gave her space to make her own mistakes. When Bennett wandered away to admire a nearby painting and gave them privacy to talk, Daisy sighed heavily. “I wish Lord Throsby would do that.”
“Bennett has no interest in eavesdropping on our conversation,” Gabby assured her. “Unlike your guardian.”
“Lord Throsby wants to hear absolutely every word I say. Yesterday he asked what I ate when we were apart, and once, some time ago, what I dreamed of at night. I could never tell him that,” Daisy whispered, a blush climbing her cheeks. “It would be just the excuse he needs to haul me back to the countryside and lock me in my chambers until I reach my majority.”
Gabby squeezed her friend’s hand. “Not long now.”
“Yes. When my twentieth birthday comes, I will finally be free of him,” Daisy murmured. “I will never understand why my father made him my keeper, but I am glad he did not extend the guardianship until I was five and twenty.”
“Well, Throsby is a stick in the mud but at least you have no fear he’d take advantage of his position and misappropriate your funds,” Gabby whispered. Lord Throsby was obscenely rich in his own right and astute in his business dealings.
“Because there’s nothing much of mine to spend unwisely,” Daisy replied, a little sadly. “I suppose I should be grateful he’s willing to foot the bill for my entire season.”
“He might be a little stern, but for you, he’s a generous man,” Gabby suggested.
Daisy scowled. “A little stern?”
“Well, maybe that isn’t quite the right description for him.”
“No, it is not,” Daisy promised. “I swear, sometimes the way he looks at me, he’s considering putting me over his knee because I disagree with him,” Daisy announced, her face turning an even brighter shade of pink.
Gabby was shocked. “Has he ever done so?”
“No. But I’m sure that time I went shopping alone with you without telling him where I was going sorely tried his patience.”
Gabby laughed. “You were not unprotected.”
“To his mind, debutants do not make adequate chaperones for each other,” Daisy said, laughing merrily. “If not for your cousin Bennett claiming we had a servant watching over us, he might have forbidden me from your friendship entirely.”
Gabby glanced at Bennett, filled with gratitude for his deception and support. Bennett and Throsby had become close in recent weeks, and it had helped strengthen her friendship with Daisy. “I have long suspected our guardians have made a pact.”
Daisy’s eyes widened in alarm. “What sort of pact?”
“To keep you wild pair out of trouble,” Bennett murmured, laughing, as he suddenly rejoined them. “Stow your complaints away for later, ladies. Throsby returns and he’s easily made suspicious by your laughter.”
When Lord Throsby joined them, frowning still, and had passed her and Daisy a drink, Bennett said nothing of Daisy’s complaints but did engage in conversation with the man to distract him.
Gabby smiled to herself. Her cousin was the best friend she had ever had. Loyal and not at all severe like Throsby. She couldn’t imagine living with that viscount as her shadow. He’d no sense of humor or sense of adventure.
When their glasses were empty, they returned to the edges of the dancefloor and then Bennett asked Daisy to dance with him.
Lord Throsby gave Daisy a nod of permission to accept before she answered Bennett’s invitation.
Bennett swept Daisy away to the dance floor, leaving Gabby standing with the glowering Lord Throsby on the sidelines. Gabby shuffled her feet, unhappy with this turn of events. Not once had Lord Throsby ever asked Gabby to dance. He insisted he was there to watch over his ward, Daisy, and not engage in frivolous nonsense.
She looked around for Justine to save her but found her dancing, as well.
Gabby tried not to sigh with disappointment at being left on the sidelines. She had no hope Lord Throsby would offer to partner her tonight, or introduce her to someone who might, so she begged to be excused to visit the retiring room.
“Up the stairs and to the right,” Throsby informed her as he took out his timepiece. “You have five minutes to return.”
She struggled not to roll her eyes. Daisy had mentioned before that Lord Throsby timed absolutely everything she did. Five minutes was hardly long enough if other ladies were using the facilities ahead of her, but she did not bother to argue with the viscount and took herself off alone, fully intending to take the amount of time she needed.
Bennett was never so strict about her movements or punctuality, and for that she was profoundly grateful.
The Windermere London home was vast. While it might have intimidated her at first, she’d quickly grown used to such opulence. Yet she still glanced upward at the elaborate plasterwork ceiling and marveled at the effort it must have taken the craftsmen to complete.
As she lowered her gaze, she spotted a figure disappear into the library. Gabby was convinced it was Lord Brookes, and she debated the wisdom of following to find out for only a moment. If she could catch the viscount in the library, he might ask her to dance.
Gabby squared her shoulders, headed for the library doors, but she did check over her shoulder first to make sure Lord Brookes had not followed. No one was nearby, not a guest or even a servant and she slipped inside unseen.
Gabby spotted Lord Brookes, already sitting in a high-backed armchair with his back to the door and facing the fireplace. She could just see the top of his uncovered head and the candlelight illuminated his hair until it glowed gold.
Gabby moved toward him. “My lord,” she whispered.
“Leave it and go,” he drawled.
Gabby was not to be deterred by his abrupt tone. “I’m not a maid, my lord, but someone who wishes to say how ardently I admire you.”
His head turned slightly. “Really?”
“Indeed.” Gabby gulped and decided there was no point in hiding the truth. He was alone, and she was being bold, but it was too late to turn back now. “My lord, I wish to tell you that from the first we met, I have longed to know you better than anyone could.”
There was silence for a long moment, and then he stood and turned.
Gabby’s mouth fell open, and she covered her lips as she whispered in horror, “You’re not Lord Brookes.”
“And there are a thousand reasons why I am grateful to be spared that fate,” the unsmiling Duke of Mamble said, and then his eyes narrowed at her. “Ah, it’s you.”
“Me?”
“Another woman who stares at a man with a title as if he’s something to bite into.”
“I would do no such thing,” she said, affronted. “And you stared at me, too. It was quite rude of you.”
He drew closer, a smile twisting up his lips. “Is that so?”
