Prologue
London, England
Early March 1814
Lady Pandora Osbourneheld her monocle up to her eye and scrutinized the next lady on her list sitting alone on a bench at Hyde Park. Thus far, the unlikely matches that her cousin, Octavia, had set before her had gone off without a hitch. Or, at least, without too much difficulty, since they all worked out in the end.
But this particular lady…
She gave a sigh and patted her silver hair, pulled up into its mass of elegant curls. While she wore unrelenting black in honor of her dearly departed husband, her hair was the one commodity that she adored. Other than her grandmother’s tiara, of course.
It was the memory of that prized possession that spurred her forward across the manicured lawn. She was not about to let anything deter her from her goal and lose that part of her heritage, even if it was part of Octavia’s as well. She had many fond memories of her grandmother wearing that tiara, and she was going to use all of the resources she had at her disposal to ensure this was one bet she didn’t lose against her cousin. Already, Pandora had prevailed where others might have failed when it came to making successfultonunions, and she was determined to see this match through as well.
If she wasn’t doing this for herself, Pandora decided that she might have been compelled to assist the poor girl anyway, as she was in dire need of… something.
With her unassuming, brown hair and brown eyes behind wire rimmed spectacles on her pert nose, and wearing a particularly unflattering, brown dress, Miss Dulcenia Hargrove looked quite…. well,dull.Unfortunately, most of society whispered about MissDullHargrove.
It was a problem that Pandora was determined to fix, because really, it wasn’t the girl’s fault that she looked more like the hired help than a proper lady of society. Her father was Viscount Lovell, and he had been over fifty when he’d married Dulcenia’s mother, who was thirty years his junior. The childbirth had been difficult and the viscountess had died shortly afterward. Thus, Dulcenia was raised by her father, who was nearly seventy now, with the assistance of his loyal servants, who weren’t much younger. The gel hadn’t ever really been around people her own age, and when it came time for her come out, her spinster aunt hadn’t been a fit chaperone. Clearly, the woman had forgotten what young ladies were supposed to wear when it came to attracting a mate.
Needless to say, Dulcenia’s first season had gone by without a single prospect, and the nineteen-year-old girl’s second season was fast approaching. Pandora knew that if she didn’t intercede, the girl could easily find herself on the shelf. Not even the lure of a substantial dowry had brought forth a single gentleman.
Pandora straightened her shoulders and walked into view. “Miss Hargrove. Thank you for meeting me here this morning.”
The girl started and glanced upward. She squinted her eyes, but Pandora wasn’t altogether sure it was due to the sun. “Lady Osbourne,” Dulcenia said politely, as they had met on previous occasions as general acquaintances. However, they were going to be seeing a lot more of each other. She’d already spoken to Dulcenia’s father and it had all been arranged.
Pandora sat down beside the girl and regarded her. She wasn’t a homely creature; she just needed a bit of charm to add to her current appeal. And a new wardrobe, of course. The right gowns could do wonders to reveal a lady who had great potential, when she would normally be rather unpromising.
Adopting her best smile, Pandora said, “I have good news for you, my dear.” She paused, waiting to see if Dulcenia would show some kind of excitement, but other than pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose, she merely waited. Pandora continued, “We shall be attending the house party of the Duke and Duchess of Ross.”
At this, the girl blinked, the only sign of her surprise. “I’ve never received an invitation before.”
Pandora kept her smile firmly in place. “Perhaps not, but this time, I shall serve as your chaperone and, as you may know, the duchess and I are great friends.”
Miss Hargrove frowned lightly, evidence that she was, indeed, in possession of some deeper emotions. “But why would you do that? I’m nobody.”
“My dear.” Pandora patted her hand gently and spoke the truth. Something told her that would go further with this girl, rather than trying to act as though she’d suddenly taken a maternal interest in her. “It is my job, as a matchmaker, to ensure a single lady is not overlooked in theton. I mean to secure you a husband.”
Miss Hargrove stared for a moment, and then she laughed. And not a dainty chuckle that one could hide behind a gloved hand, but a complete, tears at the corners of her eyes,guffaw.
Pandora glanced around and noted that a few, disapproving glances were slid their direction. She yearned to sigh again, for she had her work cut out with this gel, but she was determined to succeed.
Once some of her merriment had subsided, Miss Hargrove held her stomach and managed to retort, “Have you lost your senses? I am well aware of your talents, Lady Osbourne, but I feel that in this case it is a lost cause doomed for failure. The men of London don’t evenglanceat me.”
“We shall see about that,” Pandora noted firmly. She got to her feet. “Come along. My carriage is waiting.”
Miss Hargrove stood, but she hesitated. “I’m to go with you… now? But the house party isn’t for another fortnight.”
“True,” Pandora agreed. She made her intentions obvious as she glanced pointedly at her attire. “But we have much to do before then.” She looped her arm through Dulcenia’s and led her away.
Dulcenia pushed her glasses upward once more, and Pandora made a mental note to have them altered so that they would fit better. Or perhaps gain another pair entirely.
“Does this mean I’m coming tostaywith you?”
Pandora laughed gaily. “Of course, my dear. We cannot embark on a transformation if you do not. It shall take all of my skills to turn you into the swan you were born to be.”
Chapter One
“Thisis who the sender suggested?”
