CHAPTER ONE
It never fails to surprise me, just how much can change in seemingly little time, Penelope Waverly mused as she stirred some sugar into her tea. Her gaze flittered around, taking in the lavish grounds and towering estate to the side, a sense of pride filling her as she noted just how well her friend had done for herself.
“I must say, your home is truly a visionary sight to behold.”
Nora, Duchess of Ironwell, blushed at her friend’s words, lifting her head proudly as she replied,
“I am glad you think so. I have been working nonstop since we arrived from our honeymoon, trying my very best to ensure that this is a lovely home for us. I want this estate to be a good environment for our family to be nurtured in, and I hope it is better than the one I was raised in.”
Jane Fenwell nodded immediately, reaching out to hold Nora’s hand gently with an earnest expression.
“I am certain it will be. You and the duke would make wonderful parents and you are surrounded by good people as well. They say it takes a village and I trust that the one you have chosen will be exceptional at their roles.”
Nora smiled kindly and glanced around the garden in which they were having brunch to relish in the lovely weather.
“I feel the same as well, but that part of our lives is still somewhat far. For now, we are focused on spending time together and basking in our love, while lending some attention to our interests. I am in no rush – but I am eager to spend the rest of my life with him.” The duchess sighed wistfully.
Penelope snorted at Nora’s words, the smile on her lips betraying her teasing intentions.
“Well, I for one, am simply glad that it all worked out for the best for you. Given how distraught you felt when you believed his feelings were different from yours, one would have thought your whole world were about to end.”
Nora rolled her eyes, but she was grinning, her pink cheeks hinting at the embarrassment she felt.
“I might have been rather dramatic – but you do not understand what it is like! I felt as though my heart would crumble within me and I would cease to breathe. It was rather devastating.”
Penelope tutted, reaching out to pat Nora’s shoulder gingerly.
“I know. I did not mean to make light of the hurt you suffered then. I suppose I am simply... relieved, to see that you got the love you deserved. I am happy for you,” she said kindly.
“As am I,” Jane quipped, raising her teacup towards them before she took a sip.
“Thank you, ladies. I am certain I would not have survived those perilous times without your support. I am lucky to have friends as wonderful as you are. And I look forward hearing news of your own romantic conquests! Especially now that Athena has been proclaimed to the guardian of the hearts of women on the marriage mart,” Nora stated.
Almost immediately, Jane sat up straighter.
“Oh, yes! I had meant to bring that up sooner! I think it is rather curious, this situation. While the idea of what was done sounds noble, do they really have the right to infringe on the affairs of a stranger like that? Perhaps it would have been better to simply inform the man that his secrets had been found out and it would serve him better to confess, rather than try to hide it any longer,” Jane pointed out.
“But would that not also be wrong? If Athena simply held his deceit over him – like blackmail. It would be forcing his hand – not that he should have been caught in such a compromising situation in the first place, given that he was already betrothed. I am amazed that the bride-to-be would believe the words of an anonymous character so easily,” Nora reasoned, pouring herself another cup of tea.
“But the information Athena provided was credible! The lady who received the letter said her betrothed barely denied because the accounts stated were accurate,” Jane protested.
“And that is good, however, was this whole thing – sending a letter and signing it anonymously – necessary? All to put an end to a potentially bad marriage? Why did Athena not issue a public warning?” Nora questioned calmly.
“Regardless of the means,” Penelope spoke up as she reached for a crumpet, “I think Athena – whoever they may be – was right for protecting a young woman from a rake. Can you just imagine? You have your heart and mind set on someone, with a date already fixed for your wedding? But he is too busy engaging in secret rendezvous with other women? How appalling. I do wish Athena had exposed him publicly. That would have been a sufficient enough punishment for his crimes. But that would also have hurt his bride to be. The letter was inevitably better. Much more tactful.”
Jane and Nora exchanged a glance and nodded with a smile.
“You are absolutely right,” Jane concurred. “I am still in awe of how quickly news spread of this – though I should not be surprised. Thetonwill never fail to speak on any matter that catches their attention.”
Penelope nodded sagely as she bit into a cookie, wordlessly agreeing because Jane was absolutely right. Ever since ‘Athena’ had surfaced among the ladies of theton, all other subjects of conversation seemed to pale in comparison. Everyone’s attention was fixed on the just and kind soul who had seen a man engaging in a romantic tryst with a woman in a garden during a ball.
Somehow, Athena had known that man was engaged and had written a letter to the man’s betrothed, who did not know of the man’s promiscuous nature, warning her to reconsider the wedding.
The woman, enraged and heartbroken, had immediately confronted the man with the letter, accusing him of betraying her trust. When he was faced with the facts listed – details of what he had worn, where the ball had taken place – he could not deny that he had been caught red-handed.
The engagement had been dissolved swiftly, and word spread of Athena’s good deed, claiming that whoever he or she was, they were certainly a hero. In the last few weeks, people hardly spoke about much else besides the vigilante who warned a woman not to tie herself permanently to a rake.
In the eyes of many, Athena was a blessing, while others couldn’t help but feel curious about why they had done what they did.
