Chapter One
“’Tis the season for romance, dear sisters,” Edmund Hartley, newly Duke of Stonewood since their father’s passing, said, rubbing his hands together with glee.
“And romance is flowing in abundance,” Lydia replied, eyes wide with hope and promise.
Charlotte, the middle sibling, pressed her lips together and said nothing.
“No pithy comment?” Edmund inquired, arching a sharp eyebrow.
“Of course not, Hart. It is a grand occasion, and I pray that you both find what you seek.”
“If I didn’t know you better, I might think you were being disingenuous, but of course, you are married to the truth. You should be seeking a marriage of a different nature. Lookaround, and you will see far more interesting things than books.” Edmund gestured by sweeping his hand in front of him, beckoning to the crowd gathered in the hall.
Charlotte took a moment to gaze at everyone in attendance. The debutantes, like Lydia, with their hopeful eyes and twitching smiles. The gentlemen with polished expressions and glances flitting around the room, distracted by all the bejeweled women.
Unlike them, Charlotte wore a plain dress. Her wavy auburn hair was loose, and she had only applied a small dusting of makeup. She preferred to disappear into the background. Tonight, that was certainly possible, especially when she was standing beside Lydia.
“Indeed, why would one ever think of books here?” Lydia sighed, a dreamy look on her face as she drank everything in.
“You look marvelous tonight. I’m sure it won’t be long until your dance card is full,” Edmund directed the words toward his youngest sister.
“I agree. You are quite beautiful, Lydia. I would urge caution, however. Make sure you trust a man’s intentions before you promise anything.”
“Of course, sister, thank you for the advice. I’m glad that this dress suits me as well as I hoped. At least, I think it does.” She placed her hands on her hips, smoothing down the shimmering dress that she had owned for some time in anticipation of this day. She also wore a shiny hair clip.
“You have nothing to fear, Lydia. And don’t listen to Charlotte. Love is a realm for adventure, not caution,” Edmund’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “I’m always surprised by your attitude, Charlotte. For someone who enjoys learning, I would have thought you would enjoy speaking to so many people.”
Before Charlotte had a chance to reply, Edmund was distracted by a passing figure, Lady Joanne Winter.
“Your Grace, it is an honor to see you here. How do you fare?”
“I fare well, Lady Winter, and how is young Master Winter? Still flicking his marbles around?”
“Indeed,” Joanne tittered with laughter, her round face radiating with joy. “And he is enamored of the toy horse you gave him. He takes it everywhere. He’s even called it ‘Duke’ after you.”
“Oh, ‘tis but a trinket,” Edmund said modestly. “And I’m flattered, of course. It’s amusing how such a small thing can bring such joy.”
“Many joys can be found in the smallest gestures,” Joanne observed, dipping her head and offering a soulful gaze. She heard her name being called and looked a little annoyed. “I hope that we shall have a chance to speak further this evening.”
Edmund inclined his head. They moved deeper into the room with people flowing around them like water. The chatter wasa cacophony, and even Charlotte was not immune to the excitement buzzing in the air.
“Please behave yourself tonight, Edmund,” Charlotte said in a low voice, leaning toward her brother.
“I behave myself every night,” he said with a wry smile, “and I don’t need these constant reminders.”
“I have not nagged you,” Charlotte replied.
“Oh no, only frequently during the last few days and especially before we departed tonight.”
“And in the carriage,” Lydia interjected, taking a moment away from gazing dreamily at her surroundings. Charlotte took a moment to consider how they could all perceive the same event so differently.
For Edmund, it was a social occasion, a chance to spread his wings and exercise his tongue, speaking to friends and acquaintances, old and new. For Lydia, it was almost magical, as though she had been given access to a realm that she had fantasized about for so many years.
And then there was Charlotte, a woman for whom marriage and romance had never held any allure. Obligation brought her to this ball rather than any sense of interest.
“I just want to make sure we are on our best behavior tonight for Mary’s sake.”
“I think Mary is the last person who needs our help. Look at her, she’s having the time of her life,” Edmund spread a palm open.
