Chapter 1
One
A udrey, come to London at once.
Audrey Hall clutched her stepmother’s missive tightly, her knuckles whitening as the carriage rattled over the cobblestones.
Her other hand toyed with the ruby necklace resting at her throat—a bold yet elegant piece she had found tucked away in her husband’s London townhouse.
It was one of the few tangible reminders of the title she now bore and the husband who had so thoroughly abandoned her. The gesture calmed her fraying nerves, though the churning in her stomach remained.
What could possibly have gone so wrong?
As the carriage rolled to a halt before the grand facade of her family home, the butler opened the door and stepped outside, bowing stiffly. “Your Grace,” he intoned, his voice clipped, “the family is assembled in the drawing room.”
Audrey nodded, her grip on the missive tightening as she descended. She followed the butler through the familiar halls, her mind spinning with possibilities. She could already hear the raised voice of her father, the Earl of Stonebridge, reverberating through the house.
“Are you happy now that you have brought disgrace to this family?” His words reached her ears before she even stepped through the door.
Her pulse quickened as she entered the drawing room. Her father stood near the fireplace, his face mottled with fury. Her stepmother, Grace Winslow, sat rigid on the settee, her expression a mask of poorly concealed distress. And there, at the center of it all, was Lilianna, crumpled on the floor in a heap of sobs.
“What is happening here?” Audrey demanded, her voice sharper than she had intended as she glanced between them.
Grace rose gracefully, smoothing her skirts, and wordlessly handed her a sheet of paper. Audrey unfolded it with trembling fingers and scanned the printed lines.
It was a gossip sheet, the sort she despised. Her eyes darted over the scathing words.
Lady Lilianna Winslow, the once sweet daughter of the Earl of Stonebridge and sister of the Duchess of Haremore, has brought shame upon her family by exchanging letters with Lord Rashford, an engaged man. What sort of unmarried lady sends letters to a gentleman to whom she is neither related nor betrothed? Society can only wonder to what standards we are falling!
Her hands curled into fists, crumpling the offending sheet. Her first instinct was to toss it into the nearest fire, but she forced herself to remain composed.
She turned to Lilianna, her younger sister’s tear-streaked face wrenching her heart. “What nonsense is this?” she asked, her voice softer now, though the anger in her eyes had not abated.
“It is not nonsense,” her father interjected, his voice rising again. “It is a scandal! And it’s all there, plain as day.”
Audrey faced him, her spine stiffening under his glare.
“Father,” she said, “surely there is more to this than what a gossip sheet alleges. These papers are known for embellishing the truth.”
Lilianna’s sobs grew louder, but she managed to declare, “It is not true! I didn’t?—”
“Silence!” the Earl bellowed, cutting her off. “You’ve done enough damage.”
Audrey’s chest tightened, her instinct to shield her sister warring with the memory of her father’s temper. His disapproval had shadowed her entire girlhood, and even now, it weighed heavily upon her. She drew a steadying breath, forcing herself to meet his eyes.
“Shouting will not solve anything, Father,” she said evenly, though the effort to keep her voice calm cost her dearly.
His glare turned toward her, hot and unyielding. For a moment, Audrey thought he would lash out at her, but she held his gaze, her hands clasping the sheet tightly to keep them from trembling.
I will not cower . Not now.
“I didn’t know he was engaged! Not until the gossip sheets—oh, this is all so horrid!” Lilianna sobbed, her face buried in her hands.
“You didn’t know ?” their father thundered, his fists clenched at his sides. “You should have known better than to write to a gentleman to whom you were not engaged! Have you no sense, girl?”
Audrey’s gaze flickered to her stepmother, silently seeking support, but Grace sat frozen, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her face pale and uncertain.
On the settee, Clarise twisted the hem of her muslin frock, her head bowed as though she was hoping she would disappear altogether.
It was clear that no help would come from them.
Audrey straightened her spine.
If no one else will manage this chaos, then I will.
“Father,” she began, her voice measured. “Please, this shouting accomplishes nothing. Lilianna is clearly distraught, and this matter requires a solution, not condemnation.”
“A solution?” He whirled to face her, his expression dark. “There is only one solution to a scandal like this. She must marry the first fool desperate enough to have her!”
Audrey blinked, her mouth falling open slightly in shock. “What did you say? Surely you don’t mean?—”
“The first poor sod who will have her,” he snapped, his tone biting. “There’s no time to be picky. The family’s reputation is already hanging by a thread.”
Lilianna wailed, clutching at her skirts. “No! Lord Rashford loves me, Papa! He probably just needs time to end his unhappy engagement! He would not just hide it for no reason! He’ll come back for me, I know it.”
The Earl let out a derisive snort. “Loves you, doesn’t he? The boy’s father has refused to break the engagement, and I daresay the boy agrees. Lord Rashford plans to marry a girl who hasn’t even made her debut. He’s not interested in you, Lilianna.”
Audrey’s chest tightened, the tears streaming down her sister’s face cutting her to the quick. “But surely,” she pressed, stepping forward, “the young lord can be persuaded to act honorably. If he truly?—”
“He left for the war the very day this drivel was printed,” the Earl interrupted, gesturing toward the crumpled gossip sheet in her hand. “If that doesn’t tell you his intentions, then you’re as naive as your sister.”
Audrey opened her mouth to argue, but Lilianna beat her to it. “He left because he couldn’t bear his father’s tyranny, not because of me! He’ll come back for me, Audrey. I know he will.”
Her father rounded on her, his voice colder than ice. “You are a foolish, selfish girl. You’ve brought shame upon us all with your childish notions of romance. How I wish—” He stopped abruptly, his jaw tightening. “If only I had sons,” he finished bitterly. “This family is a perpetual disappointment.”
The words struck Audrey like a physical blow, her breath hitching as the familiar sting of his disapproval washed over her. She felt small again, a girl desperate for his approval yet always falling short.
But this time, she squared her shoulders, forcing the ache in her chest aside. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her falter.
The Earl cast one last glare at them before storming out, his heavy footfalls echoing down the hallway.
Lilianna burst into fresh sobs, and Grace reached out to lay a trembling hand on her shoulder. Clarise remained silent, her head still bowed.
Audrey’s gaze swept over them—her mother’s helplessness, Clarise’s nervous fidgeting, and Lilianna’s broken expression.
If no one else will fight for her , then I will.
She turned on her heel, her skirts swishing as she strode out of the drawing room. Her father’s retreating figure disappeared into his study, and she caught the door just before it closed.
“Father,” she called, her voice firm.
He turned, his brow furrowed in irritation. “What is it now, Audrey?”
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. “Lilianna is heartbroken. She cannot face this reality, and to marry her off to some… stranger would only worsen the scandal.”
“And what do you propose that I do instead?” he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism.
Audrey inhaled deeply. “I, however, am a duchess. I am respected, admired, and one of the most influential figures in the ton . If anyone can help restore Lilianna’s reputation, it is me.”
“And how do you intend to do that?” he scoffed, crossing his arms.
“Give me a month,” she said firmly. “If her reputation hasn’t improved by then, I will beg you to find her a suitable husband. But surely this is not as dire as the gossip sheets make it seem.”
The Earl stared at her, his expression unreadable. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to waver.
Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and waved a hand dismissively. “One month,” he said gruffly. “But I expect results.”
“You will have them,” Audrey assured him, her voice steady despite the rush of relief coursing through her. She turned and exited the study, her mind already racing with plans.
I will not fail you, Lilianna.
Audrey unfolded the note from her friend, the Countess of Weatherby, and sighed as she read the elegant script.
My dearest Audrey,
I am so sorry, but I must beg your forgiveness. My darling Edward has been taken ill, and I cannot possibly leave his side. I hope to see you soon, and please know you are in my thoughts.
Fondly,
Martha.
She set the note down atop the two others she had already read, each one delivering similar regrets. Her lady’s maid, Miss Smith, stood at her side, holding yet another sealed missive.
Audrey rubbed her temples before reaching for the next envelope. “I do hope this one is an acceptance from Lady Allenham,” she muttered. “Surely someone in London has not suddenly been taken ill or been called away.”
Miss Smith said nothing, though the hint of concern in her expression did not escape Audrey’s notice.
Breaking the seal, Audrey opened the letter. The first line dashed her hopes immediately.
Your Grace,
I regret that I must decline your kind invitation to tea. An urgent matter requires me to travel to Gloucestershire posthaste.
Yours,
Lady Allenham.
Audrey stared at the note for a moment before letting it flutter onto the growing pile of refusals. “That makes four,” she said flatly, glancing up at Miss Smith. “Four friends who have declined tea, all with suspiciously convenient reasons. Do you think this is merely a coincidence, or is there something at play here?”
Miss Smith hesitated before replying, her tone careful, “The ton adore you, Your Grace. Perhaps they truly cannot make it.”
Audrey’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing more. Rising from her seat at her escritoire, she adjusted her skirts and nodded to Miss Smith. “Get me dressed. If my friends are not available, I shall spend my afternoon elsewhere. I have been meaning to acquire new bonnets and bandeaus from the milliner.”
Two hours later, Audrey stepped into Madame DuBois’s, the familiar scent of lavender and fresh fabric welcoming her. The bell above the door tinkled softly as she made her way toward the display of new arrivals, her gloved fingers lightly brushing the brim of a striking teal bonnet.
Her gaze wandered, and she stopped abruptly when she spotted two familiar figures at the other end of the shop. Lady Allenham and Mrs. Reed were chatting quietly as they examined a display of hats.
Audrey’s heart sank, but she approached them nonetheless, her steps deliberate. “Lady Allenham, Mrs. Reed,” she said with a bright yet pointed smile. “What a surprise to see you both here.”
Lady Allenham stiffened and turned slightly, but her gaze flicked past Audrey as though she hadn’t heard her. Without a word, she turned back to the hats, pretending to examine them with interest.
Audrey’s chest tightened.
A cut direct? From Lady Allenham?
Mrs. Reed hesitated, glancing at Audrey with an almost apologetic look. For a moment, it seemed as though she might speak, but then her courage faltered. She dropped her gaze and resumed her silent study of the bonnets.
Audrey’s cheeks burned, embarrassment and outrage coursing through her. Without another word, she turned and left the milliner’s, her footsteps brisk.
“We are returning home,” she said tersely to Miss Smith as they exited the shop.
As they approached the waiting carriage, a familiar figure caught Audrey’s eye. Lady Weatherby was stepping out of a store with two footmen carrying several boxes.
Audrey stopped in her tracks, disbelief giving way to rising indignation.
Shopping? While her son is supposedly unwell?
Squaring her shoulders, Audrey strode toward her. “Martha,” she said, “has your son recovered so quickly? Or is this little excursion meant to celebrate his restored health?”
Lady Weatherby’s face flushed, but she quickly composed herself. “Audrey,” she said coolly, “I could hardly stay cooped up all day.”
“Surely, a devoted mother would remain by her ailing son’s side,” Audrey pressed, her gaze steady. “Especially when he’s too ill to attend important engagements.”
Lady Weatherby’s eyes narrowed. “I assure you, my son is receiving the best care,” she retorted. “And perhaps I should not be surprised that you take issue with my decisions, given the state of your family’s affairs.”
Audrey’s breath caught. “What are you insinuating?”
Lady Weatherby gave her a pitying look. “You’ve read the gossip sheets, I assume. Your sister’s scandal is the talk of the ton , and frankly, it is no wonder. Your family is not at all what we were led to believe. Even your husband…” She paused, her smile sharpening. “Well, even he knew to stay away, didn’t he? Perhaps the rest of us should follow suit.”
The words struck like a slap. Audrey’s chest tightened, and for a moment, she was unable to respond. She turned sharply on her heel, her vision blurring as she hurried toward the carriage.
The world seemed to tilt, the sounds of the bustling street fading into a dull roar. Her hands trembled as the footman helped her into the carriage and closed the door behind her. The sudden quiet was suffocating, and she pressed a hand to her chest, struggling to draw a steady breath.
She closed her eyes, her thoughts spinning.
I cannot do this alone.
All of it—the gossip, the scorn, the humiliation—twisted her insides. Her family’s reputation needed to be fixed, and there was only one person who could do it.
It was time to break her husband’s only rule.