Chapter 1
Chapter One
“ A nd so we now come to the Season.”
Daniel grinned and took the glass of brandy from his friend Samuel, the Viscount of Milthorpe.
“We do indeed!”
“And this time, will you permit your sister to wed?”
At this, Daniel rolled his eyes.
“I do not know why my mother insisted that she wait. Last Season would have been the perfect time for her to secure a match but no, it was not to be.” With a sigh, he shook his head. “It seems that this Season, I must do my duty as I did last Season and shall not have the chance to do as I please until she is wed!”
“Your mother is present also, yes?”
Daniel nodded.
“Yes, she is. Though she is not present this evening, for she is a little weary from traveling still.”
His friend chuckled.
“Then you must do all that you can to marry your sister to a respectable gentleman just as soon as possible, for then you shall have all the freedom that you desire.”
Daniel laughed aloud before throwing back his brandy and, thereafter, picking up another from the tray of a passing footman.
“Though I must say, I shall still be careful when it comes to Isabella’s husband.” Growing suddenly serious, he waggled one finger in Lord Milthorpe’s direction. “You must not encourage me to push her into the arms of the very first gentleman who seeks to court her, for I certainly will not do such a thing as that.”
Thankfully, Lord Milthorpe did not take the least bit of offense, though he did hold up both hands, palms out towards Daniel.
“I shall not do so.”
“You recall the conversation that I had with Lord Newforth last Season?” Daniel scowled at the memory of it. “That gentleman was most insistent that he be the one to court Isabella with the prospect of marriage in his view, but hearing of his character, I had no choice but to refuse him. I care about her a great deal, though I jest about my lack of freedom and the like. She must have a suitable husband, who is good in both his temperament and his standing.”
Lord Milthorpe put one hand to his heart.
“I swear to you that I shall do all that I can to support you in this.”
“I thank you.”
“Though, if I recall, did you make it quite clear last Season that your sister was not to marry?”
Frowning gently, Daniel nodded.
“I did.”
“Then might I give you a warning?” Lord Milthorpe continued, coming a little closer and, thereafter, gesturing to the crowd around them. “The ton know of your wealth, Daniel. They know that your sister will have an excellent dowry, and a fine income thereafter. You must be on your guard, my dear friend, for there will be many a gentleman who might well seek her out based on her fortune.”
Daniel scowled darkly, looking around the crowd as his friend did, wondering which of these gentlemen might do such a thing as that. It was not a thought that he had given much time to consider, but now that Lord Milthorpe had said it, Daniel could well understand it.
“I value your considerations, my friend.” His scowl grew darker. “It is something which I have thought upon for myself, I will admit, but I did not consider it for my sister.”
Daniel’s wealth was great indeed, even greater than those with higher titles and while he was very careful indeed to push away any young ladies – or their grasping mothers – from his company, he had not thought that such a thing could happen to Isabella. That, he saw, had been an oversight. Irritated still by his lack of consideration and, in addition, the realization of how selfish some of the ton could be, Daniel finished up his second brandy and then reached for a third.
“Another?”
Seeing Lord Milthorpe’s slightly lifted eyebrow, Daniel shrugged.
“I must try to enjoy myself a little, must I not?”
His friend hesitated for a moment, then looked away.
“I suppose so.”
“Do not worry.” Daniel waved one hand vaguely. “I know my responsibilities this evening, and I will not forget them.”
“Lord Hastings?”
Turning a little too quickly, Daniel blinked to clear his vision.
“Ah, Lady Winters.”
He wobbled just a little, one hand reaching out to hold onto the chair beside him though, somehow, it seemed to evade his grasp.
“Have you seen my daughter?” Lady Winters’ eyes were wide with concern and Daniel quickly forced his smile away. “She was dancing with Lord Beauford and now I cannot see her anywhere!”
“I am sure that she is quite all right,” Daniel answered, setting his brandy down rather than taking another sip, seeing that Lady Winters required his full attention. “She mayhap was dancing the cotillion, yes? And that dance has only just been announced.”
Lady Winters wrung her hands.
“No, no, I am sure that she did not accept that dance from anyone! I do not know where she has gone and yet now, I fear that her reputation might well be in danger if I do not find her soon.”
Daniel turned quickly and grasped the arm of his friend.
“Lord Milthorpe, come for a moment. It appears that Lady Winters requires our aid.”
“And your discretion!” Lady Winters exclaimed as Daniel threw a glance at the glass of very fine French brandy that he might otherwise have been enjoying. “I came to speak with you, Lord Hastings, because I know that you are not in the least bit inclined towards gossip and are a fine, upstanding gentleman.”
Her eyes glittered with evident tears as Daniel nodded, his chest puffed out a little with pride at the compliments the lady had offered him.
“You can be quite assured that we will not say a single thing, Lady Winters,” he said firmly, feeling the effects of the liquor slowly beginning to fade, though it still slung to him quite firmly, loosening its grip bit by bit. “We must find Lady…”
A heavy frown pulled at his forehead as he struggled to recall the name of the young lady, although he was well able to picture her face. Lady Winter scowled.
“Lady Madeline.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Daniel shook his head, flushed with embarrassment. “Forgive me, it is only that there are so many names and those eager to dance that I quite forgot for a moment.”
He smiled as warmly as he could, and Lady Winters gave him a brief nod before wringing her hands again.
“Oh, where could she be?” Her eyes flared suddenly. “Wait! Might she be with your sister?”
Daniel blinked quickly.
“My sister?” Again, heat poured into his chest as he realized that he had not seen sight nor sound of Isabella for some time. “Yes, mayhap. I know that they are acquainted, but I did not think that they would consider one another a friend.”
“Oh, but they do!” Lady Winters exclaimed, her eyes darting from Daniel to Lord Milthorpe and then back again. “Last Season, they were often in conversation, and I am sure that letters have been exchanged since then also.”
“I see.”
Daniel cleared his throat, reaching for his brandy only to set it back again. He had not known this and though he realized that, mayhap, he did not know his sister as well as he ought, he certainly had never seen Isabella in conversation with Lady Madeline.
“Might I ask where your sister is, Lord Hastings?” Lady Winters came closer to him, one hand on his arm. “We might go and find them together!”
Daniel glanced around the room, trying to find an answer to Lady Winters’ question.
“I think…” Realizing that he had failed in his duty to his sister, he drew himself up and nodded vaguely in the direction of the center of the ballroom. “She was dancing, Lady Winters. I think she will be in the middle of the cotillion at present.”
“Oh.” Lady Winters let out a long sigh. “Then she will not be with my dear daughter.” Squeezing Daniel’s arm again, she caught his full attention. “Might you still be willing to seek out Madeline with me?”
Daniel cleared his throat but smiled.
“Yes, of course. I am honored that you would ask me.” He looked at his friend. “Lord Milthorpe?”
“Oh, I do not think that your friend needs to be troubled.” Lady Winters smiled, but put one hand out toward Lord Milthorpe. “Please, do not think that you must join us. I should not like to impose.”
A trifle confused as to why Lady Winters would not want as much help and assistance as she could get, Daniel threw a look at his friend again.
“It is no trouble in the least, I assure you.” Lord Milthorpe gestured to the door that led from the ballroom. “Shall we see if she is in the hallway? There might be a ripped gown that requires stitching or mayhap she has stepped out for a little air.”
“Then the gardens?” Lady Winters took Daniel’s arm, even though he had not offered it, and then hurried them both towards the French doors, rather than the one that led out to the hallway. “I am sure that she would not have gone out to the gardens alone but, all the same, it might be wise to make certain.”
“Indeed.”
Becoming a little more confused as to why Lady Winters appeared to be so determined to have him out in the gardens, Daniel cast another look over his shoulder to Lord Milthorpe who was frowning heavily. The cold air sent a slight shock through him and Daniel blinked rapidly, astonished at the way the night air pushed away the slowness that came from the sheer amount of brandy he had indulged in.
“Do you think that we should call for her?” Lady Winters looked up into Daniel’s face, the flickers from the many torches lighting the garden dancing across her features. “But then that might make others aware that she is lost, and I do not want that.”
“No, I should not do such a thing as that.” Trying to quieten his thoughts over what Lady Winters appeared to be doing in practically dragging him outside, Daniel turned his gaze around the gardens but much of it was dark and hidden in shadow. “We should walk through the gardens quietly and see if we can see her anywhere. I am sure that she is merely standing with some companions and will be most apologetic over her absence from you.”
“I will go this way.” Lord Milthorpe took the path to the left and, with a nod, Daniel turned to the right. The gardens were large enough for many to walk in, though quite why a young lady would come out here alone, Daniel could not imagine. He walked in silence with Lady Winters, hearing only her quick breaths and practically sensing her concern.
Then, Daniel heard someone cry out and his heart lurched at the sound. Before he could say anything, Lady Winters released his arm and rushed forward into the darkness, leaving Daniel to follow her.
“Lady Winters, a moment!” Following her behind some bushes – his concern growing that he might soon be caught alone with Lady Winters herself and some questions raised thereafter – Daniel moved slowly, silently wondering now if this had all been some foolish mistake on his part. Mayhap he ought never to have come outside or even agreed to assist her in this! “I do not think–”
“Goodness, Lord Hastings! Is that not… your sister?”
Daniel snatched in a breath, his eyes flaring as a flaming torch on a marble plinth illuminated the two figures before them. One of them was being held, her wrists tightly gripped, pressed back against the tree, and the other, he could not quite make out, given that the gentleman had his back to him. Before he could even think, Daniel strode forward across the grass and grasped the gentleman’s shoulder with one hand, wrenching him back just as his sister let out another cry, trying to fight Daniel off also.
“Isabella, it is I!” he exclaimed, only for her to break into sobs, throwing herself into his arms. She went a little limp, perhaps weak with fright, over what had taken place and Daniel, turning carefully, looked into the face of the gentleman who had held his sister so tightly.
“How dare you?” Taking a step closer, one arm still around Isabella’s waist, he fought the furious anger that burned up into his chest, threatening to overwhelm him. “Did you really think that this was the right way for a gentleman to behave towards a lady he supposedly cares for, Lord Newforth?”
Much to Daniel’s upset, the gentleman only smiled, grinning back at Daniel as though he had done something quite acceptable.
“Hastings?” A rush of footsteps brought Lord Milthorpe to stand beside Daniel, and then, quickly taking in the scene, he moved to stand on the opposite side of Isabella. “Whatever has happened here?”
“Oh, it is quite clear.” Lady Winters, suddenly no longer appearing as sorrowful nor as afraid as before, came to stand beside Lord Newforth. “I have discovered your sister, Isabella, in the arms of Lord Newforth. I am afraid that they must now wed, given the circumstances.”
Cold ran down Daniel’s spine and he shuddered violently.
“Never,” he hissed, his arm around Isabella gripping her a little more tightly. “I shall never permit you to wed her!”
“Ah, but the ton shall then know all that has taken place!” Lord Newforth exclaimed, throwing one hand out towards Lady Winters. “My aunt is not known for her quiet tongue, I am afraid.”
“Your aunt ?” Closing his eyes, Daniel let out a hiss of breath, quickly realizing what had just taken place. Lord Newforth, for whatever reason, desired to have Isabella as his bride and thus, had used his aunt to force Daniel’s hand. If he refused to let Isabella marry Lord Newforth, then her reputation would be utterly ruined, and all that he had hoped for her would fade into nothing. Even his good name would be damaged, and that meant that any match he might hope to make would be a good deal more difficult. And what would his mother think of it all? He opened his eyes and turned to Isabella, seeing the tears on her cheeks, and feeling her tremble still. Twisting his lips, he shook his head. “I cannot do this to her. The answer is no.”
Lady Winters laughed mockingly.
“Then you do realize what you are going to face, do you not?”
“Mockery,” Lord Newforth began, ticking his fingers off one by one. “Disdain. The cut direct from many, I am sure. Gossip. Whispers. No longer invited to the fine events held in society.” He tilted his head, one eyebrow lifting just a little. “Is that really what you want? What you want for her ?” His eyes went to Isabella, a darkness coming into them that Daniel shuddered to see. “Or do you not wish to encourage her to marry me and, in doing so, save yourself – and her – from all that I have said before?”
“You cannot.” Lord Milthorpe turned his head to look straight into Daniel’s face, his expression furious. “You cannot let him do this.”
“There is truth in what he says, however,” Daniel murmured, only for Isabella to let out a low cry, her hands now grasping his arm.
“Do not make me wed him, brother, I beg you! You know the character that he is, please do not force me into his arms!”
Daniel took a deep breath, seeing the fear in his sister’s face, but at the same time, struggling to know what would be best to do. He wanted to protect her but, no matter what decision he made, she would suffer.
“I will marry her.” Lord Milthorpe turned his back on Lord Newforth and Lady Winters, his voice low but determined.
“I beg your pardon?”
In response to Daniel’s question, Lord Milthorpe repeated himself, albeit more firmly.
“ I will marry Isabella. We can make the announcement at this very moment and prevent any gossip from spreading.”
Daniel swallowed hard, looking from his sister to Lord Milthorpe and back again. Isabella’s eyes were shining with tears, but Lord Milthorpe appeared quite resolute, his jaw tight as he nodded, as though to confirm that he would do as he had just said.
“We are awaiting your decision, Lord Hastings!”
The droll, almost sing-song voice of Lord Newforth made Daniel’s whole body clench with anger, and he almost turned around on his heel to throw something sharp in the gentleman’s direction, though Isabella’s restraining hand prevented him.
“I will marry Lord Milthorpe.”
Her whisper shattered Daniel’s heart, seeing the sorrow in his sister’s eyes that she would not have the Season – nor the match - she had hoped for.
“This is my fault, my doing.” Guilt began to tear through him, making him lower his head. “I should have made certain that I knew where you were at all times, should have come to find you after the dance.”
“Now is not the time for such things.” Lord Milthorpe moved a little closer, keeping his voice low. “I know that I am not the very best of gentlemen, but you know my character well enough to trust that I will treat Isabella with every kindness.” He looked at Isabella as Daniel watched, his expression softening. “We have known each other from childhood, have we not? I am sure that we can make the best of things, and I swear to treat you with the greatest consideration, Isabella.”
For just a moment, Isabella’s lips lifted in a small smile, a flare of hope in her eyes.
“I do trust you in that, Milthorpe. Thank you for saving me from this dreadful situation.”
Seeing that both had already made up their minds and, fully aware that this was now the very best that could be made of the situation, Daniel took a deep breath, nodded, and then looked at Lord Newforth.
“The answer is no, Lord Newforth, just as I have said before, and now say again. You will not have my sister as your wife.”
The light smile on Lord Newforth’s face immediately began to fade away. He exchanged a look with Lady Winters who, at the very same time, began to scowl.
“You know what this will mean, then,” she spat, clearly disappointed and angry that Daniel had refused. “We will tell everyone–”
“Do excuse me.” Interrupting her and making it quite clear that he had no interest whatsoever in listening to anything further, Daniel marched away from both Lady Winters and Lord Newforth, following Isabella and Lord Milthorpe. His chest was tight, filled with furious anger that he could not quite remove from himself and, at the very same time, guilt and shame ran over him in waves. He had been doing nothing but enjoying himself at the ball and had not given Isabella the attention that she deserved and required from him. Had he done so, then Lord Newforth might never have had the opportunity to do as he had done.
Stepping into the ballroom, he paused at the door, hearing Lord Milthorpe call for quiet. It took some moments as the hush slowly ran around the room but, after a short while, almost everyone had paused in their conversation and was now looking directly at him.
Lord Milthorpe smiled, though Daniel could see the slight flicker in it all the same. Lord Milthorpe had done more for Daniel and Isabella than Daniel had ever expected, saving her from a life of ruination or a life of pain with Lord Newforth – and Daniel did not know how he would ever express his gratitude.
“I am delighted to announce that I have only just now asked Miss Isabella Spearton, sister to the Viscount of Hastings, to be my wife. What is even more wonderful is that she has accepted and, very soon, we shall wed!”
“What?”
Daniel turned, just as the room erupted with applause and cheers. The first thing that met his eyes was the sight of Lord Newforth, now rigid with fury, his eyes narrowed like shards of glass, his whole face scarlet with rage.
Despite all else that he felt, Daniel smiled.
“I did tell you that you would not marry my sister, did I not?” he said, as calmly as he could. “And now you may speak whatever you please, but I highly doubt that anyone in society will believe you. Instead, it will appear as though you are either jealous, idiotic, or mistaken.” His shoulders lifted and then fell. “But I shall leave that choice to you.”
Turning back, he walked directly towards his sister, forcing a smile that he did not truly feel within himself. The moment was done, the decision was made, and Daniel had no choice but to go with it wholeheartedly. He could only pray that Isabella would be happy with Lord Milthorpe… and that she would forgive him for his failure.