Chapter One
Millvale, Kent—March 1806
L ady Ariadne Worthington looked around the dinner table. Her father and older brother were engaged in conversation, Val probably trying to talk over estate business, something their father had told his son over and over was no concern of his until he became the Duke of Millbrooke. Val argued that he could be his father’s eyes and ears and visit the other ducal properties beyond Millvale, helping to prepare for the day when he did come into the title. Her brother had told Ariadne he did not wish to be completely unprepared when that time came, yet their father kept all matters of business private, frustrating Val to no end.
She turned to her left, where her younger sister Tia was complaining to their mother, begging to go to London.
“You always make us stay in the country, Mama. Why can’t we go to town with Ariadne this year? Lia and I will be making our come-outs next year. We should see something of what it is like so we can be ready.”
The duchess sniffed and looked to Lia, Tia’s twin. “Do you feel the same as Thermantia, Cornelia?”
Her parents always referred to their children by their full Christian names. While Ariadne liked the name she had been given and hadn’t wanted it shortened, her three siblings had all gone for a more diminutive form.
Lia, always a peacemaker, diplomatically said, “While it would be lovely to go to town and see more of it, I am content to stay at Millvale. There is so much to be done here.”
“Lia!” Tia said, her exasperation evident. “What happened to a united front?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. Her twin sisters favored one another in the face, but everything else about them was different.
“I mean it,” Lia insisted. “I can always help on the estate while Mama and Papa are gone.”
“But in town, we could go to the parks. The museums. Gunter’s!” Tia countered.
They had only been to town as a family once, many years ago, when they met all their cousins. Aunt Charlotte, her father’s sister, had three children of her own, as did Uncle George, their cousin who also had three children. Uncle George was deceased now, but she knew his widow continued to come to town each spring. The ten cousins had enjoyed being around one another, but they lived too far apart to get together on a regular basis.
The only cousins in the group who saw one another were Val and Constantine, Viscount Dyer. Her brother and Con were the same age and had attended school together, even sharing rooms at university. Ariadne looked forward to getting to know Con better when she made her come-out.
“It will be enough to manage your sister’s come-out without having to worry about the two of you,” Mama said. “Your governess will keep you occupied. It is your last year to have a governess, Thermantia, and you still have much to learn from Miss Nixon.”
Tia sighed dramatically. “I suppose I shall have to settle for letters.” She looked to Ariadne. “You had better write. In detail. Of all the balls and parties and what your gowns look like. The gentlemen you are interested in. The ones you kiss.”
“Thermantia!” roared the duke. “That will be enough from you.”
“Yes, Papa,” Tia said meekly, turning her interest to the plate in front of her.
Dinner finished without any more drama. Val and their father remained at the table with brandy and cigars, while the twins accompanied their mother and sister to the drawing room.
Sitting next to Ariadne, Tia said, “I mean it. You do not have to write the both of us. You can address letters to one or the other, and you know we will share.” More quietly, she said, “I want to know what kissing is all about.”
“I will write when I can,” she promised, avoiding the topic of kissing.
Her mother overheard that remark. “Ariadne will be too busy for much correspondence, Thermantia. You girls may write to her, but do not expect answers to your letters. The social calendar fills up quickly, and I assume that Ariadne will prove to be quite popular with her looks.”
She knew she was pretty, but she did worry about her hair. It was copper, an interesting blend of red and bronze. Somewhere, she had heard red hair was not considered fashionable, and men did not like it much. If so, all three Worthington sisters would be in trouble during their come-outs since they all got their varying shades of red hair from their father. Lia’s was a lovely shade of auburn, more red than brown, while Tia’s was a beautiful strawberry blond. Even Val’s hair, while appearing brown indoors, was russet, and shone red in the sunlight. Of course, he was a man and the Marquess of Claibourne, heir to a dukedom. It didn’t matter what color of hair he had. When he decided to wed, Val would easily have his choice of ladies.
Papa and Val joined them. The twins begged off, promising to get up early to see her off tomorrow morning. Val took her aside, and they went to sit in chairs by the window.
“Are you excited about taking part in the upcoming Season?” he asked.
“A part of me is. It will be fun to make new friends and wear pretty gowns. Go to the different events. But I worry about disappointing Mama and Papa.”
He frowned. “How so?”
She shook her head. “It is different from you. You aren’t expected to wed right away, while I will be looked upon as a failure if I do not. After all, I am the daughter of a duke, with fair looks and a hefty dowry.” She hesitated. “What if I cannot find a gentleman I like?”
Val smiled. “You don’t have to worry, Sis. I guarantee there are plenty of eligible bachelors who will vie to meet you. I will personally find out everything I can about the ones interested in you and inform you of all you need to know about them. Just tell me which ones you fancy, and I’ll make certain they are good enough for you. I won’t have you wedding someone irresponsible or a man who will treat you unfairly.”
She took his hand, squeezing it. “I am grateful you will be looking out for me. I fear Mama will push me toward men who possess the highest titles or those with the greatest wealth. Papa will be just as bad.” In a gruff voice, imitating the duke, she said, “A man must be worthy to wed my Ariadne.”
They both laughed, and Val said, “His Grace is intimidating. That will cause some to shy away. Others will also learn how protective I am of you. That might frighten a few more away.”
Laughing, she said, “Will there be anyone left to woo me?”
“Only those brave enough to face the wrath of the Duke of Millbrooke and the Marquis of Claibourne. If they can, they may be found suitable.” His gaze met hers. “Do not be in a rush, Ariadne. If you find no one to your liking this first Season, regardless of how Mama pushes you, then wait for the next. Not every girl weds after her come-out Season. You want to be certain you have found the right husband.”
“I fear my inexperience will lead me to the wrong person,” she said worriedly. “I do not want to make a mistake. Marriage is for life.”
“True,” Val said, his brows knitting together. “But you aren’t looking for love, are you?”
“Goodness, no,” she said quickly. “Even I am not foolish enough to think I would make a love match. Do they really even exist?”
“Not that I know of,” he said breezily. “Still, I believe you can find a man who will treat you kindly. One who will be generous toward you. I would never allow you to be stuck with someone who is cruel or overbearing. Just take each event one at a time. Meet as many people as you can. And do not merely search for a husband. Have fun. Make new friends. Live a little. I believe if you do, your path will cross with the man meant for you.”
Ariadne hugged her brother. “I am so glad you will be there. Con, too. I am looking forward to getting to know him better. It seems so odd that we have so many cousins, yet we have only been in their presence that one week.”
“Con is reliable. You will not find a more dependable man in the city. I will have him help me to scrutinize your beaux.”
“Ah, so now I have the two of you looking after me. What more could a girl wish for?”
Shortly after, Ariadne retired to her bedchamber, where her maid helped her to undress.
“Ready to go to town, Tally?” she asked.
“Yes, my lady. I’ve been a country girl all my life. It’s exciting to get to go to town.” The servant paused. “And hopefully, we can stay together.”
“Why wouldn’t we?” She hugged the maid. “I assumed you wished to go with me whenever I wed. Of course, it might not be a ducal household. I know some servants are very conscious about their employer’s status.”
“Oh, no, my lady. I don’t care a thing about that. I just want to serve you. If you and your husband want me, that is.”
“Tally, I will refuse to marry any man who would dictate to me who I can have for my maid. My husband will not even care about household matters. Those will be left up to me, his wife. I shall be in charge of hiring and firing staff. You will always have a place with me.”
“Thank you, my lady,” the maid said, tears swimming in her eyes. “You’ve put my mind at ease.”
After Tally left and Ariadne lay in bed, she found her mind whirling and sleep impossible.
What would her life in town be like? What would the Season truly entail? She hoped she would make new friends and enjoy the social gatherings. Once the Season ended, she might well be engaged. Then the ceremony would take place, and she’d be off to her new home.
A wave of sadness passed over her. Kent had always been home. What if she wed a man who lived far away from Millvale? She might only see her brother and sisters each year during the Season. If they came. Not everyone in Polite Society participated in the Season. Some lived far from town and did not come often. Women, in particular, skipped the Season if they were increasing. It was hard to imagine not seeing Tia and Lia on a daily basis, something she had always taken for granted.
She wished now that she had fought to have her sisters accompany her to London. Maybe after they had been there a few weeks, she might tell her mother she missed her siblings and ask if they could join them. Yes, that was definitely a good plan. It would certainly please Tia, and Lia would happily accompany her twin to town. That decided, Ariadne dropped off to sleep easily.
In the morning, she rang for Tally and dressed quickly before going downstairs for breakfast.
Pulling Tia aside, she said, “Do not react to what I say, but I am going to ask Mama to send for you and Tia after the Season has started. You are right. I feel a bit ill-prepared, and I want better next year for you and Lia. While you will not be able to attend any social events, I can tell you about them. You can also help me choose what to wear on different occasions.”
Tia looked at her without a trace of a smile. “That would be lovely, Ariadne. You are a wonderful sister. I am sorry I have to look at you as if I am bored, because all I want to do is jump up and down and throw my arms about you.”
“Perhaps you should go on the stage,” Ariadne mused. “I never knew your acting skills were so good.”
“There is a lot you do not know about me,” Tia said, sounding as regal as a queen.
She hugged Tia. “I already miss you.”
Once they had breakfasted, she said her goodbyes, both to servants and her sisters. She accompanied Val to the first coach of three, and he handed her up. Mama and Papa joined them. Ariadne leaned out the window as the coach started up, waving the entire way down the lane, until everyone turned to specks.
She settled herself, seeing Mama already leaning against the window, softly snoring. Val and Papa were talking about one of the estates in Essex, so she passed the time staring out the window at the lovely countryside they passed. She wondered when her aunts and uncle would be arriving in town. At least with her being of age now and able to come to London each Season, over the years she might get to know her younger cousins. Besides Con, Aunt Charlotte had two daughters, Lucy and Dru. Uncle George had had a son named Hadrian, who now held the earldom, and two girls, Verina and Justina. From what her mother said, Ariadne gathered Aunt Agnes continued coming to town each spring to see friends, though Mama said she doubted Agnes would ever remarry.
They switched horses halfway through their journey, getting out to stretch their legs a bit. Mama immediately dropped off to sleep again once they were back on the road, her snoring louder this time. Ariadne kept studying the view outside, eager when she caught sight of London. As they approached, she thought it was possible this might be last time she did so as an unmarried lady. By next spring, she could well be a married woman, entering the gates of the city with her husband.
She knew the Worthington townhouse was in Mayfair. Parts of the city seemed familiar to her, and she supposed her one visit years ago had made an impression upon her.
What bothered her, though, was catching sight of the poor as the vehicle moved through London. She had been too young to notice before, but now Ariadne saw children on the streets, many without shoes, though the temperature for March was brisk. Looking with a critical eye, she also saw adults dressed in rags. Her heart ached, thinking of families who went cold or hungry.
Determination filled her. She would do something about this situation. Though she was only one person and her efforts would only touch a few lives, she believed it was her duty to help the less fortunate. How she would go about doing so would be tricky, especially since she was under the impression that her hours would be filled with social activities. Still, she could carve out time for the less fortunate. She could make this happen.
And would.
When they turned into a square, she caught sight of their townhouse. Three houses occupied this square. Two faced one another, with a small park in the middle. Another house sat at the end of the square. Their carriage went down one side, turned, and then went back up the other, coming to a halt.
“We’re here, Mama,” Ariadne said, shaking her mother gently.
Mama blinked. “Already? The drive used to take so much longer.”
She caught Val’s eye and had to turn away, covering her laughter with a cough.
Her brother leaped from the vehicle, assisting his father out. The duke strode into the house without a word to anyone. Val helped Mama out next, with Ariadne coming last. She smiled at the servants, greeting them.
“You are Parsons,” she recalled. “And Mrs. Parsons.”
“Yes, my lady,” the housekeeper said. “We are ever so happy to have you in town for your come-out Season.”
“Tea, Parsons,” Mama commanded, sailing into the house.
Val looked at her. “I’ve had enough of them for now. I will see you at dinner. I am off to my club.”
“Why don’t women have a club to go to?” she called after him, seeing him grin over his shoulder as he hurried away.
She went to her room, happy to see how large it was. Tally unpacked for her, chattering away.
“I had better go have tea with Mama,” she told her maid, traveling downstairs, where Parsons directed her to her mother’s sitting room.
“We shall meet with the modiste tomorrow,” Mama told her. “I have booked her for the entire day.”
“It will take that long?”
Mama smiled. “You will spend more time with her than anyone this Season, Ariadne.”
Once they had a cup of tea, she decided to go and see the park across the street, ready to be outdoors after having been cooped up in the carriage on their drive to town. She went to her room and claimed her cloak, since it was a bit chilly, and a book. Making her way out the front door, she told the footman where she would be.
“Enjoy your reading, my lady,” he told her. “There’s a gate to enter the park. Faces the single house.”
She thanked him and walked directly there, glad he had informed her of where the gate was located. Entering, she decided to explore its entire length before finding a bench to sit upon. When she came to its center, however, she spied a man sitting and stopped in her tracks.
His eyes were closed, his booted feet stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. His arms rested against the back of the bench. His face was turned up to the sun, his eyes closed.
Ariadne approached him, not certain how to handle the situation. Mama had told her she was never to speak to any stranger and that at every societal affair, she must be introduced to anyone she did not know by someone she did know. Here, alone in the park, though, it seemed rude if she avoided this man. After all, he must live in one of the two other nearby townhouses, else he wouldn’t be here.
He must have sensed her presence because his head moved, his eyes coming to rest on her. His dark, thick hair and thick brows were a direct contrast to his pale, blue eyes. His face was handsome, but he had a look about him, as if he were a hungry tiger on the prowl for a meal.
“Excuse me,” she said, taking two more steps toward him. “I did not mean to disturb you.”
“Talking to me disturbs me,” he said bluntly.
His words took her aback. She frowned deeply. “I am Lady Ariadne Worthington. My father is the Duke of Millbrooke. Our family townhouse is next to this park. I assume it is for us and all our neighbors to enjoy.”
An amused look crossed his face. “Not afraid to scold me, are you?” he asked.
She felt her cheeks heat, knowing her tone had been harsh, but she wasn’t going to apologize to this man.
“Just because you hold a title does not mean you have the right to be discourteous,” she countered.
“How do you know I hold a title?”
“First, because you are present here and must live in one of the two other townhouses on this square. Second, you are not a second or third son because they are not nearly as surly. Not all men who hold the rank of peer are uncivil, but I will venture those who are as boorish as you do hold a title and feel entitled. I am sorry I spoke to you, especially since we are strangers. I should have waited for a proper introduction, as is required. I will continue to investigate this small park, and then I shall find a spot to sit, far away from you. I will never speak to you again, my lord. Even if our paths do cross.”
“Assertive,” he said, studying her lazily, making her cheeks burn. “You are entitled yourself, Lady Ariadne, being a duke’s daughter.”
“Others might believe that true, but I value those with good manners who seek to be kind to all. I cannot help my parentage, but I will not apologize for it. Good day, my lord.”
Ariadne forced herself to continue walking to the part of the park she had yet to see, knowing she would eventually have to turn around and come across this man again. Though dreading it, she hoped he would be gone by the time she came around a second time.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. In fact, this time, he stood as she drew near.
“Forgive my insolence, my lady,” he said, surprising her with his gentle tone, as well as the apology. “Though it is not an excuse, I am new to the world of Polite Society and have an innate sense of inferiority.”
His revealing words shocked her—and drew her curiosity.
“Then I would have us start by introducing ourselves again,” she said.
“Good afternoon, my lady,” he said, sounding civil and courteous this time. “Might I introduce myself to you? I am Julian Barrington, the Marquess of Aldridge. My townhouse sits at the bottom of the square. I gather we are neighbors.”
He took her ungloved hand in greeting. Something raced through her, a wild, wonderful feeling that had her catch her breath. She knew he felt it, too, because he looked at her, puzzled, and then released her hand.
Recovering, she said, “I am pleased to meet you, my lord. I am Lady Ariadne Worthington, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Millbrooke.” She paused. “See? Wasn’t that better?”
“Forgive my previous brusqueness. I was a bit out of sorts and took it out on you. It was ungentlemanly of me.”
“I will forgive you. In fact, let us pretend it did not occur and that we met just now.”
Lord Aldridge smiled at her. “I think I will be very happy to be your neighbor, Lady Ariadne.”
“Likewise, my lord. Have you held your title long?”
“I came into it last summer, so I would say almost eight months now.”
She was interested in learning more about him, but said, “I believe I will go and read now, my lord. I hope to see you at the Season. That is, if you are attending it.”
“Yes. Invitations are piling up on my desk as we speak. Even though no one knows me, they all wish for the Marquess of Aldridge to attend their little social affairs.”
“Perhaps you might come to dinner one evening. I will speak to my mother and father about it.”
He studied her. “Have you attended the Season before, my lady?”
“No. I am to make my come-out this spring.”
A knowing look came into his eyes. “That means you are on the hunt for a husband. I have heard it called the Marriage Mart.”
Blushing again, she said, “You need to learn to curb your tongue, my lord, and not speak your every thought aloud. Members of Polite Society do not go about saying such things.”
He shrugged nonchalantly, making him look rather appealing. “I see I have much to learn about this new world. Perhaps you could—”
“It is not my place to teach you of such things, my lord. Find someone at your club to do so.”
“I suppose I have a club. I will have to ask.”
For a moment, it struck her how lonely he looked. Perhaps that was why he acted so disgruntled. Pity moved her to say, “My brother belongs to White’s. I will have him come around and meet you. He is the Marquess of Claibourne.”
“Ah, another marquess. Then we are destined to be friends.”
“Is that sarcasm, my lord?”
His eyes gleamed at her. “You are most perceptive, my lady.”
Irritation filled her. “I am trying to do you a favor by sending Val your way. My brother,” she added when his brows arched in question.
“Then send Claibourne. I fear I am going to need all the help I can get.”
Afraid if she stayed in the park, it might lead to more conversation, she abruptly said, “Good day, my lord,” and hurried away.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me, you know,” he called after her, causing Ariadne to laugh.
She wasn’t afraid of him—but her interest was certainly piqued by him. Ariadne would definitely have Val make Aldridge’s acquaintance.
And find out his story.