Chapter 1
Chapter One
“Istill do not understand why you pulled me away,” complained Lady Nerissa Bennet. “We were having a rather lovely conversation, I thought. Lord Wexley is a true gentleman.”
“Is that right?” Lady Madeline Bennet looked pointedly at her younger sister. ‘Pray tell, what was it exactly that the two of you were speaking about?”
“Many things.” Nerissa scrunched her face into a determined scowl.
“We spoke about the weather, and how nice it has been this summer. And… oh, yes! He was telling me about a cottage he owns in Cornwall, how lovely it is there this time of year. He even invited me to go with him sometime, should Father allow it.”
“Did Lord Wexley ask if you wished to go?”
“Well, no. But he could tell that I was keenly interested.”
“Did Lord Wexley ask you anything about yourself?” Madeline asked next.
“He…” Nerissa pushed her lips together as if she were about to throw a tantrum. “He did not need to. I was the one asking questions.”
“Oh, so you were the one who asked about the cottage and if he might invite you? You showed interest?”
“What? No…” Nerissa leaned back. “I… as I said, he invited me. He was very polite. And charming too. I was enjoying myself, Madeline! I really do not see what the problem is.”
Of course, you do not, which is the entire problem to begin with, my sweet little sister. It is just lucky that I am here…
“Come here.” Madeline held out her hand for her sister to take.
“What are you…” Nerissa eyed the hand with skepticism.
Madeline raised an eyebrow. “Trust me.”
“I do not know what you mean to do.” Nerissa took her hand. “Or why you are acting this way. It was just a conversation!”
“A conversation had with a dozen other women…” Madeline turned her sister about, positioning her so that she could see across the garden where Lord Wexley was now speaking with another young lady.
Lord Wexley was a typical lordling. Tall and well-trimmed, regal in appearance, handsome in a typical sense, and very much a man whose reputation hardly scratched the surface of who he truly was.
To the casual observer, he was everything that was promised, but underneath, there was a belly covered in filth and grime.
One just has to know where to look.
“You see,” Madeline explained to her sister as they watched Lord Wexley speak with the young woman. “Now, I cannot hear what is being said, but I grant you it is not so different from the conversation that the two of you had just now.”
Nerissa’s confidence began to diminish. “That is not… he is just being friendly. You always assume the worst.”
“I assume nothing,” Madeline said rightly.
“I know for fact that he has invited at least two other women to this so-called cottage of his. And that is just today! See there…” They watched together as Lord Wexley placed a hand on the young lady’s hip and leaned forward to whisper into her ear.
The young lady giggled, and Lord Wexley grinned wickedly.
“I wonder what he is saying. I doubt he is asking what her hobbies are.”
“I do not think… perhaps he is just…” Nerissa’s doubt was quick to transform into mourning. “How could he? Madeline!” She turned on her sister; her face now struck with disappointment. “He was so kind. And funny. And charming! I truly thought that he… that he and I… oh, I am such a fool!”
“Nonsense.”
“I am!”
“Do not be so hard on yourself.” Madeline’s smile was genuine, and she used it to full effect to calm her little sister. “It is not such a bad thing to see the best in people – to want to see the best in them. In fact, sometimes, I envy it.”
“But you don’t fall for such things either,” she pouted. “You would never be tricked like that.”
“True,” Madeline laughed. “Which is why you have me as an older sister. Between the two of us, we almost make a perfect whole.” She touched Nerissa on the arm and squeezed it lovingly. “Don’t despair, Nerissa, he is out there somehow.”
“He? He who?”
She rolled her eyes. “Who do you think? The man of your dreams, of course. The rare specimen who will prove his words with action, whisk you away, and help you live your happily ever after.”
Nerissa grinned. “Assuming he makes it past you, sister. Does such a man exist?”
“Surely he does,” Madeline laughed. “Just as we both know his name is not Lord Wexley.” She curled her upper lip in the direction of the repugnant lord. “Let someone else have him. Good riddance, I say.”
“Thank you, Madeline.” Nerissa took Madeline’s hands, pulled them into her chest, and squeezed them tight. “For looking out for me. For… for believing in me, even when I make a mess of everything.”
“For you, Nerissa…” Madeline’s smile was as warm as the summer sun. “… anything. Now, let us see who else is out there.” They turned as one to look across the garden. “The perfect man awaits.”
“He does,” Nerissa agreed. “He has to!”
Madeline eyed her sister with a sense of both hope, love, and pity.
Nerissa was just nineteen years of age and, as was the case for so many young ladies of the ton, all she wanted in this life was to meet the man of her dreams, fall in love with him as he did with her, and live happily ever after.
It was a worthy dream to have, and Madeline could not begrudge her this.
What was more, Nerissa was, in every way that mattered, a true beauty.
She had dark hair that shimmered like silk in the light.
She had blue eyes shaped like almonds, and they reflected to the world how pure and innocent she was.
And the freckles that dusted her nose were the envy of many.
Yes, it should have been an easy thing to find a husband.
Madeline just wished it was that simple.
Madeline, on the other hand, was twenty-four, and she had long since given up any notion of falling in love. Having grown up in the household that she did, her aspirations were far more practical, and while she knew that one day she would have to marry, she knew it would never be for love.
Marriage was a practical union, one born of societal needs, and the only reason that she would ever commit to such a thing would be if she got something in return.
Safety. Security. A man who would not try and change her, while accepting that she demanded a certain type of independence that most women were never allowed.
It did not help that she was a beauty in much the same way as her younger sister.
The same dark hair and brown eyes. The same milky skin.
And while she was tall, her body was blessed with curves that more than a few might be caught staring at.
Annoyingly, this only worked against her aspirations, as many men were unable to look past her physical beauty.
She was, in their eyes, a prize to be won.
For this reason, Madeline saw no need to pursue marriage as most women did. Rather, she had dedicated her recent years to helping her sister, the optimist, wade through the filth of courtship so that she might one day find someone worthy of Nerissa’s love… and Madeline’s harsh judgement.
“Oh!” Nerissa perked up. “Look who it is.”
Madeline sighed, certain her sister was going to point out yet another lord not worthy of her. “Who?”
“Rose and Josephine.” She pointed through the crowd. “I did not know they would be here today.”
Madeline followed her sister’s extended hand and frowned when she saw her two closest friends coming toward them. “Neither did I…”
The event in question today was a garden party, hosted by Lord and Lady Northbridge. There were perhaps three score guests in attendance, and they spread across the verdant garden as they chatted and drank and laughed and enjoyed one of the many wonders that came with being members of the peerage.
Madeline had not intended to be here this day, but her father had insisted as there were men here with whom he wished to speak business with. What was more, her father was keen to find Nerissa a husband, and events like this one were perfect for such things.
While her father had offered Madeline a chance to stay home, she denied him. There was just no way that she would allow Nerissa to attend the party without her there to watch. Especially as she did not trust her father where Nerissa was concerned.
He is likely to try and pair her with some repugnant lord who only wishes to marry so he might secure some business deal or what have you. Not on my watch!
“Ah, there she is…” Rose, Lady Voss, crooned as she came toward Madeline and Nerissa. “Madeline the bulwark.”
“I was thinking that guard dog might be more apt,” Josephine, the Duchess of Ashbourne, chuckled. “How goes the hunt?”
The two women swept into Madeline and Nerissa and gave them each a kiss on the cheek. Rose and Josephine were Madeline’s closest friends, which is why they were able to make such jokes without risk of causing offence.
“Dreadful,” Nerissa sighed and slumped her shoulders. “There is not a single lord here worth speaking with.”
“Says Madeline,” Rose noted. “I suspect the King himself could ask for a dance and Madeline would find a reason to object.”
“That he is married might be reason enough,” Madeline pointed out. “And is it such a bad thing to want what is best for my sister? Forgive me if, unlike the two of you, I am not willing to allow Nerissa to settle.”
“That was uncalled for, Madeline,” Rose snapped.
“She is just jealous,” Josephine joined in. “It is lucky that gown is blue, Madeline, because green is not your color.”
“Jealous?” Madeline laughed mockingly. “Please…”
There was a time not so long ago when Madeline, Rose, and Josephine had all been single. And proud of the fact! Like Madeline, her two friends were determined to only marry when they found the perfect mate, a man who brought something to the table beyond his title and looks.