Chapter One

Shadowcrest—Kent—August 1810

A llegra Strong came down to breakfast with her twin Lyric. They were the last of the family to arrive this morning. Her cousin James and his wife Sophie were present, along with her aunt and two cousins. Aunt Matty was not present, but she usually ate quite early.

"Good morning, everyone," she said as she and Lyric took their seats.

After a footman poured tea for her, she looked to Effie and asked her cousin, "Would you like to go riding this morning?

Effie shook her head. "No, I won't have time. We will be packing."

"Packing?" Lyric interjected. "Where on earth would you be going? The house party begins the day after tomorrow."

James and Sophie were hosting a house party in honor of Allegra and Lyric. The party would serve as their introduction into Polite Society, albeit a small portion of it. It had been Allegra who balked against her and Lyric making their come-outs this past spring in town. While they were at the modiste's shop being measured for an entire new wardrobe of gowns to be made up for the upcoming Season, she had overheard that James would be paying entirely for her and Lyric's expensive wardrobes. Usually, a girl making her come-out had no less than sixty ballgowns sewn, as well as countless other gowns for other social events and receiving callers.

Her father, who was James' uncle, had never really paid much attention to his daughters. He was close with his older son Theodore, and moderately interested in his younger son Caleb, who now served as the Shadowcrest steward. Their mother had died after producing Allegra and Lyric, and Adolphus Strong had no interest in having female twins in his nursery. Her father had let their aunt, the Duchess of Seaton, take over the responsibility of raising them. Eventually, the twins moved permanently to the Seaton household.

Allegra looked to Aunt Dinah now, the only mother she had ever known. "What is going on, Aunt?"

Her aunt was planning the entire house party. After learning of James footing the bill for their come-outs, Allegra had discussed things with her twin, and the two of them had gone to Aunt Dinah, explaining that unless their father owned up to his financial responsibilities to them, they would not make their debuts as planned. Unfortunately, the twins learned that neglect of them was only one of their father's faults. It came out that her father and Theodore had schemed to kidnap Sophie and hold her for ransom. Adolphus Strong was bitterly disappointed that James had appeared after having vanished when he was a small boy seventeen years earlier. Adolphus had believed he would become the new Duke of Seaton when his brother died, and he would eventually pass along the title to Theodore.

When James did return to London and assumed the ducal title shortly after his father's death, it had driven her father to the brink of despair. Fortunately, the kidnapping was foiled. James had banished his uncle and cousin to the other side of the world, with only the clothes on their backs. Allegra felt a deep shame that her relatives had conspired against James and Sophie, who were lovely to her and Lyric.

Still, Allegra did not want to remain in their household forever, dependent upon James, no matter how much he loved her and Lyric. That was why the twins had agreed to Aunt Dinah's idea of a house party held at the end of the Season at Shadowcrest in their honor. Her aunt was managing the entire event, planning all the activities and inviting the guests, since Sophie had little interest in social affairs. She was the owner of Neptune Shipping, an active owner who ran her business. Sophie was also increasing and would give birth to her and James' first child in about five weeks' time, so she had been happy to turn over all aspects of the house party to Aunt Dinah.

Hopefully, now that Aunt Dinah had wed Captain Andrews recently and he had been placed in charge of the London office, he would help ease Sophie's burden. The duchess said she would be counting on the captain to help in the daily running of her business, but she reserved the right to make critical decisions as she taught him the ropes.

Aunt Dinah said, "I think I will allow Mirella to explain since it was her idea." She looked to her daughter.

Mirella cleared her throat. "You know that I had to delay my own come-out this spring because of the broken elbow I suffered. I still prefer to make my debut into Polite Society in a traditional fashion and will do so at the first ball held next spring. I want to experience the full slate of social activities in a Season."

That made sense to Allegra. Mirella was mad for dancing and would most likely dance every set at each ball come next spring.

Her cousin smiled. "Besides, this house party is being given in your honor, Allegra. Yours and Lyric's. Since I am not officially out in society, Aunt Matty is taking Effie and me on a tour."

Effie's eyes lit up. "We are going to the Lake District," she shared. "It is supposed to be the most beautiful part of England. Aunt Matty said that we will enjoy the scenery, and Mirella can take her paints with her, painting various landscapes."

"We will also be able to visit some of the larger estates in the area and tour their houses," Mirella continued. "Aunt Matty said you can often call at a house, and the housekeeper will give you a tour of it. Effie and I are excited to not only spend time together, but with Aunt Matty, too. She has a few friends in this area, and so we will be staying with them, as well as stopping at various inns during the three or four weeks we will be gone."

"Your trip sounds very exciting," Lyric said enthusiastically. "In a way, I am a bit jealous and wish I could go along with you. I know, though, that Aunt Dinah has been hard at work on this party for us. I am eager to meet the guests coming and partake in all the activities which are planned." Her twin smiled mysteriously. "Who knows? Allegra and I might actually find someone to call our own when all is said and done."

Allegra knew house parties took place often at the end of a Season or during Christmastime. She had been looking forward to making her come-out this spring alongside her cousins Georgie and Mirella, as well as Lyric. Georgie had experienced a most successful Season, marrying a former army officer who was now the Marquess of Edgethorne. They had wed in June, and August had taken Georgie to Scotland for an extended honeymoon. They were supposed to return sometime in early September to August's country estate. Edgefield was in Surrey and not far from Shadowcrest in Kent.

She had seen how happy her cousin Pippa was when she married Seth, Viscount Hopewell, and Georgie looked just as joyful when she wed August. Aunt Dinah had continued to have a glow about her since her wedding to Captain Andrews, and so Allegra was quite aware of the love matches being made within the Strong family. She wondered if Lyric was right and that the possibility of finding love during this upcoming party at Shadowcrest might exist.

She knew these type of parties were held in order to give people a way to come to know one another in a small, intimate setting. The Season was full of meeting dozens of gentlemen, but because of the sheer numbers of guests at events and the rules enforced by the ton , it was difficult to truly get to know someone. Aunt Dinah had said she had invited five eligible bachelors to the house party, along with three unwed ladies. That would keep the numbers even at five men and five women, now that Mirella and Effie would not be taking part.

"I hope you have a lovely time with Aunt Matty," Allegra said. "When will you return?"

"Aunt Matty believes we should be home by the end of the second week in September or early in the third week," Mirella explained.

They finished their breakfasts, with Mirella and Effie going upstairs to pack. Allegra assumed Aunt Matty had already breakfasted and was now packing, as well. While she would miss her cousins, she could understand Mirella's desire to be brought out in a more formal manner. After all, she was the sister of a duke. As for Effie, she would not even make her come-out until a year after Mirella did. Allegra wondered if Effie would ever wish to settle down in marriage. Her cousin was quite nurturing, but it involved animals. Effie had often remarked that animals were better friends than people. Allegra only hoped Effie would mature a bit more and change her mind, since she believed her youngest cousin would make for a wonderful wife and mother, nurturing her family as she did her strays.

Aunt Dinah asked if she and Lyric would like to come to her sitting room, and both girls quickly agreed to do so. Allegra had always liked spending special time with her aunt, who had made her and Lyric feel wanted and loved. The four daughters of the Duke of Seaton were more like sisters to them than cousins since they had all been brought up in the same household.

When they arrived, Aunt Dinah handed each girl a small, wrapped present. Allegra's heart sped up, guessing what it was. She and Lyric opened them and held up the gold lockets.

"You know I have given the same locket to Georgina and Pippa," their aunt said. "It is inscribed with the initial of your first name, and inside is a lock of your baby hair which I snipped many years ago."

"Thank you, Aunt Dinah," Allegra and Lyric said in unison.

"You are my girls just as much as the four I gave birth to," Aunt Dinah said, wiping away a tear. "But enough of that. Shall we talk about the house party?"

Aunt Dinah handed each of them a list. "These are the activities which I have decided upon. Please look over them and see if there is anything you might wish to add."

Allegra perused it carefully, eager for the house party to begin.

"The only thing I think we should add, Aunt Dinah, is a picnic," Lyric said. "Pippa has always been fond of us holding ones by the lake. If we did so, it would remind me of her, as if she were here at the party with us."

Her aunt smiled approvingly. "I agree. Of course, the two of you will have to step up and play the pianoforte for our guests. I am hoping to have everyone gather around and sing together as one of you play."

Allegra and Lyric both played very well, but nothing like Georgie and Mirella did. Since both of them would be missing from the party, she knew she and her twin would need to perform for their guests, most likely on more than one occasion.

Her twin laughed. "If that is the case, I will abandon my gardening today in favor of practicing." She looked to Allegra. "Will you also be practicing?"

She grinned. "I'd better. At least Mirella won't be here to show all of us up." She looked to her aunt. "Do any of the other ladies attending play the pianoforte or another musical instrument?"

"I have no idea, Allegra, but I expect they do. Every well-bred lady takes musical lessons of some sort."

"Who is coming to the house party?" Lyric asked. "I have been curious about our guests."

"I can provide you their names. Even tell you a bit about them. But I believe you should form your own opinions of our guests instead of having preconceived notions," Aunt Dinah explained. "All I will say is that all five men are bachelors, well known to the ton . A few are more outgoing than others, and one is a bit shy. One among this group is a widower, and he has a two-year-old daughter. That is all you will get out of me regarding these gentlemen."

"Then at last tell us a bit about the ladies," Allegra pressed. "Lyric and I have always had the advantage of having our four cousins as our constant companions, and they have been our closest friends. One of the reasons I looked forward to making my come-out—and now this party—is to be able to meet other ladies our same age, besides the gentlemen who will attend."

"I will tell you a bit about our three female guests, then," her aunt said. "Lady Lida and Miss Markle are cousins who were brought up together. They come from Somerset, and Lord and Lady Crowell, Lady Lida's parents, will be here to chaperone them. Lady Lida made her come-out the previous Season, while Miss Markle made hers this past spring."

Allegra wondered why this Lady Lida was not betrothed after two Seasons. Although not every girl made a match by the end of her come-out Season, a majority did by their second. She was extremely curious about Lady Lida and also looked forward to meeting Miss Markle, the cousin.

"The third lady attending is Miss Bancroft. She became friends with Georgie during this Season. I am certain Georgie will continue to pursue her friendship with Miss Bancroft. And her aunt, another Miss Bancroft, will be her chaperone."

If her cousin liked Miss Bancroft, that was good enough for Allegra. Georgie was both kind and level-headed. She must have seen something special in Miss Bancroft since she had made friends with her.

"If that is all, Aunt Dinah, I think I will go to the music room to begin my practice," Lyric said. Looking to Allegra, she said, "Unless you would rather practice there."

"No, go ahead. I will practice in the drawing room."

They left Aunt Dinah's sitting room, discussing which pieces they would practice, so that neither of them would play the same number for their guests.

"We should prepare at least three each," Lyric suggested. "We will be retiring to the drawing room after dinner each evening. While I know Aunt Dinah has us playing games and cards and even dancing some, there will still be plenty of time for music to be played for our guests."

"You're right," Allegra agreed. "We should each prepare five different pieces. I would rather be overprepared than caught unprepared."

She went to the music room with Lyric, combing through the sheet music, each one of them selecting the composers they enjoyed most.

Allegra retreated to the drawing room, where she practiced for a good two hours. She usually practiced a couple of times a week, unlike Georgie and Mirella, who practiced daily. She chuckled, thinking even if she practiced as much as those two, neither she nor Lyric would ever attain their level of skill.

Satisfied with the progress she had made, Allegra took the sheet music back to the music room.

"I am exhausted," Lyric said. "I do not see how Mirella and Georgie stay at it for so long. I think I would like to stretch my legs. Would you care to take a walk with me?"

"I would indeed," she said, linking her arm through her sister's as they left the house.

As they strolled through the gardens, she couldn't help but think that after tomorrow, Shadowcrest would be full of guests.

And perhaps she and her twin might be fortunate enough to find love.