Chapter 1

One

L ady Cora Stephens leaned back against the carriage seat and sighed. She’d made this journey a few months earlier for a different house party. It was the same, Ardmore Abbey, but this time they were going there for a more joyous occasion. At least that is what she kept telling herself. Her dear friend, Lady Victoria Spencer, was marrying the Earl of Foxcroft in a little over a sennight. They had fallen in love at the last house party. And so had her sister, Lilah. The difference between Victoria and Lilah’s romance was clear. Lilah’s husband couldn’t wait to marry her or there would have been a much bigger scandal than the one he’d created previously. Lilah had married the man who had ruined her. He hadn’t meant to, but a jealous lady had led him to speak lies about Lilah.

Now, her sister was gloriously in love with the reformed rogue. It was almost nauseating how much Lilah loved Viscount Harcrest. Which made this journey all the more off-putting to withstand. Cora was confined to a carriage with the two lovesick fools that could not stop smiling and staring at each other longingly. She could not wait until they reached Ardmore Abbey and she could escape their obvious adoration for each other.

She was happy for her sister. No one should be loved more than Lilah. She’d been through an ordeal when she’d been ruined. Now she was blissfully content with her life and her new husband. But for Cora, nothing had changed. She hadn’t been ruined, but she was still very much unwanted. No one courted her or desired her. That left her alone and miserable. But more importantly, it left her still ignored by her father. The Earl of Farrington had always remained aloof with his daughters, and that had always bothered Cora.

“Cora,” Lilah began. “Have you thought about what it is you’ll do after the wedding?”

She met her sister’s gaze. Lilah didn’t want to know her travel plans. It was Cora’s turn to seek her revenge. She hadn’t discussed it with her sister. Not because she wanted to keep her in the dark, but Lilah had found happiness. Cora didn’t want to disrupt that for anything. Not even her own revenge scheme. “Father wants me to return to Farrington.” She loved the abbey, but she didn’t wish to go back there. Not while her father remained so distant.

“I’m glad I never had to go back.” Lilah sighed. “I am also grateful I never received one of his long suffering lectures.”

Lord Harcrest tilted his head to the side. “What was he going to lecture you about?” He frowned. “You never do anything you shouldn’t.”

“That’s not true,” Lilah said. “I allowed you to seduce me.”

“Darling,” he said. “That’s not how I recall it at all. You’re the one that invited me to your bed.”

Cora groaned. “Please say no more. I have no wish to know the particulars regarding this seduction. It’s already more than I ever wished to overhear.”

Lilah laughed. “He is right, though.” She winked. “I asked him to my bedchamber.”

“I beg you,” Cora said. “Say no more.”

“I promise I’ll keep the rest to myself.” She patted her husband’s hand. “But that’s not what you were actually inquiring about. My father allowed me to go to the house party, but I was to return to Farrington Abbey directly after. I was ruined, if you recall. My father was to tell me what he’d planned for me, and I doubt it would have been pleasant. He was most displeased with me.”

“And our father only ever pays us any attention when we’ve done something to displease him.” The last time she’d had one of those lectures was after she had pushed Lord Thornton in the fountain at two and ten. After that, she’d avoid the earl. Not that he’d been the earl back then. He’d been the heir apparent to her father’s oldest friend. He’d been Viscount Beaxton. For her he’d always be Lord Beast, because he’d treated her so abysmally.

There were times after that incident that their paths had crossed. She’d been much more clever about keeping her activities a secret from her father. She’d never been so blatant with regards to anything she did to Lord Beast. Nothing could ever be proven. She’d even been the epitome of kindness when she spoke to him. It had all been false on her part. Cora hated him, but she could never allow her father to see such blatant loathing for his precious protégé.

“Cora is correct,” Lilah said. “But I never have to know what he’d had planned for me. Since I married you, my father no longer has any say in my life.”

“Thankfully.” Lord Harcrest furrowed his brows. “I wish you had told me this sooner.”

“There was no reason to,” Lilah told him. “It came to nothing.” She shrugged. “It’s less than important.”

“I disagree,” Lord Harcrest said. “You’re important to me. I want to know these things.”

Cora almost sighed because that had been too sweet. Not that long ago they’d all thought him an awful man, but now they looked at the viscount differently. He treated Lilah as if there was nothing more precious than her. He loved her. Someday, perhaps if she were fortunate enough, she would have that too. She doubted it, but it didn’t prevent her from hoping for it.

“You’re a dear sweet man,” Lilah said. “You know now and I promise if something else arises, you will hear of it.”

“Good,” he said. Then he lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “That’s all I ask.”

“Are you two taking a wedding trip?” Cora asked. “You remained here so you wouldn’t miss the wedding. Will you go now?”

Lilah shook her head. “No,” she told her. “I don’t wish to travel right now. I’m happy enough here.”

That surprised Cora. Lilah had always wanted to do more than remain in England. What would keep her from traveling? She’d ask later. When they had a moment alone. “Have you spoken with Selena?” They hadn’t had a meeting with their friends since the last house party. “Are her and Emma coming to the wedding?” Emma was Lord Harcrest’s sister, but she’d gone to stay with Selena for the past couple of months. They had become fast friends.

“I received a letter from Emma a few days ago,” Lord Harcrest said. “They are traveling with Foxcroft to the wedding.” Cora hadn’t considered that. Of course, Selena would be at her cousin’s wedding. She was close to Foxcroft. “They’re probably already at Ardmore.”

She nodded. “It will be good to see them both.” At least she wasn’t the only unattached lady at this wedding. It wouldn’t be a large event as a whole, but there would be a ball after the wedding. Victoria hadn’t wanted a wedding breakfast in the traditional sense. There would be a breakfast, but only for close family and intimate friends. She wanted a lavish ball, and afterward, she and the Earl of Foxcroft would depart. Unlike Lilah and Harcrest, they were going on a wedding trip. They were very much devoted to each other. Just like her sister and Harcrest. Cora envied them.

“It will,” Lilah said, then grinned. “I’ve missed all of them.”

Cora had as well. They had become close rather fast after that ball where Lilah had been ruined and became the infamous wallflower. Now two of the five wallflowers were desperately in love. In some ways, Cora felt as if she didn’t truly belong. Even with Lilah’s revenge scheme, they hadn’t shared everything with her. They hadn’t wanted her to tell Lilah that they believed Harcrest hadn’t truly ruined her. They had to keep Lilah in the dark for their plan to work. Cora wished they had trusted her with the information. She knew how to keep a secret.

“We will see them soon.” They’d also have to see Foxcroft’s friends. One of which was Lord Beast. How Harcrest and Foxcroft could be friends with that man she’d never know. Those two seemed perfectly amiable. Thornton was horrid. At least he’d always been that way with her. She hadn’t actually spoken with him in several years. After his father had died, he’d stopped visiting Farrington Abbey, and he didn’t socialize much. He was more of a recluse than any other gentleman. She often wondered why he’d been so difficult all those years ago. What had she ever done to him? Was she so terrible to be around? Maybe she’d finally ask him those pointed questions.

As if on cue, the carriage came to the drive that led to Ardmore Abbey. They turned down the road and headed toward the abbey. The carriage rolled across the road and they all remained silent until they reached the entrance. They came to a stop. A footman opened the carriage door, and Harcrest stepped out, then turned to help Lilah and Cora from the carriage.

Victoria came out the front door and ran over to them. She hugged Lilah, then Cora. “I’m so glad you’re both here. Come quick. I have tea and biscuits in the sitting room. We have much to discuss.”

Lilah laughed, then turned to her husband. “I will find you later.”

“Promise,” he asked.

“Always,” she said and blew him a kiss. Then turned away from him to follow Victoria into the house. Cora was close behind them. A pang stung her heart as she’d witnessed that exchange. She longed for that. To belong to someone, but more importantly, to mean that much to another. It had to be the best feeling in the world.

“They’re here,” Victoria announced as they entered the sitting room. “We can now begin.”

“Begin?” Cora asked.

“The next revenge planning meeting,” Selena said. She picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. “It’s your turn, isn’t it?”

Cora nodded dumbly. “I suppose.” She sat down and Victoria handed her a cup of tea. “But I don’t know…”

“You don’t want to have your revenge?” Emma lifted a brow. “I thought you abhorred Lord Thornton and wanted to have retribution for how he treated you when you were younger.”

“I do…” She sighed. “I’m not certain what I want presently. We were children then . I don’t even know him anymore. What if he’s changed?”

“And what if he hasn’t?” Selena tilted her head to the side. “If he’s the same as he’s always been, what would you do?”

“Make him feel the same misery he bestowed upon me,” she said in a firm tone. Cora believed fully that he deserved that much. “My father punished me for everything, even if he had been the one in the wrong. He told me I should have known better and that a lady doesn’t act so brazenly.” She glowered. “Because Lord Beast could do no wrong.”

“Lord Beast?” Emma laughed. “Is that what you call him? I love it.”

Something eased inside of Cora. These were her friends. They would always be on her side, no matter what. “What would I even do to him?”

“What do you want to do?” Victoria asked. “You said you want him to feel misery. What would that look like?”

She thought about it. “For someone he admires to lose faith in him.” She didn’t know how she’d make that happen, but she’d see it done. “Who does he favor more than anyone else?”

“That’s easy,” Selena said. “The Duke of Castlebury. They have what appears to be an unbreakable relationship. Thornton is a recluse. The duke is the only one that can get him to leave his estate. That has to mean something.”

Cora nodded. “Then we sever that bond. Somehow.”

Victoria nodded. “Use the days leading to the wedding to have your revenge, but ensure it’s done before that day. Nothing is going to ruin my wedding.” She grinned. “Understood?”

“Understood,” Cora said. Then sipped her tea. “Who wants to become closer to the duke and see what they can discover?”

“I will,” Selena said, then shrugged. “It should prove diverting, at least.”

“Wonderful,” Cora said. “We have the beginning of a plan.” She met Selena’s gaze. “Let me know what you learn.”

Selena nodded. “You’ll be the first to hear everything.” She grinned. “Now let’s gossip like old hens and laugh until we ache from it.”

This was what she’d needed. Cora had been melancholy for days. Now that she was here with the rest of the ladies, she wondered why she’d allowed herself to sink that low. She might never have her revenge, but she had this. But perhaps she’d get her vengeance, too. Time would tell.