Chapter 1

One

T he journey to the Winston estate had taken far longer than Elena would have liked. She did not exactly dislike traveling, but neither did she enjoy it overly much. Her preference would have been to remain in London within the comforts of her townhouse. As a wealthy widow, she could afford to be more discerning in all her endeavors, a freedom she relished. After years of suffering in a distasteful marriage, she was determined never again to be bound in such a union. For her, marriage was a trap she had no intention of falling into a second time.

She had made a wager with her dearest friend, Elias, the Marquess of Savorton, that one of them would fall in love by the end of the house party they were traveling to together. She had foolishly agreed to this wager during a game of piquet. But as Elena had resolved never to give her heart to any man, she fully intended to win. There was only one man she held any affection for anymore, and that was Elias—but it was nothing resembling romantic attachment. He was her one true confidant, a person she trusted implicitly, but only because she knew he harbored no amorous feelings for her either. They were friends, nothing more and nothing less.

The only time she truly felt safe was with Eli. They had been friends since they were children, they’re mothers having been close acquaintances. But their friendship had not truly blossomed until after Eli had found her bruised and in pain, following a particularly distressing incident with her late husband. After that they had renewed their friendship and become especially close. That man, her now thankfully dead husband, had hurt her deeply—never in ways visible to others, but in ways that scarred her heart and unseen bodily limbs. Elias had been her refuge during those dark days, and there was nothing Elena wouldn’t do for him, even participate in this ludicrous wager. As if she would ever fall in love! She shuddered at the thought.

“The weather has been agreeable, at least,” Elena remarked, glancing out the carriage window. “It hasn’t snowed, and the roads have been passable.”

“For that, I am most grateful,” Eli replied. “The journey would have been interminable otherwise.”

“What sorts of entertainment do you suppose Lady Winston has arranged for us?” Elena tilted her head, meeting his gaze. Their conversation was mundane, a welcome distraction from that infernal wager. “A summer house party offers opportunities for outdoor activities, which are far more challenging in winter.”

“Perhaps she will have us build snowmen,” Eli said with a smirk. “That could be quite amusing.”

Elena raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. What a ridiculous idea... and yet, her lips twitched as she considered it. “Actually, that could be entertaining. If Lady Winston hasn’t planned it, perhaps we should suggest it. We could turn it into a competition with judges.”

Eli blinked, then frowned. “I’ll leave that to you,” he replied, his tone indicating the last thing he wished to do was frolic outside building men of snow. “I’m not inclined to propose activities in which I have no interest in participating.”

“Oh, but you must,” she said, barely containing a laugh as she looked at her dear friend. “You know the terms of our wager. We’re to engage in every activity and cannot hide in our chambers. This was your idea, was it not? Now you must live with the consequences.”

He tapped his chin thoughtfully, acknowledging her words. Eli knew she was right and he would not argue her point. Their wager stipulated that they had to partake in all aspects of the house party if they wanted a fair chance at winning.

“I am fully aware of the conditions of our wager,” he drawled. “I look forward to our entertainments.” His tone, however, suggested anything but enthusiasm. Elena did not blame him; she wasn’t particularly looking forward to it, either.

“You work far too hard,” she said, a touch of concern coloring her words. She hated how tirelessly Eli worked to keep his family afloat after his father’s poor management. “This may sound terrible, but I think once your father passes, your life will be easier. As it is, you run much of the ducal estate’s business, yet you still have to answer to him, and he complicates matters.”

Eli sighed. “Yes, he does. But he is still my father.”

“And you don’t wish him dead,” Elena concluded. “I understand. He is a kind man, if somewhat misguided at times.” She added softly, thinking of her own father, who had arranged her unfortunate marriage. At least Eli’s father had not forced him into misery. Unlike Elena, who had been abandoned by her family, only for her father to reappear after her husband’s death, hoping to control her once more. She had quickly disabused him of that notion. She owed that man nothing. Especially her loyalty and allegiance. He’d effectively killed any affection she’d ever had for him.

“Yes,” Eli agreed, smiling faintly. “He has been a good father, for the most part.”

“Sometimes I wish he had been my father,” she said whimsically. “But alas, I had a bully to contend with.” She turned to him with a rueful smile. “I haven’t spoken to my father in over a year. The last time we met, he attempted to convince me to marry another elderly man.”

Eli’s brows knitted together. “Why would he do that?”

“He’s in debt again, and he thought my marriage to the Viscount of Redding would settle his accounts,” she replied with a disdainful wrinkle of her nose. “I would gain nothing from that union except a lesser title.” She shuddered. The notion of once again being a pawn in her father’s games was abhorrent. “I would have had to endure another elderly husband—no, thank you. If I ever take a lover, he will be young, virile, and skilled in making a woman feel truly desired.” She laughed, though her words carried a hint of sadness. She wouldn’t take a lover. That would give a man some control over her and she feared letting go and allowing a man to have any sway over her. Even if it was meant to be pleasurable.

“I’m relieved he no longer holds any sway over you,” Eli said earnestly.

“As am I.” The carriage turned down a long, tree-lined drive that led to the Winston estate. “Oh, thank heavens,” she exclaimed. “We have arrived.”

“Indeed,” Eli replied.

A thrill of anticipation stirred within her. Soon, the festivities would begin, and Elena had every intention of helping her dear friend find a worthy match. Eli deserved a wife who would cherish him. Perhaps love was elusive for her, but she would not rest until Eli found happiness.

Theodore Jones, the Earl of Northfield, leaned back against his carriage, feeling a rare sense of reluctance. He was headed to a house party—a gathering he would normally avoid. Theo had little patience for societal functions that offered him nothing he desired. He did not wish to marry, nor did he care to engage in tedious discussions about fashion or the weather. He especially did not relish gambling, excessive drinking, or pretending to be carefree.

Theo no longer knew how to be something as whimsical as carefree…

He had celebrated his thirtieth year a few months earlier, and he’d had a hard look at his life and the disappointments that had come to pass.

Theo had fallen in love years earlier and he had found that once he had been denied that happiness he had no taste for marriage or children. He had no desire to secure his legacy, for he had no interest in leaving anything behind. As far as he was concerned it could pass on to some distant cousin of his and they could worry about begetting heirs.

Yet here he was, enroute to a Christmas house party…

Why? Because of a brief yet intriguing letter from the Marquess of Savorton. Theo hoped to have dealings with Savorton Shipping and he held a great deal of respect for the marquess, who had built his own empire despite his father’s objections. Savorton was intelligent, resilient, and, Theo suspected, fiercely loyal to his friends. And Theo was certain that Savorton’s loyalty extended to Elena—the one woman Theo had loved and lost because of the machinations of her family.

Theo pulled out the letter once more, reading it in the hopes that it would somehow provide clarity:

Northfield,

Lady Winston is hosting a Christmas house party. You were sent an invitation. Accept it and take this one final chance with the woman who holds your heart.

—Savorton

Theo had never shared his feelings for Elena with Savorton, yet it seemed her confidant had discerned the truth. How had he known? What had Elena revealed? Theo’s mind whirled with questions, but there was only one way to find answers. That was why he traveled to Lady Winston’s estate, why he had accepted an invitation he would otherwise have ignored. Elena would be there, and he would seize this chance to rekindle their love.

Closing his eyes, Theo took a deep breath. For Elena… for the possibility of a future with her… He would endure anything, even a Christmas house party and all its associated pleasantries.

Nothing would keep him from her, not this time. Theo fully intended to woo and win her heart once more. Elena was his everything, and he’d convince her of that fact. He had to, because he could not fathom living out his life without her by his side. He’d have her any way she’d allow. Even if it meant living in sin, and never having her as his wife. For her he’d consider everything and offer any allowance. Because without her, nothing else mattered.