Chapter 1

"Perdition," Sally Blackmore grumbled under her breath as she stood in front of the mirror. Bent at the waist, she stretched her right arm backward to close the clasp on her dress while holding the front up with her left. A grunt escaped her as her fingers fiddled with the knot.

"Just a little more," she said, willing her arm to stretch. Alas -

"Faith, I'll never get ready this way." She breathed deeply, almost tasting the sweet cakes the cook made in the kitchen two floors below.

From the driveway, the sounds of carriage wheels grinding on the gravel and the occasional snicker from a horse drifted through the open window. Their guests were arriving for the ball her mother hosted tonight in honor of her 50th birthday.

Sally should be downstairs already, helping her mother, but instead, she was up there, trying to make the most complicated gown in all of the realm fit.

A knock sounded, and the door creaked open.

"My word, what are you still doing here?" Her younger sister Rosy entered and shook her head, strands of carefully curled brown locks dancing in her pale face.

"I can't do the dress up," Sally admitted, shoulders slumped forward.

"Why didn't you get Hester to do it?" Rosy asked as she stepped behind her.

"I wanted to see what it looked like first on my own," Sally said, miserably. "I didn't know these straps would be such a hassle to put up. What was I thinking? Oh, I should not even wear it. It's far too .... scandalous."

She looked at the seafoam green creation in the mirror and sighed. Truthfully, it wasn't too revealing at all for most people. It did feel quite scandalous on her, but perhaps that was because Sally wasn't the sort to seek attention. Unlike Rosy, who was always at the center of everything, she was perfectly happy in her more conservative gowns and avoided the spotlight. Indeed, it was a miracle her youngest sister did not have a husband yet, as she had no shortage of admirers. Then again, Rosy was particular about the kind of man she wished to marry.

Not that Sally wasn't. She had a dream husband in her mind. A man who was considerate, thoughtful, kind, witty - and if he were handsome, she'd not reject that either.

Alas, unlike Rosy, she didn't easily attract gentlemen. She was too timid, too quiet. And this dress with its flowing fabric sparkled under the candlelight, with the complicated braided straps that held it up just so - this dress was for someone who enjoyed being looked at. Not for a wallflower like herself.

"What are you muttering?" Rosy asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Nothing," Sally protested, aware she'd whispered to herself - a bad habit she'd picked up in her youth.

"No, you said ‘wallflower'. What's that supposed to mean?"

Sally turned and tucked a strand of her chestnut-colored hair behind her ear. "A wallflower like me should not wear a dress like this."

"Nonsense," Rosy replied, voice vibrating with irritation. "You're not a wallflower. You're beautiful. Look at you. I've long coveted your lovely eyes and long lashes. Mine are so short you can hardly see them," she said, blinking to emphasize her shortcomings. In truth, there was nothing wrong with Rosy's lashes or anything else. She was a true English rose. A diamond of the first water. And herein lay the problem.

"I was not looking for Spanish coin, Rosy. I know I am by no means homely. No child of mother's could be. But the truth is, compared to your beauty and Joanna's witty confidence, I am merely ... average. That is why I am in my fourth season, and nobody has made an offer yet. Spinsterhood is knocking on my door with increasing volume." Her stomach contracted as she realized this was the sad truth. At age three and twenty, she would soon be on the shelf.

"That is not true. You are not married only because you are particular about whom you wish to marry. You could have married Lord Arlet just last year." Rosy tapped her foot on the hardwood floor.

"It would have been a pitiful match. Even worse than when Father tried to make Joanna marry Lord Worcester two years ago. Lord Arlet doesn't even have his own teeth! Besides, the whole idea was fleeting the moment Mother suggested it at the dinner table; Father put a stop to it."

Her mother's suggestion of this idea told Sally how desperate her mother thought her situation was, but she kept that to herself.

"Whatever the case, I venture to say you will catch a husband tonight because you are radiant. Come, let me close this for you," Rosy said and lopped the intricate straps together, so her dress stayed up properly. "Just be careful not to get caught on anything. Otherwise, it will be a show for the ages." Rosy chuckled, but Sally grew a bright red, her cheeks burning at the mere thought. "The scandal sheets would love you, now that Joanna and Kenneth no longer give them ideas."

At the mention of her sister Joanna, Sally smiled.

"I can't wait to see her. Is she here yet?"

Rosy shook her head in reply. "She isn't but we should go down. Guests are arriving already." She took Sally's gloved hand in her own and then the sisters stepped into the hall. Joyful voices mingled with the string orchestra and Sally's heart thumped. Tonight had to be a success. She had to impress because if she did not, her chances of finding a husband would shrink even further - and her future as an old maid would be assured.

* * *

As Sally and Rosy entered the hall leading to the grand ballroom of Everbright Manor, Sally paused to take in the grandeur of the space. Living in the manor sometimes made her forget just how magnificent it was. Although it could not be denied that tonight the home shone even brighter than usual as her mother had gone to great lengths to make it spectacular indeed.

New beeswax candles had been placed in the crystal chandeliers, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. The walls were adorned with exquisite oil paintings, while the plush carpeting underfoot made them feel as though they were walking on clouds. From within the ballroom music sounded and when they passed it, she saw couples already dancing, smudging the carefully crafted chalk drawing she'd watched the artists apply earlier in the day.

Near the front door, Sally craned her neck, scanning the sea of faces entering in search of Joanna.

"Are you looking for Prince Charming?" Rosy teased beside her.

"No, looking for Joanna - you know that. And I know you want to see her as much as I do. I can't believe it's been three weeks since we saw her," Sally said and shook her head. She adored her sister Joanna who was also her dearest friend.

It hadn't bothered her that her younger sister was married before her because Sally had known how much her sister loved Kenneth, the Duke of Wells, to whom she'd been wed for almost two years now.

What had bothered her was the separation. They'd always been like birds of a feather, the best of friends as well as sisters. Losing her to marriage had been difficult.

Fortunately, they did not live far apart and even after her wedding Sally had seen her sister regularly - until this month when Joanna and Kenneth had taken in a second child from the orphanage of which they were patrons. Their older son, Peter, was a charming little boy who was cherished by all. A few weeks ago, they had also taken in a little girl, a two-year-old named Louisa - although none of the family had met her yet because she'd arrived rather ill.

"I know," Rosy admitted. "I want to see her too. What poor fortune that Louisa was so ill when she arrived home."

Sally shrugged, "They knew she was ill, it is one of the reasons they took her in. She will be well soon with the help of the physicians Kenneth hired. I am certain we will hear an update today. She must be better, after all, if she was not Joanna would not have agreed to come. Birthday or not." The truth was, Sally needed Joanna to get better because she desperately missed her. There was nobody like Joanna in Sally's life. Nobody understood her and in whom she had full confidence.

"I hope soon we will all be back to normal with them visiting us often. I miss Peter, that little rascal." Rosy smiled and then winked at Joanna. "And Maisie misses Rudy."

"Goodness do not tell Mother that, she will forbid you from having Maisie and Rudy in the same room for fear of more puppies," Sally replied but Rosy only laughed.

"Father will let me have all the puppies I want, you know that."

Sally couldn't deny this was so. Their father, in his eagerness to please the family, would allow them to have just about anything, which was why he'd refused to entertain their mother's plan for Sally's future. Lady Carlisle rushed over to Sally and Rosy, her eyes widening with concern. "There you are! I've been looking for both of you. The ball is in full swing, and the guests are asking about you."

Sally, feigning innocence, flashed a charming smile. "Oh, Mother, you know how it is. The dress was a challenge to put on, but it's certainly worth it, isn't it?"

Her mother's eyes sparkled with approval. "Indeed, my dear. You look absolutely stunning. I'm sure you'll catch the eye of a fine gentleman tonight."

Sally nodded, the corners of her mouth twitching with a hint of wry amusement. Inwardly, she mused about her mother's sudden eagerness to see her settled. It was as if Joanna's marriage had ignited a fervor within Lady Carlisle to ensure the romantic futures of her remaining daughters.

As Rosy voiced her impatience about Joanna's delayed arrival, Lady Carlisle stepped in with a knowing smile. "Joanna is already here, my loves. She went upstairs to the library to return a couple of books."

Sally's surprise was evident. "The library again? I was just there, and I didn't see her."

Before she could inquire further, Rosy grabbed Sally's hand, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Come on, Sally, let's go see her!"

Their mother, however, had other plans. "Not so fast, Rosy. I need you to come with me. Lady Millstone's son, Gregory, is here, and I must introduce you. He is to inherit the title Marquess of Millstone once his father passed. And he is a keen dancer and excellent in fencing. It's a wonderful opportunity."

Sally rolled her eyes discreetly, exchanging a knowing glance with Rosy. Lady Millstone's incessant gossip had long been a source of amusement and irritation among the ton. However, Rosy's admiration for Gregory seemed to outweigh any concerns.

"Very well, Mother," Sally acquiesced with a resigned tone. "I'll go see Joanna on my own, then."

"Please, do. She asked me to make sure you know where she is. I am so pleased she could make it, what with little Louisa ill," their mother said.

"But she must be better, since she did come," Rosy said, and their mother nodded quickly.

"Of course, of course. Now, come. Let us not leave him waiting," she said and placed a hand on Rosy's back while smiling at Sally. Pleased that her younger sister had taken their mother's attention for at least a little while, Sally made her way across the ballroom and up the stairs to the library. She scanned the area for Kenneth, her brother-in-law. Usually, he could be found with Sally's father in the billiards room but Lord Carlisle had been delayed and was forced to miss his wife's birthday. Thus, Kenneth's whereabouts were rather more obscure.

Sally hurried up the stairs, her hand gliding along the banister. Upstairs, she made her way down the hall past the portraits of their ancestors before arriving in the library. She paused an inhaled, the way Joanna always did. As usual she did not detect the scent of leather, age, and wisdom that Joanna always claimed she could smell.

Chuckling, she burst into the library. "I always knew your mind was playing tricks on you for I smell not a thing whenever I enter into …" she stopped in her tracks, for the library before her was empty.

"Jo? Are you here? Joanna?" she called, hands on her hips.

The grandeur of the room, adorned with rich tapestries and polished mahogany, seemed to echo her calls. The grand chandelier overhead cast a warm glow, illuminating the rows of books standing sentinel on the shelves. She made her way past them, peering down each row only to find one as empty as the next.

Where was she?

"Joanna? Please, do not play games with me. I am not in the mood for hide and seek," she said, assuming her sister was trying to jest as she sometimes did.

Passing the fireplace, where a warm fire crackled, she spotted a selection of books on the table. Curious, she peeked at them. They were poems, along with a few books about the stars. Not Joanna's usual fare.

Still, clearly, she'd been here. Then, it came to her. The reading nook. In an effort to repair his strained relationship with his daughters, Lord Carlisle had added a new section to the library, giving up his beloved upstairs drawing room for the purpose of creating a reading nook.

Sally approached the reading nook, a secluded portion with a secondary fireplace and a small shelf that served as a resting place for books currently in progress, along with a table for sweetmeats and tea.

"I should have known, the moment you had a chance to get away from you children you'd be in here reading," she teased as she headed around the corner. "Is that becoming of the Duchess of – Oh!" Sally let out a shriek as she rounded the corner and staggered backward, her back banging into the corner of the bookshelf behind. Pain seared through her, but she hardly noticed it for sitting before her was not her beloved sister but a man. A stranger.

And as he rose to turn his face in her direction, Sally's stomach dropped to her knees for his was the last face she'd expected to see here this night.