Chapter Two

Serena Yardley sat in the drawing room of her family's London townhouse with her father, the earl of Lindmere, her aunt, Imogen Hughes, Countess of Silverwood and her twenty-one-year-old brother, Julian. However, she could hardly sit still to have tea with them.

She was filled with enough excitement and trepidation to fill several ballrooms, and it was all she could do to keep from flitting about the townhouse like a child at Christmastide. The earl and Julian were engaged in conversation about something in the newspaper, and the countess was speaking with a maid about some last-minute preparations for that evening. It was Serena's come-out ball, and it was all she'd been able to think about for half a year.

She stared toward the window and imagined an enchanting evening of dancing with all high society's eligible gentlemen. She pictured herself in the white satin gown that had been tailored just for her, twirling around the ballroom, and executing perfectly mastered dances that she had been learning since she was a young girl. She could already hear the music and the murmurs of the ball guests when she entered the ballroom. Even though it was merely hours away, it seemed as though her debut couldn't happen soon enough.

"Serena, darling," Imogen said, interrupting Serena's thoughts. "You look positively radiant. It wouldn't have anything to do with a certain ball this evening, would it?"

Serena giggled, smiling fondly at her aunt.

"Perhaps," she said, feigning innocence as she batted her eyelashes. "And thank you, Aunt Imogen."

Her aunt nodded, giving her a warm but sad smile.

"You have grown into a very remarkable young woman, sweet niece," Imogen continued. "I could not be prouder of you. And I know without a doubt that your mother would be proud of you, as well."

Serena blinked, her smile wavering. She had thought about her late mother every day for the last years since her passing from a sudden lung illness. But it was only then that she allowed herself to think about how her mother, who had always been very dear to her, would not be in attendance at her debut ball.

She desperately wished that the late countess were still alive, to watch her debut into society hand in hand with her father as most young ladies got to experience at their come-out balls. Her aunt had been a godsend to her for the past years, despite her grief over losing her younger sister. But she still longed to have her mother's guidance for such a life milestone. Her eyes misted with tears, and she reached for her aunt's hand.

Imogen, who had been like a mother to her after Caroline Yardley died, squeezed Serena's hand, and gave her another warm smile.

"Do not cry, my darling," she said, reaching up with her free hand and stroking her cheek. "Your mother would wish nothing but joy for you today. And she will be watching over you from the heavens. I am sure of that, and you must be, too."

Serena took a deep breath. She missed her mother; that was true. But she could not let herself forget or take for granted how fortunate she was to have her aunt, father, and brother to support and love her. There would always be a place for her mother in her heart. But she had her living loved ones, and she didn't want to lose a single moment with them.

"Thank you, Aunt Imogen," she said again, smiling warmly at her aunt as she allowed herself to feel the nervous excitement once again. "Do you really think that the ball will be a success?"

Her aunt laughed merrily, nodding as she cupped Serena's face in her hands.

"My dear, it can be no other way," she said. "With your kind heart, intelligent mind and sharp wit, you will undoubtedly shine."

Serena flushed at the compliments as she kissed her aunt's cheek. Julian looked up from his breakfast with a wide grin on his face.

"Do not forget beautiful," he said, gazing at his sister proudly. "I would wager that Serena finds herself with the title of diamond of the season."

Serena laughed, but her blush deepened.

"You do think too highly of me, dear Brother," she said.

Julian shook his head, the amusement leaving his expression, replaced with reverent adoration.

"Not at all, Serena," he said warmly. "You are the kind of lovely that all gentlemen aspire to find and that all ladies wish to be. But Aunt Imogen is right. Your other qualities alone are enough to earn you the admiration of everyone at the ball, and the regret of any who opt to not attend."

Serena laughed, but she was touched. With her blond, curly hair and deep blue eyes, she knew she was not unattractive. And she took pride in her intellect, and in her ability to make those around her laugh in any setting. But she was humble enough to know that there were prettier, smarter and more charitable women in the ton. While she was grateful for her brother's praise, she would never let it go to her head.

"We shall see, Brother," she said. "But thank you for your confidence. It fills my heart with joy to hear you say such things."

Julian shrugged, still smiling at his sister.

"I only speak the truth, Sister," he said. "And I speak it with all the pride and love that you deserve."

Serena waved her hand to her brother bashfully, her cheeks growing warmer by the second. As she looked away from him, she glanced at their father, who had been notably silent since she had entered the breakfast room. He looked deep in thought, and his features were drawn, as though something was plaguing him. Serena frowned, wondering what could have the earl so preoccupied. She was taken aback by her father's aloofness during such a happy time. There was a flicker of unease in his eyes, and his features looked strained and tired in a way she had never witnessed.

As though feeling eyes on him, the earl turned his head, catching Serena's gaze. His cheeks twitched, and he gave her a tight, sheepish smile.

"Oh, yes, your aunt and brother are right, my dear," he said, sounding hollow and detached. "And my most sincere and doting congratulations to you on such a monumental event."

Serena bit her lip, studying her father. He had always been warm and jovial when he was with his family. But that day, he seemed as far away from the present moment as the Far East was from London. She opened her mouth to inquire, concerned for her father's well-being. But he rose quickly from his seat, casting his eyes to his feet.

"If you will excuse me, I must tend to some pressing business matters," he said, a bit too quickly. He hurried from the room even faster than he had spoken, and Serena watched with mounting dread as the earl practically ran into the hallway. She knew it was silly to be so concerned over what was very likely worry over an important business deal or meeting. But she could not shake the feeling that there was more to her father's odd behavior than just work concerns.

"Sister, dear," Julian said, his voice warm and reassuring. "You mustn't pay Father any heed. You and I know perfectly well that he is a busy man. He simply has something important to handle before your ball tonight. Besides, I suspect that some of his reticence is related to the fact that his little girl is now a woman of the ton."

Serena slowly drew her gaze from the open door to her brother. She allowed Julian's words to comfort her, eventually nodding in reluctant agreement.

"I'm sure you are right," she said, trying to believe the words. "I just worry."

Julian chuckled and shook his head.

"The only thing you need to worry about is the business venture I delayed for your ball tonight," he said with an impish grin. "You must understand that that means I fully expect you to save me a spot on your dance card."

Serena laughed heartily, the dread beginning to release her.

"I would not dream of depriving myself of the chance to watch you step on my foot, Brother," she said.

Julian pretended to be offended, gasping and looking at her with horror that his sparkling eyes told her he did not truly feel.

"You wound me, little sister," he said. "It was I who allowed you to step on my feet when you were first learning to dance."

Serena giggled again, shaking her head.

"I was standing on your feet so that you could lead me in the dance steps," she said, playfully correcting her brother. "And I will never know how you ever learned, since you don't seem to have a mind for keeping up with the music."

Julian rolled his eyes, but his lips were quivering with another smile.

"It has been years since we have danced," he said. "I shall show you tonight."

Serena nodded, smirking at her brother, letting their shared affection replace her previous negative mood.

"We shall see, Brother," she said.

After breakfast finished, Imogen whisked Serena to her chambers, where her lady's maid, Christine, already awaited her with Serena's white silk ballgown in her hands. Serena giggled, looking at her aunt with quizzical curiosity.

"Aunt Imogen," she said. "The ball will not begin until seven this evening. Is it not a bit early to be getting dressed?"

Imogen looked at her as though she were mad.

"Darling, it is already after noon," she said, pointing to the clock in Serena's pink and purple room. "You must have your bath drawn, your dress donned and your hair styled to perfection before then. We'll be lucky if this is enough time."

Serena laughed. She knew her aunt was exaggerating, if only a little. But she realized that Imogen was right. It was better to begin getting ready right then and not take the chance of running late.

"Very well, Aunt Imogen," she said. "I shall get ready for my bath now."

Christine curtseyed to her, giving her a bright smile.

"I already have the staff working on heating your water now," she said. "I will draw your bath as soon as it is ready. I have rose oil for your water, and the matching perfume for when you are dry, before I dress you."

Serena and Imogen both nodded. Imogen gave her niece a hurried kiss on the cheek and an anxious smile.

"I will tend to the last-minute arrangements and decorations," she said. "All you need to do is shine, my darling."

Serena laughed at her aunt lovingly once more. If she didn't know better, she would have thought that it was her aunt's debut ball.

"Thank you, Aunt Imogen," she said. "I shall be ready well before time for the ball to begin."

Imogen nodded, hurrying from the room. When the two of them were alone behind her closed bedchamber door, Serena and Christine burst into laughter.

"She is rather beside herself, isn't she?" Christine asked, covering her giggles with her hands.

Serena nodded, pressing a gentle hand to her stomach, which was beginning to ache with laughter.

"She is, indeed," she said.

Christine dabbed at her eyes and nodded.

"Then I suppose I best see to your bath water, milady," she said as she, too, prepared to leave the room. "I laid out your fresh, clean robe and fresh towels for you, as well as the sweet soap you enjoy so much. You can go into your bathing room and undress and wait if you wish." And Serena did just that.

***

Serena finished getting ready about fifteen minutes before the ball officially began. Christine had helped her into her white dress, and expertly coiffed her golden hair, adorning it with one single white rose, which had been spritzed with a little of the perfume she wore. Powder and rouge were lightly, almost imperceptibly dusted on her face and cheeks, respectively, and Christine had advised her to chew on her lips to give them a natural reddish pink hue.

As she sat in front of the mirror, Christine pulled out the pearl necklace and bracelets to complete Serena's look.

"You are absolutely ravishing, Lady Serena," she said as she gently helped her mistress don the jewelry.

Serena smiled, sitting still so that Christine could make any final touches necessary. However, as the hour of her ball approached, her nerves began to get the better of her. It was the night she had looked forward to her entire life, and her heart longed to find a true love and a perfect companionship. She would settle for nothing less than to marry for true love. And yet, she couldn't stop the uncertainty that crept into the back of her mind. With all her excitement and the step from girl to grown noblewoman imminent, why did she feel the shadows of doubt and dread?

"My darling Serena, you look positively exquisite," Olivia Sinclair, Serena's best friend gushed from the door as she burst through it. Her vibrant personality and joyful, loving energy immediately filled the room. She wasted no time rushing over to Serena, barely giving her friend a chance to stand from the chair in which she sat for Christine before throwing her olive-tone arms around Serena. "Are you excited? This is it, dearest. The night your life changes forever, and I am bursting with excitement for you."

Serena nodded, but she found it difficult to manage a smile. Despite being thrilled to see her best friend, she couldn't stop thinking about her father and his strange behavior. He had seemed burdened by something. And as crazy as it sounded to Serena, she couldn't help thinking that it was regret that weighted the earl so. For a moment, she wondered if he was regretting throwing her such a lavish ball, that it was the need to make her debut in society as memorable and extravagant as possible.

She also understood that now that she was a marriageable young lady, there would be expectations for her to marry soon, before she had spent too many seasons without any matches. All her worries were becoming overwhelming, and it was all she could do to keep the smile on her face. She looked into Olivia's light brown eyes, desperately trying to take solace in the love and joy she saw there.

"Thank you, darling," she said, embracing her friend once more to ground herself before she forced herself out of her chambers. "Shall we head to the ballroom now?"

Olivia dipped into a grand, exaggerated curtsey, gathering up the skirts of her deep green satin gown as she did so.

"Yes, Lady Serena," she said, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. "We shall, indeed."

Olivia offered Serena her arm, which Serena took with another laugh. The earl would be waiting for her at the entrance to the ballroom. But with the strain of her smile already making her cheeks ache, she could use the comfort of her friend's hand on her. She allowed Olivia to lead her to the ballroom, where she could hear guests talking amongst themselves and awaiting her entrance. She desperately wished her apprehension would release her. Was she ready for such a major life change? What would happen if the night didn't go well? And what was it about her father's recent actions that had her so on edge?