Chapter 3

“Here we are, together again!” Matilda Winter, formerly Elkins, cheered, passing out drinks to The Spinsters’ Club, so they could toast to the momentous occasion.

Anna took her drink and forced a bright smile. “Four out of five is better than our previous attempts.”

It was a heartache worse than any that could be inflicted by a man, scrambling to try and get her friends together in the same room more than once a year. Between children and running estates and other obligations, they still had not managed it that year, though it was already summer. It hurt even more when everyone promised they would be there, only for one of the five to be waylaid by something or other, for though they all denied it, she could see it for what it was: she was being left behind, excluded from a party that they had all been cordially invited to.

“Leah offered her sincerest apologies,” Phoebe Barnet said, putting a gentle arm around Anna’s shoulders. “All three of the boys are unwell at the same time, which must be truly awful, but I suspect she is despairing more over not being here with us. She was dearly looking forward to it when I last spoke to her.”

Anna kept her smile fixed upon her face. “Are your sisters here, Phoebe?”

“I am afraid not.” A furrow appeared between Phoebe’s eyebrows. “Ellen is in the midst of one of her paintings and said she could not possibly be drawn away from her work at such a pivotal moment. And Joanna’s husband has not been well.”

Anna’s smile vanished. “Oh goodness, that is terrible. Is she tending to him, or is she unwell too?”

“Joanna is in Bath,” Phoebe replied grimly. “Her husband is at their estate.”

“Ah…” Anna nodded slowly, for though Joanna had delighted in the prospect of being the Viscountess Broxbridge when she had first married a few years ago, the novelty had worn off within a matter of months. For the Viscount too, if the scandal sheets were to be believed.

Olivia Thorne raised her glass. “Let us not speak of worrisome things. Let us celebrate that four of us are here, for it has been an age since I have seen you all at once! Of course, I see Phoebe often enough, but it is not quite the same as most of the Club being back together.”

Indeed, Olivia and Phoebe lived just half an hour’s walk down a beautiful forest path away from each other, while Anna felt as if she were being moved further and further away from those she loved most. It had not been as difficult when she resided at Greenfield House, but Harewood Court was a considerable distance from anyone.

Then again, she would not allow herself to complain about the lengthy journey when Matilda practically lived on the opposite side of the country, at her husband’s coastal estate.

“May I join?” a shy voice asked, as a slender figure slotted between Anna and Matilda.

Dressed in a delicate gown of lavender muslin, Caroline Barnet was already making something of a name for herself as one of the most beautiful debutantes of the season. The younger sister of Phoebe’s husband, Daniel, and cousin of Olivia’s husband, Evan, the Spinsters’ Club had grown very fond of their honorary member. Protective, too.

“Now, there are five of us,” Matilda said with a reassuring wink in Anna’s direction.

Anna smiled. “Indeed, there are.” She turned to Caroline. “How are you enjoying the evening, dear Caro?”

“I am… overwhelmed, in truth.” Caroline laughed stiffly, adjusting the exquisite amethyst necklace at her throat. “Mama said that this would be good for me, but I cannot say it feels good just yet. There are so many people, and they are all staring! Why must they stare so?”

Matilda pulled a face. “It is what they do. They stare and they gossip. Pay them no mind, for it is driven by jealousy.”

“You must write a book about it,” Caroline said, lowering her voice. “A guide for debutantes to help them navigate society.”

Indeed, though only that close circle of friends knew it, they were standing with one of the most celebrated writers of recent years, who went by the pseudonym ‘Miss Terry.’ Her book about marriage, particularly marriages of convenience, had become a staple in every household’s library, handed discreetly from mothers to their daughters, or purchased outright by worried betrotheds. Her second book about common herbs and flowers, and their many medicinal uses, had also been well received. She was in the midst of writing her third book though, as of yet, she had not revealed the subject.

Matilda chuckled. “I am certain I am not qualified in such a matter. I was a hopeless, reluctant, defiant debutante. I never danced, never entertained the idea of finding a husband until one found me, never behaved as a debutante should.”

“Well, I would still read it.” Caroline smiled. “Indeed, I am still hoping that you will write about The Spinsters’ Club one day.”

Matilda sipped her drink, her eyes alight with mischief. “Perhaps I shall, but not yet. Until I know how it ends, I could not possibly write about it.”

I think we all know how it ends. Anna held her tongue, dreading the idea of being the cautionary appendix in the tale. Her friends might not have thought of her that way, but society certainly would.

Just then, the circle went silent, Olivia and Phoebe looking at something over Anna’s shoulder. A prickle ran up Anna’s spine, as she sensed the presence, and noted the shadow falling across her. Judging by the narrowing of her friends’ eyes, it was not someone she wanted to see.

Before she could turn, a deep voice rumbled, “Lady Caroline, if your card is not yet full, I was hoping you might do me the great honor of dancing the next set with me.”

Caroline was already staring at the man, her eyes wide as she was forced to tilt her head back to look up at him. A sweet smile that Anna did not like one bit spread across Caroline’s face, her cheeks flushing pink.

Anna knew that voice. She would have known it anywhere.

“Your Grace, this is a surprise.” Caroline pulled away from Anna and dipped into an elegant curtsy.

Percival bowed his head in response. “Not an unpleasant one, I hope.”

“Not at all,” Caroline replied, a note too eagerly. “But I do not know where my mother is, to grant permission, and my brother is not here.”

Percival offered his arm. “I saw your mother not a moment ago. Please, allow me to escort you to her.”

“Caro, I do not think that is wise,” Anna intervened. “You should not take his arm if you have not been properly introduced.”

Caroline frowned in confusion. “But I know of him.”

“Maybe so, but you do not know him.” Anna did her best to keep her anger off her face, certain that Percival would only delight in it. Just as she was certain that he was doing this just to annoy her, after saying last week that she would rather shove Caroline into the path of a runaway horse than have him court her.

Her friends knew, to some extent, that there was a frostiness between Anna and Percival, but being the sort of person who kept many things to herself, she had never fully described the reasons behind the hostility. Now, she wished she had.

Olivia took Caroline’s arm. “I will take you to your mother. As for you, Your Grace, please do accompany us.”

As Olivia led Caroline in search of Amelia Barnet, the Dowager Countess of Westyork, Anna watched in crushing dismay. She blamed herself, wishing she had said something different, wishing she had come up with a more viable excuse to keep Caroline and Percival apart, but it was too late for that now.

Her blood boiled as Percival glanced back over his shoulder and flashed her a wry smile. No one saw what she saw, no one knew that he was a wretch beneath that fine fa?ade that made other ladies’ hearts flutter.

“He is woefully unsuitable for her,” she muttered.

Matilda patted her gently on the back. “All will be well, Anna. They will dance, they will part, she will be distracted by someone younger and more handsome, and she will forget she ever danced at all with the Duke of Granville.”

Phoebe nodded. “Amelia is an excellent judge of character. She will not allow Caro to dance with anyone unsuitable.” She paused, chewing her lower lip. “That reminds me, I must inform Daniel of the gentlemen that cannot be deemed suitable for her when he returns from Ireland.”

“I trust you will put Percival at the very top of the list,” Anna said, digging her fingernails into her palms.

“If you think I should, certainly,” Phoebe promised, though it was not long before they all had to watch as Caroline and Percival took to the dance floor.

* * *

Percival danced with the same inelegance he showed whenever he was in Anna’s presence. At least, that was her opinion, though there were plenty of young ladies swooning and fanning themselves as they observed his stiff quadrille and his frankly pedestrian country dance.

“She is dancing well, is she not?” Phoebe said with clasped hands, as if she were Caroline’s mother.

Anna nodded, struggling to concentrate on Caroline when Percival’s tall stature and broad shoulders kept blocking her from view. She realized he was more muscular than he had been the previous year, his arms punishing the dark burgundy fabric of his tailcoat whenever he swept his arms through the air, the buttons of his waistcoat straining against his chest as he turned this way and that, and she would not permit herself to mention the unseemly tightness of his Brummel-style trousers, revealing every fiber of his thigh muscles.

Perhaps, he was handsome, but that did nothing to compensate for what he lacked in character.

The orchestra could not fade to a close soon enough, and as it did, Anna counted the seconds as Caroline and Percival curtseyed and bowed respectively, marking every step they took back toward the slightly reduced Spinsters’ Club. For Caroline’s sake, she would not say anything about Percival’s dull dancing, allowing the sweet young lady to enjoy herself.

“Thank you kindly, Lady Caroline.” Percival dipped his head and released her hand, passing her back into the care of her friends. “You dance with as much grace and beauty as you possess.”

Anna stifled a snort. Is that what he deems to be charm?

But poor Caroline lapped it up, her face flushed, her eyes bright with happiness. “It was my pleasure, Your Grace. I have not yet had such an exemplary partner.”

“Then, I hope we shall dance again one day soon.” Percival smiled. “Indeed, it is a pity we are only permitted two this evening.”

Matilda stepped in. “A pity, yes, but even the most asinine rules must be obeyed. Off you go, Your Grace. I am sure there are countless other ladies waiting to faint at your feet, with open spots on their cards where you may put your name.”

Percival ignored her, his attention fixed on his dancing partner. “Until we meet again, Lady Caroline.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Caroline curtseyed once more. “Until then.”

With that, Percival walked away, and Caroline began to chatter animatedly about the delight of the dance. She looked so excited, so giddy, so utterly enchanted that Anna could not bear it a moment longer. Of course, she wanted more than anything for Caroline to be happy and to find a husband worthy of her, but she would not permit her to fall into Percival’s trap of believing him to be something he was not.

“Excuse me for a moment,” Anna said. “I think I saw my brothers. I must make sure that Dickie is behaving himself.”

She hurried off, keeping Percival within her line of sight as she bobbed and weaved around the throngs of guests who crowded the ballroom. As she followed him, she reminded herself not to cause any sort of scene, for this was her friend’s home, and this ball was being hosted by two of her friends—three, if she included Amelia.

I will simply warn him not to toy with her. I will be courteous, but I will say my piece, for if he breaks dear Caro’s heart, I shall never forgive myself. She slipped out through the garden doors and onto the terrace, pursuing Percival stealthily down wide, shallow steps that led to a small piazza. There, seated on a low wall, enjoying the warm night air, were her brothers.

She muttered something rude under her breath and dove behind a bush, praying they had not seen her trailing after Percival. More for the sake of her pride than anything else, for Percival would surely tease her mercilessly if he thought she had been following him. Then again, there was not much pride to be retrieved when one was hiding in a bush.

“You seem pleased,” Max said cheerily, as Percival approached.

Anna gingerly pulled down on some of the prickly fronds of her hiding place, until she had a clear view of her brothers and the interloper.

“I have good reason to be,” Percival replied, sitting down on the low wall. “Gentlemen, I believe I have found my bride tonight.”

Anna’s blood ran cold, resisting every impulse to launch herself out of the bush and march toward the group to tell Percival that under no circumstances would he be marrying Caroline.

However, Dickie’s laugh held her in her place. “Come now, Percy, you cannot be serious. You have barely begun to explore the possibilities.”

“Why explore when I have already found what I am looking for?” Percival replied.

“Who?” Max asked, tilting his head.

Percival reached over to borrow Max’s drink, taking a sip before passing it back. “I intend to pursue Lady Caroline.”

“You and every other gentleman under the age of five-and-thirty,” Dickie teased. Anna was grateful for that. “I am sorry, Percy, but you would have a greater chance of convincing Anna to marry you.”

She was less grateful for that, appalled by the very idea.

“I am the first gentleman to have asked her to dance. Her mother seemed encouraging. She seemed encouraging,” Percival replied with a shrug. “I mean no offense, Dickie, but you will not dissuade me. She would be a very useful match for me, considering the influential nature of her brother and his excellent business acumen. All of my estate difficulties could be solved with one simple marriage. I would be an idiot not to make it happen.”

A shiver of shock vibrated through Anna and down to her fingertips, trembling the spiny branch she was holding down to keep watch over the trio. There were many who thought her silly for holding romantic ideals in such high regard, accusing her of living in a realm of fiction, but her friends were living proof that the stories she adored could exist in real life too. She would not watch Caroline sacrifice the possibility of her own life-altering romance just so Percival could solve his financial woes.

Dickie sighed. “This is the trouble with society. When it comes to matters of the heart, one should not be so practical and unfeeling. Call me a fool, but I will not settle for less than a love match.”

Precisely. Anna thanked him in her head, even though he was not exactly the best example of a romantic hero. Indeed, he had broken numerous hearts himself.

“Ah, but therein lies the rub.” Max flashed his younger brother a pointed look. “You fall in love on a whim and fall out of it just as quickly. Perhaps, this time, you ought to follow Sinclair’s lead and consider practicality instead.”

“Never.” Dickie raised his glass and looked upward. “A marriage without love is like the night sky without stars. Dark and endless. You do as you please, Percy, but I shall not be taking your advice.”

Percival smiled the smile that never failed to irritate Anna: a thin, smug sort of smirk that did not reach his eyes. “When I have Lady Caroline as my bride, we shall see.”

“You ought to pray that this matchmaker everyone is talking about feels the same way,” Dickie said, and a tingle ran up Anna’s spine. “Whoever they are, they seem to be Lord or Lady of Romance. One word from them and you are either doomed or destined.”

Percival scoffed. “Nonsense. I do not need a matchmaker to interfere.”

He did not understand, and his ignorance was so delicious that Anna had to resist clapping her hands together as inspiration dawned. Of course, that was how she could help Caroline avoid a union with that oaf.

The perfect plan formed in mind, for Caroline’s brother was not the only one with influence. Anna knew of just the person to fix this, before Percival could even think of mentioning the word “courtship” to the honorary member of the Spinsters’ Club.

Herself. Or, rather, her secret identity.

Most delightful of all, Percival would have no idea that she was the one pulling the strings, to ensure he did not get what he wanted.