Chapter 1

Chapter One

O ne year later.

Taking the hand of her coachman, Norah descended from the carriage and drew in a long breath.

I am back in London.

The strange awareness that she was quite alone – without companion or chaperone – rushed over her, rendering Norah a little uncomfortable. Wriggling her shoulders a little in an attempt to remove such feelings from herself, Norah put a smile on her face and began to walk through St James' Park, praying that Lady Gillingham would be waiting as she had promised.

The last year had been something of a dull one and it brought Norah a good deal of pleasure to be back in town. Society had been severely lacking and the only other people in the world she had enjoyed conversation with had been her lady's maid, Cherry, and the housekeeper. Both had seemed to recognize that Norah was a little lonely and as the months had passed, a semblance of friendship – albeit a strange one – had begun to flourish. However, upon her return to town, Norah had been forced to leave both the maid and the housekeeper behind, for she was no longer permitted to reside in the small estate that had been hers for the last year. Now, she was to find a way to settle in London and with an entirely new complement of staff.

"Ah, Lady Essington! I am so glad to see you again."

Lady Gillingham rose quickly from where she had been seated on the small, wooden bench and, much to Norah's surprise, grasped her hands tightly whilst looking keenly into her eyes.

"I do hope you are well?"

Norah nodded, a prickling running down her spine. "I am quite well, I thank you."

"You have been looked after this past year?"

Opening her mouth to say that yes, she was quite satisfied, Norah slowly closed it again and saw the flicker of understanding in Lady Gillingham's eye.

"The newly titled Lord Essington did not wish for me to reside with him so I was sent to the dower house for the last few months," she explained, as Lady Gillingham's jaw tightened. "I believe that Lord Essington has spent the time attempting to find a way to remove from me what my late husband bequeathed but he has been unable to do so."

Lady Gillingham's eyes flared and a small smile touched the corner of her mouth. "I am very glad to hear it."

"I have a residence here in London and a small complement of staff." It was not quite the standard she was used to but Norah was determined to make the best of it. "I do not think I shall be able to purchase any new gowns - although it may be required of me somehow – but I am back in town, at the very least."

Lady Gillingham nodded, turned, and began to walk along the path, gesturing for Norah to fall into step with her. "You were given only a small yearly allowance?"

Norah shrugged one shoulder lightly. "It is more than enough to take care of my needs, certainly."

"But not enough to give you any real ease."

Tilting her head, Norah considered what she said, then chose to push away her pride and nod.

"It is as you say." There would be no additional expenses, no new gowns, gloves, or bonnets and she certainly could not eat extravagantly but at least she had a comfortable home. "The will stated that I was to have the furnished townhouse in London and that my brother-in-law is liable for all repairs to keep it to a specific standard for the rest of my remaining life and that, certainly, is a comfort."

"I can see that it is, although might you consider marrying again?"

Norah hesitated. "It is not something I have given a good deal of thought to, Lady Gillingham. I have had a great deal of loss these last few years, with the passing of my mother shortly after my marriage and, thereafter, the passing of Lord Essington himself. To find myself now back in London without a parent or husband is a little strange, and I confess that I find it a trifle odd. However, for the moment, it is a freedom that I wish to explore rather than remove from myself in place of another marriage."

Lady Gillingham laughed and the air around them seemed to brighten. "I quite understand. I, of course, never married again and there is not always a desire to do so, regardless. That is quite an understandable way of thinking and you must allow yourself time to become accustomed to your new situation."

"Yes, I think you are right."

Tilting her head slightly, Lady Gillingham looked sidelong at Norah. "And have you given any consideration to my proposal?"

Norah hesitated, her stomach dropping. Until this moment, she had been quite determined that she would not do as Lady Gillingham had asked, whereas now she was no longer as certain. Realizing she would have to live a somewhat frugal life for the rest of her days or marry a gentleman with a good deal more fortune – which was, of course, somewhat unlikely since she was a widow – the idea of earning a little more coin was an attractive one.

"I – I was about to refuse until this moment. But now that I am back in your company, I feel quite changed."

Lady Gillingham's eyes lit up. "Truthfully?"

Letting out a slightly awkward laugh, Norah nodded. "Although I am not certain I shall have the same way with words as you. How do you find such interesting stories?"

The burst of laughter that came from Lady Gillingham astonished Norah to the point that her steps slowed significantly.

"Oh, forgive me, Lady Essington! It is clear you have not plunged the depths of society as I have."

A slow flush of heat crept up Norah's cheeks. "It is true that I was very well protected from any belligerent gentlemen and the like. My mother was most fastidious."

"As she ought." Lady Gillingham attempted to hide her smile but it fought to remain on her lips. "But you shall find society a very different beast now, Lady Essington!"

Norah shivered, not certain that she liked that particular remark.

"You are a widowed lady, free to do as you please and act as you wish. You will find that both the gentlemen and ladies of the ton will treat you very differently now and that, Lady Essington, is where you will find all manner of stories being brought to your ears."

"I see."

A small frown pulled at Lady Gillingham's brow. "However, I made certain any stories I wrote had a basis in fact. I do not like to spread rumors unnecessarily. I stayed far from stories that would bring grave injury to certain parties."

Norah nodded slowly, seeing the frown and realizing just how seriously Lady Gillingham had taken her employment.

"There is a severe responsibility that must be considered before you take this on, Lady Essington. You must be aware that whatever you write will have consequences."

Pressing her lips together tightly, Norah thought about this for a few moments. "I recall that my mother and I used to read the society papers very carefully indeed, to make certain we would not keep company with any gentlemen who were considered poorly by the ton ."

Lady Gillingham nodded. "Indeed, that is precisely what I mean. If a lady had been taken advantage of, then I would never write about her for fear of what that might entail. However, I would make mention of the gentleman in question, in some vague, yet disparaging, way that made certain to keep the rest of the debutantes away from him."

"I understand."

"We may not be well acquainted, Lady Essington, but I have been told of your kind and sweet nature by others. I believe they thought very well of your mother and, in turn, of you."

Norah put her hand to her heart, an ache in her throat. "I thank you."

Lady Gillingham smiled softly. "So what say you, Lady Essington? Will you do as I have long hoped?"

"Will I write under the name of Mrs. Fullerton?" A slow, soft smile pulled at her lips as she saw Lady Gillingham nod. "And when would they wish their first piece?"

Lady Gillingham shrugged. "I write every week about what I have discovered. Sometimes the article is rather long and sometimes it is very short. The amount you write does not matter. It is what it contains that is of interest. They will pay you the same amount, regardless."

"They?" Norah pricked up her ears at the mention of money. "And might I ask how much is being offered?"

Norah's eyes widened as Lady Gillingham told her of the very large amount that would be given to her for every piece written. That would allow me to purchase one new gown at the very least!

"And it is the man in charge of the London Chronicle that has asked me for this weekly contribution. In time, you will be introduced to him. But that is only if you are willing to take on the role?"

Taking in a deep breath, Norah let it out slowly and closed her eyes for a moment. "Yes, I think I shall."

Lady Gillingham clapped her hands together in delight, startling a nearby blackbird. "How wonderful! I shall, of course, be glad to assist you with your first article. Thereafter, I fully intend to return to my house in the countryside and remain far away from all that London society has to offer." Her smile faded as she spoke, sending a stab of worry into Norah's heart. Could it be that after years of writing such articles, of being in amongst society and seeing all that went on, Lady Gillingham was weary of the ton ? Norah swallowed hard and tried to push her doubts away. This was to bring her a little more coin and, therefore, a little more ease. After all that she had endured these last few years, that would be of the greatest comfort to her.

"So, when are you next to go into society?"

Norah looked at Lady Gillingham. "I have only just come to London. I believe I have an invitation to Lord Henderson's ball tomorrow evening, however."

"As have I." Lady Gillingham looped her arm through Norah's, as though they were suddenly great friends. "We shall attend together and I will help you find not only what you are to write about but I shall also introduce you to various gentlemn and ladies that you might wish to befriend."

A little confused, Norah frowned. "For what purpose?"

"Oh, some gentlemen, in particular, will have excellent potential when it comes to your writings. You do not have to like them – indeed, it is best if you do not , for your conscience's sake."

Norah's spirits dropped low. Was this truly the right thing for her to be doing? She did not want to injure gentlemen and ladies unnecessarily, nor did she want to have guilt on her conscience. But the money would be so very helpful.

"I can choose what I write, yes?"

Lady Gillingham glanced over at her sharply. "Yes, of course."

"And the newspaper will not require me to write any falsehoods?"

Lady Gillingham shook her head. "No, indeed not."

Norah set her shoulders. "Then I shall do as you have done and write what I think is only best for society to know, in order to protect debutantes and the like from any uncouth gentlemen."

"That is fair." Lady Gillingham smiled and Norah took in a long breath, allowing herself to smile as she settled the matter with her conscience. "I am sure you shall do very well indeed, Lady Essington."

Norah tilted her head up toward the sky for a moment as a sense of freedom burst over her once again. "I must hope so, Lady Gillingham. The ball will be a very interesting evening indeed, I am sure."

I think the society column will yield some very interesting stories, don't you? I hope Lady Essington does well! Check out the rest of the story in the Kindle Store The Truth about the Earl