Prologue

Prologue

“ I have wonderful news!”

Rebecca looked up at her mother, but then immediately turned her head away. Lady Wilbram often came with news and, much of the time, it was nothing more than idle gossip; something that Rebecca herself did not enjoy listening to.

“Yes, Mama?” She did not so much as even look up from her embroidery, but rather continued to sew. The long, bleak winter stretched out before her, dreary and dismal – much like the state of her heart at present – and with very little to cheer her. Her father, the Earl of Wilbram, had made it clear that he was not to go to London for the little Season and thus, Rebecca was to be stuck at home, having only her mother for company. No doubt there would be a great deal more of this sort of occurrence, whereby her mother would burst into the room, expressing great delight at some news or other and, in doing so, remind Rebecca of just how far away she was from it all.

Although I am not certain that I wish to return to London at present. There is the chance that he would be there and I do not think I could bear to see him.

“Rebecca. You are not as much as even listening to me!”

Out of the corner of her eye, Rebecca caught how her mother threw up her hands, but merely smiled quietly. “I am paying you a great deal of attention, Mother,” she answered, silently thinking to herself that it was the only thing she could do, given just how determined her mother was. Having been quite contented with her own thoughts, it was a little frustrating to have been interrupted so.

“You shall soon drop your embroidery once you realize what it is I have to tell you.” The promise in her mother’s voice was one that finally caught Rebecca’s interest, but telling herself not to be foolish, she threw only a quick smile in her mother’s direction.

“Yes, I am sure I shall,” she promised softly. “Please, tell me what it is. I am almost beside myself with anticipation.” Her sarcasm obviously laid heavy on her mother’s shoulders, for she immediately threw up her hands in clear disgust.

“Well, if you must behave so, then I shall not tell you the contents of this letter. You shall not know of it! And I shall be the one to go to the Duke’s Christmas… affair.”

Rebecca blinked, her gaze still fixed down upon her embroidery, but her hand stilling on the needle. Had she heard her mother correctly? Had she, in fact, said the words Duke and Christmas? Her stomach tightened perceptively, and she looked up, her irritation suddenly forgotten.

“N ow I have your attention.”

Her mother’s eyebrows lifted and Rebecca set her embroidery down completely, her hands going to her lap. “Yes, Mama, now you have my attention,” This was said rather quickly and with a slight flippancy, which Rebecca was certain her mother would hear in her voice, but she did not seem to respond. Seeing her mother’s shoulders drop after a moment, her hands going to her sides again, Rebecca let out a slow breath. Evidently, she was forgiven already.

“Yes, I did say the Duke – the Duke of Meyrick, in fact – and I did say Christmas.”

“What is it he has invited us to?”

“A Christmas house party. It is a little unusual, for it appears to be longer than many others would be. But then again, I suppose as the Duke of Meyrick, he is quite able to do as he pleases!”

“How wonderful!” In an instant, the grey winter seemed to fade from her eyes, no longer held out before her as the only path she had to take. Instead, she had an opportunity for happiness, enjoyment, laughter and smiles – as well as the fact that there would be very little chance of being in company with him . No doubt he was either back at his estate or would return to London for the little Season.

“We shall have to speak to your father, of course.”

At this, Rebecca’s heart plunged to the ground, splintering as it fell. Her father had only just declared that he would remain at his estate over the winter. Even if there was an invitation to a most prestigious house party, the chances of him agreeing to attend were very small indeed. Scowling up at her mother, she turned her head away. Why had she told her something such as this only for it to be snatched away again?

“Even if your father should not wish to attend, there is no reason you and I cannot both go,” her mother continued immediately, turning Rebecca’s scowl into a smile of delight. “He will understand – and given that his estate is not very far from our own, the journey will not be a difficult one. Besides which, it is an excellent occasion for you to make further acquaintances in preparation for the summer season… that is, unless you have any desire to find a gentleman suitor this Christmas.”

Rebecca laughed, shaking her head at her mother’s twinkling eyes and forcing herself not to think of him . Given that her mother and father knew nothing about the affair and, therefore, the abrupt ending to what had taken place, she did not think it wise to inform them of it. “Mama, I am very glad indeed we have been invited. I go with no expectation, just as you ought to do.”

Lady Wilbram smiled warmly. “You are quite correct. Now we must make preparations to attend this house party. You will need to look through your gowns and decide which of them is the most suitable. We have time to purchase one or two new gowns also, for there is certain to be at least one Christmas ball! You must be prepared for every possible occasion.” Making her way back towards the door with purposeful steps, as though she intended to begin such preparations immediately, Lady Wilbram threw a glance back at Rebecca. Understanding that she was meant to go after her mother, Rebecca set her embroidery down and followed immediately, her heart light and filled with hope.

“Prepared for every occasion, Mama?” she asked as her mother nodded firmly. “What exactly is it that I ought to expect from such a house party? I have only been to one before and it lasted only three days. There was very little that could be done by way of occasion.”

“You will find the Duke’s house parties are very different experiences,” her mother told her, grasping her hand warmly as they walked through the door. “You must have every expectation and, at the same time, no expectation. That is why we must be prepared for every eventuality, making certain that you have an outfit suitable for whatever it is the Duke might decide to do. Christmas is such a wonderful season, is it not?”

Rebecca laughed softly at her mother’s excited expression and the delight in her voice. “Made all the more wonderful by this house party,” she agreed, wondering how she was going to contain her anticipation for the few weeks before the house party began. “I am looking forward to it. It seems as though winter will not be so mediocre after all.”