Part 1
Aurelia Ricketts was going through the calendar of events she had created in her journal when she was startled by her cousin Lady Edith.
“And how do you ever expect to find a husband wearing such a gown, miss? I thought I told you to get rid of it ages ago.”
Lady Edith wasn’t precisely Aurelia’s cousin, more like her third cousin twice removed on her mother’s side or some such thing. Whatever the relation, she had managed to wheedle her way into George Ricketts household soon after Aurelia’s mother lost her third child in a row.
Mrs. Ricketts had been so devastated, she had fallen into a near comatose state unable to get up from bed, unwilling to eat. Lady Edith had arrived, presumably to care for her, but Aurelia’s mother hadn’t lasted a month, and Lady Edith hadn’t left—even after the funeral. Somehow, she had convinced Mr. Ricketts that he was now in need of a woman to run his household. He hadn’t disagreed, nor agreed, as far as Aurelia knew, but she’d only been six at the time. All Aurelia was certain of was that Lady Edith seemed to be perpetually angry with her and had somehow managed to wrap her host around her little finger.
Aurelia now looked up from her journal at Lady Edith who had entered her room without knocking. “I haven’t yet dressed for the day, my lady,” Aurelia said.
“And why not? It is nearly ten of the clock.”
“Do we have an engagement this morning I was unaware—”
“Do not be smart with me, young lady,” Lady Edith snapped. “Now, get yourself properly dressed and to practicing your pianoforte. When you are married with your own household you may laze about as you please, but while you are my responsibility you will do as I say.” The woman spun around and headed out the Aurelia’s bedroom door. “And, for goodness’ sake, throw away that dress!” she yelled as she went.
Aurelia sighed. She loved this dress. It was soft and warm with its long sleeves and high neck. She would do what she always did when Lady Edith told her to get rid of a dress she liked. She would hide it in the back of her wardrobe for a few weeks and then only wear it when she thought she might not get caught.
Half an hour later Aurelia’s father found her in the music room practicing as she’d been told.
“So lovely, my dear,” the older, pot-bellied man said as he came toward her. “Such a talent you have. Your mother was the same way.”
Aurelia smiled at her father. He always said as much when he found her practicing, which amused her because Lady Edith always said just the opposite—that Aurelia needed to practice more for if her mother had done so perhaps she would have been a passable musician. Aurelia figured the truth was somewhere in between.
“Please don’t forget, Papa, we are to go to Lady Foxworthy’s ball tonight,” Aurelia said.
“Must I?” he asked, scrunching up his nose.
“Yes. You know Lady Edith won’t go without an escort. But you should be careful, I’m certain Lord Meriton will be there eager to win his money back from you,” she said knowing that the lure of the card room is the only way to get her father to attend these events.
The man brightened up immediately. “Yes, of course, of course.” He chuckled, rubbing his hands together. “I do hope Meriton comes with plenty of coin because I plan on relieving him of it just as I did a few nights ago.” He flicked her cheek with a finger and left the room smiling.
Aurelia hoped there would be another marquess or two at the ball. Ever since the Duke of Drayton eloped with Miss Buttery-Clements, there had been entirely too few gentlemen her father would consider eligible for his daughter’s hand and the sooner she married the happier they would all be.
Part 2
Aurelia circled the ball room slowly for the second time. There were a great number of people she knew, but so far no one had spoken more than a word to her and she’d only been asked to dance once.
She knew very well why this was. She had made no friends when she’d done everything she could to capture the attention of the Duke of Drayton. She’d been unpardonably rude to a number of girls, not least of all Miss Ellison who was soon to be Lady Uxbridge as she had just become engaged to that hulking earl, Lord Uxbridge. Honestly, the man made Aurelia quake in her slippers. Miss Ellison was more than welcome to that one. But it had been Lady Katherine Buttery-Clements who’d snared the duke. Never would Aurelia have thought the man would be more attracted to a girl who was–to put it kindly–large boned, when Aurelia herself was slender and lithe.
But the end result of all of that drama was, of course, with Aurelia circling the ball room alone without an invitation to dance. Not only that, but she could feel Lady Edith’s eyes on her.
The woman was sitting, as always, among the chaperones and doing absolutely nothing to help Aurelia by introducing her to anyone. It was positively embarrassing!
Aurelia was just about ready to ask Lady Edith if they might collect her father from game room and return home when Lady Foxworthy, their hostess, approached her with a tall, imposing-looking gentleman by her side.
He had sharp features–chiseled cheekbones, a strong square chin, and an aristocratically straight nose. His eyes were the only part of him that held any warmth and even that seemed rather tepid.
Ah, well, Aurelia thought to herself. It wasn’t like she had a great deal of other options. She turned a polite smile on to the lady, curtseying as the said, “Miss Ricketts, there is someone I would like to introduce you to.”
“I would be honored, my lady,” Aurelia said, looking up at the man. Oh, please be well titled, please be well titled, she whispered in her mind.
“Lord Whatebury, may I present Miss Aurelia Ricketts?”
The man nodded before reaching out for Aurelia’s hand.
“Miss Ricketts, the Marquess of Whatebury,” Lady Foxworthy said.
As Aurelia sank into another curtsey she lowered her eyes in an effort to hide the joy and enthusiasm in them. What she really wanted to do was jump up and down and clap her hands, but she didn’t that would be deemed appropriate so instead she murmured. “It a pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
“Would you care to dance, Miss Ricketts?” he said.
“I would indeed. Thank you.” She put her hand on his outstretched arm and then turned a grateful look at Lady Foxworthy as he led her away. The woman looked well satisfied.
“I don’t believe I have seen you earlier this season, my lord. I would certainly remember if I had,” she said, after the start of the dance.
“No. My family and I have only just arrived in Town. We were in mourning for my mother, and while it was recommended that I wait to introduce my sister into society next season, I did want her to get a little town bronze before then.”
“I am so sorry for your loss,” she said, affixing an appropriately somber expression onto her face. Before she could say more, the steps of the dance took them apart. When she could, she added, “Although, I do have to say that would be very happy to meet your sister as she is new to Town.”
“That is most kind of you,” he said, giving her the first hint of a smile she’d seen on his face so far. “I shall certainly introduce you.”
“Is she here this evening?” Aurelia asked, looking around the room as if she could spot someone she’d never met before.
“No. She will not officially enter society until next Season. As I say, I simply wanted her to get to know the city a little and perhaps casually meet a few people such as yourself.”
“That is an excellent idea, my lord. She won’t be nearly as nervous as most young ladies are when they make their debut.”
“That was my thoughts, precisely.” He sounded pleased that she had understood his thinking and perhaps a little surprised as if he hadn’t expected her to. Well, it was always good to exceed expectations.
At the end of the dance, as he led her off the floor, Aurelia caught sight of Lady Edith standing and glaring at them. With a sigh, Aurelia turned to the marquess. “Would you mind very much meeting my chaperone? She is standing just there,” she nodded her head toward the lady.
“I would be most pleased,” he said, looking anything but.
“You are too kind and may wish to take back your words after you meet her,” Aurelia said, as they turned toward Lady Edith.
He gave her a quizzical look, but as they reached the lady just then, couldn’t respond.
“My lord, may I present my cousin, Lady Edith Murray?” Aurelia said. He gave a short nod.
“Lady Edith, this is the Marquess of Whatebury. Lady Foxworthy was kind enough to introduce us,” Aurelia told her cousin so that she would know that it had been a proper introduction.
As if a spark had been struck, the lady’s face lit up. “My lord,” she curtsied. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance. I do hope you enjoyed your dance with my charge?”
“Very much so, Lady Edith. I am very impressed with with her quick mind and the grace with which she dances. And grateful she forgave me my missteps. It has been a little while since I’ve danced,” he said, politely.
Lady Edith’s smile only seemed to grow. “From what I could see you were certainly the more graceful of you both, my lord. I’m certain it is Miss Ricketts who should be thanking you.”
The marquess just inclined his head saying, “If it were not rude of me to argue, I assure you I would most vociferously.” He turned to Aurelia. “Miss Ricketts, it has been a pleasure. May I enquire whether you will be at home tomorrow?”
Aurelia opened her mouth the answer, but her cousin got there first. “Of course she will, my lord. And we will be very pleased to welcome you. We are on John Street. The house with the flower petal fanlight above the door.”
His lordship bowed. “Then I shall see you tomorrow.”
Aurelia curtsied again as he walked away.
“Very pretty manners,” Lady Edith conceded. “Please do your best not to lose that one to another girl.”
And with that the lady turned around and resumed her seat.