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Prologue

“William?”

Nathanial looked around at the garden, taking in the sunlight, the way it dappled across the leaves and the colors in the flowers. Everything seemed a little too bright, a little too beautiful but all the same, Nathanial smiled.

“Ashbourne!”

He turned, seeing William running across the garden toward him. Reaching out both hands, Nathanial caught up his younger brother, whirling him around as his younger brother laughed… only for the light in the garden to begin to fade. Holding his brother tight, Nathanial looked around, his eyes flaring in fright as light began to disappear, replaced by shadow and darkness.

What was happening?

“William?”

His brother was no longer in his arms. Caught by fear, Nathanial let out a cry of fright – and suddenly he was sitting up in bed, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead, his breathing ragged.

“William.” Closing his eyes, Nathanial let out a slow breath, trying to stop his heart from hammering so furiously. The nightmare had repeated itself yet again and, even though William was safe, the darkness now a distant memory, he simply could not remove it from his mind.

“I failed him.” Muttering to himself, Nathanial pushed one hand through his dark hair, wiping the sweat from his forehead. No matter how many days passed, that memory continued to linger in his mind. The way he had failed William, the way hehad almost brought about the death of his younger brother by his negligence would not leave him. It was what drove him to consider his character with almost every waking moment, what brought about his nightmares and the fear which wrapped a coldness around his heart. A calm night’s sleep seemed to evade him no matter what tinctures his doctor suggested.

Nathanial feared that this nightmare would never leave him.

Chapter One

“Did you enjoy your breakfast, Lady Amelia?”

Amelia smiled as her maid bobbed a curtsy. “I did, thank you, Abby.”

“Might I be of any assistance to you? What are your intentions this morning?”

Amelia gestured to the writing desk. “Why, we are writing our invitations for our literary salon this morning!”

“Ah yes, I do remember. Might I bring you a tray of tea and biscuits?”

“Yes, that would be lovely.” Still smiling, Amelia put out both hands either side. “And if you should see Charlotte, then please do ask her to join me! She is meant to be deciding with me who it is we should be inviting.”

With a nod and a smile, the maid stepped out and left Amelia alone. Walking to the writing desk, Amelia sat down and picked up the list that Charlotte and she had made only yesterday, though it was not yet complete. Sunshine shone through the windows and she lifted her gaze to the window, rising to her feet to walk across the room and looking back out to the gardens of her father’s manor house.

It was a beautiful place, especially in the summer time and Amelia found herself smiling gently as she took in a long breath and let it out again, contentedly. This was where she felt herself happy, felt herself joyous and contented and even though her father was threatening to take her sister and her to London for the upcoming Season, Amelia was not certain that he would do so. She knew just how much he loved the Stanton estate, remembering with a smile how, last year, both her mother andhe would often walk through the rose garden together. Yes, they had gone to London for Charlotte’s come out but they had not lingered, seeming eager to return to their estate. Of course, it was time for her to make her come out but another year at home would not make any great difference, would it?

“I am sorry I am so tardy!”

Turning, Amelia laughed as Charlotte flew into the room, her cheeks a little pink. “Pray, do not worry.”

“I was out in the gardens,” Charlotte told her, flopping into a chair. “It is such a fine morning that I did not want to be indoors. But then I quite forgot that we were to be writing out our invitations and when your maid found me, I came back here as quickly as I could.”

“I know that you do not particularly like writing invitations but it must be done if we are to have a successful literary event,” Amelia reminded her, waving the list in front of her face. “I do enjoy walking through the roses, however so mayhap we might do so together this afternoon?”

Charlotte smiled. “Yes, of course. I would like that.”

“Good.” Amelia gestured to the paper in front of her. “So, are we certain that all those we have thought of are those that we wish to invite?”

“Yes, I think so.” Taking the list from Amelia, Charlotte read through it quickly and then nodded. “This is to be a great event, I am sure. You, especially, will find it a most enjoyable event, will you not? You do love company and the like and you have read a few books upon occasion. I am sure it will be an excellent event.”

Smiling to herself, Amelia walked to the writing desk and sat back down. “Yes, I dare say I will enjoy this event, though I am a little anxious to know who will be attending!”

“Though not everyone who comes will find it to be so exhilarating, I am sure.” Charlotte offered her a wry smile. “Some will come merely for the entertainment – or for thegames of cards that Father is sure to have put out for some of the gentlemen.”

“Mayhap that is true but I am certain we will have a good many discussions, though there will also be some readings.”