Chapter One
“Thank you again for sponsoring me through this Season.” Lady Cassandra Chilton pressed her hands together tightly, a delighted smile spreading across her features as excitement quickened her heart. Having spent a few years in London, with the rest of her family, it was now finally her turn to come out into society. “I would not have been able to come to London had you not been so generous.”
Norah, Lady Yardley smiled softly and slipped her arm through Cassandra’s.
“I am just as glad as you to have you here, cousin.” A small sigh slipped from her, and her expression was gentle. “It does not seem so long ago that I was here myself, to make my Come Out.”
Cassandra’s happiness faded just a little
“Your first marriage was not of great length, I recall.” Pressing her lips together immediately, she winced, dropping her head, hugely embarrassed by her own forthrightness “Forgive me. I ought not to be speaking of such things.”
Thankfully, Lady Yardley chuckled.
“You need not be so concerned, my dear. You are right to say that my first marriage was not of long duration, but Ihavefound a great happiness since then - more than that, in fact. I have found a love which has brought me such wondrous contentment that I do not think I should ever have been able to live without it.” At this, Cassandra found herself sighing softly, her eyes roving around the London streets as though they might land on the very gentleman who would thereafter bring her the same love, within her own heart, that her cousin spoke of. “But you must be cautious,” her cousin continued. “There are many gentlemen in London – even more during the Season – and notallof them will seek the same sort of love match as you. Therefore, you must always be cautious, my dear.”
A little surprised at this, Cassandra looked at her cousin as they walked along the London streets.
“I must be cautious?”
Her cousin nodded sagely.
“Yes, most careful, my dear. Society is not always as it appears. It can be a fickle friend.” Lady Yardley glanced at Cassandra then quickly smiled - a smile which Cassandra did not immediately believe. “Pray, do not allow me to concern you, not when you have only just arrived in London!” She shook her head and let out an exasperated sigh, evidently directed towards herself. “No doubt you will have a wonderful Season. With so much to see and to enjoy, I am certain that these months will be delightful.”
Cassandra allowed herself a small smile, her shoulders relaxing in gentle relief. She had always assumed that London society would be warm and welcoming and, whilst there was always the danger of scandal, that danger came only from young ladies or gentlemen choosing to behave improperly. Given that she was quite determinednotto behave so, there could be no danger of scandal for her!
“I assure you, Norah, that I shall be impeccable in my behavior and in my speech. You need not concern yourself over that.”
Lady Yardley touched her hand for a moment.
“I am sure that you shall. I have never once considered otherwise.” She offered a quick smile. “But you will also learn a great deal about society and the gentlemen within it – and that will stand you in good stead.”
Still not entirely certain, and pondering what her cousin meant, Cassandra found her thoughts turned in an entirely new direction when she saw someone she recognized. Miss Bridget Wynch was accompanied by another young lady who Cassandra knew, and with a slight squeal of excitement, she made to rush towards them – somehow managing to drag Lady Yardley with her. When Cassandra turned to apologize, her cousin laughingly disentangled herself and then urged Cassandra to continue to her friends. Cassandra did so without hesitation and, despite the fact it was in the middle of London, the three young ladies embraced each other openly, their voices high with excitement. Over the last few years, they had come to know each other as they had accompanied various elder siblings to London, alongside their parents. Now it was to be their turn and the joy of that made Cassandra’s heart sing.
“You are here then, Cassandra.” Lady Almeria grasped her hand tightly. “And you were so concerned that your father would not permit you to come.”
“It was not that he was unwilling to permit me to attend, rather that he was concerned that he would be on the continent at the time,” Cassandra explained. “In that regard, he was correct, for both my fatherandmy mother have taken leave of England, and have gone to my father’s properties on the continent. I am here, however, and stay now with my cousin.” Turning, she gestured to Lady Yardley who was standing only a short distance away, a warm smile on her face. She did not move forward, as though she was unwilling to interrupt the conversation and, with a smile of gratitude, Cassandra turned back to her friends. “We are to make our first appearances in Society tomorrow.” Stating this, she let out a slow breath. “How do you each feel?”
With a slight squeal, Miss Wynch closed her eyes and shuddered.
“Yes, we are, and I confess that I am quite terrified.” Taking a breath, she pressed one hand to her heart. “I am very afraid that I will make a fool of myself in some way.”
“As am I,” Lady Almeria agreed. “I am afraid that I shall trip over my gown and fall face first in front of the most important people of theton! Then what shall be said of me?”
“They will say that you may not be the most elegant young lady to dance with?” Cassandra suggested, as her friends giggled. “However, I am quite sure that you will have a great deal of poise – as you always do – and will be able to control your nerves quite easily. You will not so much as stumble.”
“I thank you for your faith in me.”
Lady Almeria let out a slow breath.
“Our other friends will be present also,” Miss Wynch added. “How good it will be to see them again – both at our presentation and at the ball in the evening!”
Cassandra smiled at the thought of the ball, her stomach twisting gently with a touch of nervousness.
“I admit to being excited about our first ball also. I do wonder which gentlemen we shall dance with.” Lady Almeria swiveled her head around, looking at the many passersby before leaning forward a little more and dropping her voice low. “I am hopeful that one or two may become of significant interest to us.”
Cassandra’s smile fell.
“My cousin has warned me to be cautious when it comes to the gentlemen of London.” Still a little disconcerted by what Lady Yardley had said to her, Cassandra gave her friends a small shrug. “I do not understand precisely what she meant, but there is something about the gentlemen of London of which we must be careful. My cousin has not explained to me precisely what that is as yet, but states that there is much I must learn. I confess to you, since we have all been in London before, for previous Seasons – albeit not for ourselves – I did not think that there would be a great deal for me to understand.”
