Prologue
“Finally, I am to truly make my come out.”
Constance twirled around the drawing room in excitement as happiness flooded through her soul. There was no one to dance with her for, at the moment, she was entirely alone - but that only encouraged her to spin merrily around the room. Having made her way to London with her parents only two days prior, she was filled with anticipation over the upcoming season and had been, to her mother’s mind, much too eager to step out into society. Lord and Lady Hayman had insisted on resting for the last two days to recover from the journey, whilst Constance had done nothing but complain about the wait. After all, had she not been patient enough already?
Over the last two Seasons, while she had enjoyed time with her friends, she had been forced to do nothing other than watch as her elder sisters sought to find suitors. Now, however, it was to be her turn. Already she was imagining what it would be like to dance in the arms of a gentleman, and to have one in particular offer her attentions, and even courtship – though she would not hasten to marry. Her sisters had both been given the opportunity to take time over their decision of which gentleman they would call husband, and Constance was hopeful for the same. Yes, she was the last daughter, but surely that would not make any particular difference to her father.
“Constance, good gracious! Whatever are you doing? This is not a ballroom!” Her mother, having walked into the drawing room expecting to find her daughter reading quietly, or doing her embroidery, rather than dancing with an invisible gentleman, rushed forward as if she might need to grasp Constance’s hand and lead her to a chair. “Youmustsit down at once. Your father is coming to speak with us both within the next few moments!”
At this, Constance’s smile shattered and the happiness in her heart began to fade away. Her father was a rather strict and unaffectionate fellow, who seemed to care very little for his offspring, aside from making certain that their dowry was suitable and the prospective husband wealthy enough. After all, as he had explained on many an occasion, he wanted the very best of connections for his daughters, for they would always be linked tohisname andhistitle. Constance knew, given his previous remarks to her sisters, that, while he took such connections very seriously, it was without any consideration for the feelings or emotions of his daughters. Their husbands had been carefully considered over two separate Seasons and each of them had obeyed all directives he had given them.
Silently, Constance was a little uncertain that she would be of the same ilk. She had always known her own mind, and in this matter was all the more determined.
“What does he want to speak of, Mama?”
Lady Hayman waved a hand.
“If I knew, my dear, then I would have already told you,” she stated. “You know very well that your father keeps most matters to himself. It would not be right for me to ask him when he is clearly unwilling to speak of it to me in advance of this conversation.”
Constance turned her face away so that her mother would not see the roll of her eyes. She thought it most ridiculous that a gentleman would not speak to his wife about their daughter, especially when it came to the matter of marriage, but then again, her father had always been inclined towards privacy. He had always expected that his wife would simply listen to whatever he had to say and would do as he instructed - and his daughters the same. It was to his chagrin that Constance was a little less than willing to be as he expected, for she was always the one who stepped out of the bounds he set her. To her mind, she was simply free-spirited and determined, which she did not think were particularly undesirable traits, though her mother and elder sisters had tried their very best to disagree and to change her character into something they thought more appropriate.
A small, wry smile pulled at her mouth as she recalled how her sister had declared at the beginning of last Season that ladies of thetonought to show nothing but respect and deference, particularly if they were eager to be married. She had laughed and thrown up her hands, questioning aloud what sort of gentleman would want a spirited young lady for a bride. Constance had listened to all of their claims and concerns but as the Season continued and she, who was not out, was forced only to watch her sisters and their friends, she had silently become aware of the manyotheryoung ladies who were not as quiet nor as pious as her sisters. In addition to this, she had also silently promised herself - as well as verbally agreed with her friends - that she would not marry any gentleman unless he loved her, and she loved him in return. This had not been said to her father, mother, nor to her sisters, for no doubt they would either all laugh at her, or encourage her to think otherwise. This vow to herself was the reason why now, her father’s visit was bringing with it a mounting concern.
“You do know that you have been given a very significant opportunity here in London.” Her mother sat quickly and gracefully, smoothing her skirts with one hand. “I was concerned that your father would not bring you here at all, but you must see, now, how considerate he has been to give you this chance.”
Turning her head back to face her mother, Constance frowned.
“You did not think he would bring me to London? Even though I am to have a Season?”
Lady Hayman shook her head.
“You know as well as I that your father has always been taken up with business affairs. Of late, he has been so very busy with the improvements at the estate, which are not yet finished, that I was not sure that he would wish to leave, to come here.” With a smile, she settled back in her chair as though Constance ought to understand. “I believe at one point he was considering Baron Stratton.”
At the mention of this particular gentleman, Constance shuddered. Baron Stratton was a gentleman who had long lived on an estate near her father’s and, over the years, he had made it quite clear that he wasmorethan eager to marry one of Lord Hayman’s daughters. Constance had never thought him a genuine consideration, however, believing that her father would feel much same, but it appeared now that she had been entirely mistaken.
“I was easily able to dissuade him, once I heard of the scheme,” Lady Hayman smiled as Constance sank back into her chair, suddenly rather nervous about what her father might now be coming to say. What if her mother was mistaken, and Baron Stratton was now in London? “You need not look so worried, my dear. I have assured him that such a thing would not be right. Baron Stratton would not be a suitable match.”
“He certainly would not be.” Shaking her head, Constance turned her attention to the window, rather than look at her mother. “Why should father think that the Baron would be suitable for me when he is almost of an age with Father himself-”
Her consideration was brought to a swift close, for the door opened and Lord Hayman entered. Constance rose, as was expected, and then sat again when her father waved one hand at her. Standing in front of the fireplace, he put his hands behind his back and then fixed sharp grey eyes upon Constance.
“Constance, of late, I have been considering your future.” Constance opened her mouth to say that she had very little idea that her father had been considering anything about her, save for the fact that he would bring her to London, and the Marriage Mart. However, given the way that her father sniffed and lifted his chin, she wisely chose to keep her mouth closed. Lord Hayman continued, without even glancing at her, instead letting his gaze fix itself to the wall at the opposite end of the room as if he were talking to that rather than to his daughter. “I have not the time nor the patience to permit you to find yourself a suitable match. Therefore,” he continued firmly, “Ishall find a suitable match for you. You will be wed by the end of the Season.”
Shock pushed itself into Constance’s heart, rendering her speechless. She stared, aghast, at her father, who managed a small smile, albeit still directed at the wall, as if to congratulate himself on doing something so considerate for her.
“Father.” Managing to find her voice, Constance immediately tried to express her lack of eagerness to be given such a match. “I appreciate that you are very taken up with estate matters but surely, since you allowed my sisters to find suitable husbands for themselves, I should be treated with the same consideration.”
“It is a different situation. I was not involved in estate improvements during either of your sisters’ Seasons.” Her father flapped one hand at her, dismissively. “I am afraid I do not have time for such things with you. I will find a suitable gentleman as quickly as I can and then we will return home so that you might prepare for the wedding.” As Lord Hayman continued with his explanation about why he was required back at the estate as soon as could be and why, therefore, he could not spend any length of time in London, Constance blinked rapidly to push back her tears. To cry at this juncture would make very little difference. Most likely, if he caught her tears, her father would snort and then exit the room, leaving her to her mother’s care. It was not as though her begging or pleading would make any difference, for, as she well knew, what her father decided was what happened – regardless of anyone else’s opinion. That was the sort of gentleman he was, a gentleman who chose to act in any way he wished and expected no consequences for those choices. “As I have said. I will be looking for a gentleman who might be suitable. Indeed, I shall be looking from this very evening!” He rose from his chair again and made his way directly to the door. “I will inform you of his name very soon, I hope.”
The door closed behind him, and Constance immediately burst into tears. Her mother rose at once, hurrying over to her, her arm going around Constance’s shoulders as she murmured words of comfort. When Constance could lift her face just a little to look at her mother, it was clear that Lady Hayman was just as astonished as she, for her face had gone rather pale, and her eyes were still wide.
“I am sure that your father will pick a most suitable gentleman.” Her words made very little difference to the pain in Constance’s heart, for what sort of young lady truly wished to marry a gentleman simply because her father had chosen him? Yes, he might be suitable in terms of title and wealth, but she, on the other hand, would only care for his character, whether he was kind or gentle. What if her father chose a man whose character was deeply flawed, who had no interest in a wife save for what her dowry might bring him? What if he was a gentleman without heart, without consideration? She could not tie herself to a gentleman like that! Constance did not want to be married to such a man, having already determined to marry someone who loved her. But how was she to do so, now, when her father had made his decision already? “Please, do not cry.” Pulling out a handkerchief, Lady Hayman handed it to Constance, who dabbed her eyes. Despite her mother’s soft cajoling, she was entirely unable stop her tears from flowing. “I am sure that it will not be as difficult a situation as you might think. The gentleman you wed will be more than excellent, I assure you.”
“I cannot feel the same certainty.” Constance closed her eyes tightly, dampness on her cheeks, her shoulders rounding. “Mama, this is not at all what I had planned for the Season. I wanted to be given my opportunity, as my sisters were given, to find a suitable husband – a man who was of my own choosing while, at the same time, being a gentleman Father approved of. Why is my father so determined to steal this chance from me? Why am I to be treated in such a manner?”
As her mother attempted to make an explanation, Constance’s eyes continued to fill with tears. It did not matter what Lady Hayman said. The truth was, her future was now very dark indeed, and it seemed that not even the smallest chink of light could be shone upon it.
Chapter One
