Chapter 1
Marlowe Castle
Christmas, England
“This way, please.”Miss Gloria Godwin ushered this month’s crop of stargazers away from the light spilling from the castle’s front doors.
This evening, only a dozen individuals braved the crisp winter weather in search of stars.The few Gloria did not recognize were tourists.Each time she took a new group, she hoped the future love of her life would be among them.
Cupid hadn’t struck yet, but surely it was just a matter of time.
The town of Cressmouth was better known as Christmas.Their perpetually snow-dusted mountaintop village was a favorite holiday spot for those willing to trek up to the northernmost corner of England to enjoy its charms.
The majority of faces in tonight’s crowd belonged to children of local parents taking advantage of a free hour whilst their offspring were entertained elsewhere.Some of the children had attended these outings since they started.By now, they were old friends.
“For those of you joining us for the first time,” she began with a smile, “welcome to the sky-walk.Tonight, we will exercise our brains as well as our legs, as we—”
“May I tell?”A young girl with a woolen cap and thick scarf bounced on her toes.
Gloria gave an encouraging nod.“Go ahead, Annie.”
“On the first walk, we learn the names of the stars and the stories behind their constellations.”Annie’s eyes sparkled.“And on the second walk—”
“We get to make up our own!”six-year-old Nigel blurted out in glee.“We can even wish upon a star!”
“That’s right,” Gloria said with a laugh.“If this is your first time star-gazing, memorizing hundreds of names and configurations can seem overwhelming.But never fear!Raise your hand if you’ve ever lain on grass in order to pick out shapes in the clouds.”
Everyone lifted a fur muff or a woolen mitten.
“Star-gazing is similar.”Gloria smiled at her group.“Should you forget the North Star is Polaris inside Ursa Minor, you may remember a simpler story and still be able to find the right direction when you need it.”
Two of the tourists exchanged a loving look.Their obvious romantic connection warmed Gloria’s heart.
“Miss Godwin’s father was a Captain for the Royal Navy,” Annie gushed.“He taught her everything.”
Gloria swallowed a lump in her throat at the reminder.“And Annie was my very first sky-walker.She’ll be happy to answer questions, too.Shall we wait another moment in case there are latecomers?”
She glanced over her shoulder at the castle entrance and forgot whatever else she’d been about to say.
The dashing Mr.Christopher Pringle was standing at the open doors, bathed in light from the crystal chandeliers just inside.She had almost had a chance to meet him two weeks ago, during a party at the castle to celebrate her friend’s latest perfume.
Instead, she’d remained a wallflower.There had been no one to properly introduce them.All she could do was admire him from afar.
And,oh, was there plenty to admire.
Dark brown hair.Snowy white neckcloth.Black superfine coat cut to accentuate broad shoulders.Gorgeous buckskins that clung to the muscles of his legs.Gleaming Hessians.Adonis, come to life.
Her pulse skipped.Was he coming on her tour?Would she finally get to meet him?
Until a fortnight ago, all she knew about Christopher Pringle was hearsay and a too-brief listing in Debrett’s Peerage.His elder brother was London’s most infamous rake and heir presumptive to a dukedom, making the younger Mr.Pringle second in line to their cousin’s title.
Like his rakish brother, he spent his Seasons in London and was every bit as mind-meltingly handsome in the flesh.There the similarities ended.
While his brother’s infamy was due to countless seductions in Society boudoirs, Christopher Pringle was far more mysterious.His name never graced scandal columns, and his antics—whatever they might be—had not once been immortalized in a penny caricature.
Gloria’s heart stopped.He was looking right at her.
She forced her suddenly frozen features into a welcoming smile.
