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CHAPTER 1

“Oh, I cannot wait to arrive at the Mulford estate,” Diana, Selina’s younger sister, gushed, bouncing in her seat, visibly unaware of their aunt’s scolding look. “I heard the Marchioness has brought some dancers from France just for tonight. She really is taking well to her new position. The Marquess must be so pleased.”

“Is that so?” Selina asked. “Then I cannot wait either.”

Selina, Diana, their older brother Herbert, and their aunt Martha—the Dowager Countess of Riddington—were currently on the road to a house party that was set to be a two week-long affair, and Selina wasexcited.

They had taken extra care when attending parties, as they were still trying to recover from the near mishap that had happened at the last party they had hosted at their estate, but this would be the first they would attend without any strict preparations.

“I do hope you will show this much excitement when gentlemen come to make your acquaintance, Selina.” Martha tutted. “I hear you have quite the scalding personality.”

Selina rolled her eyes and clasped her aunt’s hand with a smile. “I am rather charming, dear aunt, if I do say so myself.” She ignored Herbert’s snort of laughter and continued. “I only direct my barbs at those deserving of them.”

“Which is every gentleman, from the look of things,” Martha murmured. “It’s no wonder that you have been unable to secure a match after the many Seasons you’ve had.”

“Aunt Martha,” she whined, “I really have been trying, but?—”

“You have made enough excuses, dear girl. That is why I’m here.” Aunt Martha frowned. “I know you still harbor your wild notions of a love match, but you have nearly become a spinster because of that fancy, and now you’re ruining your younger sister’s prospects, as you remain unmatched. You really must put aside those childish ideals for something more practical.”

“I am being practical. It is not entirely improbable to have a love match.” She argued.

“But when it has taken as long as it has for you to find it, it is only fair to adjust your desires.” Aunt Martha responded undeterred. “I need both of you married soon but your adamance is not only impeding your chances but your sister’s.”

Selina turned to Diana with a questioning look, but her sister was unable to meet her eyes.

They discussed everything so it was odd that Diana would have kept something this important from her.

“What happened?” she asked with a frown.

“It is nothing, Selina. I?—”

“Tell me the truth, Diana,” Selina insisted.

Diana sighed and shook her head, still quite unable to meet her sister’s eyes. “Lord Banbridge said he cannot court me because my sister remains unwed,” she answered, biting her lip. “But he did not say it harshly. He only worried he would make you feel bad.”

“Really?” Selina asked snidely. “And did he say it as nicely as you put it?”

Her sister’s silence was answer enough.

Selina would not feign ignorance to the rumors surrounding her, considering how loudly she expressed her views on the misogyny in Society. She had made it clear that she would never conform to the small mold the gentlemen who had attempted to court her deemed fit to squeeze her into.

“Do not hound your sister for information, Selina,” her aunt scolded. “At least she has had many offers since her debut, but they were too far beneath her station to be considered. If you were to secure a good match, then you just might help her worth increase in the eyes of the ton.”

“Oh Auntie, I do not think my worth should be determined by what Society thinks,” Diana argued, pouting.

“It should not, but it is what it is, dear girl,” Martha answered. “Society’s view on such matters is the only thing that matters, and that is why you must learn to curry favor with them and rebut all underhanded comments with tact and subtlety rather than brute force—as your sister does.”

Selina felt positively chided. It wasn’t the first time she had been told that she lacked tact, but what was the need for coy words when they would only give slower results? It was better to use sharp words than fists, even though many of the gentlemen were rather deserving of those too.

“I hardly think Selina lacks tact, Auntie.” Diana laughed. “The insults behind her words are usually very well hidden. Only smart minds are able to discern them in order to take offense.”

“I do hope you do not intend to follow in your sister’s path, Diana,” Martha gasped, looking horrified. “It would be a shame to see my nieces are such uncultured harridans.”

“It isn’t so bad, considering that it gets the job done.”

“Oh, dear me!” Martha exclaimed, placing a hand on her chest. “What would your dear mother say if she could see you two now? Surely she would be upset with me for failing to teach you both propriety. This is why I wanted you two to stay with me.”

“Dear aunt, you worry too much.” Diana giggled. “Stephen did a fine job of raising us. Did he not, Herbert?”