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The gentle sound of the clip-clopping of horse’s hooves drifted around her. Portia was very much enjoying the outing, and it had only just begun. “Thank you for accompanying me, Katie,” she said to one of her half-sister’s downstairs maids, who sat opposite her in the carriage.

“It wouldn’t be proper for you to travel alone, Miss Lamont.”

“Even still, it’s nice to have company,” Portia said with all the sincerity she felt. It was a rarity in her life to have friends and companionship, and she cherished those greatly.

Over the past weeks, the young servant, although not a lady’s maid, had been very willing to aid Portia in readying for events. If it weren’t for Katie, Portia wasn’t certain she would have been presentable for the Season.

“And thank you for doing my hair today.” Despite the out-of-fashion dress she was wearing, Portia actually felt somewhat pretty.

“You are most welcome.” Katie beamed with pride. Judith often time degraded the girl’s skills.

Several silent minutes passed as the hackney rolled along at a pleasant clip, journeying toward the most fashionable part of Town. The part where Judith highly desired her only daughter would reside.

“You are far too kind to be forced to live with the likes of Lady Oaks and Miss Oaks.” Katie’s sudden admission came as quite a surprise.

Not the actual words, but that she was willing to make such a comment.

“I probably shouldn’t have said that, but you deserve better than them, and it’s how I feel. ”

Portia reached out and squeezed Katie’s hand in friendship. “I appreciate your honesty. Kindness is important.”

“Most important,” the maid agreed with a wide smile. “Anything I can do to help, please just ask.”

“And if there is any way in which I can assist you, do the same.” Although Portia wasn’t quite certain what aid she could provide, especially considering her current situation, but she would do her best.

A short time later, Katie was below stairs with the other maids of the household, and Portia was ensconced in an elegant drawing room filled with an abundance of blossoms in various hues of red and pink. It was clear that Lady Whitby had a fondness for flowers.

“Good afternoon, Miss Lamont,” the very elegant Dowager Countess of Whitby said as she entered the room.

Not knowing what else to do, Portia offered a rather clumsy curtsy in her estimation. “Good afternoon, Lady Whitby.” The words left her mouth in a quaver, announcing loud and clear that she was nervous.

“Please, my dear, no need to stand on ceremony amongst friends.” With those last words, Portia’s nerves eased a little. Friends . She did have friends now. Friends who offered such kindness even though only recently introduced.

“Thank you,” she said, worrying her hands slightly. Venturing out on her own was a new experience for her. “I appreciate the invitation.” It was the absolute truth. For the first time in her adult life, she felt like she actually had… a life.

“I am so glad you were able to come for a visit,” Lady Whitby said, the unspoken part of her sentence— without your relatives —hanging in the air.

Portia was still baffled how the countess knew of her relations’ plans.

“My niece will be joining us in a few minutes. I thought it would be pleasant if we spend the afternoon becoming better acquainted.”

“That would be very nice,” Portia said.

“Oh, here she is now,” Lady Whitby announced as a lovely young lady with shimmering blonde hair and bright blue eyes glided into the room. In Portia’s estimation, she was an ideal beauty. “Miss Lamont, allow me to introduce my niece, Miss Flora Beaumont.”

Beaumont . That was Titus’s family name. What a strange coincidence. She wondered if it was a common surname amongst the ton .

Just as before, she stumbled through her greeting, and just as her aunt had done, Miss Beaumont put her at her ease. “It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I am looking forward to us becoming better friends.”

These two women were the nicest that Portia had ever met, not that she’d met very many women of the ton .

“Shall we have tea?” Lady Whitby said with a wave of her hand, guiding Portia to an elegantly appointed round table with service for three.

After discussing the pleasant weather they were experiencing this Season, the various upcoming entertainments that were scheduled, and their favorite diversions, Lady Whitby launched into a different topic, one Portia wasn’t certain she wished to talk about.

She’d always been very guarded with her heart and feelings, especially when it came to her loved ones.

“Who was the handsome gentleman you were dancing with at Lady Baldwin’s the other evening?” Lady Whitby asked with keen interest as she poured more tea.

Handsome gentleman? The only gentleman she’d danced with at that event was— “Oh, that was my nephew, Mr. Albert Oaks.”

The spot between Lady Whitby’s brows crinkled as she asked, “Lady Oaks’s eldest son?”

Portia could not keep the surprise from her voice. “Yes. I hadn’t realized you were acquainted with my half-sister and her family.”

“Oh, yes. I’m familiar with all your half-siblings.

I was a girl when the first Lady Lamont was brought to Primrose Manor as a bride.

” She tsked a couple of times. “So unfortunate that she died in childbirth when the youngest living child was only a couple of years old. I don’t think her children ever recovered from the tragedy. ”

Lady Whitby was the late Lord William Ravensworth’s sister?

All the pieces suddenly came together as alarm bells rang through her head.

These were Titus’s relatives? Lady Whitby was his aunt?

And that meant Miss Beaumont was his cousin.

Oh no! Heat consumed every inch of her body as she looked over to where the beautiful young woman sat, suddenly seeing some of the family resemblance.

A fierce pain struck her midsection. This was not good, not good at all.

After the way Titus had dismissed her, she was certain that he would be livid if he discovered she was here.

In her mind, the situation was spiraling out of control.

She shouldn’t have accepted the invitation.

What had she been thinking? What could she possibly say?

She swallowed hard, fighting the dread that was rising to the surface.

“Perhaps it would be best if I took my leave and?—”

“Why?” Miss Beaumont questioned, clearly not seeing the full situation.

“Your… your cousin and I are...” Portia forced the lump in her throat down.

How was she to be diplomatic in her word choice?

And then, before she could think of a more appropriate reason, she blurted, “We’re not on the best of terms.” That was an understatement .

He still did not suspect that it was she that he’d kissed.

And equally as bad, he thought her to be using him for his connections.

And here she was, sitting with his aunt and cousin.

She was certain that he would renew his assertions with a thunderous roar.

Oh, when had her life got so complicated?

“Nonsense,” Lady Whitby said as she firmly placed her teacup on the saucer, rattling the spoon in the process. “My nephew can be difficult, but if he has an objection, then that’s his problem. I invited you here, knowing full well your association to the family.”

Lady Whitby knew of her?

“But why…how?”

The countess’s tone softened as she explained, “William spoke fondly of your father, and took his passing very hard. I wanted the opportunity to meet you.”

“But I still should not have come,” Portia started to proclaim.

The older woman reiterated her previous sentiments. “Miss Lamont, I assure you, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Aunt Adeline is right,” Flora chimed in. “My cousin may be an ogre at times, but he doesn’t stand a chance against us.”

Lady Whitby nodded her head in agreement. “You leave Titus to us.” She took another sip and then suggested, “Would you care to take a turn in the park with us? It is such a fine day.”

Instinct told her to decline. It would not be wise to encounter her half-sibling. But the part of her that was always locked up, always minding her manners, always doing as she was told, begged for release, and besides, Judith and Hilarie might not be there. It was time to start experiencing life.

She didn’t know what she’d done to earn such kindness, but she was enjoying the companionship and decided to seize the opportunity.

“I would be delighted.”

A n hour later, the three ladies were meandering through Hyde Park in an open carriage, taking in the splendid day. Portia could not remember the last time she’d enjoyed the company of others this much. Certainly, she’d enjoyed spending time with the twins, but this was different.

All too soon, the enjoyment faded as she spied Titus’s handsome figure atop a magnificent chocolate colored horse. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and he looked as if he was about to turn away when his aunt called to him.

“Titus! Won’t you greet your aunt this fine afternoon?” The amusement in his relative’s voice clearly did not sit well with him.

He rolled his eyes as if the simple task of saying hello to them was an enormous inconvenience, and Portia knew without a doubt, she was the source of his irritation.

As Titus rode the short distance toward their conveyance, a nervous anxiety stormed through her veins.

The feeling only worsened when he nodded his head, greeting his aunt and cousin, while avoiding eye contact with her.

She was not surprised that he did not want to acknowledge her presence.

He probably thought she was using his relations to gain connections.

But his initial grievances against her stemmed from something else.

She still didn’t know what she’d done to earn such scorn from her one-time friend.

“May I introduce Miss Lamont?—”

“I am acquainted with her.” He nodded his head once again, bid them good day, and took off in the opposite direction.

“That was quite rude of him,” Flora said with utter disgust. “Whatever is the matter with him?”

Lady Whitby gave Portia a curious glance. What could she possibly say to counter their suspicions? She didn’t want to cause any rift within his family.

“I apologize. Just as I thought, I should not have accepted your invitation today. Something happened in the past and—” She clamped her mouth shut, realizing she’d said too much.

“You have no need to apologize,” Lady Whitby began, “Never believe you are not welcome.” Portia was about to breathe a sigh of relief when the woman added, “ And what did happen in the past?”

She and Flora both focused on Portia, waiting for her to explain. She suspected the pair were truly concerned, and not for reasons based on exchanging gossip.

She sucked in a breath, and on a long, slow exhale, started to explain, “I don’t know what happened between us.

After my father died, I was sent to live with Judith.

I kept no friends save Albert and the twins, and led a rather secluded life.

So…” She shook her head, wishing she had a better explanation. “I truly don’t know.”

“Was something said when Titus went to visit you at the Oaks residence?” Lady Whitby questioned, concern lacing her words.

Portia shook her head. Perhaps Lady Whitby was confused. “Titus never came to visit me.”

“Oh, my dear, but he did.” Lady Whitby’s words struck to the core of her heart. “My brother and nephew called on you.”

She shook her head again, hardly believing the words she was hearing. “I… I don’t…”

“A grand carriage has just arrived,” Albert said as he rushed into the room, followed by Lord Oaks.

“Albert. Out.” The roar of Lord Oaks’s voice shook Portia to her core.

She kept her mouth shut. She’d never seen Judith’s husband in such a rage.

“You are to stay in here.” He pointed a finger at her, emphasizing his point, then turned and left the room. As if to ensure Portia obeyed him, she heard the door being locked. Hours later, long after the sun had set, only then was she allowed out of her room.

Not even Mrs. Darnel discovered who’d come to call that distant day .

“Oh no… It couldn’t have been…” She fought to maintain control. She was in an open carriage, for all the ton to see, to take note of, to gossip about.

“Miss Lamont?” Lady Whitby’s voice broke through the pain as her comforting hand took Portia’s within hers.

“I…I’m s…sorry,” she sniffled the words. “I just… I didn’t know.” Titus had visited her. He had cared . What must he have thought of her when she didn’t see him? Is that why he was acting the way he did now? Did he truly believe she’d refused to see him and his father?

“There’s no need for apologies, my dear. We can talk later. Let’s just enjoy what’s left of the day,” Lady Whitby said as Flora nodded.

They pasted on smiles and greeted passersby as if nothing untoward had happened, as if Portia’s heart wasn’t breaking, shattering.

As the afternoon progressed, Portia was thankful that neither of her companions pressed her to speak. Not that she could without crying. She was too numb to do anything but pretend she belonged.