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“ L ady Penderwick, might I be of help with the dessert arrangement?” Selina offered, stepping into the dining room where her future mother-in-law was berating a trembling footman.

Lady Penderwick turned, her pinched face barely concealing her displeasure. “Oh, Lady Galerton. How kind of you to offer, but I believe I have the situation well in hand.”

The footman shot Selina a grateful look as Lady Penderwick redirected her attention to the petit fours, which had been arranged in rows rather than the circular pattern she had specified.

“Perhaps another pair of hands would speed things along,” Selina persisted. “The guests are wondering about the delay.”

“I am certain they are,” Lady Penderwick replied, her smile not reaching her eyes. “But you need not concern yourself with household matters just yet. Best save that for after the wedding, when you will have ample opportunity to learn how things are properly done in a viscount’s home.”

The dismissal stung, but Selina maintained her composure. “Of course, my lady. I shall return to the guests.”

She retreated from the dining room, smoothing the silk of her peach gown. It was the finest she owned, purchased with the last of her quarterly allowance. The color suited her golden hair and hazel eyes, but she knew many would consider it too plain for an engagement celebration.

The drawing room buzzed with conversation as she reentered. Nearly fifty guests had gathered to celebrate her betrothal to Viscount Penderwick.

Or rather , Selina thought wryly, to witness the spectacle of a poor widowed countess finally securing another match .

“Did you hear she was left with almost nothing when the old earl died?” A woman’s voice floated from behind a potted fern.

“Entirely her own fault,” replied another. “She should have secured her position better. And then that business with Lord Stanton?—”

“Dead before the engagement was even announced! The poor man must have realized what he was getting into and expired from shock.”

“And let’s not forget the Duke of Aldermere,” a third voice added in a theatrical whisper. “Left her standing at the altar without so much as a note.”

“Perhaps he had a premonition about his bride. Fled while he still could.”

Laughter followed, not quite muffled enough.

Selina lifted her chin and moved through the crowd, nodding politely to familiar faces. Six years in London society had taught her to wear dignity like armor.

“Lady Galerton,” a honeyed voice called out. “What a lovely gathering.”

Selina turned to find Viscountess Amesbury and her daughter, Miss Prudence Newton, approaching. Their identical forced smiles showed too many teeth.

“Thank you, Lady Amesbury,” Selina replied. “How kind of you to attend.”

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Prudence said, her eyes sweeping critically over Selina’s gown. “Congratulations are in order, my lady. I suppose one must settle for the hand one is offered, no?”

Lady Amesbury nodded with false sympathy. “Indeed. And the Penderwick family will certainly elevate your standing, given your previous… failures.”

Selina clenched her jaw but forced a smile in return, “Thank you both, ladies.”

“How fortunate you are to secure such a match at your advanced age,” Prudence added. “Twenty-six! Most ladies would have been relegated to spinsterhood by now.”

“Especially with such limited means,” her mother murmured. “Young men these days prefer their brides with substantial dowries.”

Selina clenched her jaw, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. She opened her mouth to respond, but another voice cut through the tension.

“Lady Amesbury, Miss Newton, how delightful to see you both,” said Isabella, Countess of Bingham, as she glided to Selina’s side. “I trust your season has been successful? Though I’ve yet to hear of any offers for you, Miss Newton. How many seasons has it been now? Three?”

Prudence flushed crimson.

“Lady Bingham,” Lady Amesbury said stiffly. “I’m surprised to see you in society in your condition.”

Isabella rested one hand on her rounded belly.

“Goodness, Lady Amesbury, you wouldn’t expect me to miss my dearest friend’s engagement?

Loyalty and kindness are such important qualities, don’t you agree?

Though I understand they may be difficult traits to recognize for those who lack them entirely. ”

The ladies exchanged annoyed glances before Lady Amesbury sniffed. “Come, Prudence. I see Lady Jersey has arrived.”

As they walked away, Selina turned to Isabella with gratitude. “Thank you. Their talons were fully extended today.”

“Spiteful cats,” Isabella said, taking Selina’s arm. “Pay them no mind. They’re simply jealous that you’ve secured a decent match while Prudence will remain on the shelf.”

“A decent match,” Selina repeated softly. “Matthew is kind, at least.”

Isabella squeezed her arm. “Kindness is not a small thing, especially in a husband.”

Selina nodded, though they both knew the truth. Her engagement to Matthew Colfield, Viscount Penderwick, was not a love match, but a practical arrangement born of necessity. She needed security, and he needed a wife who could manage a household without interference from his overbearing mother.

“Oh dear!”

Selina and Isabella turned in the direction of the sudden commotion.

They saw Matthew standing by the doorway, his round face flushed with excitement as he gestured to the floor beside him. Two brown and white beagles sat at his feet, their tails thumping against the polished wood.

“May I present Lord Biscuit and Sir Waffles,” Matthew announced proudly to the guests closest to him. “The finest hunting dogs in England! Though they’re far too refined for actual hunting, of course.”

“Oh no,” Selina murmured. “Lady Penderwick specifically asked him not to bring the dogs tonight.”

“Too late now,” Isabella replied with a muffled chuckle.

As if on cue, one of the dogs—Lord Biscuit, judging by the blue ribbon he always had around his neck—spotted a footman carrying a tray of canapés. With a joyful bark, he bounded across the room, his companion following close behind.

“Lord Biscuit! Sir Waffles! Come back here this instant!” Matthew called, hurrying after them.

The dogs ignored him, weaving through the guests with reckless abandon. Sir Waffles knocked into an elderly gentleman, sending him stumbling into a young lady, while Lord Biscuit made a leap for the footman’s tray.

Guests scattered as the beagles continued their rampage. Lord Biscuit knocked the tray from the footman’s hands, sending tiny sandwiches flying. Sir Waffles, delighted by this turn of events, gobbled them from the floor.

“Matthew!” Lady Penderwick’s voice cut through the chaos as she stormed into the drawing room. “What is the meaning of this disastrous situation?”

“Mother, I can explain,” Matthew began, his face now scarlet.

“I told you that those creatures were not to attend tonight’s gathering,” she hissed, grabbing Lord Biscuit by the collar. “Take them upstairs immediately!”

“Yes, Mother,” Matthew replied meekly.

Selina watched as her betrothed gathered his beloved pets, murmuring apologies to guests as he led the dogs from the room.

“See how he yields to her every command?” Isabella whispered. “Are you certain this is what you want?”

Selina sighed. “Those two come as a package. I have no choice.”

“There is always a choice, darling.”

“Not for women with empty purses and fading reputations,” Selina replied bitterly.

Lady Penderwick, having restored order to the room, beckoned to Selina. “Come, Lady Galerton. Let us salvage what we can of this evening.”

The next twenty minutes passed in a blur of introductions and polite conversation. Selina smiled until her cheeks ached. She answered the same questions about her first marriage and expressed appropriate gratitude for Matthew’s proposal.

Finally, Matthew returned without the beagles. He made his way to Selina’s side and took her hand with a nervous smile.

“I apologize for the disruption, my dear,” he whispered. “Mother is quite upset.”

“It’s forgotten,” Selina assured him, though the set of Lady Penderwick’s shoulders suggested otherwise.

Matthew cleared his throat and raised his voice to address the room. “My dear friends and family, I would like to propose a toast to my beautiful bride-to-be.”

The guests turned expectantly, raising their glasses. Selina forced her smile to remain in place.

“To Lady Galerton,” Matthew began. “Whose grace and kindness have captured my heart. I promise to?—”

He stopped as the drawing room filled with gasps, followed by an intense hush.

Selina looked around and saw that the crowd had parted near the entrance of the drawing room.

There, a man stood in the doorway, tall and imposing. His ash-brown hair curled softly at the edges, close to his head, and a neatly trimmed beard shadowed his jaw. His gray eyes swept the room with cool authority before settling on Selina.

“Who is that?” Selina whispered to Isabella.

An older woman nearby murmured, “That’s the Duke of Aldermere!”

“Impossible,” someone else murmured. “He’s been missing for over a year!”

“It’s him, I tell you. Though he looks different. Harder somehow.”

The whispers grew, swirling around the room like leaves in a storm.

“The Duke of Aldermere has returned from the dead.”

“Where has he been all this time?”

“Abandoned his estates and disappeared without a word.”

“They say he fled to avoid gambling debts.”

“No, I heard he fled a vicious duel.”

Selina felt the blood drain from her face as understanding dawned.

Rowan Blackmore. The Duke of Aldermere. The man who had arranged to marry her and then left her standing at the altar a year ago, humiliating her before all of society.

The room tilted. Isabella’s steadying hand on her arm was all that kept her upright.

Matthew looked between Selina and the newcomer. Confusion was evident on his face.

“Your Grace,” he said uncertainly. “This is an unexpected pleasure.”

The duke gave no sign he had heard him. His eyes stayed on Selina, steady and unreadable. He started forward, weaving through the crowd as guests slipped aside to let him pass.

Selina’s heart kicked hard in her chest. Shock came first, then anger, then a rising sense of dread. She had built her life back, piece by fragile piece.

Now, with one look, she knew it was all about to come crashing down.