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The promising tingle Thea had felt during that rainy morning two days ago had vanished the instant she’d put pen to page.

And it hadn’t returned since.

Perhaps it never will , the Greek chorus chimed in.

She chose to ignore them.

Besides, she had enough to contend with this evening. This was her first outing of the Season and she had been coerced into

attending a party hosted by the snootiest, most abominable woman in all of England—the former Miss Nell Hunnicutt.

Nell had been her neighbor in Addlewick. And, for most of her life, not a day had gone by that she didn’t harangue Thea or

her sisters, Verity and Honoria. In fact, a legion of toads would sooner fall out of her mouth than a kind word about the

Hartley family, or anyone else for that matter.

Then, by happenstance—or witch’s spell, Thea suspected—Nell had married the Marquess of Beaucastle and she wanted everyone

to grovel at her feet, especially her enemies.

And if the evening’s destination wasn’t bad enough, the journey there certainly was.

Lady Broadbent’s coach had nearly been run into a ditch when a smaller conveyance attempted to overtake them on the narrow

lane. Though, to be honest, when their wheel hit a rut and an ominous splintering sound followed, Thea had been more hopeful

than alarmed.

Divine intervention, at last!

Unfortunately, Heaven’s miracle department was clearly closed for the Season, because the culprit responsible for the accident

was also a guest. And the boggle-eyed Baron Chedworth insisted on delivering them to the party, personally. Splendid.

Exclaiming over his great “luck” he grinned as he handed them into his coupé. But the small, closed conveyance was designed for two passengers with a driver outside. And between Thea, Lady Broadbent and

the four voluminous shoulder puffs of their gowns, they were packed into the tufted bench like sardines in a tin box.

As Chedworth proceeded to wedge himself in beside them, Lady Broadbent suggested on a suffocated breath, “Perhaps you would

be more comfortable in the driver’s perch, my lord.”

“Thank you for your concern, my lady. However, I tolerate snug spaces quite well.”

The man was utterly oblivious.

Then he ordered his driver to make haste, giving a hoot of laughter as they tore off with a jolt.

They rode at breakneck speed, sprinting down straightaways, careening around corners. Thea wasn’t at all sure they would survive

the trip.

By the time they reached the Beaucastle estate, there was one thing she was certain of, however. She knew that the ogling

baron couldn’t hazard a guess about the color of her eyes or the type of flower she wore in her hair. But she would lay odds

that he’d be able to describe every gather, stitch and ruffle along the heart-shaped edge of her pale pink bodice.

“I must say, your misfortune is my great fortune,” Chedworth said for the third time that evening... to her breasts.

Her breasts offered no reply, but secretly wished they were adorned in porcupine quills that could fire at will.

“Once the gentlemen see such a lovely specimen upon my arm, they will be positively green with envy.”

“A bug under glass is a specimen,” Thea said sharply. “We are women, my lord.”

“You are too right, Miss Hartley. I see my error and shall amend my statement to two lovely specimens.”

With one hand on the hilt of her cane, Lady Broadbent laid the other on his proffered arm and offered a tight smile that did

not reach her glaring eyes. “Your kindness and generosity are as charitable as a single drop of rain in the desert, Chedworth.”

“Think nothing of it,” he said, the insult soaring over his head. “As your humble servant, I daresay, I am already looking

forward to escorting you back to town. My only regret is that I cannot make the journey last longer so that I can enjoy your

delightful company for more than half an hour. Rest assured, upon our return, I shall divert you with news of my latest acquisition

at Tattersall’s. Fine pair of high-steppers. Set me back a pretty penny. Though, I aim to be rather plump in the pocket after

this evening’s games.”

His boasting paused only for a moment as the servants led them inside and took their wraps. But as soon as they mounted the

stairs for the ballroom, he began again.

“You must allow me to take you on a tour of the park in my barouche, Miss Hartley.”

“I really cannot—”

“I refuse to take no for an answer,” he interrupted with smug self-assurance. “While I would never consider the offer as remuneration

for my gallant rescue this evening as that would be ungentlemanly, I would however state that your own conveyance will not

likely be at your disposal for a number of days. Therefore, I cannot allow you to miss any of the excitement of London.”

“I believe you’ve forgotten that it was your own driver’s negligence that incapacitated the countess’s carriage,” Thea said tersely. But it was no use.

The pompous arse was already walking away and hailing a newly arrived acquaintance, presumably overwhelmed with the need to

talk about his high-steppers.

The instant he was out of earshot, Thea grumbled, “Conceited wretch.”

“Insufferable bore,” Lady Broadbent said at the same time. They exchanged a wry glance. “Fear not. I will do my utmost to

find another party to convey us to my townhouse.”

“That will save me the trouble of stealing into the kitchen for a knife to cut off my own ears before we depart.”

“Always so morbid, my dear,” the countess tutted, yet there was a distinct smile tucked into the corner of her mouth. “Now

then, let us make the most of our evening.”

“The only way to do that would be to leave, posthaste,” Thea muttered as they neared a pair of white-glazed doors, open to

reveal the glow of the room beyond.

For that remark, she received a small rap on the wrist from the countess’s fan. “You know very well that it would have been

bad form for us not to attend, considering we all hail from Addlewick.”

“Bad form? Nell stuffed my sister in a closet and left her there.” And Verity had always had trouble with confined spaces.

What Nell had done was unforgivable.

“Agreed. However, my grandson settled that matter by returning the favor to the former Miss Hunnicutt before he and Verity

eloped to Gretna Green. Besides, it has been three years and a good deal might have changed— Good gracious! ” Lady Broadbent stopped with a jolt in the doorway.

Thea did the same, her mouth falling slack as she surveyed the ballroom. She barely took note of the butler announcing them.

Gold was... everywhere . Drapes, mirror frames, the terrace doors.

Golden chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling.

Wall sconces flickered behind yellowed glass, giving off a jaundice glow to the dozens of guests milling about in evening finery, feathered headdresses seeming to vacillate drunkenly from the blinding overabundance of gilding.

Even the potted palms hadn’t been spared, their fronds painted and wilting.

“I never thought gold could be grotesque, but this looks as though someone slayed Midas, his aureate blood splattering over

the—”

“ Althea ,” the countess chided.

Sheepishly, she looked askance to her ever-dignified chaperone. “Too dark?”

“Much too dark. Keep in mind that what is accepted in the more dramatic circles in which you were reared will not likely earn

you favor with influential members of society in attendance this evening. And while my good name can open many doors, it is

not a battering ram.”

In other words, there were many people who still associated the Hartley name with scandal.

“Understood.” Thea squinted down at the gilded room as they descended the stairs. “Even so, you must admit that Nell’s attempt

at letting the ton know that she’s done well for herself is a bit overstated.”

“What matters is that she has made a good match. She now has a husband and a home. If I recall, those were your only requirements

before we embarked on this third Season.” As the soles of their slippers touched down onto cold white marble tiles, she turned

to face her, arching one dove gray brow. “Unless, of course... you’ve changed your mind.”

In the hopeful lilt in Lady Broadbent’s voice, it was clear that she was asking if Thea had decided to marry for love, as

was the tradition of the Hartley family. But falling in love wasn’t something she was interested in. At all.

“I have not.”

Lady Broadbent issued a nod and drew in a breath as if the task before her was akin to pushing a boulder uphill.

Then her keen gaze skimmed over the gentlemen milling around the ballroom in their black superfine, high shirt points and

snowy cravats, and to the others gathered beyond the gilded archway of a card room and puffing on cigars.

Some ingrained part of Thea revolted against the idea of beginning this entire ordeal again.

What she truly wanted was to find her inspiration. To feel it humming inside her like a living breathing fire again. And she

would do anything to get it back.

Nevertheless, she also knew that she needed a roof over her head. Unfortunately, bankers weren’t doling out houses to poor

unmarried, albeit well-bred, women. It just so happened that they required actual money instead of a list of accomplishments,

she thought dryly.

Of course, at one time, she’d imagined herself a successful playwright with money of her own...

Which brought her back to this Season and her hunt for a husband.

Although, if this quest turned out to be as soul crushing as her artistic aspirations, she would have to consider using her

accomplishments to find a post as a governess.

The chorus chimed in with a laugh. Accomplishments? Like the list of vulgar words and phrases that you learned during your French lessons? The way you paint

a landscape and no one can decipher what it is? Or would it be how you made the dancing master give up his profession?