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With a renewed determination in his stride, he reached the estate office and crossed to his desk And if so Amanda Neville out of his heart and mind would take far more than a trip to London and sonore it

Chapter Nineteen

When the coveted invitation fro teeks later, Lady Parnell summoned A her time to dress

‘Although I couldn’t be ress we’veyou to all the hostesses of note and entle A for fresh chocolate, ‘the event I’ve truly been anticipating has been this dinner at Ravensfell House Now that the invitation is here, I discover it will be even better than I expected!’

‘How is that?’ Ah she’d found all the other candidates whoratifyingly attentive, none thus far had exceeded Lord Trowbridge in intelligence, charm or rank

Nor, alas, had any of them elicited in her the immediate emotional pull and sensual response she’d felt for Greville Anders

‘We are to go not just for dinner, but for a ball, too, ireat ball of the Season, sure to be attended by everyone of note in society And though the Trowbridges give several balls each year, I find it significant that Lady Ravensfell has chosen to give her first on the sa we are to dine with them’

‘Society will interpret this as a sort of endorsement of me as a potential bride for their son?’

Lady Parnell nodded, her face gloith delight ‘Only intimates or important friends are invited to dine with the fa you e at a ball given by his mama, rather than at Almack’s or somewhere else!’

‘It will be as if he’s…laying clai waltzed into a corner descending on her again

Some of Amanda’s trepidation must have shown upon her face, for Lady Parnell clasped her hand ‘Now, youbeen friends, as all the world knows In any event, by giving you such a clear e has ensured your success, for every other young gentleman of rank ish to vie for the hand of the lady he favours’

Amanda recalled his earlier words to her: that this Season should be for her to enjoy entertainments and attention before she settled to the business of choosing a husband

And she had been enjoying it Between afternoons spent shopping, calling or receiving calls fro dinners, ht up in just the sort of giddy whirl for which she’d hoped It occupied her fro until she fell back into an exhausted sleep; the frenetic pace gave her no time to worry about Papa’s health, feel houe’s ravishing kiss andtouch

The sense of pressure eased, replaced by gratitude Trowbridge was backing up his fine sentiht, ie-mindedness

‘It is kind of hireed

‘The ball is in four days,’ Lady Parnell said, scanning the invitation again ‘As soon as Jewell has made me presentable, we must inspect your wardrobe For such an iohich means we have no time to lose!’

As it turned out, Lady Parnell pronounced Aown of celestial-blue crape trirand for the Ravensfell ball, so the few days before the event were not complicated by the necessity to acquire another dress But since the topic of the ball dominated conversation at every call they made and both dinners they attended before that event, A it would be the first grand event of the Season—and that everyone as anyone in London would attend