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Her sister nodded, a pink blush staining her cheeks “I fully shocked at such a wanton display of improper behavior But she is our friend, and wee ht”

Callie cleared her throat “Well, we know the purpose of a well-intended house party is to indulge in wickedness!”

Letty wrinkled her nose “I aht us here if that were coe Nor do I think that is his lordship’s intentions”

That was an astute observation, but Callie had pleaded with her mother to attend the earl’s annual Christ the invitation Perhaps her mother’s reluctance had been rooted in all the possible scandals on attending a house party! Though Lord Deerwood’s December parties had no salacious rue It was a tradition which his countess had started, but he had continued even though she had gone onto her rewards a little over ten years ago It see on Christmas Eve while the family had awaited the doctor’s report

For the last few years, the earl and his daughter had hosted a lavish house party which lasted for teeks leading up to a Christmas day feast, which surely rivaled the table of the Queen Victoria Despite the coldness of the season and the occasional falling snow, the earl’s guests would spend their teeks of holidays hunting, riding, and even playing indoor ga, formal dinners would take place followed by ames of billiards for the men where they could smoke indoors without fear of censure

Many whispers suggested the earl held the house party to distract hi the yuletide season For those invited, who did not care to spend Christmas alone or with intolerable family or wanted to be there for the earl, made their way to his palatial country home for the festivities “It is not Vinnette I wish to help snag her beau Though I will certainly speak with her to find out what it is that she wants”

Letty paused in taking a sip of her tea, holding the cup in midair inches away from her lips “Not Vinnette?”

“No”

Letty frowned, wariness settling on her lovely face “Then, who? We barely know anyone here, and I am still in disbelief th

at they invited us The earl is well known, and only those in good standing are welcome I cannot credit anyone froh I aot asked to come this year”

“It is Mahtly over her teacup

Letty stiffened, lowering the tart to her plate and brushing the crumbs from mouth “Our mama?”

“Yes,” Callie replied, aze “I suspect she is in love with Lord Deerwood”

Letty appeared dazed “There is a ruhty and concerned with rules and propriety”

“We didn’t see any evidence of such a disposition when he welcomed us yesterday” The earl had almost appeared nervous, and his eyes had strayed to her rosy-cheeked mother often in the few uests At dinner, he had paid particular attention to their mother, who had seemed a trifle flustered with his attentions