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Chapter One

London, 1825

“I think you should consider e”

The ed Countess of Po over her breakfast plate as she stared at her older brother in shock “Surely you jest,” she said once she recovered her voice “Do you not recall that I’ve been married once already?”

Hugh shrugged and sipped froain? You’re young You have no children Wouldn’t it be smart to find a new husband?”

“Phrased as such, you own, the straw hat, the beautiful lace gloves and one husband, please’” Daphne shook her head, worry filling her “Have you groeary ofwith you?”

“You are always more than welcome,” he assured, but she wondered

Her brother was a confirht after in all of London, ith his dashing good looks and the vast fortune he’d grown since he’d inherited their father’s title five years ago Viscount Huxley fought off the eager debutantes with frightening regularity and she’d heard more than one whispered rumor about his various conquests and the trail of mistresses he left behind since her recent return to London

Her residing with him these last few months must have put a terrible cramp in his style

“Are you trying to be rid of me then?” She wasn’t insulted, not in the least At the ripe old age of thirty-three and afor the past two years, she was indeed a burden upon her brother

Oh yes, she’d received enough funds from her husband’s estate to keep a modest household if she so chose She’d resided the last two years at the Pomeroy country home since her husband’s death The current Earl of Pomeroy—the eldest son of her dead husband and his first wife, long deceased noasher reside there without squabble

But she’d grown bored As time went on and sheillness, she realized she longed for the excite Unfortunately, the various social gatherings she’d attended so far had been a vast disappo

intment She was half-tempted to return to the country estate

“I would never wish to be rid of you, sister dear” Hugh s all of the Huxley charm he was known for Goodness, no wonder the ladies clamored after him “Perhaps we should host a ball in your honor A sort of re-co out, so to speak”

Daphne’s lips parted in horror That sounded—awful So ossip and the attention ofand old she didn’t want? “I could never do such a thing That would be positively scandalous”

Hugh shrugged Again The man hadn’t a care in the world, or so it seemed “It wouldn’t hurt to add so” He had that right “We could certainly liven it up with a ball Perhaps a masquerade, even”

Daphne was shocked Her brother suggesting they host a ether? It was unheard of She knew he didn’tthe clearly Should you go back to bed and rest?”

He chuckled “Absolutely, I’entlemen who are in dire need of a wife and line them up for your perusal”

“You cannot be serious” She scowled Her brother conjured up the most ridiculous ideas She couldn’t participate in a ball created just for her to find another husband It was…unheard of

“Why do you think all the parents of the peerage host balls for their precious little debs, hhters a husband and be rid of them once and for all Father did it for you and found you a proper husband rather quickly”

Too quickly, Daphne wanted to add Her father had ju for much besides the man’s title and wealth

“So why can I not find you another one? You deserve a farew solemn “I want to see you happy You’ve been so sad since Pomeroy passed”

Her heart warmed at her brother’s kind words “I want the saet you a son and heir”

He waved a negligent hand, dis her claim “I don’t need all of that Not yet You, on the other hand…”