Come, come now! We must not be tardy!”

Amelia glanced up to see her cousin, Lord Luke Darnsley, enter the room in something of a flustered state. He was in his usual smart attire, his dark blonde hair neatly tied back at the base of his neck and his cravat absolutely impeccable. All in all, he looked quite dashing, were it not for the sharpness of his tongue and the way his eyes darted from place to place.

“We are quite ready,” she said, in as pleasant a voice as she could manage. “May I thank you for accompanying us, Darnsley. We very much appreciate your kindness.”

Luke did not reply, simply grunted and gestured towards the door of the drawing room. The sisters walked through one after the other, although Luke followed after Harmonia leaving Amelia to walk behind, alone.

The carriage ride was a quiet one, for no-one felt much inclination to speak in their cousin’s presence. He was not an unkind man, but rather a man who had something of a sharp tongue and could often mock his cousins should they behave in a way he thought ridiculous. Even Jessica and Jacintha were silent, although Amelia knew they were both utterly thrilled to be attending Almacks. She also noticed that her cousin’s eyes continually strayed towards Harmonia. Of course, second cousins married quite often, but Amelia did not think they made a particularly good match. Harmonia was kind and gentle, always aware of what was going on and making sure to aid where she could. After all, she had been the only sister who understood the difficulties Amelia faced in being the first one required to marry! Luke, on the other hand, appeared distant and aloof. No, they would not suit at all, even if her cousin could not take his eyes from her sister!

Once they had arrived at Almacks, Amelia stuck close to her sisters and cousin. After all, as much as none of them wished to dance with him, he was the only one who could introduce them to anyone else! As their chaperone, Luke held something of a large responsibility which Amelia was not quite sure he particularly wanted. Regardless, she stayed by him, nodding to first one gentleman and then another.

For the first hour, Amelia felt quite overwhelmed. There were so many new acquaintances to greet and, given that the presence of four new young ladies to society, it seemed as though they were greatly in demand. Amelia’s dance card was filled almost immediately, although each gentleman only signed his name to one dance, which was something of a relief. She saw that her sisters were much the same as she, relieved that she would not have to stand guard over them all evening. They were under Luke’s chaperonage and, with their dance cards full, she did not think any of them could do anything untoward. Besides which, she had lectured Jacintha and Jessica on their expected behavior, threatening no more balls should they disappear, even for a moment, with an unknown gentleman. Her sisters had been quite put out that she thought so little of them and had told Amelia so, which, in all honesty, had come as something of a relief to Amelia. It told her that they would behave with all propriety and not lose their heads, as she had been worried they might do. However, as she watched them each take to the floor – with poor Harmonia coupled with cousin Luke, Amelia could not help but feel a twinge of anxiety. Her own partner, a Lord Dalrymple, was soon by her side and Amelia had no more time to be anxious, caught up in the dance.

“Amelia!”

Utterly exhausted from having danced four dances in a row, Amelia was delighted to see her longtime friend Miss Claudia Michaels, approaching her with a broad smile on her face. Claudia was a friend from home but had come to London for the season with her parents. Amelia had not even thought that she would come across her, particularly with the crush of people in the ballroom.

“Claudia,” Amelia murmured, pressing her hands. “How good to see you.”

“I must confess, I am a little surprised to see you here!” Claudia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “I did not think your father particularly cared for the Season.”

Amelia gave her friend a wry smile. “Alas, it seems I am to find myself a suitable husband – as are each of my sisters,” she replied, heavily. “And where best but London town?”

Claudia chuckled. “Where else, indeed? Well, I can see that you have made something of an impression already, given the number of names on your dance card!”

“Indeed, although I am glad for a short respite,” Amelia laughed, still feeling overly warm. “It is such a crush in here!”

“This is the way of things,” Claudia replied, grimly. “How we are to find an amiable, respected gentleman amongst such as this, I am never quite sure.”

“Is it truly terrible?” Amelia asked, knowing Claudia would be honest with her. “I do not find myself particularly inclined towards matrimony but it appears to be the deepest wish of my father’s.”

Claudia nodded, slowly, well aware that, with no sons to follow him, Amelia’s father was left without any other option but to ensure his daughters married well. “I can understand that he would wish you all to be comfortable and without concern,” she said, softly. “Yet, I will confess that it can be difficult to find just the right kind of gentleman. There are so many rakes and rogues amongst them all, although they hide themselves well.” She shook her head, the light in her eyes dimming just a little. “I had a gentleman wish to court me and I did find him quite delightful, I must say. However, it has now become apparent that he is short on funds and only wishes to wed me in order to add to his own coffers.”

Amelia grimaced. “That is just what I worry about. We each have a good inheritance.”

“And you are the daughters of a duke,” Claudia reminded her, lifting an eyebrow. “Be careful, my dear.”

Amelia was about to promise that she would be more than careful when Jessica came hurrying towards them, all of a flurry.

“Amelia! Amelia – oh, good evening, Claudia.”

Claudia chuckled. “Good evening, Jessica. Is something the matter?”

“Oh yes, something terrible has occurred!” Grasping her gown, she indicated a small tear at the bottom. “The gentleman I was dancing with trod on my gown! Can you believe it?”

Amelia eyed the rip in the gown, sighing inwardly. “Well, at least you know he is not a proficient dancer!”

“You must fix it!” Jessica exclaimed, sounding horrified that Amelia did not intend to do anything. “I cannot be seen with such a thing!”

Claudia put a calming hand on Jessica’s arm. “Have no fear, there is a cloakroom present where maids are ready with a needle and thread.” She laughed, indicating the way Jessica should go. “After all, yours is not the first torn gown!”

Jessica’s relief was palpable and, grasping Amelia’s arm, thanked Claudia before making her way in the direction she had indicated. Amelia, resigned to going to help her sister, thanked Claudia as she was dragged away.

“For heaven’s sake, be careful!” she exclaimed, as Jessica hurried up the steps. “You need not drag me so!”

Reaching the top of the stairs, she wrenched her arm from Jessica’s grip, only to lose her balance as Jessica continued to hurry away. Her foot wobbled at the top of the stairs and, for a horrifying moment, Amelia thought she might fall headlong down the staircase.

A strong hand grasped her arm, righting her quickly and pulling her away from the stairs. Amelia collapsed against a firm chest and strong pair of arms, only to blush deeply with embarrassment and step away.

“Are you quite all right?”

Glancing up at the man, Amelia felt her stomach swirl with a sudden awareness of just how handsome her savior was. “Yes, indeed,” she mumbled, not quite sure where to look. “I am so terribly sorry for inconveniencing you.”

The gentleman chuckled, his brown eyes warm and welcoming. “Not in the least. Any chance to be chivalrous, I say!”

Amelia could not help but laugh, the mortification she felt already beginning to ease. “In this case, you were very chivalrous, I’d say. I thank you.” Looking up at him inquiringly, Amelia decided to be bold. “I’m afraid I do not know your name. Might I ask it, given that you are my savior?”

The gentleman grinned, his dark brown hair catching the candlelight as he bowed. Amelia saw flecks of gold and bronze and found, much to her surprise, that a flurry of butterflies appeared to have made their way into the pit of her stomach.

“Arthur Ridlington, Marquess of Northfell,” he answered, in a deep, rich voice. “I am at your service, although I must beg to know your name also.” He looked at her with a curiosity in his eyes, his gaze flickering from her eyes to her lips and Amelia curtsied at once, so that she might hide her flaming cheeks from his view.

“Lady Amelia Seaworth,” she murmured, finally lifting her gaze back to his. “My father is the Duke of Westbrook.”

Interest filtered into his expression. “I see. And is he here with you this evening?”

“No, unfortunately, he is not in the best of health at the moment. My cousin, Lord Darnsley, is here with us.”

His smile broadened. “Us?”

“My three sisters and I,” Amelia explained, growing more comfortable with his company with each passing moment. “I am the eldest of four.” Glancing over his shoulder, Amelia gave a slight shrug. “I was being pulled along by my sister to fix a small tear in her dress when you caught me.”

“Then I shall not keep you,” he replied, stepping to one side. Amelia made to move past him, her heart beating a little more quickly as she passed, only for him to catch her arm.

“Forgive me,” he murmured, his eyes burning into hers. “I know this is very untoward, and I am quite sure you are engaged for the rest of the evening, but I don’t suppose you have a single dance remaining?”

A rush of heat crawled up Amelia’s spine as she held up her dance card, finding it almost impossible to speak.

“One,” she rasped, her skin prickling with awareness. “I have one left.”

“Wonderful,” he murmured, catching the card in his hand. “I would like to put my name down there, if I may?”

Mute, Amelia nodded, aware of just how close he stood to her. She could smell a wonderful mixture of pine and cinnamon, her senses swimming as he pressed her hand for a moment before stepping back.

“I very much look forward to our dance, and to know you better,” Lord Northfell murmured, a light smile on his lips. “I shall see you again presently, Lady Amelia.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Amelia managed to say, finding that her legs struggled to move as she continued towards the cloakroom. Who would have thought that a single chance meeting would have sent her into such a tizzy! Lord Northfell was handsome, of course, and particularly attentive in asking her to dance with him, but she could not allow herself to be so caught up with him after only one meeting!

What is next for Amelia and Lord Northfell? Check out the rest of the story on the Kindle store.