When Thomas Augustus Heathmore, 3rd Duke of Coventry, came to call at Huntley House one Monday morning, the last thing he expected was to find the Duke of Huntley’s sister, Lady Amelia, sprawled on her backside in the wet grass.

And yet that was precisely what happened, thanks to a bit of serendipitous timing. Because he’d actually been heading toward Huntley’s study. Except the French doors at the end of the hallway stood open, allowing him to hear Huntley’s youngest sister, Lady Juliette, shout, “Careful!” at precisely the right moment.

It was the sort of warning that could not, nay, should not, be ignored, so it was only natural for him to walk past the study where Huntley’s butler, Pierson, stopped to knock, and continue on through the French doors to the garden.

“Oh my goodness!” Juliette exclaimed. Her eyes met his from behind a beam of muted sunlight that sifted through between the branches of a nearby elm. His gaze swept sideways, falling directly on Lady Amelia just as she turned to stare up at him. Her eyes widened a fraction, filling with something he could not define, before looking away as she pushed herself up off the ground.

He felt the edge of his mouth twitch with amusement. “I see you’re putting your sister-in-law’s advice to good use.”

Lady Amelia rewarded his comment with a glare, which was unsurprising, considering the Duchess of Huntley had been trying to teach Lady Amelia proper comportment for the past month.

Having spent most of their lives in the slums of St. Giles, Raphe Matthews, the Duke of Huntley, and his sisters, Amelia and Juliette, had found their lives turned upside down when their brother had inherited his title. Since their arrival in Mayfair, they had all been doing their best to adjust themselves to Society’s expectations, which as Thomas understood it, had not been easy.

“Is it not fashionable for young ladies to have grass stains on their skirts?” Lady Amelia inquired in a dry tone. She swiped her hands against her gown, leaving streaks of moisture and dirt upon the white muslin.

“Not as far as I am aware,” Thomas replied. Looking her over, he couldn’t help but sigh at her messy appearance. “I trust you are unharmed?”

She gave a slight nod, prompting a chestnut curl to drop dramatically over her forehead. It bobbed in front of her hazel eyes until she blew it aside with a puff of air. “Quite,” she muttered.

“Well then.” He shifted his gaze to Lady Juliette, who appeared to be admiring the roses with great intensity, before addressing Lady Amelia once more. “That is the most important thing.” He paused, observing how flushed her cheeks had gotten, before he asked, “Will you tell me what happened?”

A moment passed before she pointed toward some branches in a nearby tree. “I was returning a fallen nest and ended up losing my balance.”

He nodded. Of course that was what she’d been doing. She was invariably compelled to help the less fortunate creatures of the world. According to her brother, she’d taken in several stray cats, for which he’d since been forced to find new homes. “You should probably have asked the gardener to assist you,” Thomas said. After all, climbing trees would not improve her reputation. Especially since the garden shared a fence with Green Park, and anyone strolling along the nearest path might witness her unorthodox behavior.

“Of course.” She crossed her arms, and he wondered if he ought to say something more.

After all, what sort of friend would he be if he didn’t offer his honest opinion? He pondered that thought for a moment and finally told her, “I would also suggest you remove those twigs from your hair and put yourself to rights. It will be calling time soon.”

Seeing how flushed her cheeks grew, he chose to retreat before embarrassing her any further. So he dipped his head and turned away with the intention of seeking out Huntley, only to find that the man in question was leaning against the doorway behind him.

“Pierson said you were here.” Huntley smiled. “Now that you’ve finished berating my sister, I’m thinking you might like to have some coffee?”

“Yes, please.” Thomas followed him back inside. “I am sorry if I overstepped in some way, but I believe it was prudent to tell her that falling from trees and getting dirty is not the sort of endeavor she ought to be focusing on.”

Huntley threw him a humorous look as they entered his study. “You needn’t apologize, Coventry. I appreciate your critical evaluation. It actually happens to be one of the reasons why I wish to speak with you. Will you please sit?” He gestured toward Thomas’s favorite armchair.

“Thank you.” Thomas sank down onto the velvet seat, leaned back and crossed his legs while eyeing the other duke. “What is this about? Your note did not specify.”

Huntley studied Thomas for a moment, then pinched his lips together and said, “You know I value our friendship. Correct?”

Wondering what might have brought on such a question, Thomas shifted slightly but nodded. “Yes. Of course.”

“It’s been bloody difficult, you know, what with my past and all, to find people I can trust.” Huntley’s expression turned thoughtful. “But you . . . you had no obligation toward me or my family, and yet you didn’t turn your back on us. Indeed, if it hadn’t been for you, Gabriella might very well have married that rotten bastard her parents favored.”

Thomas flexed his fingers. “Fielding,” he muttered between clenched teeth. “The man did not deserve her.”

“No. He did not.” Huntley tilted his head. “But there was also my murky upbringing to consider, my boxing match and my connection to Carlton Guthrie. Many suspect him of being one of the greatest criminals in the country, and yet none of this seemed to trouble you.”

Thomas shrugged. “I found it intriguing—a puzzle to be solved. And once I got to know you better, I realized you might be one of the most honorable men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, not to mention your title demands respect, regardless of your past. Mostly, however, I like how different you are from the rest.” Tilting his head, he arched his eyebrows. “You are a refreshing peculiarity, Huntley.”

The duke chuckled. “Well, thank you, Coventry. Your support has certainly been of great value to me and my sisters.” His expression sobered as he held Thomas’s gaze. “I hate having to ask you for anything else.” A knock sounded at the door and a maid arrived. She set a tray on the desk between the two men and swiftly departed. Huntley poured two cups of coffee, pushing one in Thomas’s direction. “But the thing is, I don’t really know who else I can turn to.”

The seriousness with which he spoke gave Thomas pause. He took a sip of his hot beverage before saying, “Just name it, Huntley, and I will see if I am able to help.”

“How’s your mother, by the way?” Huntley asked while he raised his own cup to his lips.

The question threw Thomas completely off guard. “My, er . . . she’s very well, thank you.” He felt his eyebrows draw together with concern.

Huntley nodded. “Good. Good.” He set his cup aside.

Thomas’s frown deepened. He waited a second and finally exclaimed, “Oh for heaven’s sake, Huntley! Will you please tell me what this is about? I already—”

“Chaperone Amelia and Juliette for three weeks—four tops.”

Thomas almost spat his second mouthful of coffee all over the desk. Fortunately, he managed to keep it down with a slight cough and a wince. “I beg your pardon? What?” The last word came out strangled.

Folding his arms across his chest, Huntley looked back at him as though he hadn’t just made a preposterous request. “Gabriella and I haven’t really had much privacy since the wedding. She feels she has a responsibility toward Amelia and Juliette. In spite of the scandal, invitations have begun trickling in again, and preparing to escort them to these various events is taking up a great deal of Gabriella’s time.” He expelled a deep breath. “I’m ’opin’ to invite ’er on a weddin’ trip. If we can just get away fer a bit . . .” He scratched his head and offered Thomas a loopy smile.

As was oftentimes the case when his emotions ran high, Huntley had fallen back into the unrefined dialect he’d spoken during his life in St. Giles. Thomas arched an eyebrow. “I understand your reasoning completely, old chap, but ordinarily, one would ask a female relation to help with such matters. Certainly not a bachelor.”

Huntley frowned. “Gabriella’s mother and father remained in Gloucester after the wedding in order to have more time with Gabriella’s sister.” Having fallen from grace when she’d married a commoner who’d since abandoned her with child, Lady Victoria had made a new life for herself with Huntley’s friend Benjamin Thompson, the recently appointed caretaker of Huntley’s estate. “But Gabriella’s aunt, Lady Everly, is in residence, so we have naturally spoken to her. In fact, she has agreed to move in during our absence.”

“Excellent.”

“However . . .”

When Huntley paused, Thomas raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“Have you ever met Lady Everly?”

“Of course. She has an excellent sense of humor and is far more relaxed than her brother and sister-in-law. If I am not mistaken, I saw her smoking a cheroot once during a ball—didn’t seem the least bit bothered by how shocked people were by it.”

“Forgive me, but are ladies not allowed to smoke?”

“Not in public and certainly not in the middle of a ballroom. It is considered terribly gauche by most.”

“Which leads me to the point I’m about to make.” Huntley looked directly at Thomas without wavering. “As much as I like Lady Everly, I’m not entirely sure she will offer Amelia and Juliette the proper guidance they require. I worry they will get into trouble if she’s the only one supervising them. Which is why I am hoping you will keep an eye on them too—especially since it is my belief that their association with a respectable duke will be of great advantage to them.”

Pressing his lips together, Thomas puffed out a breath through his nose. He was beginning to understand why Huntley had asked about his mother. Clearly, he didn’t trust Lady Everly to make a success of his sisters and was hoping the Dowager Duchess of Coventry might fill any gaps that remained in their education. Taking a moment, Thomas considered the proposition with greater seriousness than he had earlier, and eventually asked, “Do Lady Amelia and Lady Juliette know about this scheme of yours?”

Huntley broke eye contact. “I thought I’d ensure your willingness to help before mentioning it.”

Thomas nodded. “I suppose that makes sense.”

Arching his fingers, Huntley gave him a frank look. “I actually think my absence might help them.”

“How so?”

“I’m still working on salvaging my reputation, but you are well respected. With your support and my absence, the ton might start to view them in a new light. And with Amelia’s age taken into consideration, the time to find her a husband is limited. Another year and she might be firmly on the shelf.”

Thomas stared back at Huntley with increasing uncertainty. “In other words, you are not only asking me to chaperone your sisters, but to try to get them settled, as well?”

“Just Amelia. Juliette still has plenty of time.”

“I don’t know, Huntley. What you are asking of me is not only unusual. It is . . .” How could he continue that sentence without causing offence?

“Something of a challenge?” Huntley prompted. “Believe me, I am aware. The fact is that adjusting to our new way of life has been particularly difficult for Amelia.”

“More than it was for you?”

Huntley nodded. “Yes, I believe so.”

Shocked, Thomas sat back against his seat. It hadn’t occurred to him until that moment that being put on display would be more difficult for her than it had been for her brother. “I always imagined she would enjoy shopping for pretty things and dressing up for balls. Most young ladies do.”

“Most young ladies have also spent their entire lives preparing themselves for their debuts. I think both my sisters found the experience to be more intimidating than enjoyable, but now that they are out, there is no going back.”

Acknowledging the dilemma, Thomas set his jaw and considered Huntley’s proposal. “Three weeks, you say?”

“Four at the most,” Huntley assured him.

“Very well then,” Thomas said. “I will do it. And I will even ask Mama to help.”

A smile slipped into place on Huntley’s face. “You knew I would ask?”

“I knew you inquired about her earlier for a reason.”

Huntley’s eyebrows dipped a little. “Do you think she’ll object?”

“I cannot say.” Thomas tapped his fingers against the armrest. He looked away briefly before meeting Huntley’s gaze once more. “She has been very withdrawn these past few years, but if I can manage to convince her, it might be a welcome distraction.”

Huntley’s expression turned tragic. “How thoughtless of me,” he whispered with deep apologetic undertones. “I forgot about your sister. I—”

“Don’t.” Thomas felt his teeth clash together as he clenched his jaw. “I would rather leave Melanie out of this.”

“Coventry . . .”

“I am not the only one who has lost a sibling. Am I?” When Huntley expelled a tortured breath, Thomas said, “Might I suggest we speak of something else?” He waited for Huntley to nod his agreement before saying, “I will speak to Mama and let you know what she thinks by the end of the day.”

“Thank you, Coventry.” Rising, Huntley walked Thomas out toward the foyer. “I hope you will need a favor in exchange soon so I can repay your generosity.”

Thomas smiled. “We are friends, Huntley. It is my duty to help you as best as I can.” And perhaps in doing so, he would thwart the demons that chased him and find some measure of peace.

“I do hope the two of you have a lovely holiday together,” Amelia told Gabriella as she embraced her in the foyer a week later. Dressed in an elegant gown cut from lilac muslin, the duchess looked every bit the Society lady she’d been raised to be. What set her apart from the rest of the ton was her lack of aloofness and modesty. Amelia had liked her for both of those qualities since the moment she’d first met her.

“Are you absolutely certain you and Juliette will be all right during our absence?” Gabriella asked for what had to be the tenth time. “We can still cancel our—”

“No. Absolutely not.” Amelia stepped back and met Gabriella’s pretty blue eyes. “You and my brother deserve to enjoy each other’s company somewhere far away from here where we won’t be a distraction. No need to worry, I assure you.”

Gabriella paused as though on the brink of saying something more. But whatever it was remained unsaid since Raphe entered from the street where he’d been overseeing the preparation of the carriage. “All the trunks have been loaded,” he said, picking up the beaver hat his valet had placed on the hallway table. Examining it for a second, he shook his head as if confounded by the item. “Are you ready to depart?” The hat was returned to the table midquestion, its existence seemingly forgotten by Raphe, who’d already turned his back on it.

“Yes.” With a reassuring smile directed at Amelia, Gabriella went to say goodbye to Juliette and Lady Everly, who were standing closer to the front door. The house would feel empty without them. Especially since Raphe had given his valet and his secretary leave to visit with their families during his absence.

“We’ll be back before you know it,” Raphe told Amelia. He bent his head to kiss her on the cheek. Straightening again, he met her gaze with a somber expression. “In the meantime, I hope you will take advantage of Lady Everly’s and the Dowager Duchess of Coventry’s guidance. Both ladies have a lot to teach you.”

Responding with a smile that hopefully hid her concerns, Amelia walked her brother to the door where Gabriella stood waiting. She watched as he guided her sister-in-law down the front steps and helped her into the awaiting carriage before climbing in beside her. The driver whipped the reins a moment later, and Amelia stood beside Juliette and Lady Everly, waving until the conveyance rounded a corner and vanished from sight.

“I do hope I get to go to Paris one day,” Juliette said with a wistful sigh as they returned inside. “It’s supposed to be terribly romantic.”

“So it is,” Lady Everly said. “I have no doubt the duke and duchess will enjoy it. Shall we take tea while we await Coventry’s arrival?”

“Certainly,” Amelia managed to say in spite of the tightening in her throat. Ever since her brother had told her of the agreement he’d made with Coventry a week earlier, her nerves had caused such riotous thoughts that succumbing to sleep in the evenings had proven a chore.

“I must confess I’m a little bit anxious about making the dowager duchess’s acquaintance,” Juliette said when they entered the parlor. Crossing to the bellpull, she gave it a gentle tug before joining Amelia and Lady Everly, who’d seated themselves on a sofa upholstered in silver damask silk. Juliette claimed a matching armchair, leaving the adjacent sofa vacant for their guests.

“You need not be,” Lady Everly said. “The dowager duchess is extremely pleasant and kind. Much like her son, actually, and I know you have no qualms where he is concerned.”

“Of course,” Amelia murmured while trying to ignore the sudden swing of her stomach.

Just the thought of spending an increased amount of time in his company, of him bearing witness to all of her flaws when he himself was so utterly perfect, was making her feel rather queasy.

She’d hoped to continue her lessons in etiquette and proper comportment while keeping him at a distance, the plan being he would eventually marvel at her progress the next time they happened to meet. Instead, he’d stepped out onto the terrace last Monday and found her looking a fright. The experience had been mortifying—a definite blow to her self-esteem.

“Coventry has been extraordinarily good to us.” A tiny smile formed upon Juliette’s lips to convey her appreciation. “Frankly, I cannot imagine what we would ’ave done without him.”

“Have done,” Lady Everly corrected.

“Oh yes.” Juliette’s smile faded. Her brow knit with concentration. “Have done.”

After little more than a month of intense tutoring, the uncultured dialect Amelia and her siblings had grown accustomed to using during their life in the slums had been mostly replaced by precise pronunciation. Certainly, there were times when they forgot themselves. Amelia knew this was especially true of herself and her brother when they were feeling stressed or irritable. But as long as she set her mind to the task, proper diction could be managed much easier than correct posture.

Catching herself at that thought, she deliberately straightened her spine and pulled back her shoulders just as a maid arrived to take their order.

“I believe Coventry has benefited as much from you as you have from him,” Lady Everly said once the maid had gone to fetch the tea they’d requested. “There has been a distinct sense of quiet agitation about him for years—ever since his sister passed. If you ask me, helping your brother succeed was precisely the sort of challenge he needed. He has loosened up since he made Huntley’s acquaintance.”

“Forgive me, but how did his sister die?” Amelia couldn’t help but ask the question. Since the moment he’d invited her to dance at the ball her brother had hosted three weeks earlier, the Duke of Coventry had filled most of her thoughts with fascination. Devastatingly handsome, his sand-colored hair was tousled enough to deny him the look of a pampered lord, his eyes a warm shade of brown that crinkled at the corners whenever something amused him, while his mouth . . .

“As I understand it,” Lady Everly said, forcing Amelia out of her reverie, “the poor girl caught influenza while traveling Europe. She died shortly after returning home.”

Amelia shuddered. She understood all too well the pain the loss of a sibling could cause. Bethany’s death had torn her world apart at the seams. It was something she knew she would never get over, even if time did make it easier to live with. “It must have been terribly difficult for the family.”

Expelling a breath, Lady Everly nodded. “Well, Coventry’s father had already gone to meet his Maker a year before this happened, so he was at least spared from having to bury his daughter. As for the dowager duchess and the duke, nobody saw them for a long time after. You will see that Her Grace still wears black after all these years.”

“How long has it been?” Juliette inquired.

“Oh . . . at least four or five years, I should think,” Lady Everly replied.

The maid returned with a tray that she placed on the table in the center of the seating arrangement. She was just leaving when Pierson, the butler, entered. “The Dowager Duchess of Coventry and her son, the Duke of Coventry, have come to call,” he said. “May I show them in?”

Hesitating, Amelia glanced at Lady Everly, who stared back at her expectantly before finally whispering, “This is your home, Amelia, so it falls upon you to respond. I am merely a guest here.”

Appreciating her advice, Amelia told Pierson to show the guests in and then braced herself for the sight that would likely set her heart racing.

Coventry did not disappoint as he entered behind his mother, his height dwarfing the much smaller woman as he looked over her head with ease and offered a smile. Today he’d chosen to wear a navy blue jacket, the cut of which accentuated the breadth of his shoulders. Beneath it, Amelia glimpsed his waistcoat, which had been tastefully cut in a lighter shade. It drew attention to his chest while complementing the beige-colored breeches that hugged his thighs as though they’d been stitched into place.

Amelia’s stomach quivered with awareness. No man should be allowed to look so attractive, to possess a jawline so perfectly sculpted or a mouth so sinfully tempting it made her think of couples kissing with wild abandon. She’d seen plenty of that over the years and a great deal more, as well. The inhabitants of St. Giles had not been shy about their desires, happily sating their needs in any available space they could find. Which was probably not something she should be thinking about while enjoying tea with nobility.

So she stood—a bit faster than she had intended due to the tension that strained every muscle in her body—and went to greet Coventry’s mother.

“Welcome,” she said, curtseying for good measure even though she hated the gesture because of how awkward it made her feel. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace.”

“Thank you, my dear.” The dowager duchess dipped her head toward Juliette and Lady Everly, acknowledging their presence, as well. “After everything my son has told me about you, I simply had to see you for myself.” The edge of her mouth curved to form an inviting smile before she turned to address Coventry. “Shame on you for not telling me how lovely the Duke of Huntley’s sisters really are.”

“My apologies, Mama,” Coventry said with a dry tone that would have been slightly severe if it weren’t for the twinkle in his eyes. “As you know, I try to avoid stating the obvious.”

“Touché!” Lady Everly applauded while the dowager duchess slapped her son playfully on the arm before moving toward the vacant sofa.

Aware that a disconcerting shade of pink was flushing her cheeks, Amelia quickly asked the duke if he’d have a seat as well before turning away to resume her own—thankfully, with an entire table and tea set wedged between them. Because although she knew that complimenting ladies was second nature to him, and he’d spoken not only of her but of her sister as well, her heart had responded with a wild beat that could be tamed only if she managed to keep her distance from him.

All she had to do now was pour the tea without spilling it.

Perfect!

Reaching for the pot, she curled her fingers firmly around the handle in an effort to stop them from trembling. She drew a fortifying breath and held it until she’d completed her task with success. Air whooshed from her lungs on a sigh of relief when she set the pot back on the table, only realizing then that she’d done what she’d tried to avoid by not spilling and drawn unwanted attention anyway.

“Do try to relax,” the dowager duchess said as she spooned some sugar into her cup and added a touch of milk. “We are all friends here, I hope, so you need not throw yourself into a tizzy on any account. My son and I are here to help you, Lady Amelia and Lady Juliette, as is Lady Everly. Is that not so?” Raising her cup to her lips, she glanced at the dowager countess and Coventry in turn before taking a long sip.

“Most assuredly,” Coventry agreed. He’d leaned back against the sofa on which he and his mother were sitting and had stretched out his legs in a relaxed pose that suggested satisfied comfort.

Amelia couldn’t help but envy him. She considered her teacup, wondering if she might attempt a sip without rattling the china, but then dismissed the idea and folded her hands in her lap instead. Perhaps if she could remain still she’d be able to present herself as a lady with greater ease than if she moved.

“As it is, you have both made a lot of progress,” Lady Everly said. “To think you are the same young women I met in your brother’s study right after he’d claimed the title is nothing short of astounding.”

Amelia cringed as she recalled the incident—the manner in which they’d slouched and their horrendous use of the English language.

“That is not to say there is no room for improvement,” Lady Everly continued, “and since I would like nothing better than for both of you to make the sort of match that would make the most sought after debutantes green with envy, I recommend we strive for nothing less than excellence while we continue your lessons.”

“Oh . . . I . . .” Amelia glanced around at everyone’s expectant gazes. “Must we?” She already felt as though she’d been stretched and squeezed in an effort to fit a particular box that Society had designed for her. With Raphe and Gabriella away, she’d rather been looking forward to a reprieve and to focusing her time on a new venture—one she hoped would be a success, not just for her own satisfaction, but for the people of St. Giles, as well.

“Your brother specifically asked that we make your search for a husband a priority,” Coventry said. His dark eyes found hers, producing a flutter deep in her belly.

“Well, ye needn’t trouble yerselves on my account, since I’ve no desire to venture down that particular path.” Fidgeting with her gown, Amelia dropped her gaze to the carpet and wondered if she might be able to slide underneath it. Perhaps then those present would ignore the unflattering diction she’d used on account of the flustered state she was presently in.

“My dear,” the dowager duchess said with a sigh. It was the sort one might use with a very naive child, though Amelia felt it was kindly meant on account of the smile that accompanied it. “Might I inquire about your age?”

Hesitating, Amelia became acutely aware of a nearby clock ticking away the seconds. “Two and twenty,” she eventually said.

The dowager duchess tilted her head in a sympathetic gesture that filled Amelia with a sudden feeling of inadequacy. “There are many who will consider you unmarriageable by this time next year. Is that what you wish?”

Amelia stared back at the dowager duchess for a long moment while considering the life she would lead as a spinster. She couldn’t imagine not having a family of her own one day—of not having children. Especially since the thought of being alone terrified her.

Additionally, the idea of having to live off her brother forever disagreed with her immensely. She absolutely hated relying on others for help. In St. Giles, things had been different. Raphe had earned their keep while she had tended the house and ensured they had food to put in their hungry bellies. But now that his status had changed and he’d married, she had nothing to offer him in return except for additional expenses and worry.

“No,” she said. “Of course not.”

Lady Everly nodded with satisfaction. “Which is why I have taken the liberty of drawing up a list.”

“A list?” Juliette asked.

Without saying another word, the dowager countess went to collect a sheet of paper from a nearby side table. She offered it to the dowager duchess, who peered at it for an insufferable moment before narrowing her gaze on both Amelia and Juliette. “Indeed, I believe these gentlemen will do very nicely.”

“What gentlemen?” Coventry asked. He took the paper from his mother’s hand and scanned the text. His eyebrows rose. “This is quite an impressive collection of suitors.”

When Lady Everly nodded and the dowager duchess smiled with delight, Amelia knew her fate had been sealed with nine-inch nails. The next few weeks would obviously be a matchmaking expedition with her at the center of it. And in that moment, she missed Gabriella enormously, because whatever her sister-in-law had put her through in the name of improving her comport, it couldn’t possibly be worse than being presented to a long list of gentlemen while the only man who held her interest supported the effort.