“I can’t believe I’m starting another Season without you, Phoebe.” Lady Prudence viewed herself in the mirror and frowned at the curl that had come lose from her chignon.

“If it weren’t for this,” Phoebe patted her huge rounded belly, “I would be able to at least go to the ball with you.”

Prudence regarded her sister with concern. “Phoebe, you must be close. You look as though you are about to explode.”

“Oh, lord. Don’t say that in front of Morgan. He keeps watching me every minute we’re together, as if I am some sort of freak.”

“I doubt that he thinks you’re a freak, Sister. Your husband is as besotted as the rest of the men in this family.” She sighed and picked up her wrap and walked to where Phoebe rested on the settee in Prudence’s bedchamber. “I hope this is my last Season.”

“I do hope so, too, Pru. I have faith that this will be the year you find your own true love.”

“There is no one who has caught my eye in three Seasons. It doesn’t look promising.”

“Have faith, Sister.” Phoebe took Prudence’s hand and rose from the settee. “I am grateful that my husband at least let me come with him for his meeting with Papa so I could visit you while you readied for the ball.”

Prudence smirked. “The only reason he let you come with him was because he doesn’t want to let you out of his sight.”

“Yes. True, that.”

The girls descended the stairs and met Papa and Morgan as they strode down the corridor from the library, heading to the drawing room.

“Phoebe, I told you to wait for me so I could help you down the stairs.” Morgan glared at her.

Phoebe rolled her eyes. “For heaven’s sake, Morgan, I’m not crippled. Just very, very pregnant.”

“You could have fallen.”

“But I didn’t.”

“Now children, stop the bickering.” Papa turned to Prudence and took her hand. “You look absolutely lovely, my dear. I am afraid this will be my last year with a daughter in the house.”

Prudence shrugged. She certainly wished this would be the last year she resided in Papa’s home. As much as she loved her parents, it was past the time she had her own household. But would she ever find love like all her sisters had?

Mother entered the drawing room and walked straight up to Phoebe who took up a good portion of the sofa. “How are you feeling, my dear?”

“Like I’m carrying an elephant.”

Morgan sat alongside her and took her hand. “I think it’s time to go home, sweetheart.”

“Yes, I am a bit weary.” Phoebe shifted to get up but finally had to take both of Morgan’s outstretched hands to rise from the sofa.

Goodbyes were said as Mama, Papa, and Prudence settled in the carriage after seeing Phoebe and St. Albans off in their vehicle. Prudence looked out the window as they made their way from their townhouse to the Renforth ball that was being held in the assembly rooms. Young Lady Beatrice was making her come-out, and the Renforths had leased the larger space to launch their daughter into Society.

Prudence lacked the normal enthusiasm for the beginning of the Season. Would this year end with her retiring to the country estate another year closer to being on the shelf?

An hour after they’d arrived, with Papa happily off to the card room and Mama chatting with her friends, Prudence stood alongside Lady Cecelia and chatted about the usual ton gossip. Prudence gazed around the room, and her eyes landed on a gentleman she had never seen before. At that very moment, he looked away from the gentleman he was speaking with, Mr. Drover, and stared straight at her.

Prudence’s cheeks grew warm as the man continued to study her. He placed the glass he was holding on a nearby table and made his way to her. Her heart began to thump, and she had the strangest feelings inside her body as he wended his way to her, never casting his eyes in another direction, as if pulled by a string.

He stepped right up to her and bowed. “I know this is not proper since we have not been introduced, but I am the new Earl of Grantham.”

“Good evening, my lord. I am Lady Prudence, daughter of the Earl of Pomeroy.”

Grantham reached out to her. “May I request a dance, my lady?”

This was somewhat improper. Although this was the public assembly space, it was a private event that this man had been invited to, so accepting a dance with him, even though there had been no proper introduction, would not break too many rules.

“Yes. I would love a dance, my lord.” She took his extended hand, and they both glanced sharply at each other. She felt as though she had touched an open fire. She regarded him with wide eyes, and he looked just as startled as she did.

Whatever had just happened?