Ginny had become withdrawn again. It was the way she was just after Henry's death. It distressed her mother to see her regress, but her plan was in motion. If Ginny had a familiar face to draw her out of herself, it would benefit her wellbeing, and who knew what might happen in that case.

Sitting in the drawing room working on her embroidery, Ginny could hear horses’ hooves on the gravel outside. She didn't even bother to look out of the window. It wouldn't be for her in any case, so she kept her head down.

There was a knock, and Carlton, the butler, opened the door.

"Lady Jane…." He was cut off by the door bursting in and a raven-haired beauty bounced through towards Ginny.

"Carlton, there's no need for formality here. Ginny, why are you looking so dull? Come and give your cousin a hug."

Ginny was startled, taking a moment to recognize the woman who stood in the middle of the room with her arms outstretched waiting for a hug.

"Jane, what brings you here?" Ginny finally said.

Then she stood and stepped forward to embrace her favorite cousin. As children they were inseparable, always happiest when they were together. But as they grew older, their lives went in different directions. Jane's mother, Ginny's maternal aunt, had married a duke following her husband's first death, and Jane had moved to the North of England.

"Well, all in good time, cousin," Jane said. "I've made note that your mourning period is now over. Poor Henry." She paused for a moment in reflection, but didn’t hesitate long. "But now it's time for you to join me. I need your help. But firstly, tell me about our American. How is she? Is she ghastly? ‘All money and no class,’ my mama says. And I have no doubt that Aunt Sophia says the same!" Jane began to laugh, and Ginny realized how much she had missed her. She was the closest thing to a sister she had.

"She's settling in," Ginny said. "I keep out of the way just in case she wants my clothes changed or some such thing." Ginny gasped at her own words and put her hand to her mouth. Jane had a way of bringing her out of her shell.

"That wasn't very nice of me to be so indiscreet, Jane." Ginny hurried to correct herself. "I do not know her well enough to make a judgment. But I do know that Annabelle makes Charles happy. And that's the main thing."

"Yes, keeping our men happy," Jane smiled. "That is our job in life."

The arrival of the dowager countess disrupted their flow, as the ladies settled down for more formal conversation and Carlton served tea. But soon, Jane knew all about Annabelle and her ideas for change. She had already fired some of the staff to hire Americans in their places. She wanted to feel at home, and hiring staff was one of her duties when she lived with her Pa, she had informed the family. In the dowager countess’s mind, she would slowly erode their whole way of being.

"Jane, you haven't told me why you're here. It is lovely to see you, but it's been so long," Ginny said.

"I know. I felt utterly horrid for not being in England when poor Henry passed. Well, I have been holding out on you," Jane said with glee. "Aunt Sophia and Ginny, I have news." She looked from one to the other. Then she said, "I am to be married."

Ginny looked aghast as her mother smiled at Jane.

Jane continued, "My intended is William Travers, Marquess of Lynlithglow. I'll be Marchioness of Lynlithglow. Mama is delighted."

Her news shook Ginny. They had done their first Season together, and while Jane had some romances, none had come to anything. She had told Ginny she envied her engagement to Henry and of her ability to fall in love with, quite literally, with the first man she had met and to have found true love.

"Ginny, I need you more than ever. Mama will drive me insane with the wedding preparations. I need your sanity. I know it can't be easy, but we promised to stand for one another. Remember?"

Ginny’s sense of duty overrode her emotions, and she clasped Jane's hands.

"I would be happy to help you, dear cousin. Your happiness makes me happy."

"That's settled then. You will come home with me, well, when I say home, I mean to the Carvingham estate. The duke has insisted on us staying there. Home is too far away to make the arrangements from there. There is much to do. Aunt Sophia, you will come too, won't you?"

"If your mother doesn't mind," the dowager countess said.

Ginny and Jane gave each other a look only they understood. Jane's mother would love to rub her younger sister's nose in the good fortune of her daughter. The rivalry between the sisters had gone on a lifetime.

"The wedding itself will take place at the Duke of Carvingham's estate. You will love him, Ginny. He's a kind, wonderful old man with no family of his own and insisted that William and I marry there. William is best friends with his heir, James Pelham, Earl of Collingford. The duke's wife died in childbirth as did the child, and he never married again. He's on the frail side and not up to traveling. We will have the most wonderful time. William is a treasure, and you will adore him, Ginny. Now, let's go and meet my new cousin-in-law and have some fun."

Ginny's snickering would have annoyed her mother, but today it was good to see how Jane brought out her devilish side. Ginny needed to get away from here even it meant enduring her overpowering sister, the dowager countess thought to herself. The girls would have a merry time at the new countess's expense.

Meanwhile, as Jane visited her cousin, her intended, William was making his own journey. He was traveling to his cousin's estate, James Pelham, Earl of Collingford. As he jumped off his horse, he asked for James' whereabouts and was told he was in the stables. William followed the stable-hand and saw James brushing down his horse.

"Collingford, what the devil are you doing?" William said. "You have men for that."

"Lynlithglow, what brings you by?" James asked. "I didn't know you were coming. I'm doing this to stay out of mother's way. She is going on about me marrying soon and wants me to meet Lady Victoria de Vere. I'm avoiding that situation. Her mother is the Marchioness of Dorford…"

William held up his hand.

"Say no more. I have been one of their interests in the past," William said. "But it seems I may have to put you in a situation where you will meet them. I am sorry, Collingford, but I'm getting married, and I want you to stand for me. My single days will soon be over, and I couldn't be happier. She's the most wonderful girl, and your uncle wants us to marry in the Carvingham estate. Mama broached him on the subject. What do you say?"

"Well, Lynlithglow, I think you're crazy to get married," James said, reaching forward for a hearty handshake. "But she must be some girl, and I am delighted for her. Forget my mutterings about Lady Victoria; I would be honored to be by your side."

"Thank you," William said, returning the handshake.

"I guess we'd better find Mama and tell her the good news. It will give her even more reason to harangue me about Lady Victoria. The things I put up with for you!" James shook his head in mock misery as he and William strode to the house.

"You must tell us all about this young lady. Do I know her?" Lady Collingford asked her nephew. She knew, of course, about the wedding. She and her sister were close, but seeing how full of love he was for his bride-to-be, she hoped some of his enthusiasm would rub off on her son. She wanted grandchildren and to secure the heir to the dukedom, but James was stubborn. He had refused to get involved in the social activities of the Season this year. How else was he going to meet a wife? She looked at her son as he watched his cousin talk about love and everything looking brighter and sweeter the closer he was to Jane.

She remembered a time when James had waxed lyrically about a young lady, but she had broken his heart and married his best friend. He hadn’t put his heart on the line again, so she was trying to appeal to his sense of duty. He could marry someone of his own status to ensure the Duchy of Carvingham stayed within their family, and Lady Victoria de Vere was very well bred. A wedding would be the perfect opportunity to bring them together. This was going to work out perfectly.