Summer 1822
Anastasia hovered behind Isabel and watched the game of chess progress with dreaded anticipation as she tried to ignore the pain in her feet. When Isabel had agreed to this wager, Anastasia had expressed her displeasure. “Don’t worry. I never lose,” were Isabel’s last words before the game began. It was more than a game of chess to Anastasia—it was a game of chance, and it had already lasted for more than seven hours. Even the sun had given up and retired. It appeared that there was no end in sight.
Or so she thought.
“Checkmate.”
“Oh,” Isabel gasped. Her hand clutched the edge of the table. “I couldn’t have lost. I never lose.”
“Well, you have lost, my dearest little sister, and now you must pay the price—beginning with the Earl of Huntingdon’s house party,” Isabel’s brother stated with a gloat.
“That was not part of the bargain, Weston,” Isabel bleated, disputing the terms of the wager. “We agreed it was to be one season in London.”
“No, I said a season and parties. A country house party is included in that description.”
Philippa, Weston’s wife, placed an elegant hand on his shoulder and leaned in close to his ear. “That’s enough, darling.” Her words were none too soft before her gaze shifted to Isabel, casting a sympathetic look, though her tone bespoke no argument. “One house party before the season begins is not too much to ask. You have rarely been out in society and this is a perfect opportunity.”
Anastasia adored Philippa; they had become good friends since she married Weston, but Philippa really was relentless when she set her mind to something. Anastasia truly doubted that Isabel would be able to weasel her way out of this situation.
Dread sank into the pit of Anastasia’s stomach. It was still unclear what her role would be if Isabel was to have a season. Over the years, Anastasia had avoided London, and all society for that matter. The nervous anxiety that used to haunt her started percolating, and the cramping in her stomach grew worse. She reached for her necklace only to touch a naked neck; that precious keepsake had been lost to her for eight years.
Isabel leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “And when is this perfect opportunity to occur?”
“We leave in two days.”
Anastasia was uncertain whom the “we” in Philippa’s statement included and she was afraid to ask. Isabel, clearly annoyed with her sister-in-law, said in a sharp tone, “We?”
She braced herself for Philippa’s response. “You, me, and Anastasia.”
“Why doesn’t Weston—?” Isabel began to protest only to be silenced by her brother’s firm voice.
“I have some unexpected business to attend to, but will join you later in the week.” Weston looked up at Anastasia. “Are you unwell?”
She swallowed the hard lump in her throat and tried to sound casual despite her lurching stomach. “I’m quite all right. But why do I need to…?” She started to argue, but Isabel turned around in her seat and looked up at Anastasia with hurt eyes.
“You don’t mean to abandon me?”
Anastasia sucked in a deep breath. What choice did she have? It was only because of Isabel’s generosity that Anastasia had found a home after being turned away from her family after the scandal. She owed her dearest friend at least one house party. Perhaps Isabel would catch the eye of some intelligent lord and get married before the London season began. Anastasia mentally shook her head. For that to occur, Isabel would have to spend a little more time conversing with the opposite sex and quite a bit less time in the library. Anastasia doubted that Isabel could make a successful match with her head always in a book.
Three sets of eyes stared at her, waiting for her answer. With no other choice, Anastasia resigned herself to the unpleasant fact that she would have to accept. “No, I will not abandon you,” Anastasia stated with none of the trepidation she felt.
Isabel jumped out of her chair and wrapped her arms about Anastasia’s neck. “Thank you. How would I ever survive without you?”
Weston and Philippa gave Anastasia a knowing look. Isabel would be lost without her. They had bonded ten years ago when Isabel had spent the summer with her aunt, who lived in the same village as Anastasia. After that, the two had become almost inseparable whenever Isabel had visited.
When Anastasia’s own family turned her away after the scandal, she had gathered what little belongings she had and asked for a position at Knights Hall. She had hoped to be appointed a maid of some sort, but Isabel had intervened on her behalf, requesting that Anastasia become her companion. Anastasia had insisted that Weston know why her family disowned her, and to this day, he was the only other person beside herself who knew the truth. Weston had promised to keep her secret, and he was a man of his word.
Perhaps this house party was the opportunity that Anastasia was looking for to ease her friend into society. Just because Anastasia’s future appeared bleak did not mean that Isabel had to be trapped in the country with her companion. Isabel was young, and should enjoy that youth.
“A country house party it shall be,” Philippa exclaimed.
Despite her acquiescence, Isabel was not going to give in to her brother that easy. “I still cannot believe we leave in two days’ time. You know very well that I am not fond of crowds and besides, I have nothing to wear and…”
“Not to worry,” Philippa’s tone was full of mischief. “All that has been taken care of. Lybbe and I even managed to find several costumes for the masquerade in my trunks that Aunt Imogene sent over. Lybbe has already begun some modifications and the gowns will be ready by the time we depart. It is quite fortuitous that the three of us are about the same height and size.”
Yes, quite.
“It will be a splendid party.” Philippa’s enthusiasm was noticeably one-sided.
Anastasia’s stomach lurched. She knew Philippa meant well, but she had spent the last eight years avoiding all society. A quiet, mundane life, sequestered in the country suited her better.
“It is only for one week, Isabel. I think you will survive,” Weston teased. Her brother was not going to back down.
Philippa chimed in, clearly wanting to ease the tension. “Weston and I agree that you could both do with a change of scenery and the Earl of Huntingdon’s house party is the perfect opportunity. Dozens of eligible young men are to be in attendance and I have it on good authority that Lady Huntingdon intends to spare no expense where her grandson’s house party is concerned.”
Despite all the reassurances, Anastasia was a bundle of nerves. Since moving to Knights Hall, Anastasia had not ventured further than the local village. On the two rare occasions that Isabel did accompany her brother to London, Anastasia had managed to formulate some excuse as to why she could not leave Knights Hall. And Weston did not press the issue. Over the past eight years, he had become a trusted confidant, a brother.
Weston stood and announced, “Now that’s all settled, I think it is time to retire.”
Before accepting her husband’s arm, Philippa came up to her and Isabel. “I know that neither of you are happy about these arrangements, but trust me on this. It will be a wonderful week. One I don’t believe you will forget.” She ended with a mischievous wink.
Anastasia put her hand on Isabel’s arm and squeezed, hoping the subtle gesture would keep Isabel from arguing further this evening. They watched Weston and Philippa leave the room.
The silence lingered on for several moments before Anastasia released her grip on Isabel’s arm and walked toward the waning fire, lost in her own thoughts. Anastasia’s life was on a different path than Isabel’s. There were no seasons to be had or invites to extravagant house parties. No, a quiet country life was all she would ever have now. Anastasia knew the time was nearing when she would no longer be able to reside with Isabel and her family. Life as of late had become too complicated. Everything around her was changing and that scared her.
“I’m sorry. I know how much you detest society and I should not have involved you.” Isabel joined her in front of the fireplace. “I should have insisted that you be allowed to stay behind.”
As much as Anastasia wanted to agree with Isabel, she could not. She would not desert her dearest friend and let her suffer through a crowded house party.
Even as Anastasia offered a smile of reassurance, her insides writhed in turmoil. “We will get through the next week together.”
“I’m not so sure I am going to survive.” Although Isabel’s words were weighed down with worry, deep down Anastasia wondered if that was just an excuse that Isabel had fabricated so she could focus on reading rather than socializing.
“You will survive, dearest. And besides, a house party is far less troublesome than a season in London. If it becomes too much, we will just go for a long walk.”
“I believe I shall be walking a lot in the forthcoming week,” Isabel said matter-of-factly.
That plan suited Anastasia as well. With hope, Philippa won’t protest too much.