Chapter One

The moment Tereza opened her eyes this morning, she had been thrumming with excitement. Even now, she felt her heart fluttering with the force of it as she stood in the foyer of Warwick Manor awaiting the guests that would be arriving. She had her hands clasped tightly before her, trying to hold back the urge to pace the foyer in anticipation.

“Tereza.” Lady Warwick’s voice was smooth and authoritative. It instantly pulled Tereza together. “When Miss Beatrice and Lord Herbert arrives, I want you to control yourself.”

“Whatever do you mean, Mother?”.

“You know very well what she means,” Lord Warwick cut in. They shouldered Tereza, her father on the left of her and her mother on the right. Usually, Lord Warwick was gentle and mild-mannered, and it was Lady Warwick who nagged Tereza every chance she got, but today was a little special.

Tereza sighed. On the other end of the door, she knew Beatrice’s carriage had pulled into the driveway. In a matter of seconds, she would see her best friend again. Even so, Tereza suppressed her enthusiasm for her parents’ sake. “I won’t do anything that will embarrass you.”

Lady Warwick mimicked her sigh. She looked as regal as ever, her blond hair—passed down to all the Warwick sisters other than Charlotte—was pinned away from her still beautiful face, her blue eyes trained ahead. “I have a feeling Miss Beatrice would not mind either way.”

That made Tereza grin. They fell silent as the butler reached for the door, announcing the arrival of Miss Beatrice Radcliff and the Baron Herbert. The siblings swept into the foyer, all grins. At least, Beatrice was. Tereza didn’t pay much attention to her brother

“Beatrice!”

No longer caring about the promise she had just made to her parents, Tereza rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her dear friend in a tight embrace. Beatrice gasped, giggling in her ear.

“Tereza! You nearly knocked me off my feet!”

“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time,” Tereza laughed, pulling away. She could not contain her happiness any longer. She had been looking forward to Beatrice’s arrival for weeks, ever since they received the letter from her brother, Lord Herbert. The Season was upon them and Beatrice would be staying with Tereza for a few weeks to take part. Tereza could not have asked for anything better.

She’d been feeling quite lonely as of late. After growing up in a household with three very unique and beautiful older sisters, Tereza had suddenly found herself alone now they were all married. She was happy for her sisters, of course, since they had all fallen in love and moved on to start their own families, but it meant that Tereza was on her own now. Having Beatrice here was simply a dream come true.

“You look absolutely lovely, Beatrice!” Tereza exclaimed. She hadn’t let go of her friend completely, holding her tenderly by each hand. She ran her gaze over Beatrice’s heart-shaped face, drinking in her demure brown eyes and soft brown curls framing her temple. The splash of freckles across her nose had always made her seem far more innocent than she truly was.

“As do you, Tereza,” Beatrice returned with a broad smile. “I did not think it possible for you to grow more beautiful since the last time we saw each other.”

Tereza didn’t get the chance to respond. Beatrice’s eyes glanced over her shoulder and she pulled her hands away from Tereza’s, her cheeks growing pink. Politely, she curtsied to Lord and Lady Warwick who had approached from behind.

“Pardon my manners, My Lord, My Lady,” she said. “It is a pleasure seeing you again. Thank you for having my brother and I.”

“I had wanted to be a little more formal in greeting you all,” Lady Warwick said with a sigh. Even so, she smiled. “But I really should have known better. It will be quite interesting having you with us, Miss Beatrice.” Then, she turned to the man who stood by Beatrice’s side. “You as well, Lord Herbert.”

Tereza looked up at him as well, watching a small smile creep over his face. The Baron Herbert had been caring for Beatrice ever since their parents passed away and had hosted her for her first Season. Tereza had first met him during her last Season when she’d attended a dinner party at Beatrice’s home. He’d been quiet then as well, but she hadn’t missed how energetic he became when he was around those he knew. She’d written it off as him simply not caring to befriend his little sister’s friend, though he had always been kind and polite to her. So Tereza hadn’t minded much.

Lord Herbert swept into a bow. “The pleasure is mine, My Lady. My Lord.”

Tereza watched as her father approached and shook his hand. She couldn’t help studying him, drinking in the long curve of his neck, the sharpness of his chin, the aquiline nose and sharp brown eyes. His dark, almost black, hair was cut Brutus-style, his body clearly well-muscled under his clothes. He’d always been quite handsome but Tereza had never entertained the thought that he might wish to court her. Lord Herbert only cared about his sister. For Tereza…well, there was another gentleman in her heart.

I should not think about him right now or else I will only put myself in a terrible mood. I do not want to ruin my reunion with Beatrice.

“How was the carriage ride?” Lord Warwick asked Lord Herbert and Beatrice.

Lord Herbert was the one to respond. “Quite long, My Lord. I’m afraid I do not possess half the energy that my sister does after such an affair.”

“Yes, well, Miss Beatrice has a kind of exuberance that can only be matched by my daughter. We are mere mortals when compared to them.”

They all laughed at Lord Warwick’s words, Tereza a beat behind. She blinked rapidly, trying to come back to herself. Without realizing it, her mind had wandered off to a past ball, picturing a tall, handsome man with such strong hands and steady and wise eyes—

“Let us make haste to the drawing room,” Lord Warwick suggested. “I have prepared tea for you.”

“You are too kind, My Lord,” Lord Herbert responded. He took the lead behind Tereza’s father, the faint scent of cologne passing with him. It snapped Tereza fully out of her reverie.

Lady Warwick followed suit, with Beatrice and Tereza behind. Beatrice nudged Tereza with her elbow. “You seem quite lost in thought,” she whispered so that the others wouldn’t overhear.

“It is because I am,” Tereza told her honestly, with a sigh.

Beatrice’s gently arched brows raised in question, intrigue now glittering in her eyes. She was fatal for gossip and could sniff it out like a bloodhound. Tereza wasn’t surprised to hear her say, “Oh, pray tell what could have brought on such a laborious sigh, my dear friend.”

“You shall have to wait until we cannot be overheard.”

“Will you devise a distraction so that we could leave early?”

Tereza smiled at the challenge. Beatrice could be quite deceiving, considering she did not show her wild side with as much vibrancy as Tereza. Beatrice appeared like a demure lady, a perfect wife if she so wished, but had a great sense of humor and was rather crafty. Without a doubt, she’d given Lord Herbert unending trouble when she was younger.

Like Tereza, Beatrice had wanted to enjoy her first Season. Many gentlemen vied to court her, but she kept them at arms’ length. Unlike Tereza, Beatrice hadn’t been foolish enough to fall for a man who would not look at her.

“I shall leave that up to you,” Tereza whispered back to her friend as they neared the drawing-room. “It appears as if you already have something in mind.”

“I have a few things, as a matter of fact,” Beatrice confirmed with an impish smile. “But I shan’t say what it is until it is time.”

“I look forward to it.”

They fell silent as they spilled into the drawing-room, they saw that tea and cakes had been set up on a small table between the sofas. Lord Warwick chose to sit in his usual armchair, Lady Warwick on a chaise lounge right next to it. Lord Herbert settled into another armchair facing the left of the room while Tereza and Beatrice sat together on the sofa facing Tereza’s parents.

“Now, Lord Herbert,” Lord Warwick began, his eyes smiling. “What plans do you have for this Season? Will you be searching for a wife of your own?”

“Once Beatrice is married, perhaps I shall consider the idea,” Lord Herbert responded as he raised a cup of steaming black tea to his lips. “Though, at the rate she is going, I fare I will die alone.”

“Brother!” Beatrice gasped.

Lord Herbert chuckled. “I meant no harm, sister. I was only responding to Lord Warwick’s question.”

Beatrice rolled her eyes, then seemed to remember that she was before company. “I believe I have a far better chance at marrying than you ever will,” she stated. Lord and Lady Warwick seemed surprised at her words, but Tereza only laughed. She’d heard her and her brother bicker over far little.

“There is no need to worry, Lord Herbert,” Tereza cut in. She was not interested in the tea but did reach for a small crumbling cake. “I’m certain that Beatrice will find her one true love this Season.”

Lord Herbert looked at her, cocking his head slightly to the side. “Why do you think so, Miss Tereza?”

Tereza shrugged. “I have an inkling.”

“I see.” Then he shifted in his chair, leaning over and resting his elbows on his knees as he regarded her. His eyes adopted a far more scrutinizing look, and for some reason Tereza’s heart skipped a beat. “And what of you, Miss Tereza? Do you think you will find your one true love this Season as well?”

Tereza looked at her mother and realized that they were all staring at her. “Y-yes?” she answered, feeling a little flustered. Then she realized. I hadn’t answered the question.

“Pardon me, Miss Tereza,” Lord Herbert spoke up. He sat back, relaxing once more. “I did not mean for my question to startle you.”

“No, not at all,” Tereza rushed to say. The way he was staring at her…as if he could read her mind. It made her want to get up and rush out of the room. “I…simply do not know how to respond. That is all.”

“I see.”

A dramatic sigh followed his words and Beatrice raised a gloved hand to her forehead. “Oh, heavens. I did not think I would feel so tired so quickly.”

“Miss Beatrice?” Lord and Lady Warwick were no longer looking at Tereza, their attention now solely on Beatrice, whose eyes fluttered excessively as she continued to sigh. Lord Herbert, however, still had not taken his eyes off Tereza. Tereza tried her best to ignore him, turning to her friend in mock concern.

After all, she was quite used to Beatrice’s antics and this was certainly one of them. Perhaps that was the reason Lord Herbert did not seem concerned. Perhaps it was because he knew his sister was simply trying to cause a distraction so that the focus was no longer on Tereza.

“Miss Beatrice, are you all right?” Lord Warwick asked, concerned.

“Yes, My Lord…” She lifted her gaze to him and gave him a smile, which slipped right off a second later. She was quite the actress. “However, I believe the heat of the tea might have drained what energy I had left. I think it would be best if I go to my chambers.”

“Tereza,” Lady Warwick spoke up. She no longer looked concerned, as if she sensed this was all an act. She seemed to be hiding a smile. “Could you please help Beatrice to her bedchambers?”

“Certainly!” Without hesitating, Tereza assisted Beatrice to her feet, who tried to give her a grateful smile but stumbled nonetheless. Tereza caught when Lord Herbert rolled his eyes and hid his smile behind his cup. He stayed where he was as Tereza slid her arm into the crook of Beatrice’s and tugged her away.

Tereza and Beatrice kept up the act until they had left the drawing-room. Once they had made it back to the foyer, they descended into a fit of giggles. Tereza had to hold on to the banister to keep from doubling over in her laughter.

“I should have known!” she said between giggles, tears pricking her eyes.

Beatrice clutched her stomach as she tried to bring herself together. Without a doubt, they looked quite unladylike right now, laughing as heartily as they were, but neither of them really cared. There was no one around to see them anyway.

“I told you I had something planned,” Beatrice told her once she’d calmed down, giving Tereza a wink. She slid her arm into Tereza’s this time, leading her up the staircase. “And now that I have successfully gotten us away, you need to pay me back in kind.”

“I do not recall agreeing to such a thing,” Tereza countered.

“You don’t have much of a choice,” Beatrice quipped. She looked at Tereza with a devilish glint in her eye. “There is only one thing I really want to know and I’m sure you are aware of what that is.”

Tereza nearly sighed. She knew Beatrice hadn’t missed the way she’d faltered after her brother’s question and Tereza really couldn’t blame her for her curiosity.

And Tereza was eager to tell her every detail because at this point, she knew she wouldn’t be able to handle it on her own. She would need all the help she could get.

Chapter Two

Phillip couldn’t believe he’d almost slipped up like that. To think he’d spent so long learning how to keep his feelings to himself and everything had nearly been undone with only one question. He would have pinched himself had he not still be before company.

Lord and Lady Warwick seemed overjoyed to have both him and Beatrice here. As soon as his sister and Miss Tereza left, they’d delved into conversation about the Season. They asked him if he had enjoyed his time in London last year, if he had high hopes for this Season, and even if he was as exasperated by Beatrice as they were by Tereza, seeing that they seemed to be two peas in a pod. Phillip enjoyed the conversation, except when it centered on Tereza.

“You must understand our sentiment, My Lord,” Lay Warwick sighed. She was quite beautiful for her age, the resemblance between her and Miss Tereza nearly uncanny. Phillip had heard that the other Warwick sisters all shared this unrelenting beauty too, though the second eldest did not share the same blond hair and blue eyes.

In fact, if he remembered correctly, the second eldest sister was the now Duchess of Rutherford, a lovely lady who more closely resembled her father with brown hair and similar eyes. Phillip recalled sitting at a dinner table alongside his sister and Miss Tereza, trying not to let the fact that he was listening to their conversation too obvious. She’d gone on and on about her sisters—how gentle and bookish Charlotte was, how witty and obstinate Louisa was, how hopeless Selina could be when it came on to matters of the heart. Phillip remembered how wistful Miss Tereza had sounded as she spoke, and how that same emotion had pierced him.

He forced a smile onto his face, remembering the present company. “Oh, I most certainly do. My sister has given me no end of worries, it seems no man can live up to her expectations, any of my suggestions, she tells me, “He does not seem right Brother”.”

Lady Warwick laughed airily behind her hand. “I’m afraid our concerns with Tereza are more to do with how…carefree she can be. I’ve told her many times that no gentleman wants a lady who is bold enough to attempt standing on a moving horse!”

“Oh, dear, you knew this would happen,” Lord Warwick cut in. “She’s always been that way.”

“Yes, but—” Lady Warwick sighed, shaking her head. “Never mind. I shan’t speak about that now or else I fear I will never stop.”

Phillip only chuckled. Indeed, he was no stranger to the rumors. The Warwick sisters were quite popular gossip and now that most of them were married, Miss Tereza had successfully taken up the mantle of being a topic of conversation for the ton. She was well known for being a lady who never thinks before she speaks and so considered a little naive and unrefined in comparison with her sisters, it was not the kindest of judgements against her and some thought it would limit her prospects – including apparently her parents.

“Tell us, My Lord,” Lord Warwick said, cutting into Phillip’s thoughts. “Since you do not intend on remaining here for long, will you be returning to London?”

“I will, My Lord, though I am not yet certain when that will be. My plan was to stay here for a few days before moving on, but Beatrice is not very fond of that plan and it is quite difficult for me to deny her anything, I’m afraid.”

Lord Warwick chuckled. “Of course, I understand that completely. Denying imploring eyes of our young ladies is a task for stronger men than you and I.”

“Well said, My Lord.” Phillip pushed himself to a stand. “While I am quite enjoying our conversation, My Lord and Lady, I’m afraid I too am very tired after our long trip. I think I will go to my chambers for a short rest before dinner.”

“Of course, My Lord,” Lord Warwick responded. Lady Warwick gave her own pleasant farewell and Phillip left the couple in the drawing-room.

The moment he was alone, he let out a long breath, raising a hand to his heart. It had been racing the moment he set foot inside Warwick Manor and he was afraid that if he did not get some time to himself soon, it would simply give way. He hadn’t expected to react so strongly to simply being here.

But, it has been a while since I last saw her…

Phillip set off towards the front of the manor, where the staircase was. Unbidden, she popped into his head. The dress Tereza had been wearing was simple, just a dark blue morning gown. He’d seen her in far finer fabrics, had seen her hair done in much more elaborate styles. Yet, the sight of her had made his knees weak, had made his tongue as dry as a desert.

Of course, she’d only had eyes for Beatrice. They were the best of friends, after all, and Phillip had made sure not to involve himself in their conversations overly much. He’d maintained his distance, even though he’d watched her from afar. But now, he would be sharing the same manor as her. Quite a large manor, where they hardly needed to cross paths if he so wished, but Phillip didn’t have that much willpower.

What would she say if I were to tell her that I fancied her since the moment I laid eyes on her?

He’d asked himself that question far too many times and had nearly given into the temptation on several occasions. The day he first met her was a day he would never forget. He had hosted a dinner party, right after Beatrice’s debut. She had insisted that her friend be invited, and Phillip hadn’t thought anything of it. Beatrice was quite friendly. She had a great many friends.

But when he saw Beatrice and Miss Tereza together, Phillip knew this friendship was something different. And when he’d introduced himself to her, when she’d turned to him with those large, sincere eyes, he felt something he’d never felt before either.

You’re playing a dangerous game, Phillip. He thought to himself, shaking his head as he headed down the hallway. You hadn’t been around her for more than a few minutes and you nearly revealed it all.

“Oh, Beatrice, I simply do not know what to do!”

The cry came from a short distance ahead of him. Phillip instantly recognized Tereza’s voice—and the distress in her tone—and his heart skipped a beat. Drawing closer, he noticed that he’d come across a bedchamber, which he surmised must be Beatrice’s.

As soon as he concluded thus, he heard his sister’s voice. “Goodness, you’re beginning to scare me, Tereza. What has happened to cause you to be so distraught?”

Phillip knew he should walk away. They clearly didn’t realize that the door was open, and it was quite obvious Beatrice had staged her faint earlier in order to escape. So, whatever they were about to talk about was something they didn’t want anyone else to hear. He bet he would be at the very bottom of that list.

But instead of continuing down the hallway, Phillip drew closer to the door, pressing his back against the wall to listen.

***

Tereza threw herself against Beatrice’s bed, her arms spread wide. She stared up at the ceiling, trying to formulate her words in a way that would not make her seem like such an embarrassment.

Beatrice came to sit next to her, patting her impatiently on the arm. “If you make me wait any longer, Tereza, I promise you, you will regret it.”

“It is not very ladylike of you to threaten someone like that, you know.”

“And it is not very ladylike of you to spread your arms and legs like a starfish, yet here you are. Now, what is the matter? Why do you look like that?”

Tereza rolled onto her stomach, propping her chin on her hands. “There is someone I fancy.”

Beatrice lifted her brows in surprise. “Already?”

“No, no, I’ve been feeling this way since last Season.”

“And I am only hearing about this now?”

“I didn’t know how to say it! I haven’t even told Selina!”

Beatrice drew in a deep breath, visibly calming herself. “Very well. I shall give you the chance to apologize for not telling me sooner, for now, tell me all about this mystery gentleman.”

Tereza just couldn’t keep herself still. She slid off the bed, her dress riding halfway up her thigh when she did. It fluttered down around her ankles as she began to pace back and forth, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Talking about her feelings was something she’d always had a lot of difficulty with.

“I met him during Lady Villimont’s ball,” she began. “We danced with each other and I was smitten from the moment he held my hand. It felt as if I had stepped right into a fairytale, Beatrice.”

“Mm, yes, well a hot and loud ballroom has quite a magical atmosphere.”

Her friend’s droll tone made Tereza laugh, breaking up some of her nervousness. “I don’t know why he decided to ask me to dance because as soon as I was in his arms, he seemed like he was not really interested in me. Not in the way that I’d hoped. He spoke to me as if…as if I was his daughter.”

“His daughter?” Beatrice frowned, tilting her head to the side. A habit shared between brother and sister. “How old is this mystery gentleman?”

“He is Lord William Fletcher, the Earl of Dormer. He is only fifteen years older than I am.” She giggled.

“Ah, I see. So that would make him five-and-thirty.” Beatrice put her hand to her chin in thought. “I suppose I understand where this might be going then. You fear he does not look at you as a woman.”

“That’s exactly it!” Tereza sighed, collapsing back onto the bed again. The force of her fall brought some of her curls loose, but she didn’t care. She would have time to fix it before dinner. “He only danced with me as a matter of courtesy it seemed, and he never looked back at me after that. No matter how much I tried to get his attention, he wouldn’t pay me any mind.”

“I hope you did not make a fool of yourself in the meantime,” Beatrice murmured..

She put her hands over her face, trying to rid her mind of the memories. Throughout last Season, she’d tried her best to position herself wherever Lord Dormer would see her, hoping he would as at least ask her to dance again. That way, she could incite interesting conversation and hopefully not put her foot in her mouth like she had the tendency to do in all her conversations. But she may as well have been invisible for all it seemed to matter to Lord Dormer.

“He won’t pay me any attention because I am nothing but a child in his eyes,” she sighed. “He is also a widower and knows far more about the world than I do. He is a man of far more experience than I could ever hope to have.”

“Well you may be right,” Beatrice agreed. “It is only rumors, but I’ve heard that he enjoys the company of courtesans, it is one thing to be a widower and need some comfort, but to enjoy courtesans’ company clearly means he enjoys more…carnal pleasures. Pleasures that you most certainly know nothing about. One look at you and anyone would be able to tell.”

Tereza rolled her eyes. “You say that as if you are any different than I.”

“I’m not,” Beatrice answered easily. “But I am not the one who is faced with the issue of wanting a man like Lord Dormer to fall for her.”

Tereza sat up. More curls than she’d thought had escaped fell around her face and she roughly shoved it out of the way. “What do you think I should do?”

Beatrice raised her eyes to the ceiling in thought. “I am not certain what you can do about this.”

“Experience,” Tereza said. “I have to get it somewhere. Perhaps when I learn a little more, he will not see me as innocent anymore. At the very least, I might be able to stop blushing whenever he touches me.”

Tereza had always been able to tell what Beatrice was thinking through her eyes. Right now, they flashed with thrill. “Do you know what would be the best way of doing so, Tereza?” Beatrice asked, drawing closer. “You must let Lord Dormer see you with another man! We need to find you a one that can teach you enough of what you need to know, and also make Lord Dormer jealous.”

Tereza had already been contemplating the idea, but hearing it from her friend made her heart skip a beat in fear. She’d never been much like Selina, who’d always longed for her true love. She doubted she would be anything like Charlotte or Louisa, who had not been searching for that love but found it anyway. Tereza wanted to live fully before settling down. Could this be a part of it? An adventure before she secured the man she truly wanted? Could she risk such a thing, surely she only needed to be careful. But who could she ask to undertake such a role?

Just thinking about what it might entail had her body going up in flames.

Beatrice gave her a devilish grin. “Oh, you sweet soul,” she said. “Are you certain you want to do this?”

Tereza nodded her head determinedly. She need only think about Lord Dormer’s deep, sensuous voice and how it had rumbled through her while they danced. “All I need to do is find a gentleman who is willing to teach me all that I wish to know, don’t I? About men’s hearts, what they want, how to be around them. That shouldn’t be too difficult?”

“I agree. You are far too beautiful for any sane man to turn you down. Now,” Beatrice crawled out of bed and proceeded to re-don the bonnet she had been wearing. “Why don’t we go for a walk through the gardens? It is no horse ride, but I believe the sun should help clear our minds and allow us to think of the right candidate for this very important job.”

Tereza eyed her friend, with both wariness and amusement. “I did not expect you to be this invested, Beatrice. Is there something you are hiding from me?”

“Not at all, my dear,” Beatrice sang. She looked over her shoulder at Tereza, running her finger against the brim of her bonnet with a wink. “You know I cannot resist a devious plan.”

Tereza let out a loud and hearty laugh, throwing her hand over her mouth. “With you by my side, Beatrice, I feel as if this will be far easier than I expected.”

“I shan’t let you fail your quest for love, Tereza.” Beatrice came and took Tereza by the arm. “That, I promise you.”

Arm in arm, they left Beatrice’s room, heading towards Tereza’s so that she could fetch her own bonnet. She knew having Beatrice here would make all the difference, her spirits already lifted.

Do you think you will find your one true love this Season as well?

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