Thomas stood at the bottom of the stairs and watched his girls make their way down. He couldn't help but smile. Hannah was stunning. A truly beautiful woman. Shay took his breath away. There was something so ethereal about her. She was pure. He couldn't believe the change in her.

Sending her to Paris had been the best thing he could have done. After her one indiscretion, having covered another girl's face in mud, there had been no complaints from the school. Even though she was still down to earth, spoke her mind, and had been outside as much as the weather had allowed, Shay was graceful. She carried herself like a relaxed lady. There was no pomp about her.

Holding an arm out to each of them, Thomas said, "Are you ready my lovelies? Our guests are waiting."

Shay looked over at Hannah and caught her sister's eye. Hannah was so nervous. She and Edmond had been writing for over a year, and this would be the first time they'd see each other since Hannah was fourteen and a half. "Yes," Shay whispered. "We are ready and are going to have so much fun."

*

Edmond stood with his mouth agape as Thomas Lytton led the two beautiful young women into the room. He recognized Hannah instantly. She was everything he dreamed she would be. The red velvet dress lit up her face. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled and spoke to his parents. Even though he knew she was not yet seventeen, she was a grown woman in his eyes.

He focused on the other girl and had to swallow a lump in his throat. He had never met her, but had only heard the story his good friend Samuel had told him, about the imp in the barn, covered in manure. A flicker of sadness swept over him at the thought of Samuel. A life taken too soon.

He had been missing, presumed dead for over eighteen months. Edmond had been told his brother Frederick had taken to his bed suddenly, seriously ill, these past few weeks. He was going to call in on his way back to London.

Pushing these depressing thoughts aside, Edmond focused on Shay. She was a true beauty. Her hair was done up on the top of her head. Lilac ribbon that matched her dress had been woven through it. She wasn't as tall or as shapely as Hannah, but still a woman. Hannah's breasts were on display, Shay's only partly. Her dress was more fitted showing her subtle curves and flat stomach. Edmond watched as her full lips parted in the most relaxed and genuine smile he had ever seen. Nothing like the child Samuel had described. He wondered what he would think of her, if he were alive today to see her.

As they came closer, Edmond tensed. Though Shay was stunning, it was Hannah who had his heart. They had been writing for over a year and he had come to love her without seeing her. As he looked at Hannah, their eyes met, he knew she was everything he wanted in a wife. He bowed and took her hand. It was so warm and soft. "Miss Lytton," he said. "It is so wonderful to see you again."

He was much taller than Hannah remembered. She curtsied, kept her head bowed for longer than was needed, hoping the heat she could feel on her cheeks, would fade. "Mr. Witherspoon." She stood and stared into his light brown eyes. Hannah thought she could get lost in them, if she didn't look away. She turned and said, "Let me introduce you to my sister, Shay."

Edmond bowed his head and took Shay's hand. "It is so nice to meet you. Hannah has told me so much about you and your time together in Paris." He indicated his friend with his hand. "This is Mr. Benjamin Patterson."

The girls curtsied. Benjamin stepped forward, took each of their hands in turn, and placed a kiss on the back of them. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Mr. Patterson has become a partner in 'Wither Shipping'." Edmond smiled and patted his friend on the back, hoping this news might put him in favour with Shay.

Holding his thumb and forefinger opened an inch, Benjamin said, "A small partner." He couldn't believe Edmond had acquaintance with two such attractive women. Ed had told him of Hannah but nothing of the sister Shay, so different to each other, yet so beautiful.

*

The evening went well. Shay had a wonderful time. Edmond and his friend were very nice, as were Edmond's parents. Father Hampton had given her a compliment of sorts. That is, if you could call, you are growing up very nicely, a compliment. Even the Dowager had been less snooty towards her. Shay grinned as she sat and pulled the ribbon from her hair.

"What are you smiling about?" Hannah, now in her night clothes, flopped on the bed. "Are you thinking about Mr. Patterson?"

"No..." Shay giggled. "I'm not a silly love-struck girl like you, Hannah. How many times have I told you, I am not interested in finding a husband?"

"Oh." Hannah waved her words away. "I saw the way he was looking at you, and you can't deny he is handsome."

"Hannah." Shay gave her a serious look. "I am not interested in Mr. Patterson in that way, so don't you imply that to Edmond, next time you write him a letter."

"I won't have to write him a letter. He has asked father if he may come and see me tomorrow." Hannah beamed. She cocked her head in pleading. "Shay?"

"Yes." Shay gave her an exasperated look. Every time Hannah said her name in such a way it meant she wanted Shay to do something that she was most probably not going to enjoy. "Will you entertain Mr. Patterson so Edmond and I might enjoy some conversation on our own?"

"Hannah..." Shay dropped her shoulders. "I just knew you were going to ask me something like this." She sighed. "I don't want to encourage him. I don't want him to think of me in a romantic way."

"It's just a walk." Hannah sat up and took Shay by the hands. "I'm sure Mr. Patterson is too busy and old to be interested in anyone as young as you. Edmond says he is five and twenty. Surely, he is ready for marriage, and you won't come out for another year." Hannah looked at Shay pleadingly. "Please... we will be back in Paris in a week, so you will never have to see him again."

*

Benjamin Patterson looked down at Shay as they walked. Last night, dressed as she was, she was so stunning that he had found it hard to stop looking at her. Today she was indescribable, dressed in a plain skirt and blouse, with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, and to still look so pretty, amazed him. Her hair was tied back with a ribbon so it ran the length of her back in swirls and waves. It was so thick he could have braided it and used it as a ships rope. Loose wisps framed her face. She smiled as the wind caught her skirt and wrapped it around her legs. She lifted her face so the gust could sweep the untied tresses from her eyes. Benjamin wished he could have done that. To be able to touch her clear porcelain skin and tuck her locks behind her delicate ears, would send him away a very happy man.

He made a conscious effort to keep some distance between them. Benjamin looked over his shoulder. The housemaid Lily, was trailing behind to chaperone the two girls. Edmond and Hannah were in front, talking and laughing. Every now and then, Edmond took hold of Hannah's arm in the pretence of helping her step over something.

"I believe you return to Paris in a week." He smiled. "At least, that is what Edmond tells me."

"Yes." Shay grinned again as the wind played more games. She drew her hair back, held it with one of her hands and clutched her shawl together with the other as she smiled up at him. "This wind. I can't believe how gusty it is today." She looked at the couple in front of them. "I hope Hannah is warm enough. I told her to bring her stole but she has forgotten it."

As she spoke Edmond took off his coat and wrapped it around Hannah's shoulders. Shay gasped. "Well! If I'm not a spaewife!"

"I'm sorry?" Benjamin gave her a puzzled look. "A what?"

"Spaewife." Shay shrugged and grinned sheepishly before saying, "Fortune teller." She blushed and looked over her shoulder. "Lily is Scottish. I've been listening to her for too long." She pointed at Edmond and Hannah. "I was worried Hannah wasn't warm enough, and as if he could read my thoughts, Mr. Witherspoon offered her his coat." Shay lifted her shoulders again and held out her palms. "Perhaps I am a Spaewife, and was able to read their future." She grinned again and looked up at Benjamin. "What do you think, Mr. Patterson? Am I a fortune teller, or did Mr. Witherspoon read my mind."

"I think. I..." Benjamin was lost for words. Her cheeks had coloured and those green eyes, peering up at him, sparkling as they were, had him tongue tied. He put his closed fist to his mouth and cleared his throat. "I think you must be a witch." Benjamin froze. "I'm sorry that wasn't what I meant." He held up his hands as if to ward off an enemy. "Oh, please forgive me, I meant magic. Someone who casts spells. A witch doesn't give one a good impression. Perhaps fairy." Benjamin shook his head. "No, no, no. Angel." Benjamin wished he'd just shut up. The girl was looking at him like he was funny in the head. "Yes, an angel, Miss Lytton. I think you are an angel."

"Oh." Shay didn't know what to say to that. She vaguely recalled someone else telling her she was an angel, but couldn't remember who.

"I hope I haven't offended you, Miss Lytton. It was meant as a compliment." Benjamin hoped he hadn't ruined any chance he might have had.

"Oh, no. I'm not offended." Shay gave him a smile. The poor man looked very flustered, and she didn't want him to feel he had upset her. "It's just that an angel has mighty shoes to fill, Mr. Patterson."

Benjamin's heart hammered in his chest. He loved the way she said things. What other lady would say, an angel has mighty shoes. He beamed down at her. "I hope you don't mind me saying, Miss Lytton. You are..." What to say? He wanted to say beautiful. He wanted to say stunning. He wanted to say gorgeous.

Shay held her breath. Benjamin Patterson was looking at her as Jack had, the day Tommy said he was sweet on her. She prayed Mr. Patterson wasn't getting sweet on her, because she was sure she hadn't flirted.

"A very good spaewife."

Shay burst into laughter. She bent over and slapped her hands on her thighs. Edmond and Hannah spun around to see what was happening.

Benjamin followed Shay and roared with humour. He could not believe such a girl existed in this world. He could not believe he had met her. What he found even more amazing, was that she was here, standing in front of him, laughing so loudly without any inhibitions at all, and he found that very alluring.

Oh, I think Benjamin has fallen in love with Shay.  Do you think he will be able to get her to fall in love with him?

Join me next week to see if Ben can win Shay's heart, and if Khalil is treating Samuel well.

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