Shay.

Rebecca leaned on the bed post and watched Shay slip out of her lilac dress. "What am I to tell your father?"

"Please don't tell him anything, Mama. I've been to five balls, four tea parties and two derbies. I really am trying as I promised. You must know I am never going to form an attraction to Viscount Alderson."

"If word gets back that we left early, what am I going to say? You know how the ton is, Shay? Just because he has gone back to Lytton House to organise the horses, doesn't mean he won't hear about our departure." Rebecca stepped forward and directed Shay onto the chair in front of her mirror. She picked up the brush. "I had been told that the duke was going to be at Sir Walter Gibbons' ball."

"Duke?" Shay gave her a puzzled look.

"Oh. You don't know. Didn't Hannah write and tell you?"

"Mama." Shay laughed. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Edmond's friend." Rebecca stopped brushing Shay's hair and peered at her through the mirror. "The one who went missing."

"What of him? Hannah told me that story when we were at school, because Edmond had written with the sad news."

"Yes. Him. He was found alive. Has returned, and was supposed to be there tonight." Rebecca started to brush Shay's hair again. "You probably wouldn't remember him. We met him once. He came to look at Papa's horses. A very handsome young man."

Shay laughed. "I do remember. I asked him if he was an angel."

"That's right." Rebecca laughed with her. "Papa said you fell out of the tack room covered in boot polish."

"Yes." Shay giggled and creased her forehead. "Where was he found?"

"I don't know." Rebecca lifted her shoulders. "Edmond received a letter before Christmas to say he was well and had returned." She paused, and then opened her mouth wide. "That's right. Apparently, he was taken somewhere against his will. I'm sure that's how it went. That was the night Hannah and Edmond told us they were having a baby. I was more focused on that." She thought some more. "Edmond did say they were going to meet again, and the duke would tell him the full story. I don't believe that has happened just yet."

"It will be an interesting story, I'm sure," Shay said. She let out a sigh.

"What's the matter?" Rebecca frowned. "You're sighing."

"I'm just thinking about tomorrow. The Neilson breakfast. Amanda and I have never gotten on, and without Hannah there this year, I don't know how I'll get through it."

Rebecca laughed. "Alex Temple, son of the King's Conscience, will be there, and he has certainly still shown that he is interested in spending some time with you."

"Yes." Shay blushed and looked at her mother through the mirror. "He has."

"So..." Rebecca teased.

"So..." Shay grinned. "I suppose I was a little hasty in my dismissal of him last year."

Rebecca gave a little squeal. "Papa will be so pleased to know you are not averse to him. Perhaps we could invite him to Lytton House in the near future."

"Mama." Shay gave her a shocked look, but laughed. "Don't go jumping the gun, as Mister Farley, the baker says."

Waving Shay's words away, Rebecca laughed. "Mister Farley can jump over his bags of flour. This is love we're talking about." Her eyes widened as she added, "Papa says if you married him, you will mix with royalty most days, and could state your case concerning the poor and homeless children. Great changes could be made in the direction you have been working towards."

"Mama!" Shay stood and turned to face her parent. "You two have spoken of this at some length, by the sound of it. I must warn you, we are not talking about love and marriage yet."

Rebecca gave her a coy look and shrugged. "No time lost in the planning, my dear."

"Mama! Stop."

Laughing, Rebecca dragged Shay into a hug. "As you please. For now." She pushed Shay back so she could see her face. "As for tomorrow, it will be our last event in London, so you had better enjoy it. The day after, we will be home, and you'll be back with your brothers and sisters. Julia can't wait to see you. She is going to attend the Ludgershall Ball, so you won't be alone for that one."

"What about Hannah? She'll be there too, won't she?"

"If she's feeling well, I'm sure she will." Rebecca laughed. "I can't wait to have everyone home."

Shay laughed with her. "Neither can I."

*

Shay really hadn't wanted to come to the breakfast party. She stood on the lawn, with a cup of tea in her hand, listening to Amanda Neilson prattle.

"He is so handsome and danced with me three times. Mother says I am in his favour. Such a gentleman," Amanda gushed.

Lady Melissa Turning huffed, "I thought he was very rude. Especially last night."

"Really?" Amanda looked down her nose at Melissa. "Perhaps it was because you wore last season's fashion."

"Amanda! That's not true. I brought that dress a month ago. His disposition was very unfavourable. He suddenly ran off to the balcony with his cousins while we were in mid conversation." She fluttered her fan and smiled. "Though, I agree he is handsome, he is also a little..." She paused.

"What?" Amanda put her hand on her hip and scoffed, "Too good for you."

"Scary." Melissa swallowed as she looked at the group of girls. "I was going to say scary, in a mysterious way." She lifted her chin and added, "I saw something in his eyes, which I did not like."

Amanda tittered and turned to look at the rest of the ladies. "Did anyone else think he was scary?"

"Oh no," Lady Katherine Watson cooed. "I've danced with him at least five times and haven't found him scary, though he does seem intense."

"I danced with him last night," Lady Josephine Gibbons said. "He asked me some very strange questions." She pushed a chestnut curl behind her ear and tilted her head seductively. "Aunt said it was because he was testing me. She thinks I am very much in his favour."

Amanda brushed Josephine's comments aside. "Your aunt hasn't got a clue." She looked at Shay. "What about you, Shay? What is your opinion?"

Shay pulled her head back and opened her eyes wide. Was Amanda really asking for her opinion? "To be honest, I really don't know who you are all talking about."

"No," Amanda sneered. "Of course, you wouldn't. His Grace the Duke of Irvine would never look at, or dance with someone who isn't a proper lady. Nor would he care for someone who is, up to her elbows in lower class."

"Amanda," Melissa said affronted. "Shay is doing wonderful work with the poor."

"We are not talking about Shay or her starving children, Melissa. We are talking about His Grace, Samuel Denyer. He is not scary or intense, but broody. Mama says a broody man is very desirable. She says his love making will be very passionate, and it will take a very special woman to deal with him." Amanda giggled and turned her nose down at each of the girls. "She says that woman is me."

Shay couldn't help laughing.

Amanda turned on her. "What's so funny?"

"I'm sorry, Amanda." Shay blushed and bit on her lip. "I was just wondering. If you are in his favour so much, where is he today?"

Melissa tittered and quickly put her arm through Shay's. "Have a pleasant morning, Amanda. Shay I can see your mother calling you." She clamped her mouth shut and ushered Shay away. When they were out of ear shot, she giggled. "You are so funny, Shay. Amanda will never forgive you this time. You basically just put another handful of mud in her face."

"Oh." Shay laughed and looked over her shoulder. "I think you're right. She is glaring at me so hard that I don't think I will ever be invited here again."

"Do you care?" Melissa leaned in closer and grinned mischievously.

"No." Shay laughed. "I really don't." She looked at Melissa. "The poor duke, if he marries her."

Melissa roared with laughter. "I think they deserve each other."

Oh My, I think Shay has thrown more mud in Amanda's face, hahaha

Do you think Samuel will care if Shay isn't a lady born, and will marry Amanda instead, because she is?

Photo taken from Pinterest.