Mary flinched. “What lady has not?”

Felicity sighed. “How true and how unfortunate. You know, I can teach you how to brandish a parasol. . . Or stomp on a booted foot most effectively.”

Mary considered this and put her needlework down. “I don’t know if mother would approve.”

“Tosh. I’m sure William would.”

“It would be nice not to feel at the mercy of a man.”

“Exactly,” crowed Felicity. “And after, we shall go for a walk in the park. One needs strong legs to stomp properly.”

Mary giggled. “I imagine.”

“Stand up then.”

Felicity held her parasol firmly. “Now, I will show you a few things to try. My parasol is reinforced, so not merely decoration. We shall have some made for you.”

Mary’s eyes widened but she nodded.

Clearing her throat, Felicity raised her arm. “You can, of course, bash someone in a good downward stroke.”

She demonstrated, bringing the closed parasol down in a clear arc.

“You can also jab with the pointy end,” Felicity explained. “To do this, you draw your elbow back to your side, place your feet firmly, twist and thrust!”

Felicity grinned as she performed the action upon an imaginary opponent.

“You can also do the same downward jab onto a man’s foot. This is wonderful for outdoors,” Felicity clarified. “Clearly, when one is at a ball or such one doesn’t carry a parasol, hence I will show you stomping.

“Goodness.”

“You see,” Felicity rested her parasol against her side. “My father made no mystery about the fact that not everyone is an honorable sort. In fact, there are a good number of blackguards about.”

Mary blushed. “I see.”

“He wanted his daughters to be able to protect themselves.” Felicity stopped. “I say, am I shocking you too much?”

“Smelling salts are not necessary but it is all bit surprising.”

“Is this terribly bad?” Felicity asked carefully.

“Most definitely not. I think it marvelous.”

“Good. Let’s give it a go.”

Mary put her needlework down then took the offered parasol.

Felicity backed out of range. “Stand near the center of the room, until you feel in control. We shouldn’t wish to bash any of your mother’s vases.”

Mary held the parasol tentatively and swung but then she did it again, and again, each swing growing more determined.

“Now the jab,” urged Felicity.

Mary nodded, her face growing serious with concentration. She wound her arm back then thrust forward.

“A perfect attempt!” cheered Felicity.

“I do beg your pardon, but are you two fencing?” William asked as he strode in.

Felicity tensed. She suddenly realized that, perhaps, she was making a very bad mistake. What if William didn’t want his sister learning such a thing?

“Hello, William. Felicity was just teaching me to defend myself against bounders.”

He smiled kindly. “Do you know many?”

Mary’s mouth straightened. “A few.”

William’s eyes narrowed. “Who? I’ll have a word.”

Mary sighed.

Felicity cleared her throat. “That is very kind, William, but it is also good if Mary can defend herself, no?”

He turned and stared at her. He cocked his head to the side. “Like you?”

She nodded, praying it was something he liked about her.

His face darkened for a long moment. “If I hadn’t been in that room and you hadn’t known how to take care of yourself, Trumbold. . .”

“Yes, but I did and you were,” she reminded.

Turning to his sister, he declared, “I think it wonderful that you’re learning, Mary.”

Mary beamed. “We are going for a walk after we finish.”

William’s eyebrows lifted. “You aren’t one for constitutionals.”

“Felicity said it’s important to be strong.”

William returned his stare to his wife but instead of accusation, she saw approval.

“Felicity has the right of it,” he said. “My afternoon is suddenly free. A meeting has been cancelled. Would you two like company on your walk or do you fancy time alone?”

“Oh, I think we could just manage to bear the extra company,” Felicity teased, thrilled that her husband not only approved but wished to spend time with her.

“Especially if we all stop for an ice,” added Mary.

William nodded. “I can think of no better way to spend my time than with two such intelligent and independent women.”

As he glanced into Felicity’s eyes, she felt his consideration as if he weren’t entirely certain what to make of her. She felt her heart skip then. For she wanted him to approve. And while he seemed to at present, she felt as though she were holding her breath waiting to be told she was too much. But for now, she’d enjoy the afternoon and not worry if her upbringing would eventually bring his censure. After all, things were going far too well for that.

***

Guests milled about the packed ballroom and Felicity forced herself to beam at them despite the fact she felt as if they’d all come to gape at her.

The dinner had evolved into a full-fledged evening of the most important members of the ton. Two hundred guests had been invited including the Prince of Wales and his set.

She couldn’t believe how quickly she’d gone from being at the center of society, to the outskirts, then back to the center again. She did rather wonder if her mother-in-law was as stunned as she was by the large turnout of guests who were all drinking and having a marvelous time.

After several days, it had become clear that her mother-in-law was going to be a small difficulty. However, if the Dowager Marchioness thought she was going to ruin Felicity’s happiness, the older but attractive lady was very much mistaken.

At least, Felicity was fairly certain that her mother-in-law’s general unwillingness to be truly welcoming was her genuine distrust of Felicity’s family and reputation.

Still, it hadn’t stopped Lady Marksborough from being fairly unpleasant, even if it had all been behind a smile.

Felicity was determined, however, to win the woman over. She refused to be a wedge in the family, especially since she had not been her husband’s choice but rather a wife forced upon him.

To her dismay, William had been often gone, but she was proud of him. He hadn’t been going racing or fooling about as so many gentlemen of the ton did. Oh no, he had been at Parliament every day and was often in meetings at his club or bringing other serious looking gentlemen into his study, discussing the future of Europe.

Her husband was an important man who seemed to think that marriage was merely a positive step towards accepting the responsibilities of his title.

Some of his friends had eyed her strangely when they had come to the house, but so far all had been pleasant enough.

Now, she stood overseeing the crowd, a glass of champagne in hand.

“You’re a triumph, dear girl!”

Lady Melbourne’s strong voice punctured her reverie and Felicity turned. “I’m certain you’ve had a great deal to do with that.”

“Not a bit of it, my dear,” denied Lady Melbourne generously. “I merely opened the gates. They’ve all flooded in to know you.”

“They’re all whispering that I’m going to be as mad as my father.” She couldn’t forget that moment when she’d stood outside the library and William’s mother had voiced her cutting concerns.

She’d always known what society was thinking but it was another thing to hear it.

“Your father isn’t mad, he’s just very different.”

“To some, I think that’s just as damning.” She drew in a fortifying breath. “At least, that isn’t hereditary.”

“Isn’t it?” Lady Melbourne queried lightly. “You aren’t like so many of the other young women about. None of your sisters are. I shouldn’t like you so much if you were.”


“Thank you. But I worry. . .”

“Yes?” Lady Melbourne arched a questioning brow.

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

Even now, her sisters were all dancing with different gentleman, all of whom were highly placed. Lady Melbourne could stop assisting them if she wished. Felicity’s marriage had locked her and her sisters back into a reasonably good status.

“If you are worried, you should share the burden, Felicity,” Lady Melbourne urged.

“It is nothing. Truly.”

The fact was she was growing more and more concerned that her husband wouldn’t like her if she was truly herself. It was something she daren’t give voice to. Oh, she hadn’t been pretending at being someone else, but they spent so little time together and, frankly, they had little chance to converse. When they did it was all pleasantries.

She longed to speak intimately with him. To discuss poetry and politics, but perhaps he thought a wife wasn’t meant for such things.

She couldn’t complain if he did. Most men felt that way. At least, he was kind.

And his sisters adored him! My goodness, if she’d ever needed evidence that William was a good man it was there in the way his sisters fairly worshipped him.

In turn, he adored them.

It had heartened her greatly.

Thankfully, his sisters had welcomed her with open arms and, over the last days, Mary and she had begun to converse more about real things than lace and bonnets. Perhaps, Mary had a bit of a bluestocking beneath her seemingly perfect person.

“Might I intrude, Lady Melbourne?” William’s wonderful, deep baritone filled the air. “I should very much like to dance with my wife.”

Lady Melbourne waved graciously.

Felicity placed her drink on a passing tray and allowed herself to be swept away in William’s arms.

It wasn’t her imagination as she realized almost every set of eyes within their vicinity was watching them.

Was it because William was so handsome? So charming? He certainly seemed to be a darling of the ton. In fact, she always felt her heart flutter and her spirits lighten in his presence.

So, it was impossible to blame the ton for feeling the same. Still, she didn’t like the way the ladies eyed him. The married ladies. As if he were a sumptuous meal to be eaten.

He belonged to her!

It was, perhaps, entirely irrational, but she did feel as if he belonged to her. Somehow, since that night in which he had come to her rescue, she’d decided that even if she might not be exactly what he wanted in a wife, he was what she desired in a husband.

And she was determined to prove a perfect wife.

The music swelled and the dance that began was a rather intimate one, with twirling and hand clasping. He took her gloved hands in his and began the dance with easy confidence.

Her ruby gown swirled about her and brushed his legs as they made their way about the ballroom.

“Do you approve of the evening?” she asked.

“Without doubt, it is very pleasant. I commend you. May it be the first of many.”

She smiled. “I am delighted to be your hostess.”

“I’m glad.”

Here it was. A chance to show she wished to be more than an ornament. “Perhaps we should host a dinner for your parliamentary friends.”

He laughed. “I don’t have friends in Parliament. Not really. They’re all crusty old men, except for a few. So, I think you’d find it very boring.”

“I doubt it,” she continued, determined not to be brushed aside. “And I want to help you in any way I can.”

His brow furrowed. “Truly? You wouldn’t mind?”

“I should love it,” she enthused. “I promise I am more than simple decoration.”

“There is nothing simple about you.” His tone indicated he was paying a compliment. “But the dinners can be long and tedious. I don’t even know if you agree with my politics.”


“Does it matter?” she asked.

He blinked, clearly surprised. “One would think so.”

“The ability to debate? To converse? To engage one’s mind? That is what matters,” she said. “We do not have to agree on everything to admire each other or care for each other.”

“How right you are,” he agreed, his face beaming with pleasure. “I feel this is a sentiment your father must have espoused.”

“It was. He held very firm views, but he would listen to others with genuine interest.”

“Your father did make many enemies.”

Ruefully, she replied, “Because of ladies, gambling, and drink, but not because of his politics.”

William laughed. “I do not think I have ever met a woman like you, Felicity.”

Her mouth dried. “That may not be a good thing.”

“Do not worry yourself,” he assured as he turned her about the floor, easily navigating the other couples. “I know you will settle into being my marchioness over time and if you wish to host political dinners for me, I’d be grateful. A supportive wife is an excellent thing for a man to have.”

“I wish to make your life easy.”