Chapter one

June 16, 1808

He ran through the thick growth of grasses and shrubs hoping to be at the table on time.He looked down at his bruised knee and mud splattered , askew clothing.He was done for.Father would never forgive him.Mother would cry.Grandma- no- lady Chadwick would look at him from beneath her nose and declare what punishment he deserved.

Today , he didn't get punished.

He got a long lecture.

Father sat him down in his forbidding study and told him exactly who he was.He was the heir to the Chadwick duchy, the next Marquess of Linsbury, Earl of Covetry and Radford.The next viscount Leicester and Leeds.The man who will be the largest land owner soon.Who will be responsible for tenants .Who will marry a proper lady and begat heirs too.A man the whole world was waiting for , to fail.

And if he failed it'd break his mother's heart and likely kill her.It'd destroy everything their family had worked for.

He was born to be a powerful man.There was no spare.As the sole heir , he couldn't afford stupid mistakes.The six year old Luke watched wide eyed as his father explained it all in his calm , detached voice.The next day , Luke didn't go frolicking in the forest across the lake .He dogged his father around and learned not to slurp his soup.That three hour lecture in his father's study had created Luke Hastings.For the rest of his life, he swore to never disappoint his father's legacy.

March, 1834

"how do I look?"Missy spun around and around and then dipped into what must have been a curtsy for all the lack of elegance it portrayed.

Her maid Eunice snorted "Like a rainbow"

Missandrei giggled and looked down from her bedroom window.Her sisters were under the shade of the orchard trees painting .Of all things.Their dainty fingers were moving over the canvas so delicately.It hurt her eyes.And their giggling was like pins to her ears.She sighed.They must be so bored all the time.They never got to ride horses or go fishing or shooting.

Sad.

"Please get out of that monstrosity of a dress.It's hurting my eyes"her brother's voice said from the door.Eunice jumped and scurried away.

"Lady Fernsworth has ordered me to learn a thing or two about dressing"Missy squeezed her face in distaste.Henry laughed "I don't think she meant that.And whatever do you need a dress for? You are safely on the shelf"

She sighed wishing she could grin at him and say "high enough to be a cobweb"

"what's that sigh for?"

"I'm having a last season before father and the countess send me off to the country.Oh , how i wished I could run away and just go to Aunt Diana"

Henry's brows furrowed "but you are four and twenty.You can't have a season!"

She scowled"I know my age Henry"

Henry was her half brother.The countess' son.Missy's mother had died when she was six.Her father had married the then widowed Eleanor and adopted Henry and Bridgette.And then Prudence and Bethany had come along.This was Bri's third season and prudence and Bethany's first.The girls had decided to come out together even though Prudy was supposed to have come out a year ago.Henry was still at Eton but Missy always looked forward to his holidays.

Bridgette was as uptight and straight-laced as the countess.Prudy and Beth were giggling fools with not a brain between them.

And the countess hated Missy with all of her might .Even when she was good .The first few years , Missy had put on a dress and tried to sit and talk and walk like a girl .Her efforts seemed to make the countess hate her even more so she had gone back to sneaking off to the stables and practicing archery with the stable hand's son Tierry.

Whenever Henry was around , he joined the fun but with decidedly more discretion.

The countess said Missy's red hair was brazen and looked like the devil's halos of fire .She said her golden eyes were unusual and her dark lashes indicated a loose quality.Her red mouth was brazen too.Her height was unnatural for a girl.Her hips were too large , her waist too narrow, her breasts too full.The countess had something to say about every part of her.

Missy had tried dying her hair , cutting it , hot combing it and then she had given up , letting the red ringlets grow wild .Eunice tried her best to tame it.She was her best friend .Then Henry , then Tierry who had kissed her two years ago .She had asked for the kiss because she wondered what the fuss was all about.It hadn't been special a bit.She had thanked him and walked away adding another point on her reasons why being a proper society miss was boring .And now she had another season.Oh well , she'd linger at the edge of the ballroom, avoid all men because she'd discovered her red hair and ample decotellage were men magnets.She'd steal off halfway through whatever ball or soiree she was being forced to endure and explore the library and portraits in the house.

It'd all pass quickly and then she'd be in the country with Aunt Diana, riding to her hearts content.Filling her belly like she wanted and not bothering to tame her hair or wear a suitable dress.

"Do you want me to talk to father for you?"Henry asked 

"it's no use.He's quite made up his mind.But no bother.This shall pass as grudgingly as ever and then I'd be free"

"I will be there with you mostly so it shan't be that bad"

She rolled her eyes at him "you all but abandon me at the first sight of Lady Darren"

She watched his face go red "me?, I? Truly? I haven't noticed"

"Ah.Yes"she smirked "you are two and twenty Henry.She's probably going to marry a rich Earl this year.You should be out going to brothels or gambling not paying attendance to someone you can't have"

"I don't pay attendance to her and what do you know of Brothels"

She laughed "the right question is what don't I know of brothels"

He leaned forward threateningly

"cool your horses Henry.I'm still an undefiled maiden.I just read and listen"

"You are too adventurous for your own good Missy"he said "it's your last season anyway.Wish you luck"

"I don't need luck.This is easier than walking"

"I'm wishing you luck nonetheless.Fall in Love , marry , have babies"

She snorted.He leaned forward and tugged at her ear.She yelped .Before she could smack him , he was out the door , his laughter trailing after him.When she got her hands on that little rascal.