Chapter One

Pawns in an elaborate game of chess. That’s all any of them were. At least that’s the way Lord Drake, second Duke of Wilshire saw the guests attending society tonight. He was one to normally avoid the London Season, however certain duties could no longer be put off. Finding himself a suitable wife and producing an heir was one of those duties.

He took another sip of his champagne and let his eyes rove over the women on the market. There were certainly some pretty girls among the groups, but they were all flighty, simpering chits that could never hope of obtaining his attention for long.

Still, his title must have a successor and therefore he would have to eventually choose one of these young ladies to court and marry. He found no pleasure in such a notion and wished he could put this whole damn business off for one more Season. The only reason he could not was a simple, yet terrifying one. His mother. The older woman had seen fit that if he would not choose his own wife she would thrust her own choices at him.

He and his mother had two very different opinions on what made a suitable wife. So far all the women she had thrust at him had been dull and not very attractive. She was growing impatient with him and so he had packed himself away to London in the hopes of finding one woman who he would find some interest in.

“Ah Wilshire, fancy you crawling off your prime country land to grace us with your presence!” A deep voice called as it approached. Drake smiled and turned to greet his friend. To most ears, the greeting would sound condescending, or even cutting to the man it was directed. Drake knew otherwise as he clasped hands with Lord Huntington. Viscount Huntington, or Jacob as Drake had always known him, was the second most sought after bachelor. His vast wealth rivaled most of the higher peer; the only man above him would be Drake himself.

The two had been childhood friends and had gone to Oxford together. As they both entered adulthood together they had remained friends and business partners. Now the two made a fortune in the trading industry. They were envied by most investors for their ability to always be one step ahead of the game.

“Did the Duchess Elena finally send you here with your tail between your legs ol’ boy?” Jacob grinned at him and Drake chuckled.

“Something like that. Mother has become intolerable with her insistence that I find a wife. So I have finally decided to indulge her and have come to market, so to speak.”

Jacob nodded and, taking a drink of his own glass, gazed out over the crowded ballroom. He grunted and gave Drake and unimpressed look which made the man chuckle again. He was suddenly in better spirits, knowing he would have a friend to keep him company during this uneventful Season. Of course it was just beginning, but he doubted something-anything would change his mind.

“Seen anything that keeps your fancy yet?” Jacob asked as he indicated a small group of women standing across from them on the edge of the dance floor. Drake looked over the women and noticed one or two that were pretty, but nothing else about them stood out. He supposed that was all he could hope to find in the city. A pretty wife, who wouldn’t cause him too much trouble once he took her to his country estate.

When he didn’t respond Jacob chuckled and turned to face Drake completely, a bored expression on his face.

“Yes, I find these young debutantes quite boring as well. However, that is not the problem. The problem is that you my friend, are no longer a young man and need to start counting the months before you are twice these girls’ age.” Jacob began to laugh at the scowl Drake gave him. Soon the scowl softened though and he found himself laughing alongside Jacob. He gave his friend an odd look and responded,

“I am merely twenty eight and you are two years my senior. It is you who will find themselves no longer a prize on the market.”

Jacob shrugged and took another drink. He looked at the women and grimaced,

“That may not be such a bad thing. Maybe I can find a lusty widow to marry and procure the line that way. I find this whole courtship thing tedious and tiring to one’s soul.”

“Surely it is not all that bad?” Drake said slapping his friend on the back and grinned as the man winced. Jacob was no weakling, with his six foot frame. Compared to Drake though, the man was an imp. Drake was always something of an oddity in his size.

Drake stood at a massive six foot four and found that he towered over everyone he came in contact with. Something he had taken advantage of in his business transactions. He was often referred to, behind his back, as the ‘pirate investor’. His expansive frame was not the only feature that had earned him such a title. His raven black hair and eyes also came in handy when dealing with unwilling traders.

His cold demeanor and sharp features had helped him expand his trading company and ensure that when he had an heir, his son would have an already successful way of providing for himself. Jacob jabbed him in the ribs to get his attention back to the party. The man was looking off toward the entrance with a sadistic smile on his face.

“Ah, no longer will this be a boring event now that she has graced us with her presence. Take care friend, there’s one woman you want to avoid.”

Drake frowned and turned to see whom his friend was referring and nearly dropped his drink. The woman was beautiful, possibly to most beautiful woman he had ever seen! She was a small thing, very slim, even for society’s standards. He doubted her slim waist was all due to her stays. She had pale skin, made to look paler by her fearful expression. Her pale blonde hair was pulled up and allowed to gently curl against her shoulders. When he was better able to see her face he caught sight of her green eyes.

Jacob was still smiling and Drake also noticed that several of the matrons were tittering behind their fans. He frowned as he watched the young woman and her companion, an elderly woman move among the crowd. He noticed the strain in the poor girl’s face and yet she stood tall and smiled sweetly at all she came near. Her eyes swept the ballroom and caught his eye. He smiled and bowed his head slightly to her and she flushed prettily. Drake found a stirring in his gut as he stared at the mystery woman. Maybe there was something that could make this visit more interesting.

“Don’t even think of it boy.” Jacob whispered as he took the last drink of his champagne and glanced at Drake. Drake frowned and indicated with his head towards the woman. Jacob understood the question and explained.

“That is the young Lady Lillian. She is the only daughter of Mr. Edward Evergreen. He is a wealthy merchant who has made a small fortune for himself in trading exotic wares. He and his family have recently been accepted into society. Mostly anyways. The poor girl is still too green to the laws of society and has been cut by many sharp tongues.”

Drake nodded and while watching the girl spoke to his friend.

“Many members of the underclass have stepped over the line into high society by making a name for themselves. Even so, they are still looked down upon by most of the peer. That’s not saying that the girl won’t make a suitable match. Maybe a Baron or a second son will have her?”

Jacob raised his eyebrow at him and said,

“Oh? No longer interested yourself my lord?”

Drake gave him a look that spoke volumes to how stupid said question was.

“It’s as you warned Jacob. I need a wife who can step into the role of duchess. That means a well-bred lady of high society. Not a young girl trying to make her life less unbearable as a merchant’s daughter. Still, I do feel sorry for her. It seems that none of the gentlemen in attendance are paying her much mind.”

It was true. All the men seemed to be avoiding any contact with the young Miss Lillian. How could a lady as pretty as she not spark any amount of interest? There had to be another reason the lady was not sought after.

“There’s more to this than just her social ranking isn’t there? I’ve known several young ladies who have come out in society and made decent matches. What are you not mentioning Jacob?”

Jacob looked at Drake and gave him another grin. Drake didn’t think it tactful to be smirking at another’s suffering, even if that was the way society behaved. He glanced back over to Lady Lillian and she looked as if she wanted to shrink in on herself. Her chaperone was talking quietly to her and the woman was nodding, but looked completely miserable. He felt sorry for the poor mouse that was being stalked by the hungry cats of the ton, waiting to tear her apart.

“Lady Virginia has taken a particular dislike to the girl and has used her sharp tongue and influence to make her seem undesirable.”

Drake felt his groin shrink at the mention of the shrew’s name. Lady Virginia, daughter of Viscount Woulhart was considered the most beautiful debutante in society. Looking at Lady Lillian, he could see how she felt threatened. If Miss Lillian was taken under the wing of the right people, she would become the shining star of the Season and many men would be enraptured by her. Naturally any competition must be stomped into the ground at first sight. That was how Miss Virginia worked and why he had taken great pains to avoid the twit.

Drake frowned as he looked at all the wagging tongues directed at the young woman who was doing nothing other than standing by her chaperone. His frown deepened as he noticed Lady Virginia standing among some other women and giving young Miss Lillian a triumphant smile.

“Poor thing probably wishes she never came to London now. Makes for some entertainment on an otherwise dull evening though. To see just how far Lady Virginia and her mama are willing to go to ruin the girl’s chances.”

“Someone higher up than the pair simply needs to step in on her behalf and take her under their wing. Then society would accept her.” Drake said as he snatched two more glasses of champagne for him and Jacob. He handed the man the glass and caught the glint in his eye. Jacob raised an eyebrow again and smirked.

“Who would be brave enough to challenge the Viscountess Woulhart? The woman is notorious for spreading the worst gossip about any person who crosses her.”

Drake frowned and looked at Lady Lillian. She was paling even further under the scrutiny of the crowd. It was sad to know that Jacob was right, none of the matrons would cross Viscountess Woulhart. Lady Teresa would make it difficult to launch their own young ladies into society.

“What about you my lord?” Jacob interrupted his thinking and Drake turned to stare at the man. Jacob was standing there calmly waiting for a response as he smiled at him. Drake frowned further and narrowed his eyes.

“What are you playing at Jacob? Not five minutes ago you were warning me off the girl and now you think I should court her to help pave her way in society?”

Jacob waved his hand and chuckled,

“No of course not! I am not suggesting you court the girl. Merely that you offer her friendship to help move through the ton without much censor. Even the Viscountess wouldn’t come after you with her sharp tongue.”

Drake hesitated as he thought about it. True he could make things easier for the woman, but he didn’t see why he should. He felt sorry for her yes, but not enough to put forth such effort. He was here to find a wife and to leave as soon as he could. Return to the freedom and safety of his country estate. Jacob cleared his throat and there was strange spark in the man’s gaze.

“Shall we make a wager of it? Could make a dull Season much more interesting?”

That got Drake’s attention. The two men were used to making bets with one another. Both being partners in trading they would often bet on whose investment would yield more profits and other nonsensical topics. He looked from his friend to the young woman again and whispered,

“What sort of wager?”

Jacob’s grin widened and he raised his glass in proposition.

“Let’s wager on whether or not you can help the young woman step into society and make a decent match for herself. Pave the way for her to enter the ton and show those stuff-heads that she is to be praised as a shining star instead of shunned.”

Drake stroked his chin in thought and wondered if it would be possible? The girl seemed to have some ideas of society’s rules as she was holding her own among the peerage, even if a smite pale while doing so. It would be a difficult challenge to show that she was worth the pursuit, despite the target that would place on ones back. He grinned himself then, he always loved a challenge.

“Alright. What shall be the prize of this wager? A thousand pounds?”

Jacob shook his head and snorted,

“You know that neither of us would even notice such a small amount missing. No what I want is much more personal. I want your prized stallion Goliath. I have been wanting to obtain him for some time to breed champions from him.”

Drake frowned. Goliath was a champion jumper and had been in Drake’s possession for the last two years. If he lost that stallion, his winnings in the races would decrease. Sure he had several other jumpers, but none that possessed the stallion’s speed and stamina. He was a god among horses and the envy of all other owners. Drake’s determination to win this bet just doubled, and he knew what he would want was of equal value.

“Very well, should I fail you may have him. However...should I succeed in bringing Lady Lillian into society, I shall be given those Chinese silks you are hoarding while prices rise.”

Jacob’s smile fell for a second. Those silks would make a small fortune by themselves and Drake knew that Jacob was waiting for the right time to sell them. If Drake could get his hands on them before the prices stopped rising and began to decline again he would make enough to start investing in steam engines as he wanted without worry of hurting his own profits. Jacob tapped his chin in thought and then grinned and held out his hand.

Drake shook it and the bargain was struck between the two. They both grinned and Jacob looked over to the woman who would make one of them a small bundle.

“Good luck to you my friend and may the best man win.”

Drake snorted and made his way to the hostess of this ball, Lady Evangeline to make the introductions. He muttered under his breath,

“Easy for you to say. You won’t be doing anything.”

Reviews

[Toonsgirl]

This is a great start of the story! I like the setting of the story. It is like stepping into a world of Jane Austen!