Page 62 (1/2)

Chapter 1

London, 1839

The haut er whispered whenever Miss Phillipa Beatrice Cavanaugh—Pippa to friends and faht, at Lady Peregrine’sher faainst her skin, and burrowing into her heart Their eyes however still gleament, and perhaps pity As it stood only a few lords and ladies of society made overtures to welcoh, within their elevated circles despite her being the daughter of a Baron, Lord Rupert Cavanaugh

Correction…the daughter of a disgraceful runaway Baron

Pippa’s scandal was not the typical one that haunteddebts, a deliberate co, or an elopement to Gretna Green Pippa, at only two and twenty, suffered from a tarnished reputation these last several years because of a selfish decision her father had made The consequences had also reduced Pippa and her enteel poverty Her father’sin limbo and disrepair, for he’d abandoned them to live with the woman he loved in A her of the two children he had with his wealthy American mistress, and while Pippa’s mother bitterly called them her husband’s little bastards, a part of Pippa yearned

to know her siblings

Still, the dreadful scandal resulting from her father’s decision followed them like the foulest of airs It was as if his inconsistency and dishonor would one day show in her blood In the five years since her father left the they seclude the all invitations to town, and the indulgence of the season Despite their steward’s best effort to keep the estate solvent, they’d been inforh on empty

When her mother had wearily infor to escape the shae another path for herself Perhaps there would be a new adventure withinwould undoubtedly be better than the tediu walks, attended church, and balls at the local asseht spot was the romantic comedy she wrote, solely based on the life of the people in her idyllic village—Crandleforth

In truth, the people of Crandleforth ale feel like home There, no one blamed them for her father’s dishonor, and they were treated as faithful friends, family even But Pippa still wanted to leave Surely there was more to life than the everyday humdrum of Crandleforth and its citizens, even the pleasant ones

Quite irritated with herself for re the sly, cruel murmurs that had rabidly whispered of her family’s misfortune, Pippa pinned a shtly to the dazzling and invigorating ht should be about the future, not ing in the past

She’d been in toeek now, and the glitter and dazzle of the season had been beyond incredible Tonight’s ball was hosted in a grand ballrooold railed staircase, which allowed the viewing of all the guests entering, ere dressed in the height of fashion displaying their wealth with their elegant and elaborate jeweled accessories Several golden chandeliers descended fro the sky with a ether Foot endless refresh Merrie from the dull, yet peaceful, Crandleforth

“Oh Pippa, I am distressed no one has asked you to dance,” a hushed voice whispered to her left “You are one of the prettiest girls here tonight! I’ve had six dances, andfor relief, and you've had no requests Why I truly cannot credit”

Lady Miranda, a dear childhood friend, stepped to her side and looped her hand through Pippa’s Her friend did not mean it unkindly, it was a simple observation And Pippa expected Miranda’s dance card to always be filled She was slender and graceful with her golden hair piled high in a riot of fashionable curls, quite beautiful, andbucks She’d already received three offers this season All had been rejected for the fahter

“I do not mind I see no one worth the honor” And Pippa was anticipating a very particular gentleht That hy she had been so keen on attending, despite her diso, and a musicale only yesterday

Vibrant green eyes peered down at Pippa’s much shorter frame

“Oh, I do feel so wretched, Pippa, to be having so ”

“I take joy in watching the dances, you know I have two left feet I am sure to stomp on toes,” she teased

Miranda rolled her eyes in an unladylike fashion, which if her hton had seen, would have incited vapors and sharp corrections It was a wonder the countess who expected perfection frohter, allowed her such friendship with the ih she kneas because of thefriendship between the countess and her mother Several summers as a child, Pippa had traveled to the countess's country home in Lincolnshire, and it was there the treasured friendship had groith Miranda Pippa was happy the countess hadn’t turned away from them when the scandal had broke She had remained mamma’s true and dearest friend

Miranda squeezed her arm “There is a buzz about the rooht, and that is quite a coup for Lady Peregrine But I've yet to see him, and oh I do so want to!"

“Miranda do behave! And what shall you do if you see the duke?”