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Prologue

Miss Debenha School

Graduating Ball of 1837

The fuss over Eugenie and her duke had died down Miss Cle a little more quickly than it usually did Which was odd because she was not the sort of girl to indulge in palpitations

Practical, that was how Tina saw herself Not coldhearted, not at all She arenerous, but there was always that little part of her that sat back and considered the situation before it rushed in And it was rarely she changed her

“I don’t think my choice of husband will come as a surprise to any of you,” she said, with a smile at the flushed, excited faces of her friends “I have spoken of hireat deal to all of you”

“Lord Horace Gilfoyle!” they cried in unison, and then fell about in laughter

Tina laughed, too, and if it was slightly strained, then no one noticed

“He doesn’t sound terribly exciting,” Olivia ventured, when they had recovered themselves

“Or dashing,” Marissa added

“Nonsense, he’s both,” Tina retorted “And he has quite a rakish reputation, I’ll have you know!”

Eugenie widened her eyes “Goodness, I can’t iine you with a rake, Tina Do you plan to rehabilitate him?”

Tina raised an eyebrow “Of course Once I have hi is” She pulled a face “He is an old family friend, and he looks upon ht fall in love with and e his mind”

Averil was thoughtful “It may be difficult, Tina You may need a seduction plan, a way to jolt hi woht”

After that ideas came thick and fast

“Speak in a breathless voice and lean on his ar wo out the protectiveness in a man”

“Flirt with hiued”

“No, no Why prevaricate? Invite him into your boudoir”

This last had theain

“But why do you want to marry Lord Horace Gilfoyle?” Olivia said “Are you so madly in love with him, Tina?”