PROLOGUE
THE CANARY, MONDAY, 18TH JUNE, 1839
Public Announcement:A NOTICE OF MOST SERIOUS INTENTPublished on Behalf of the Duke of Montford
Good day to all who desire to make the most ideal match of the season! It is with great honor that The Canary submits the following notice for the attention and perusal of any lady of good breeding and sound character. If you possess such qualities but lack the prospects or preferred calibre of suitors, then look no further!
An esteemed gentleman of considerable rank, fortune and estate – seeks a wife. And it is none other than the magnanimous Duke of Montford himself!
It must be stated plainly that His Grace has no patience for the dance of courtship and would like to avoid the tasking ceremony of finding a suitable bride. The lady sought is not required to be in love, nor to inspire it. She need not possess extraordinary beauty, a gift for pianoforte, or a talent forwater colours, though none of these things shall be held against her.
What is required is as follows:
The lady must beof reputable family and unblemished character, with the ability to conduct herself with grace in polite society and to bear the responsibilities of a title with appropriate dignity.
She must bein good health, of sensible temperament, and prepared to enter into a union that is, above all else, practical in its design and mutual in its benefit.
She must bewilling to provide an heirto the duke’s estate and title, this being the primary and most pressing object of the arrangement, and she must understand that this duty is to be fulfilled with reasonable expedition.
In return, the lady shall receive the following: the title of duchess, a household of comfort and excellent staff, financial security of a kind that shall render any previous difficulties quite thoroughly resolved, and a husband who – while he does not offer poetry or romance – shall treat her with every respect and ensure that she and any children born of the union shall want for nothing as long as they shall live
Ladies of fortune need not apply, as His Grace’s own resources are more than sufficient. Ladies in pursuit of romantic attachment are equally advised to seek their happinesselsewhere, as the Gentleman is not disposed to provide it and would not wish to mislead any woman on that account.
Interested parties of genuine intent are invited to submit a letter of introduction — including particulars of family, circumstance, and their reasons for responding to this notice — to the offices ofThe Canary, marked for the attention ofMr R. Lambert, who shall act as intermediary. All correspondence shall be treated with the utmost discretion.
His Grace will review submissions at his earliest convenience and shall make contact with any party he deems a suitable match.
He does not expect a great many replies. He requires only one.
The Canary accepts no responsibility for the particulars of any arrangement entered into as a result of this notice. Readers are advised to proceed with their usual good sense.
CHAPTER ONE
“This cannot be happening,” Phoebe Danvers whispered, staring at the piece of paper in her hand.
Her older brother, Rowland Danvers, viscount of Hartmoor, sighed deeply, his expression darkened by worry and disgust.
“We have long since established that this is unfortunately a problem we need to face. It is time we forgot about the nature of the situation and worked out a solution instead,” he stated through gritted teeth as he balled up the paper in his hand and flung it into the fireplace.
In Phoebe’s hand lay a scandal sheet, with the front page detailing the latest bit of gossip that was sure to get the entire ton chattering away like excited hens. It was not something she busied herself with often – had barely even read up to a handful of them herself, but the subject of the situation detailed in the sheet was someone close to Phoebe.
Her own younger sister, Anna Danvers.
“If I ever cross paths with that cad, I will skin him alive and hang him upside down,” Rowland swore.
“That will hardly help with our situation, given that the story will still be out there. What we need is a solution that would straighten out this matter, once and for all,” Phoebe reasoned.
“Perhaps if I kick his teeth in, he’ll feel the urgent need to exonerate our sister from the blight he has set upon her life. I knew I should have never accepted his proposal request from the start!” Rowland fumed.
Phoebe started to coax her brother to calm down but stopped when she noticed Anna had been silent for too long. She looked towards where their youngest sibling had been seated and frowned, noticing Anna held a scandal sheet in her own hands, her face contorted in shame and embarrassment.
“Why?” she whispered, tears filling her eyes as she looked up at her older brother and sister. “If he – if he did not love me anymore, why did he not simply end it? It would have been better than –”
“It is no fault of yours, dear sister. The man is simply a lout and a coward,” Phoebe said quickly, walking over to Anna’s side and seizing the scandal sheet. “Do not blame yourself.”
Phoebe was just as angry as Rowland, and she too, wished it would be possible to rip apart Anna’s former betrothed. However, what her sister needed more than anything was support and she was willing to offer it.
“I simply do not understand,” Anna mumbled. “He said he – we were to be wed. In only a few weeks time. How could he desire to want to spend the rest of his days with me one moment and run off with another woman in the next? How could he be so fickle? Was I not enough?”