“We’re women. Choice is not something we are typically afforded. Especially when you are lucky enough to have a Season.” Her tone was matter-of-fact but without any bitterness or envy. She was merely stating the truth—Fiona was lucky.

Fiona drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair. “So I am learning. I had no idea there would be expectations.” She’d been foolish to think otherwise, but how was she to know? She no longer had a mother, and Mrs. Tucket had demonstrated her complete lack of knowledge about such matters. Indeed, the only advice Fiona’s mother had ever imparted was to be wary of who she wed, that it was the most important decision she would ever make and, once committed to, could never be undone. The counsel wasn’t necessarily earth-shaking, but the earnest manner in which her mother had delivered it had always stuck with Fiona.

“There are always expectations,” Prudence said with a touch of darkness. “You should tell his lordship soon.”

“Perhaps he’ll change his mind and send me back to Bitterley.” The thought of that made her want to weep.

“Or not.” Prudence lifted a shoulder. “I shan’t tell him.”

Fiona looked at her in surprise. “But you work for him. Surely you feel a sense of loyalty to your employer.”

“Yes, but my duty is to you. My loyalty is to you.”

The sense of solidarity sank into Fiona, filling her with a gladness she hadn’t felt in some time. “Thank you. I have just decided you are the very best thing about coming to London.”

Prudence smiled. “I think I’ll go to bed.” She started to rise, but Fiona lifted her hand.

“Wait, one moment, if you please. Would you be up for an early morning jaunt tomorrow?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I am desperate to go to Hyde Park. It’s not that far. We can walk, can’t we?”

“Yes, but ladies don’t go to the park in the early morning. Are you hoping to see a duel?”

Fiona shot forward to the edge of her seat. “A duel?”

“They are typically fought in the park at dawn.”

“How horrible. I don’t think I’d want to see that.”

Prudence wrinkled her nose. “Neither would I. Particularly when we can observe men being idiots just about anywhere.”

Fiona laughed. “Oh, I do like you. I only wanted to see the park. But if you think we should not—”

“I didn’t say that. We’ll just go for a brisk walk that happens to take us into the park,” she said airily as she stood.

Staring up at her chaperone, Fiona felt a renewed surge of excitement for the Season. “You have quite shocked me this evening, Prudence. You are not at all what you seem.”

Prudence’s eyes glimmered with something indescribable. “See you in the morning.”

Fiona could hardly wait.

Chapter 4

Tobias walked into Lord and Lady Edgemont’s house near Berkeley Square, trailing his ward and her chaperone and sponsor. Miss Wingate looked lovely this evening, dressed in an ivory ballgown trimmed in pale green and gold. Her dark red hair was expertly styled, proving her new lady’s maid, recommended by Lady Pickering, was a welcome addition to the household. Tobias didn’t want to think about how much money his ward was costing him. It didn’t bear consideration because his father had set aside a rather large sum for precisely this purpose.