Chapter One
Early afternoon sun poured through the windows of the large airy schoolroom in Stern Manor. The space was filled with bookcases, four desks, two sofas, and sundry toys.
Miss Dorothea Stern sat on the larger of the much-used sofas, threading a strand of rose silk through her embroidery needle. She had one more Damask rose to complete before the slippers she was making for her mother were finished.
But no matter how hard she tried, she could not escape the fact that the neighborhood was sadly flat now that her best friend, Lady Charlotte Carpenter, was gone. For years, they had planned to come out together, just as they had done everything else since they were in leading strings.
In the meantime, there was a great deal to keep Dotty busy. Since her mother’s accident, she had taken up Mama’s duties. Dotty enjoyed visiting their tenants, talking to the children and their mothers, and finding ways to help them.
“Dotty,” her six-year-old sister, Martha, whined, “Scruffy won’t stay still.”
Scruffy, a three-legged dog Dotty had saved from a hunter’s trap, was resisting Martha’s efforts to tie a ribbon on him. “Sweetie, boys don’t like frills. Put it on your doll instead.”
Fifteen-year-old Henrietta glanced up from the book she was reading. “She took it off the doll.”
“Henny,” Dotty asked, “aren’t you supposed to be practicing your harp?”
Her sister stuck her tongue out. “No, I’m supposed to be readingOvidin Greek.”
Their father, Sir Henry, was a classical scholar and had been a rector before his older brother’s death a few years ago. Much to Henny’s dismay, he had decided to teach all the children Latin and Greek.
Dotty took in the book her sister held. The marble cover was a trademark of the Minerva Press novels. “Thatis notOvid.”
Puffing out a breath of air, Henny rolled her eyes. “Aren’t ladies supposed to be fashionably stupid?”
“No, they are supposed to appear stupid,” Dotty replied tartly. “Which is completely ridiculous. I refuse to marry a gentleman who thinks women should not have brains.”
“If that’s the case, you may become a spinster,” Henny shot back.
“Lord Worthington likes that Grace is clever.” Dotty resisted a smug smile. “I’m sure there must be other gentlemen who believe as he does.”
Charlotte’s older sister, Grace, was now the Countess of Worthington. She had taken all five of the younger children with her to London for Charlotte’s come out. Shortly after arriving in Town, Grace had met and fallen in love with Mattheus, Earl of Worthington. They had wed three weeks later.
Not long ago, Grace and her new husband had returned to Stanwood Hall for a few days so that Lord Worthington, who was now guardian to her brothers and sisters, as well as his own sisters, could inspect the property.
Before Henny could retort, the door opened. “Miss”— Dotty’s maid, Polly, glanced around the room, her gaze settling on Dotty—“Her Ladyship asked me to come fetch you.”
Dotty pulled the thread through, secured the needle, and set the slipper down. “Is she all right?”
“Oh yes, miss.” Polly bounced from foot to foot. “She got a letter from London and sent for you straightaway.”
Dotty hurried to the door. “I hope everything is all right.” There was nothing wonderful in receiving a letter from London. Practically everyone they knew was in Town for the Season. Mama and Dotty should have been there as well, yet the day before their planned departure her mother had slipped and broken her leg.
“No, miss,” the maid said as she hurried after her. “Her ladyship was smiling.”
“Well, I suppose the sooner I get to her, the sooner I shall find out what she wants.” A minute later, she knocked on the door to her mother’s parlor and entered. “Mama, what is it?”
Waving a sheet of paper in her hand, her mother smiled broadly. “Unexpected and wonderful news. You shall have your Season after all!”
Dotty’s jaw dropped. She snapped it shut and made her way over to a chair next to her mother. “I don’t understand. I thought Grandmamma Bristol couldn’t sponsor me because of Aunt Mary’s confinement.”
“This”—Mama waved the letter through the air again—“is from Grace.”
Dotty’s heart began to beat faster, and she clasped her hands together. “What—what does she say?”
“After dear Charlotte received your missive telling her you could not come to Town for your Season, she prevailed upon Grace to invite you. She says”—Mama adjusted her spectacles—“having you would be no bother at all. She is bringing out Charlotte and Lady Louisa Vivers, Worthington’s sister, you know, and one more in a household of ten children will hardly be remarkable. She comments that your good sense will be very welcome.” Mama glanced up. “Not that I disagree with her. You do have a great deal of sagacity, but I am sure Grace said that for Papa’s benefit. You know how he does not like to be obliged to anyone.” Mama went back to the letter. “And it would be a great shame for you not to come out with Charlotte as you girls have planned for years.” Mama set the paper down with a flourish and grinned. “What do you think ofthat?”
For what seemed like a long time, Dotty could think of nothing. Her mind had never gone blank before. It was almost too good to be true. She shook her head, and finally managed to find an answer. “I never thought . . . Well, I mean I knew Charlotte was going to ask Grace, but I never even imagined that Lord Worthington would agree. Although her last letter said she missed me dreadfully. Lady Louisa, Worthington’s sister, even wrote to me saying she had heard so much about me that she felt as if she already knew me and wished I was going to be in Town.”
