Page 1 of Engaging Sir Isaac

Chapter 1

May 1815

The cream of London Society never played fair. Despite years of trying to adhere to the rules, both those spoken and unspoken, Millicent Wedgwood had given in at last to her mother’s demands to stop following the rules.

“Your sister ruined your chances when she ruined her reputation,” Mother had snapped angrily only that morning. Lady Mildred—Mrs. Wedgewood to everyone who knew her well—had given her customary lecture to Millie. “It will take drastic measures to restore the family, to find a suitable match. My father was an earl, my mother’s father a duke, and you have every right to a title of your own.”

Father hadn’t said anything, as usual, from his place near the fire. Though Mother never stated it directly, Millie and her father both knew Mother regretted marrying a mere gentleman when she could have had a husband from the nobility. But her family had needed funds, and Father had offered a well-feathered nest.

At least, mostly well-feathered. Things had changed somewhat in the years since Emmeline ran off.

“You have a dowry large enough to tempt any man willing to overlook your sister’s unfortunate marriage.” Mother never mentioned Emmeline by name anymore. Not since the eldest Wedgwood daughter had absconded with a lowly Welsh barrister on the eve of her betrothal to the grandson of a duke. “Millicent, you have only to form a connection with the right young ladies and they will see you back into Society’s good graces. You ought to be grateful Lady Olivia will take the time to meet you in the park.”

Millie remembered her mother’s words, and the chilly glare with which they were delivered, well enough to shudder as she walked through Hyde Park on a warm May morning.

She held her head high, her bonnet festooned with bright green feathers. The green feathers were meant to distract from her unfashionable shade of auburn hair and lend color to her mud-brown eyes. Best foot forward for one of Lady Olivia’s pedigree. She was the daughter of the powerful Marquess of Alderton. Compared to her, Millie was practically a scullery-maid.

At one-and-twenty years of age, she was no longer expected to simper and bat her lashes like a girl in her first season. No, Millicent was sophisticated, self-assured, and ready to do her mother’s bidding. Even if I am not the picture of English beauty. Not like Emmeline, the golden-haired sister who could do no wrong, who was perfect in every way—until she’d betrayed the family.

Fortunately, Millie had a plan to fix all of the damage dealt by Emmeline’s selfish decisions.

“Sarah, are you sure this is the right place?” she asked in a low murmur, waving a fan languidly before her. Despite trying to convey a careless attitude, Millie could hear the tremble in her voice. How had her mother arranged this meeting with one of Society’s darlings?

“Yes, miss.” Her maid, loyal even if disapproving of their errand, said from a pace behind her. Sarah knew as well as Millie did that Lady Olivia was not a sympathetic soul. “Just over there, I believe.”

Millicent kept her chin tilted upward while her eyes swept the walking paths before her. Whatever her mother had done to arrange this meeting on neutral territory, Millie doubted it had been easy.

Everything, all her mother’s hopes, hinged on Lady Olivia’s perception of Millie. The young, unwed woman controlled half of Society with naught but a few well-placed words in the right ears.

Millie spotted the lady seated upon a bench. Lady Olivia’s distinctive height and blonde curls set her apart, as did her willow-thin frame. Accompanying the marquess’s daughter was Mrs. Vanderby, the daughter of an earl, not as tall as her friend but certainly as beautiful. The third woman seated with them was unexpected. Lady Sophie, daughter of a duke. The three women together had the ability to cut nearly anyone they chose and still be hailed as women of fashion and distinction.

Taking in a deep breath to fortify her nerves, Millie glided across the grass to the three women. They were in animated conversation with each other, and none of them even bothered looking up when Millie approached.

“…dreadful man. Boorish. I cannot believe he would dare humiliate you,” Mrs. Vanderby was saying, patting Lady Olivia’s hand consolingly. “He ought to be ousted from Society.”

“He is never in Society,” Lady Olivia responded, tone as cold as frost. “But I do wish there was some way to make him sorry for it.”

“We all have had our share of intolerable experiences with men.” Lady Sophie flipped her fan open and waved it sharply, agitation evident in the lines of her posture.

Lady Olivia finally seemed to notice Millie from the corner of her eye. “Which is one of the reasons Miss Wedgewood has been invited to meet with us today.” Her words were a slow purr.

Despite the cold uneasiness in her breast, Millie dipped into the lowest, most graceful curtsy of her life. “Good afternoon. I should like to introduce myself. I am Miss Millicent Wedgewood, daughter of Mr. Anthony Wedgewood. Thank you for inviting me to meet with you today, Lady Olivia.”

“Common,” Lady Sophie muttered, her fan beating the air rapidly.

“Perhaps. But unlikely to draw attention,” Lady Olivia countered, her green eyes flashing with interest. “Your mother made quite a plea on your behalf, Miss Wedgewood. She also insisted you would be a worthwhile companion to me, should we suit one another.”

Millie had carefully rehearsed simpering speeches of admiration, but given the predatory smile Lady Olivia wore she decided to play the game differently. “My mother admires you greatly, Lady Olivia. Though I confess, I know I am not the most sought-after friend by members of your set.”

Mrs. Vanderby chuckled. “That is putting it mildly. Olivia, you cannot be serious. I know you like your pets, but this one is a mouse.”

Lady Olivia’s eyes narrowed as she studied Millie from head to toe. “That remains to be seen.”

Millie looked from Lady Olivia’s accessing expression to Mrs. Vanderby. “I will do my best to prove myself to you. Those who know my family’s name are aware that we have been relegated to the fringes of the elite. Our family name was rather besmirched by a certain man I do not deign to name.” She cast her gaze to the ground, distressed. But Lady Olivia must know, surely, of the stain upon her family. If the marquess’s daughter did not, and found out later, it could cause Millie even greater harm.

“Really.” Mrs. Vanderby stood from the bench. “That men have all the power and say in such matters is utterly ridiculous. You poor thing.” The smile curling her lips was not sympathetic at all. It was calculating.

“Most unfortunate circumstances,” Lady Sophie muttered, sounding entirely unconcerned. “I suppose we should give her a test. Olivia?”