“How did Jared even afford such luxurious seats?” I leaned closer to Edith with wonder shimmering in my eyes.

Her cheeks reddened. “He didn’t. We were invited by His Grace Andrew. Well, technically I was, you and Jared will be there to chaperone me,” she gave me a sweet smile. “Say you will go Ashlyn! Please?”

I’ve never visited such a marvelous attraction as Covent Garden before and certainly not with Jared. My heart screamed at me to go, but my rational mind thought otherwise. Nothing good will come out of my infatuation with him.

“Why didn’t he invite Lady Bonnie? She is clearly taken with him.”

“You are our best friend! Besides, there will be plenty of eligible gentlemen,” her hands clasped together in a silent plea. “Wealthy gentlemen,” she added meaningfully.

“Oh Edith, all right,” I sighed in defeat. “But only because you asked me to. And as my Papa would say - a chance of meeting a new suitor won’t hurt me either.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She let out a rather loud squeak. I winced as she placed her thin arms around my shoulders and squeezed the life out of me. “This means the world to me, Ashlyn.”

“I know,” I returned her hug. “I am so happy for you, my dear friend.”

I released her small frame, looking into her radiant hazel eyes. “Let’s just hope that Lord Tinley won’t be there.”

“Oh no, he won’t dare to go near His Grace and my brother, I can assure you that much. But I heard that Lord Aidan is bringing your aunt Abby,” Edith grimaced at the thought of their passionate encounter in the park.

“You can’t be serious? Is he thinking of marrying her?”

She looked at me like I was losing my mind. “Lord no! Haven’t you heard the latest rumors?”

“I… No I must admit I haven’t,” I pressed my lips together, waiting for what was she about to say.

“She agreed to be his mistress,” Edith whispered, her lips curling in disgust. “While he’s still in search of a suitable wife.”

“Is she out of her mind? Does my Papa know about this?” I cried out. She was ruining our reputation with her selfish and downright reckless acts. “Does she realize what could happen to our family? To Jane’s and my future?”

“I believe he does, the whole London knows by now.”

“What will his future wife think of him? Or her family for that matter?” I asked, confused as to why the gentleman valued his reputation so little.

“Well, they will have to share him with his new lady-love.”

“This is simply… Outrageous! Which young lady would want him?” I gritted my teeth with annoyance.

“This is the life of rich gentlemen, Ashlyn. If there is no affection between husband and his wife, then mistresses are sadly unavoidable,” she explained with a shadow looming over her eyes.

The fear of each young bride was that sole person than could destroy the illusion of the happy marriage – a mistress. However, Edith was correct, not every couple was as happy as Mama and Papa, for many husbands sought a comfort in someone else’s bed.

“I suppose you are correct,” I admitted. “Do you like His Grace, Edith?”

“Oh, I really do Ashlyn!” Her full, rosy lips stretched into a wide smile. “He is all I can think about! I can barely eat or sleep!” She sighed, staring out of the window with a faraway look.

I took her hands in mine, gently squeezing her delicate fingers. “Hold on to that feeling Edith. What you’ve found is so very rare.”

“And let’s not mention the fact he is a Duke!” She comically waggled her eyebrows. I will soon be a Duchess and you will have to call me Your Grace.”

I curtsied before her. “Of course, Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty,” I mocked back.

“Hey, I am not a Queen, although it does sound good, doesn't it?" She laughed at my antics. “Now I command you to marry my dear brother, so we could be sisters forever!”

I felt my smile slip. “You know that is impossible Edith. But we will always stay sisters, no matter what,” I assured her.

“Promise?” She bit her lower lip, trying to contain the anxious tremor.

“I promise.”

***

“Janine you are a Godsend!” Mama looked at our lady’s maid in relief.

She managed to alter my new dress according to my waist in record time.

“Oh, please My Lady!” She mumbled, while holding a pin between her narrow lips. “It would be much harder if Miss wouldn’t be so slender as she is.”

I sucked in a harsh breath as she pulled at the laces of the corset, biding it so tight I could barely move. She helped me put on a stunning silver gown with low and narrow waist. The dress had collapsed sleeves with a low, elegant V-shaped neckline bodice that exposed my shoulders.

I decided to wear only two pieces of jewelry – one of them was a black Tahitian pearl necklace, which complimented my dress perfectly. My mother and I knew very well the necklace wasn’t made of true black pearls, since they were extremely rare and thus very expensive. But no one else had to know that insignificant little detail because the piece looked genuine enough.

Janine put my long, midnight-colored hair in a low chignon, adorning it with a simple, yet fashionable charcoal hair comb.

“Ashlyn!” Jane’s bony fingers caressed the silky material of my evening gown. “You look like a real Princess!”

“Oh, enough with the fairytale characters, Jane!” I playfully pated her head. “I am only chaperoning. Edith is the real Princess.”

“Here they are!” Janine looked out of the window of my bedroom, announcing the arrival of Richards’s carriage.

“I am ready,” I stated nervously while fidgeting with my skirts. It would be the first time Jared and I will be together like this. It almost seemed like a rendezvous.

I kissed Jane and Mama on the cheek, all the while thanking Janine for her miraculous fingers. When I reached His Grace’s carriage I couldn’t help myself but to stop and openly admire it. It was drawn by two magnificent white stallions. The exterior was black with the exception of the painted Edinburgh emblem on both sides of the vehicle.