As she held her first gathering for debutantes in 1818, Eleanor reflected that it would be a red-letter Season, though only a few people knew that it was special, and why. Her smile was wistful, as she watched the chattering groups of very young ladies gathered in her parlour. She had been holding such gatherings for many years–social occasions for debutantes in the weeks before the Season got underway. The young ladies under her patronage had an opportunity to make friends, and she learned a little more about them, the better to help them to navigate the pitfalls and discover the delights of the London social scene.

This year’s crop of hopeful maidens included sixwho were family connections, and who had been friends since they were little girls. Daisy Redepenning was circling the room arm in arm with her friend and cousin by marriage, Chrissie Cunningham. They were stopping to talk to the shyest girls, those who were on their own and who knew nobody here. Daisy was the stepdaughter of Eleanor’s nephew, the Earl of Chirbury and Chrissie was granddaughter to Eleanor’s dear friend Henry Redepenning.

Sarah Overton had a special place in Eleanor’s heart, though she was technically not a relative, and nor was her sister, Sophrania Overton. Sarah and Sophrania were part of a laughing group that were leafing through fashion magazines. Eleanor had known the sister’s stepfather, Hugh Baron Overton, since her son the current Duke of Haverford, who had then been Marquis of Aldridge, first brought him home when the pair of them were not quite old enough to shave. But the connection was closer than that, for Sarah’s mother, Lady Overton, had once been known as the Rose of Frampton, and had been Aldridge’s mistress. As to Belle, Sarah’s youngest sister, even in her thoughts she would not consider how much closer a relative that child was.

Closer than Frances Grenford, Eleanor’s foster-daughter and ward, whose conversation with Antonia Wakefield appeared to be intense. As close as the relationship with Antonia, and even more secret. Frances, the whole world believed, was the by-blow of one of the Haverford males. Eleanor knew the man to be her deceased husband, the previous Duke of Haverford. Everyone looked at Antonia and knew she was a relative, too. It was in the distinctive hazel eyes, which she shared with the Haverford men and with two of Eleanor’s wards. But since her father was David Wakefield, another of her husband’s by-blows, no-one guessed the truth. Antonia was Eleanor’s granddaughter.

Yes, this Season would be special.