Free Fallen by Celeste Bradley

with his father-in-law's influence, and he spent most of his time there, often staying over at his respectable but hardly fashionable club.
    Melvin Marchwell was not an unkind man, but he was not particularly kind either. Izzy's arrival in his house at the tender age of twelve had occasioned a brief "Welcome, my dear," and as far as she could recall, he had never directly addressed her since.
    She never broke her fast with the family, rising early as she did, so she was surprised when Hildegard waved her genially into the room.
    "Izzy, dear, do join us. We were just discussing tonight's event. Tell me, which of those lovely gowns are you planning on wearing tonight?"
    That was a change of temper. Izzy eyed her cousin warily. What could Hildegard be up to? "I have yet to decide. Why do you ask?"
    "Well, since Millie will, of course, be wearing white, I thought it might be a rather fetching sight if her ribbons matched your gown. Family colors, as it were."
    Ah. The Marchwells were planning to crash the ball uninvited. They no doubt imagined that Izzy's ties to Dearingham would prevent comment. Well, perhaps they were correct, but it angered her to be used thus.
    It did explain Melvin's presence, however. He would provide necessary, albeit minimal, escort for Hildegard and Millie, since he would probably spend his evening at the many gaming tables provided.
    There was no help for it. Nothing but forcible restraint would stop Hildegard from venturing forth tonight. Still, Izzy refused to have to endure them more than necessary.
    "I will be sure to have Spears arrange a carriage, then. Perhaps a large coach-and-four?" She smiled innocently at Hildegard's reddening complexion. Any carriage fine enough to appear at the ball would cost a pretty penny for rental.
    "Well, I had hoped to spend a little more time with his lordship. We will all be family soon, after all." Hildegard's smile took on a feral edge. "And I need to thank him for his kind assistance during our past domestic shortage."
    Angling for a free ride to the ball. Not to mention the splendor of arriving in a vehicle wearing the ducal crest. "Oh, no, Hildegard. I could never ask you and Millie to crush your gowns in Julian's tiny carriage." Truthfully, she had no idea if his conveyance would transport them all but she doubted he had any intention of carting the cousins about. She cast a look over at Millie.
    "Are you looking forward to tonight, Millie? I am told it will be quite a crush." She must find out what that meant. It did sound so appalling. She almost missed the girl's reply as the banked fear within her began to glow once more.
    "I assume you'll allow Lord Blackworth to introduce me to some of his friends? Do you think Lord Stretton will be present?" asked Millie dreamily.
    "He has said as much, and I know Celia… Lady Bottomly will attend."
    "Oh pooh, Izzy. I do not know how you can bear her. Simply being near her puts one in her shadow. And she's frightfully high in the instep. Sarah Cherrymore said she complimented Lady Bottomly's gown once and the woman looked right through her with barely a thank-you."
    "Sarah doesn't know her at all. Really, Millie, you shouldn't repeat gossip. One might think you believe everything you are told."
    "Well!" Millie's expression was so very Hildegard-esque that Izzy had difficulty leaving the table before being overcome with unstrung laughter.
    Making her escape through the kitchen, she ventured outside for some soothing time alone in the gardens. As she paced along the brick path lined with waking perennials, she thought wistfully of the sweet child Millie had been.
    Starved for affection, young Izzy had lavished all the love in her heart on pretty little Millie. She could remember a tiny blonde head leaning trustingly on her shoulder as she read a book of fairy tales, and small grubby hands clutching fistfuls of flowering weeds presented as gifts.
    Stormy nights had brought Millie scrambling into Izzy's bed, and the