Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon

on that friendship. The realization only made her feel worse since her actions had cast a shadow on her father's good name.
    Season tried to remember everything she had heard about her cousin Edmund. All she really knew was that he was the youngest son of her father's uncle, Hugh, the viscount of Pennyworth. She had no notion how old he was or what he looked like. Her father had told her he was a captain in the guard and had a brilliant future ahead of him.
    Season had overheard the first mate of the Good Hope talking to a fellow officer. In their conversation, it became clear to her that everyone was wondering why the daughter of the Duke of Chatsworth would marry the youngest son of an improvished viscount.
    Season pondered her situation. Perhaps it would be best just to take one day at a time. If the ship didn't sink, and if they weren't set upon by the enemy, all her questions about her cousin would be answered upon her arrival.
    Mrs. Tibbs wasn't weathering the voyage very well. She spent most of the time in her cabin, burdened by seasickness. Season had sympathy for the poor woman, but was glad she herself hadn't succumbed to that malady. Each time Season would visit the unfortunate Mrs. Tibbs with an offer of help, the woman became nervous and agitated, blaming herself for not being a proper chaperon for the young girl. Mrs. Tibbs was overcome by the honor that the Duke of Chatsworth had bestowed upon her by allowing her to chaperone his only daughter. Indeed, the woman made Season feel uncomfortable with her continuous gushing and bowing.
    Season was grateful that neither Mrs. Tibbs, nor the ship's crew traveled in her father's circle of friends, because it was apparent that no one aboard the Good Hope had heard about her situation.
    One thing was certain, Season had become humbled by her disgrace and had decided she would behave like a proper daughter and marry her cousin, no matter how disagreeable he might turn out to be. That was the least she could do for her father after ruining his good name by her foolish actions. She worried about whether the rumors regarding her and Lord Ransford would reach her cousin Edmund's ears. She hoped not.

 
    5
     
    Sir Edmund Kensworthy, captain of His Majesty's Guards, entered the rose-colored ballroom, searching the faces of the crowd. He spotted Lucas Carrington, a distant cousin on his mother's side. As he made his way across the room, many of the ladies stared at him, admiring the cut of his red army coat with the gold epaulettes on his shoulders. He did make a dashing figure in his bright coat and the snowy white knee breeches which suited his muscular form. In the current fashion, his hair was powdered and pulled back in a queue. His eyes were a light blue that sometimes appeared almost gray. Edmund was accustomed to receiving admiring glances from the fair sex. He smiled now at a lovely lady he passed, but he didn't stop to chat with her.
    Lucas Carrington was talking to General Henry Clinton, but he watched Edmund's approach out of the corner of his eye. Lucas, unlike his flamboyant cousin, was dressed inconspicuously. He wore a white lawn shirt with ruffles at the wrist. His black velvet trousers fit to the knees and white silk hose covered his legs. His black velvet jacket was unadorned except for silver buttons. Unlike the other gentlemen in the room, Lucas wore his hair unpowdered, and his gold-colored eyes were alert and intelligent. His handsome face was unreadable as he listened intently to General Clinton speak.
    "Lucas, my boy, I could use someone with your talent in my service. You know the countryside, perhaps you would be beneficial to us in our intelligence service."
    "I'm flattered by your offer, General, but alas, I am only a simple planter. It is my belief that he who feeds the army, also serves," Lucas said lazily.
    "Quite right, my boy, quite right. It takes an enormous amount of food to feed the troops, and you have contributed greatly in that