Page 1 of Celestes Forever Marquess
Prologue
London – September 1855
Celeste Hathaway glared at her business partners as they sat in a quiet area of their gentlemen’s club, the Den. Sebastian Devons and the Marquess of Derry smiled at her, pretending as if they had no idea their suggestion would upset her.
Every year, the club hosted two scandalous balls. The Ball of Sin was the most popular event, and she always organized it. Suddenly, they wanted her to step aside and let them plan the decadent festivities. Why?
Her eyes narrowed in on Devons. “You aren’t trying to make a match for me, are you?”
Devons and Derry looked at each other, shocked. She flushed. The accusation wasn’t so far-fetched. Devons had used their vice-filled events more than once to play Cupid.
Derry sighed, “It isn’t anything like that. You work so hard. Devons and I were talking, and we realized you’d never participated in any of our balls as an attendee.”
Annoyance flared in her. “I don’t need to.”
They frowned at her. While Devons and Derry made exceptional partners, she hated that they’d both married and turned into besotted fools over the years. Now, they always worried about the hours she worked and what she was doing in her free time. Celeste lived and breathed the Den.
“Do you not like how I manage the Ball of Sin?” she asked.
“Of course we do,” Devons said, frowning at her.
“We would like you to take some time for yourself,” Derry added.
“What am I supposed to do?” Celeste exclaimed.
Derry smirked, “Well, for starters, accept my wife’s invitation to our country estate party. I know you hate things like that, but you’ve declined the last few. Sophia misses you.”
A bit of guilt coursed through her that she’d avoided Derry’s wife’s last few attempts to include her. Celeste knew they cared, but she didn’t like that they were trying to make her slow down. She would know if she needed that. Studying them both, Celeste doubted she could change their minds. Frustration filled her, but she gritted her teeth. “Fine, I will attend both, but everything returns to normal afterward.”
Derry and Devons grinned.
“And no setting me up at the Ball of Sin. If I want to find someone, I will. Just because the two of you fell madly in love with your spouses doesn’t mean I am interested in doing the same.”
Derry nodded. “Of course. Sophia will be so excited that you are staying with us at Derry Hall next week.”
Her other partner winked at her. She glowered at him, suspecting he was up to something, but she had no proof. Devons had helped create at least three love matches during previous balls. She wasn’t interested in being part of his next attempt.
The gossip sheets loved to speculate who would fall at the Den’s next ball. It annoyed Celeste because the events weren’t for wooing but designed to allow people to let their inhibitions go. They were supposed to be secret parties, but Devons’ antics had caused gossip about the balls to appear in the paper more than once.
She took a sip of her brandy and eyed him warily. Celeste detested the rumors about the Ball of Sin and Devons’ love matches. She refused to have her name connected to any of it.
Chapter 1
The English Countryside – October 1855
Caleb Monteith sat on his horse, enjoying his early morning view of the fields. He’d been in England for a little over three weeks and still felt unsettled, but he would have to adapt as this gloomy country was now his home. Today, for once, it wasn’t overcast. The sun stretching across the land made a stunning sight, reminding him of the open plains of the American West, his home.
He still couldn’t believe that his uncle had died without an heir. The man had banished his father from his ancestral estate more than thirty years ago because he dared to fall in love with a lowly maid and marry her. Now, Caleb, derived from that union, would inherit the title of Marquess of Haven.
There was nothing that appealed to him about being a peer. No, it was the property he wanted. His father had talked about it with such awe when he and his siblings were young. In truth, it was probably what made Caleb leave the family’s elegant life in New York City at eighteen for the wilds of the West.
A sigh escaped him, and he patted his horse, grateful that Betsy had made it to England with him. His mother had been shocked when he suggested they bring her, but he didn’t care. Betsy had helped him through many challenging situations.
His gaze darted to a figure walking quickly and flailing her arms. She kept turning back and yelling. He studied theblonde-haired woman, wondering what she was doing. She reached a part of the road that was higher up, and he saw that geese were after her. A deep chuckle escaped him. Whoever she was, the lady wasn’t accustomed to the country or geese. Her arm waving only excited them more.
He urged Betsy on, deciding he should help her. They seemed to be the only ones out and about. Caleb suspected she was part of the same house party he was attending. He and his family arrived late last night and hadn’t met any of the other guests yet.
The Marquess and Marchioness of Derry were some of the nicest peers he’d encountered since his arrival in the country. His mother was filled with worry that everyone was judging them. He wished his father were still alive. Caleb suspected that would make his mother more at ease.
