Page 1 of Just a Little Daring

Chapter 1

August,

I am Anna Brown is in the most dreadful fix. You must send her brother, Bill, at once to get her out. She’s being held at the gaol in Battle.

Please hurry.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Anna Lane-Fox to her older brother Mr August Lane Fox.

28th December 1840, Cavendish House, The Strand, London.

“I do like the orange satin,” Ash said, a wistful expression on his handsome face.

“That is because you’re an unfeeling monster with no regard for anyone around you,” Viv said mildly, smothering a grin. She watched her twin brother with amusement as he pulled a face at her, sticking out his tongue. She gave a sad shake of her head. “Such a child.”

Ash scowled and continued looking at the fabric samples Nani Maa had ordered sent to the house. The siblings were very much alike in looks, with dark indigo eyes like their father, and thick black hair and golden skin that spoke of their mother’s heritage. Their mama, Aashini, was the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Ulceby and one of his Indian servants. Aashini’s marriage to their father, Viscount Cavendish, had caused an almighty stir back in the day, not that their father had given a tinker’s cuss. He had turned his back on the ton years earlier and didn’t give a damn. Viv suspected his utter disdain for them was the main reason they still welcomed him among their ranks. Well, that and the fact he was disgustingly wealthy and powerful. He was also a loving father and fiercely protective, while anyone wishing to cross swords with their mother—let alone their wicked grandmother, Nani Maa—could only be certifiable. The Anson family were close-knit and did not suffer fools.

Ash had inherited their maternal grandmother’s love of fine fabric and vibrant colours, an appreciation which Vivien had little time for. Not that she didn’t appreciate a well-cut gown or pretty things, but there always seemed more important and exciting ways to spend her time than choosing a gown for the next dratted ball.

“You know, if I’m that much of a monster, I ought to have left you to wear that yellow creation you were so taken with that made your skin appear sallow to Mama’s New Year ball. Instead, you have that lovely pink gown that will have all the men sighing over you,” Ash grumbled, returning Viv’s thoughts to the task at hand.

“Just what I need,” Vivien muttered, though she perked up at the idea it might make a certain someone sigh over her. If he accepted her mother’s invitation, that was.

“Are you going to tell me who he is?” Ash asked, proving he was not half as daft as he liked to make out, though Vivien knew that well enough. Her brother acted the happy-go-lucky dandy, but there was far more to him than that.

“Who said—” Viv broke off at the impatient glance Ash sent her. Crossing her arms, she gave a huff of annoyance. “Fine. But if I tell you, it means you are complicit in my plans and are honour bound to help me ensnare him.”

Ash slapped his hands over his ears. “No! I take it back. I don’t want to know. La la la!” he said desperately as Viv tugged his hands free.

“Idiot,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, Viv, leave me out of it,” Ash said, a pleading glint in his eyes. “You know it always ends badly when you come up with some mad scheme, usually with my head in the basket.”

“Don’t be silly. I only need you to befriend him, and… and tell him how wonderful I am.”

“So you want me to lie through my teeth, too!” he retorted.

Viv folded her arms and levelled a look at him that could etch glass. It was one she’d learned from Nani Maa, and it never failed.

Ash threw up his hands. “Ugh! Very well. Who is the poor dolt?”

Vivien hesitated, feeling uncharacteristically shy.

“Good God! Blushing, Viv?” Ash said in astonishment. “It’s serious, then. Oooh… That fellow we met at Beverwyck? Lane-Fox? It is, isn’t it?”

Viv nodded. “I got Mama to invite him to her New Year’s ball,” she admitted. “But I don’t know if he’s accepted. I can’t ask her because then she’ll know it wasn’t just any old request and she’ll take an interest.”

Ash regarded her curiously. “Well, he seemed a decent chap, though rather tame by your standards, sis. Are you quite sure he’s the fellow for you?”

Viv bit back a retort, because in fairness, she knew what he meant. She did not want a quiet life, at least not an entirely quiet life. Moments of calm were lovely, but needed to be interspersed with regular doses of excitement and adventure.

“I know he seems that way,” Viv admitted, wondering why she had been so immediately taken with him herself. “He also seems kind, a truly gentle gentleman, but there was something else, like he was hiding something. I… I can’t put my finger on it.”

“And you’d best not, unless you want Papa to chop him into tiny pieces,” Ash said, smirking.

Viv rolled her eyes. “Don’t be puerile.”

Ash shrugged. “Why not? It’s what I do best.”