Page 1 of Miss Kimble Bites Back

CHAPTER ONE

“I heard Lord Brookes is sure to take a wife this year,” Gabby Kimble whispered to Miss Daisy Ellis and Miss Justine Dawes as they stood together on the edge of the Earl and Countess of Windermere’s grand London ballroom. “He is sure to attend tonight.”

“I can’t see him yet,” Daisy complained but gave her an encouraging smile.

Lord Brookes was the viscount Gabby had already set her heart on marrying. Although it was still early in the season, she’d seen him riding through Hyde Park last week and had immediately appreciated the view. So dashing, so impressive on his russet-brown horse as it flew by, and surprisingly tipping his hat as he went by them. They had been introduced a few days ago, and she had become even more smitten with his attentiveness and good manners and conversation.

“I can’t yet either, unfortunately.” Gabby was not known to be led by her impulses, but she had decided Lord Brookes was the one who would capture her heart and hand in marriage. “I could ask our hostess where he might be?”

“Don’t you dare do something so brazen,” Justine hissed, apparently scandalized by her boldness. “A true lady waits for a gentleman to come to her.”

“How can it hurt to ask?” Gabby shot back. “My cousin seems willing to confide in me in just about everything else going on in society.”

Gabby’s cousin, their hostess Lady Windermere, was a very distant connection of her family’s, and it had been a stroke of good fortune that she was willing to help with Gabby’s first season. It made up for Lady Scarsdale, her older neighbor and would-be sponsor, returning to the countryside for her health, taking her son and new daughter-in-law with them. But she’d introduced her to as many as she could during the time she’d been with her and was humbled that she had enlisted her closest friends to help in her place.

Her cousin Bennett Kimble, her guardian until she was five and twenty years, had not felt it wise impose on so distant a relation. Yet that was exactly what everyone else did in society.

“I wish I had such a connection to share gossip with me,” Miss Ellis confessed, casting her eyes behind them to where their guardian’s stood. Irritation flashed in her eyes momentarily before a smile reappeared.

Miss Ellis was here because her guardian, a stern viscount, did his duty to his ward and had brought her out this year, but followed her everywhere. Miss Ellis had no mother or father too, or a wealthy cousin well placed in society to offer support during this difficult time.

But Miss Justine Dawes had been brought out by her older widowed sister, a woman who had triumphed in her own first season and snared a great matrimonial prize to become a viscountess.

Gabby wished to do as well.

Her season was beyond anything she’d ever imagined so far. It would only get better, too.

Her cousin Lady Windermere had excellent taste in friends, right down to the husband she had married. Lord Windermere was a handsome devil, wealthy, and with a generous spirit toward so distant a relation of his wife’s. Gabby was beyond grateful, yet there was only so much they could do to secure her a husband. The rest was up to Gabby. She was intent on making a good impression on the right gentleman as fast as possible.

She smoothed her skirts and refreshed the smile on her face. She wanted everyone to believe she belonged here. “I hope I can speak with him tonight. He was so polite and kind when I ran into him on Bond Street yesterday,” she murmured, and then caught Justine’s frown of disapproval for mentioning the man again. “I swear I did not run into him on purpose.”

It had been an accident, their collision. A fortunate accident. Serendipity, indeed. She’d been walking along, chatting with her cousin Bennett, when a scamp of about ten years old rushed past her, knocking her off balance. Gabby had stumbled straight into Lord Brookes’ path.

And he’d caught her!

Right there on the street.

Gabby had been in a viscount’s arms for mere seconds, but she recalled every exquisite moment as if it were a whole hour. Surely there was no better sensation than being held close by an attractive man!

“Well, I’m glad he caught you, so you were not hurt yesterday,” Daisy whispered. “But you should not read too much into such a moment.”

“No, she certainly should not,” Justine agreed, “You know nothing about him.”

“I know I shouldn’t, but I have made discreet enquiries.” She rattled off a list of his interests and achievements to her friends. Information she’d gleaned from conversation with Lady Windermere. “Is that not further proof that he’s a fine gentleman and worthy of our regard?”

Daisy giggled. “You mean your regard. Justine and I have not the same interest in that particular gentleman as you seem to do. I’ll keep an open mind about my prospects for finding a husband this season, as will Justine, I suspect.”

“Yes, indeed,” Justine agreed, but then frowned. “My decision regarding a husband will be well-considered and not the result of girlish speculation. I shall not be disappointed.”

Despite the rebuke from Justine, Gabby linked arms with her friends. “None of us will. This is our year. We’re all going to marry well and stay good friends forever, aren’t we?” she asked, knowing the answer already.

Gabby, Daisy, and Justine were an unstoppable team. The best of friends, despite only having just met. They could help each other navigate society this season. They’d met at their first ball, stood on the sidelines together as others danced. They had struck up a hesitant, whispered conversation since they had not yet been introduced to each other. After the formalities were performed, there had been nothing to stop their merry chatter every time they met.

“Now, do you think we’ve stood here too long? Let’s not be accused of being wallflowers and setting down roots. I think there might be a better view of the room from closer to the refreshment table.” Gabby glanced over her shoulder to where her cousin Bennett stood talking with Daisy’s guardian, Lord Throsby, and gave him a subtle, prearranged signal they would circulate. Bennett inclined his head, ready to shadow her everywhere.

They skirted the dance floor, weaving through guests not currently participating in the dance, until they found a suitably sized gap in the crowd on the other side of the room.

“This is much better,” Gabby announced, fluffing out the skirts of her finest satin ball gown. They had a fine view of the dancers, anyone at the refreshment table, and also the ballroom doors, where guests flowed through constantly.