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until a week after the scheduled party.
    The duchess looked like the cat who’d swallowed the cream. “No man will be able to resist the lure of my invitation, especially after weeks of being forced to toe the line of society. We shall have plenty of eligible bachelors for Miss Lily to choose from.”
    Well, there was no more to be said. Every moment he stood here was a moment wasted. With a gracefulbow, he said, “Yes, yer grace. I’ll see to it that the invitations are sent and the house readied immediately.” At her pleased nod, he left the sitting room, pulling the door closed behind him.
    Out in the hallway he called to the young footman who hovered in the hallway, “Come, John. It’s time to batten down the hatches. Her grace is on the warpath again, and it’s all men to stations!”

Three
    From the Diary of the Duchess of Roxburghe The entire castle is being readied for our guests. So far, over one hundred and ten have confirmed their attendance at our little Butterfly Ball, with forty-two staying the entire three weeks for the preceding house party. Charlotte says that Countess MacInnis is beside herself with envy, but I never pay attention to what other people think. I simply plan excellent entertainments and let the world do what they may.
    Meanwhile, my goddaughter Miss Lily Balfour arrived yesterday. She’s quite lovely, with gray eyes and bright red-gold hair. We had a lovely talk, and I could tell from what she did not say that funds are tight at Caith Manor and she is, indeed, in dire need of a well-placed husband. I have found the perfect candidate: the wealthy Earl of Huntley, who’s been widowed for over two years and is now in the market for a tractable, wellborn wife, though he’s had lamentable luck in that area—until now.
    Judging from the sparkle in her eyes, I don’t believe Miss Balfour is tractable, but she is both lovely and wellborn. In addition, she is not a society miss, like so many others who’ve set their caps at the poor earl. I think Huntley will find her innocence and honesty refreshing.
    I must say that if they happen to enter into a marriage, my reputation as a matchmaker extraordinaire will be established once and for all. Not, of course, that I intend to meddle. Such is not my style. I merely present the opportunity, and stand back and allow nature to have its way. . . .
    Lily turned her horse down the wide path that led toward the woods. Behind her, Floors Castle sat amid well-manicured lawns filled with flowers. The castle was luxurious and beautifully appointed, but Lily felt nothing but relief as the trees obscured it from view.
    For the last two days she’d been a perfectly behaved guest, smiling and nodding, greeting people she didn’t know with the appearance of pleasure. Every minute had been torture. The days had been filled with nonstop introductions, and if she had to remember one more name, she feared her head might explode.
    The shade under the trees cooled the air, and she pulled Dahlia’s red cloak tighter. Lily allowed the horse its head, the peacefulness of the forest calming her frayed nerves. She’d had no idea how uncomfortable and lonely it would be, coming to a castle where she knew no one. The duchess had been lovely, althoughshe and Lady Charlotte had quizzed Lily mercilessly when she’d first arrived. She’d let them know in as delicate a manner as possible that she was quite ready to form a suitable marriage, but she’d offered no more than that. No one needed to know about the Balfours’ distressed financial situation, but she had the uncomfortable impression that the duchess’s shrewd blue eyes had seen far more than Lily intended.
    The horse’s hooves were muffled on the packed dirt, the trees moving overhead in the breeze. Birds sang, leaves danced, and the scent of pine tickled her nose. Peace settled over Lily as the quiet wood settled about her.
    It was so good to get away from the pressing crowd at the castle. This morning