Miracles

After a few attempts to share this dream with her mama, Julia

Until a few months before the masquerade ball, the subject of a London Season for Julia

Although Julia

In the end, neither was Juliana.

Three weeks after Julia

"Yes, my dove," he murmured without looking up.

After an admonishing look at Julia

"Dear heaven, your gowns were expensive, but the vicar’s wife assures me the modiste I hired is quite competent, though not capable of the sort of intricate designs you will see worn by the young ladies of the Ton. On the other hand, I daresay few of them have your beauty, so it all works out quite evenly. Someday soon you will have gowns to go with your looks, and you will be the envy of all! You'll have jewels and furs, coaches, servants at your beck and call…"

Julia

"What has happened is that I have managed to put your small inheritance to grand use – and in a ma

Julia

"Yes, it is all true! You are going to London for the Season, where we will contrive a way for you to mingle with all the right people! While we are there, I have every confidence you will captivate some eligible gentleman who will make you a splendid offer. Perhaps even the Earl of Langford, whose estates are said to be beyond compare. Or Nicholas DuVille, who is one of the richest men in England and France and is about to inherit a Scottish title from a relative of his mama. I have it from several unimpeachable sources that the Earl of Langford and the Earl of Glenmore – which is what DuVille will be called-are considered to be the two most desirable bachelors in Europe! Just imagine how envious the Ton will be when little Julia

Julia

"My dear, foolish girl, I wouldn't even if I could, which I ca

There was little point in refusing to go there, and no way to avoid it, so Juliana went.

In London, her mother insisted they browse daily in the same exclusive shops in which the Ton shopped, and each afternoon they strolled through the same London parks where the Ton was always to be seen.

But nothing went as Lady Skeffington had pla

Though her mama seemed not to notice that she was being treated with icy disdain, Julia

Despite all that, Julia

The Earl of Langford, whom Lady Skeffington had coveted for her daughter, threw a final rub into her plans by getting married at the end of the Season. In a quick wedding that shocked London and antagonized Lady Skeffington, the handsome earl married Miss Bromleigh.