Cammie POV

Chapter One

I inhaled quickly as Mary struggled with my corset, tightening it in the most horrendous fashion. "Mary," I rasped, gulping like a fish caught above sea, "the only way I'll open my first season with a bang is when, not if, I vomit on every prospectful suitor dancing with me tonight. Especially since I can't. Even. Breathe!"

Tutting playfully, Mary finally forced my waist into an obviously unhealthy hourglass shape, finishing with a resounding snap as she freed her fingers from the torture contraption strapped to my body. "Hush then, Cams, and save your strength! The way you're gonna be looking tonight will have every boy swarming to you like a bunch of lovesick bees! This corset will be the least of your problems." Grinning, she walked over to the window, snatching my dress from the ledge.

I whirled around when I heard her gasp. "What's wrong, Mary? Did the rain this morning come through the open window and ruin my dress?" Crossing my fingers, I didn't even try to mask the hope in my voice. "Good grief! I must have completely forgotten to close the window last night! What a terrible mistake. I guess I'll just have to stay—"

My fruitless effort to dodge my first coming out dissipated with Mary's next words. As did my desire to escape the dance that night. "Your brothers have just arrived. And it looks as if they've brought Zach."

I ran to the window sill and peered out, my heart leaping with excitement. "It is Zach! I can't believe he—I mean, they—were able to make it here tonight!" Mary's uncharacteristic stern look put me back a step.

"It's Lord Zach to you, Cammie dear. His father just died. Treat his title with respect. And don't go bombarding him with your usual enthusiasm; he's having a hard time as it is. I can't imagine inheriting the entire Goode estate at the young age of 18." With a sigh, she turned me around and began dolling me up in the dress. "That's only two years older than you, honey. Be gentle."

I glanced at Mary's tender face behind my own, grabbing her hands before they completely engulfed my body in the beautiful red fabric. "I know. He's like a brother to me, Mary. I've just really missed him, that's all." She smiled softly at me, then turning my body around, quipped, "You're still wearing this dress tonight. I don't care that the window was open when it was raining. You can't get passed me that easily."

Laughing, I let her finish, her fingers moving like lightning so that I'd get downstairs in time to leave for the first dance of the season. As her hands stilled on my back, she pulled me to the mirror, and we both caught our breaths. Me, because I finally realized that I was to find a husband now that I'd turned 16, and this—the dresses, the updos, the dances— was all for them. Mary, because—well, I'm not really sure. I guess, for the first time, it was because I looked pretty. Or, not as dirty as usual.

I was the first to break the trance, hugging Mary quickly before bounding down the stairs. Hearing a rumble of inaudible male voices, I followed the sound until I entered the drawing room, bumping into someone's back and almost crashing to the ground in a most unlady-like fashion. Faster than I thought possible, the victim of my blunder whipped around and clutched my arms to keep me from falling. Gazing through my annoyingly long dark lashes, my eyes met the incredible emerald stare that belonged to none other than Zachary Goode. Gathering as much dignity as I could muster, I stepped out of Zach's arms and extended my hand, muttering, "Hello, Lord Zach. It's very, er—nice to see you again." My face burning with embarrassment, I could no longer maintain such awkward eye contact.

When he grabbed my hand in both of his, I dared to peek at his face, and began glaring as his eyes twinkled down at me, filled with undeniable mirth. He was laughing at me! "Cammie, long time no see! I should have known it was you crashing into me. I almost didn't recognize you. That can't be a dress you're wearing?" Evidently, my killer gaze had no effect on him.

Wrenching my fingers from his warm grip, I settled my hands on my hips and leveled him with a death stare. "No, I'm obviously wearing britches and a pair of overalls." His lips twitched. Rolling my eyes, I continued, "It's my first season. I can't very well be expected to land a husband wearing my brothers' old clothes, now can I?" His eyes registered a faint shock, and I grinned before turning to face my three big brothers. "Don't tell me you guys are coming to the dance, too? You hate them almost as much as I do!"

Tom, Henry and Edward exchanged begrudging glances, looking quite uncomfortable, I noticed. Henry was the first to speak up. "We're coming, sis. Dad made us promise to make sure you got into the right circles and met some real eligible men." At this, Zach snorted rather loudly, but I had eyes only for my brothers. I knew there was more. Tom was next, "Cams, it's your first season. That's not something we would miss, no matter how….revolting it is." This he said with a shudder, and I nearly burst out laughing. I reined it in, however, and pierced Ed with my eyes. He jumped right in. "We love you, too, of course. And missed you. Lots." It almost sounded like a question.

Raising an eyebrow, I regarded them with suspicion. "So you're not coming to be my guard dogs, right? You won't gauge out the eyes of the first guy who happens to mistake me for someone actually interested in marriage? Right?" They all nodded vigorously, and I tried to hide my smile (failing epically, of course). I walked the distance separating us, and launched myself into their arms. After a few moments, I stepped back, finally remembering the dance. "Let's go before I end up destroying this dress one way or another. I don't think Mary would forgive me." They laughed at that, and I grabbed Zach's arm as we headed to the carriage. "Can you be my escort? Just for tonight? I won't know anyone and I'd rather dance my first dance with you than with some nameless fellow unlucky enough to end up writing on my pathetic dance card."

For some reason, my heart did a little jig as he clasped my hand with his and lifted me into the carriage before settling close beside me. "Now, what kind of friend and gentleman would I be if I said no? Besides, you're practically my sister. Of course I'll be your escort!" The relief must have been evident on my face, because he chuckled out loud and clasped my cold fingers in his. "I'll make sure to be at your side the entire night. I'll even hold the guys back with a stick if I have to. You have absolutely nothing to worry about." My face split into a smile, and I felt the stirrings of excitement for the very first time. Maybe these dances weren't going to be that bad. I leaned into his shoulder, and he nudged me in return, pointing at the lights in the distance and describing what Almack's would look like when we arrived. His familiar voice put my nerves at ease, and I smiled, not minding at all when he forgot to relinquish his hold on my hand. I could live with that.