Chapter 2: Page 1

A foolish sense of satisfaction and hope budded inside

Lord Irvine Kinneas as he helped Selphie Tilmitt

out of his carriage. Bringing her to Helmhurst to help

celebrate his cousin's engagement made him feel as if

she belonged to him, however briefly.

The Earl of Welland stood near the magnificent pillared

entrance to the house, greeting his guests. The old

fellow looked as frail as ever, but happier than Kinneas

had seen him since his grandson had returned disfigured

after the Battle of Waterloo. Beside the earl stood a

lovely young woman with shining brown hair and a shy smile.

"Kinneas, my dear boy!" The earl glanced from Kinneas to

Selphie with the twinkling eyes of an unrepentant

matchmaker. "I am delighted you've brought such a lovely

companion with you to grace our celebrations. I want

this gloomy old place steeped to the eaves in the

laughter and romance of young folk for a few days. It

will be the perfect tonic for me."

Kinneas dearly hoped he would be able to oblige the old

fellow. He bowed to the earl and to the young lady he

assumed must be his cousin's fiancée. "Thank you for the

invitation, sir. May I present a dear friend of the

family, Miss Selphie Tilmitt?"

"What — not Bram Tilmitt's little girl? Why it seems

just yesterday we were toasting your christening.

Welcome, my dear!" The earl turned to the young woman

beside him. "This is a dear friend of my family, and

soon to be a member of it, Miss Rinoa Heartilly."

The gentlemen bowed over the ladies' hands. Kinneas and

Selphie both congratulated Miss Heartilly on her

engagement to Lord Leonhart and everyone praised the

fine weather.

"Is Squall around, by any chance?" asked Kinneas. "I'd like

to congratulate him on his good fortune and good sense

in securing such a lovely bride."

"You'll see him at dinner," said the earl with no

further explanation. "Until then, why don't you both

settle in and make yourselves at home. I hope you

brought masks and costumes for the ball."

They assured him that, indeed, they had. Kinneas could

scarcely wait for a glimpse of Selphie as Helen of Troy.

He'd have launched a thousand ships for her, if he'd

thought it would do him any good.