Lies and Deception

Adelaide disappoints her Mother at every turn. She is unrefined, not ladylike enough, and interested in things that won't add to her appeal in the marriage market. Constantly compared to the daughter of her Mother's best friend, Adelaide comes up short every time, and the Coulthard women are never reluctant to point out Adelaide's faults. When things between the women boil over, her Father steps in. Organising a compromise, Lord Fleming encourages Adelaide to take up activities that her Mother approves of while still allowing her time to ride. Once the two girls enter society, Beatrice, the shining star, is not popular, while Adelaide is the season's premier debutant. Jealousy rears its ugly head, and Adelaide's season spirals out of control with an attempted murder and rumours that ruin her reputation. Adelaide accepts an arranged marriage when an investigator solves the mystery of the unknown assailant. When the marriage falters, Adelaide travels to her husband's estate to force him to explain why he had quit the townhouse and their marriage. What she finds upon arrival stuns her, and Adelaide concedes that her marriage is dead. A revelation about her marriage gives Adelaide hope, and she wonders whether it's salvageable or if she should walk away while she can. [RR1]