The Glittering Lights (Bantam Series No. 12) by Barbara Cartland

Fladbury had in her youth been a pretty girl. She had however grown stout and heavy in her old age, and at sixty found it impossible to move quickly.
    She was ten years older than her Step-brother but was devoted to him, and she had a real affection for Cassandra.
    “I had been wondering when you would visit me again,” she said when her niece appeared, “and I cannot tell you how delighted I was when I received your father’s telegram this morning.”
    “It is delightful to see you, Aunt Eleanor. I have come to London to buy some new clothes. I have also a number of social engagements, so I shall not be a trouble to you.”
    “You are never that,” Lady Fladbury replied. “At the same time, I was wondering if I should cancel the Bridge party I have arranged for tomorrow night.”
    “No, please,” Cassandra begged, “do not cancel anything, Aunt Eleanor. I am practically booked up for the whole of the time I am here. In fact I was half-afraid you might feel offended that I can spend so little time with you.”
    “No, of course not. All I want is for you to enjoy yourself,” her Aunt replied.
    Cassandra sipped the hot chocolate which the Butler had set down by her side.
    “Tell me all the gossip, Aunt Eleanor,” she begged. “You know as well as I do that living in the wilds of Yorkshire we never hear any scandal until it is out of date.”
    Lady Fladbury laughed.
    “I cannot believe that,” she said, “but there are quite a lot of amusing incidents which are the on-dit of the moment.”
    She chattered away about a number of their acquaintances. “To whom is the Prince of Wales attached now?” Cassandra asked.
    “Far too many lovely women for me to enumerate,” Lady Fladbury replied. “But one thing is very certain; since Mrs. Langtry, His Royal Highness’s lady friends, even if they are actresses, are accepted in some sections of society.”
    Cassandra laughed.
    “A crown can work marvels! But I see no reason why an actress should be treated as a pariah!”
    Lady Fladbury appeared to be about to reply. Then changed what she was about to say to a question.
    “What about you, Cassandra? Have you not any plans to marry?”
    “Not yet,” Cassandra answered. “I have yet to find someone who will capture my heart.”
    “It surprises me that James has no-one in mind for you,” her Aunt said reflectively. “He always used to talk when you were a child as if he expected you to marry at least a Prince, and yet here you are over twenty and still a spinster.”
    “But not quite an old maid,” Cassandra protested.
    “I was wondering the other day who would suit you,” Lady Fladbury remarked, “and I have quite a long list of eligible young men who would welcome a pretty, intelligent and of course wealthy young wife.”
    As Cassandra made no comment, she continued:
    “I thought your father would be certain to bring you to London for the Season. He has not asked me to apply to Buckingham Palace that I might present you, so I assume he has done so himself.”
    “I expect so,” Cassandra said indifferently. “The last Drawing-Room does not take place until the end of May. That gives us plenty of time.”
    “If you are to be presented, your father surely would have told you so.”
    “Perhaps he has not received an answer,” Cassandra replied. “I feel I am too old to be a debutante .”
    “Nonsense!” Lady Fladbury exclaimed. “You will have to be presented sooner or later. It looks as if it will have to be on your marriage.”
    “When I find a husband!”
    Cassandra hesitated a moment and then she said:
    “Perhaps, as you told me some time ago, all the eligible bachelors have been caught by the Gaiety Girls. Are there any more heart throbs among the aristocracy?”
    “Quite a number,” Lady Fladbury replied. “There is a joke going around that the Duke of Beaufort, who is a Knight of the Garter, was asked by an inquisitive Frenchman what the letters ‘K.G’ stood for after his name, and