The Spinster Bride by Jane Goodger

was my mother. I mentioned, in passing, what you’d said to me after you’d been caught with Lord Avonleigh. I only spoke because she’d seemed so enthusiastic about a match between the two of you. I could not have predicted her reaction. She was incensed and demanded that I tell Lord Avonleigh what you’d said to me.”
    â€œIt’s all right. Everything is fine now and we’re very happy.”
    â€œYou didn’t plan it, did you?” Marjorie said, remembering how Katherine and Lord Avonleigh had been caught quite publicly in a compromising position.
    Katherine shook her head. “No. I didn’t.”
    â€œI knew you didn’t. But . . .”
    â€œI understand. Graham and I never were very discreet. It was bound to happen. And now we’re both very glad it did.”
    â€œOh, that’s wonderful,” Marjorie said. “I was going to write, but I didn’t know quite what to say.”
    â€œPlease, you are forgiven. You only did what you thought was right. And what of you? Are you here with Mr. Norris?”
    Marjorie looked slightly taken aback. “No,” she said quickly. Then, “Yes. No. Well, yes.”
    Katherine laughed. “Which is it?”
    â€œYes. But we’re not courting. It’s a long and very ridiculous story. I find him extremely onerous, as a matter of fact.”
    â€œHe is handsome. And rich.”
    â€œNo title,” Marjorie pointed out with a laugh. “And besides, he’s no doubt already half in love with someone else.”
    â€œThere is always Lord Mandeville,” Katherine said, referring to an ancient widower.
    Marjorie laughed. “I’m so glad you’re not angry.”
    â€œI was angry,” Katherine said. “But that lasted only until Graham came to his senses.”
    The two women returned, arm in arm, to the ballroom. Katherine immediately spotted Graham and led Marjorie to her husband, who was still talking with Mr. Norris. It appeared as though Mr. Norris had said something to make Lord Avonleigh angry.
    When the two women reached the men, Mr. Norris said, “Lady Avonleigh, did you know that your husband once made a mockery of me for having the audacity to fall in love?”
    â€œIt does sound like something he would do.”
    â€œWhat in heaven’s name did you do to him, my lady?” Mr. Norris asked.
    Katherine looked up at Graham, her eyes shining. “I made him smile.”
    â€œIf that is all that’s necessary, I should have been long married by now,” Marjorie said. Katherine did look so happy, so much in love, and Marjorie couldn’t stop the small twinge of envy she felt. Would she ever love anyone like that? Would a man ever look down at her the way Lord Avonleigh was looking at his bride?
    Marjorie saw her mother frowning at her, but Marjorie knew her mother approved of Lord and Lady Avonleigh, in spite of their inauspicious courtship. She was no doubt tolerating the presence of Mr. Norris because he was a friend of Lord Avonleigh.
    When the first waltz began, Lord Avonleigh asked his wife to dance, and the two drifted off together, looking dreamily into each other’s eyes.
    â€œHe didn’t even want to get married,” Charles said, sounding a bit mulish. “And there he is, looking like a besotted fool, dancing with his lovely wife. Doesn’t he know it’s not the done thing?”
    Marjorie laughed. “Don’t worry. We’ll have you looking at your wife like that before the season is through. Right now, though, my mother is staring daggers at me for being so brash as to talk with a man without a ‘lord’ in front of his name. Off I go. I’ll look for the next note. What fun.”
    No doubt Charles wouldn’t get a chance to speak with Lady Marjorie again, a thought that made him slightly depressed. He scanned the room, his gaze stopping at every young thing in a skirt. God, they all looked