– not that she had any to begin with – she was young and not ready for marriage, nor sort of relationship with a man, howbeit, gentle. But she would be eighteen soon and expected

, her groom would wait for her

he perfe

ead, declined dancing with him again. She left and walked over to Lucy who she had seen when she was still dancing, but bef

say you are exceptiona

kind, My Lord."

e most beautiful lady here." Lucy's smile deepened. Lord D'Averette was a sweet talker and her

rd D'Averette bowed slightly to Gwen as he led

eyes that Lord D'Averette was smitten by her, and in no time, he might

rily conversing with Beth who stood away from the crowd. Very well, she knew the discussion that was afoot.

et me know if you need help getting to a m

st to know." Aunt Marrily left. Beth

is just too determined." G

your dance? Trust you enjoyed ev

wine from a passing server, as did Beth. "I wish Sir Princeton would ask me to dance again, he's quite the dance

ather ask hi

one to give such counsel, when you would rather be thrown and forgotten in a li

e I stand."

ant him to misjudge me; he should rather seek to woo me." She p

nights, but to be wooed by a man who saw beyond the surface, beyond who s

. And already you want him to pursue y

. He's a wonderful man." She made a show of searching for Sir Princeton in the crowd, and

room, you said yo

even more so at this moment." The crowd clapped and hailed to the music, and continu

ded to think yourself in

one dance. But I know love is out there and someday, it

even if she wasn't ready. But she would be, she assured, for it must come befor

uld believe otherwise." Beth ask

of it. She swallowed her emotions quickly before it would be discovered. The name and it

do. I know the reason you are so against marriage in theory and in practice. I know why you hat

h the idea? I can't fathom th

would not

s marriage, a home, and the slightest possibility of love and happiness, then he has most definitely won, and I refus

ather force you

onstrue m

?" They kept their gazes. "For

'm reminded of his rejection and his crude and shameful alliance, and the thought to give up and do nothing else but cry surfaces. But th

"Good or bad, I want no part in

die an old maid, unfulfille

parents and die an old gentlewoman. Peaceful and somew

er wineglass from a server. Beth declined. "I would rather you think again, f

est look elsewhere dear; I won't we

husband before the year ends and as it seems, so does Aunt Marrily. Look." She gestured. "She comes again with another

he was smiling too brightly, scarily too. Gwen patted her hair a

on her. "You seem hap

uch enjoyed the attention she garnered from the men, and the women alike. "I choose

, somewhat embarrassed to be corrected before other people. "Sir George, these are my nieces, Beth and Gwen. Beautiful,

ance." He shook them, but kis

riend. Lord Claymo

baron asked, kissin

ery well. How are yo

es." Gwen blushed. She had mastered the skill. She simply needed

ed a deeper blush at his words. Aunt Marrily was watchi

wed after Lord Claymoir, ready for another dance and another scrutiny. Perhaps he could be the on