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Back The Marriage List
Chapters (45)
  1. FIRST WALTZ
  2. Also by
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Dedication
  6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  7. CHAPTER ONE
  8. CHAPTER TWO
  9. CHAPTER THREE
  10. CHAPTER FOUR
  11. CHAPTER FIVE
  12. CHAPTER SIX
  13. CHAPTER SEVEN
  14. CHAPTER EIGHT
  15. CHAPTER NINE
  16. CHAPTER TEN
  17. CHAPTER ELEVEN
  18. CHAPTER TWELVE
  19. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  20. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  21. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  22. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  23. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  24. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  25. CHAPTER NINETEEN
  26. CHAPTER TWENTY
  27. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
  28. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
  29. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
  30. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
  31. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
  33. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
  34. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
  35. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
  36. CHAPTER THIRTY
  37. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
  38. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
  39. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
  40. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
  41. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
  42. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
  43. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
  44. EPILOGUE
  45. AUTHOR’S NOTES

Aurelia glanced at her mother. “You know them?”

“Of course I do. I came out the same year the duchess did. Now, let me tell you the story. St. Albans’s father told his mother he was going to tear out her garden to build a tennis court. She refused. When he pressed the issue, she had the gamekeeper arm his helpers and the gardeners with hunting guns and refused to allow the men he had hired to enter her garden. She even held one of the muskets herself.”

“He gave up the scheme when she told him that he’d have a difficult time using a tennis court with a ball in his arm,” St Albans added. “She would have done it. M’mother doesn’t make idle threats.”

“Hmm, I see what you mean.” Aurelia glanced at her watch pin. “I shall give it some thought. As for now, I should be going. I have things I must accomplish before this afternoon.”

“I will stay and keep you company until you finish eating,” Mama said. “We can discuss the forms of events suitable for young ladies.”

Aurelia bussed her mother’s cheek. “Have an enjoyable time.”

She gathered her coat, bonnet, and gloves from the butler, then strolled to the pavement toward home. If the Worthington ladies were at the meeting—and she had no doubt they would be—Aurelia would find the time to get to know more about Lady Eleanor. Something must be done about John’s latest start.

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

Eleanor and her sisters—even Augusta—arrived at Dotty’s house as some of the other ladies were entering as well. The rooms were already filling up. Dotty had ended up making three large drawing rooms into one room by opening the pocket doors.

“How is this going to work?” Eleanor had envisioned a raised platform at one end and rows of chairs. There were plenty of places to sit, but it was not set up as a lecture would be.

“We all mingle, tell each other what we’ve been doing, and discuss other things we might do or want to do.” Dotty embraced Eleanor.

Eleanor grabbed Henrietta’s arm as she hurried past. “What is—Oh, Eleanor, it has been an age since I’ve seen you.” Henrietta enveloped Eleanor in a hug. “I was hurrying because I had a glimpse of Madeline and, I thought, Alice too.”

“They are both here.” The three of them had separated after arriving. “I would like to speak with you about something.”

“Of course.” A footman came around with lemonade and chilled white wine. Henrietta took two glasses of lemonade and handed one to Eleanor. “Come to the window seat. We can be private there.” Once they had settled in on the cushion, she asked, “What do you wish to talk about?”

There was no point in beating around the bush with Henrietta. “I want to know more about Lord Montagu.”