After the wedding, the entire party had a breakfast feast on the lawn at the Moreland estate. Tables were set up and covered with huge white linens. Lilacs and white roses festooned each of them. Colorful ribbons of green and lavender had been strung above the tables with poles and children ran and shouted and laughed. There was nary a cloud in the sky and the smell of the fresh flowers along with the slight breeze made the entire affair magical.

Jane was stuck sitting next to a family member of Cass’s, some sort of knight. She couldn’t help glancing over at Garrett’s table time and again. They sat only a few yards from each other. He was usually watching her.

The rest of the day was a blur with Jane and Cass and Lucy all hugging one another, wishing Cass the best, and congratulating her groom. Jane and Lucy helped Cass prepare for the wedding ball, and then they all settled in to take naps so they might be refreshed for the dancing.

Jane snuggled beneath her coverlet, just about to nod off, when her mother came into her room. “Jane, dear, you haven’t said. Have you met anyone special since you’ve been here? A gentleman perhaps.”

Normally Jane would have rolled her eyes or pretended to be asleep already. Her mother asked her this same question of every party she’d been to since her come-out. For the first time in forever Jane could actually say yes.

She breathed in the lavender scent from her pillow and squeezed her eyes closed. She wasn’t ready to admit it to her mother yet. She didn’t want to engage her mother’s hopes for a … what? A marriage? Jane hadn’t considered that possibility, herself. She’d barely begun to enjoy kissing Upton. Marriage was far too much to consider at present.

“I’ve met some wonderful people here, Mama, and come to know some of them better than before,” she replied cryptically. “I’ll see you tonight.” She rolled over and pulled the covers to her chin.

*   *   *

The wedding ball was spectacular. The dancing was marvelous. There were several sets of La Boulangère, cotillions, quadrilles, and even a Scottish reel or two. The waltzes came and went while Jane waited for her ankle to comply. At least that awful Mrs. Langford had the good sense to stay far across the room. Owen Monroe, it appeared, was taken with the widow. He was spending a great deal of time in her company, poor man. When Owen wasn’t there, Daphne Swift seemed to take up the task of speaking with the woman. Poor, sweet Daphne.