CHAPTER 1
“Oh, I am full to the brim with curiosity,” Lady Meredith fanned herself; the urgency with which they were discussing matters concerning others was leaving her frustrated. “No one has seen her in six months.”
A bored Harriet Cooper stood between the ranks of her overeager mother, Albina, and one of her friends, Lady Meredith. They were in attendance at the ball where both ladies were eagerly huddled together, engaging in what they enjoyed most: gossip.
Albina nodded, “Strange. That Emma girl is such a wallflower. Are we certain that she is not simply hiding in her house?”
“Oh, no, no. What I hear is quite a bit more…” Lady Meredith lowered her tone conspicuously, “scandalous.”
“You must tell me,” Albina urged.
“She has not been seen for the last six months. Can you believe it? I am certain she must be either shunned, or hiding a horrible secret.”
It was at this point that Harriet had heard enough. She looked around in the crowd, having had more than her fill of gossip for the evening. Or rather, the entire month. What others got up to was never something she considered herself too interested in.
Luckily, she spotted Lady Arabella in the crowd, who walked over. “The countess has outdone herself again — for she has managed to bring the infamously opposed Harriet to another ball,” she grinned mischievously.
“The least you could do is commiserate my situation,” Harriet narrowed her eyes at her friend. “Now that both of my sisters are wedded, I can scarcely find any excuse to talk myself out of attending these blasted things.”
“It is only expected,” Lady Arabella noted, “for you have turned twenty and three this year, have you not? If you delay finding a match much longer, then surely a life of spinsterhood is in your future.”
Harriet resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Please. Why are we all so adamant on insisting that a woman’s desirability diminishes once she reaches the mid-point of her twenties?”
“You may disagree with the notion,” Arabella mused, unconvinced, “but the fact of the matter remains that this is thetruth. We should not hide from it. You cannot run away from marriage forever.”
“Oh, but I don’t intend to,” Harriet passed Arabella a mischievous smile. “I believe that I will only marry when I am truly rendered impressed. And frankly…”
Harriet looked around the room, an indifferent look glazing her eyes. “I am not sure if anyone meets that requirement.”
Arabella shook her head. At this point, she was quite used to her friend’s rather eccentric musings. Harriet had always thought differently than other girls her age, and that was no secret. Where most young girls dreamt of their white-horse prince and fairytale romance, Harriet felt those things were too shallow — as was the money and status that her mother was so concerned about.
What Harriet sought from a partner was much deeper. A clean heart, the right principles, and someone who could let her be herself.
It was a demanding list, perhaps. It was no wonder then that none of the gentlemen who had pursued her till now fitted the mold.
“You mustn’t be so picky,” Arabella nudged her friend, “After all, a lady who is never happy with anything gets a bad reputation amongst the ton.”
“Surely, I care deeply about my reputation,” Harriet’s words dripped with sarcasm.
“Well, youshould.As a lady, appearances are everything. If the Emma situation teaches us anything, it is that whatever the truth is, it looks quite awful that she has just gone missing out of the blue. How scandalous, and truly unbecoming of a lady.”
“Rumors often are baseless, and a wise person should think twice before trusting them. Perhaps Miss Spencer simply chose to take an extended holiday,” Harriet reasoned.
“Bless your heart,” Arabella covered her mouth as she giggled, “If only the other members of the ton were as kind as you.”
“Where is the countess?” Arabella asked, her eyes wandering the room. “I believe I have not seen her in a while now, and she will be enthused when I tell her the news of my engagement.”
“Oh, please don’t,” Harriet pleaded. “Otherwise, I shall never hear the end of it. You know she is already trying so hard to get me married off before the end of the season; the news of your engagement will only expedite her efforts.”
“Harriet, it cannot be so bad,” Arabella shrugged.
“Oh, itis,”Harriet pressed. “She has embarrassed me in front of suitors more times than I can count. Just last week, she practically sang my praises to Lord Pembroke in front of everyone. He looked at me as if I were a prize mare at auction!”
“Ah,” a look of recognition came over Arabella’s face, “well, eagerness is never something that fares well with gentlemen but do not forget that you are quite the catch yourself. There is some truth to her words.”
Harriet sighed, feeling a mixture of affection and exasperation towards her well-meaning mother. “If only she would let me be. I’m beginning to think she’ll never stop until I’m married off to the highest bidder.”
“Well, would that be so bad? At least you will be well-taken care of.”
