“But you and I are different,” Lavinia argued. “You’re outgoing and charming. I was always a wallflower.”
That was true, but it didn’t mean Edwina wanted to spend the day charming people. She didn’t. She had come here to see the auction, nothing more. She should have known something like this would happen, though.
And why was Lavinia behaving so strangely? That was really difficult to understand. It was bad enough that her sister had apparently decided to give her a difficult time about her spinsterhood, but it was also clear that she was concealing something from Edwina, and that made Edwina feel very uneasy. She and Lavinia usually told one another everything. What could her sister be concealing from her now?
It made Edwina feel more than a little suspicious. Her sister had become quite outgoing and mischievous in the years since her marriage. It was a far cry from the timid lady she had once been. And though Edwina did appreciate the change in Lavinia, it made her wonder what her sister might be up to.
But there was nothing she could do now anyway. Lavinia was right—the auction would start soon, and she was expected in the ballroom. Her absence would be noticed and remarked upon, and that wasn’t something she wanted to have to address.
She left the dining room and crossed the foyer. The ballroom doors stood open, and people began filing in and taking their seats. Edwina found Matthew right away, and though she would have preferred to find a seat on her own, she knew he would never allow it.
She made her way over to him. “Where have you been?” he asked. “I was beginning to think that you would miss the start of the auction.”
“I was in the dining room.”
“You should have come here straight away.”
“I was talking to Lavinia,” Edwina sighed. “She asked me to step in there and speak with her, Matthew. Is it such a problem?”
“I suppose not,” Matthew relented. “I just wish that you had told me where you were going. I was concerned about it.”
He hadn’t been worried abouther, Edwina was sure. Not that her brother didn’t care for her—she knew he did—but she was perfectly safe here at Loxburgh Manor, and Matthew was almost certainly more worried about her missing the opportunity to meet some gentleman or other. She glanced around, wondering if the next suitor he had lined up for her was nearby, but she didn’t see any more. That was a relief. Perhaps there would be no suitor today, and she could simply relax and enjoy the paintings.
It seemed unlikely, though. Matthew was so aggressive about getting her matched to a suitor and getting her married that he wouldn’t accept the idea that that wasn’t what Edwina wanted.
She would just have to keep resisting him, just as she had to resist every gentleman who expressed interest in her.
That was how she had become the unattainable spinster after all—by showing them all, one by one, that she was beyond their reach, no matter how hard they tried.
CHAPTER 2
The auction went by quickly, as it always did. Edwina eventually allowed herself to relax. It was always a pleasure to look at the artwork, and even though she was aware of people’s eyes on her and certain that some were whispering about her, she found herself able to ignore that and just enjoy what was going on.
After the last piece had been auctioned off, the guests began to rise to their feet, but Lavinia appeared at the front of the room and held up her hands, signaling that they should wait. Slowly, everyone settled back into their seats, murmuring in obvious confusion.
“Before we end things, there’s one more item to be auctioned off today,” Lavinia announced.
Edwina frowned. Was there another piece of artwork? She tried to think back to what she had seen in the dining room. Nothing came to mind, but perhaps she had forgotten one.
“Do you know what this is about?” Matthew asked her.
“Not another painting?”
“No, that was the last painting.” He held up a piece of paper, and Edwina saw it was a list of all the artwork. Lavinia must have given it to him, and it made her feel frustrated that she hadn’t been given one—but then, she hadn’t planned on bidding today. Maybe that was why.
“I don’t know what it is,” Edwina said.
“I know she took you aside before the auction began. I thought she might have told you.”
“She didn’t. I don’t know any more than you do.”
Lavinia cleared her throat. “I always appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm for this auction,” she said. “And it’s an honor to be able to raise money for worthy causes each and every year. This year, I’m proud to say that we raised more money than we ever have before for our cause. But before we shut things down and retire to the dance floor, I have one more item to offer up.” She paused dramatically. “Five dates with the unattainable spinster herself—my sister, Lady Edwina!”
Edwina froze.
No.
She couldn’t have meant that. This couldn’t be happening, could it? Lavinia, selling her to the highest bidder?
