The couple I had seen on the other side of the shop walked toward us. I took a discreet step away from Miss Kellaway, turning my attention to the blank leather-bound book in my hands.
“Alice, are you going to introduce us to your acquaintance, here?” The coy voice came from the woman who now stood beside her. She had an exceptionally pretty face, with delicate features and large blue eyes. Her pale curls framed her inquisitive expression. The man I had seen with her stepped up on the other side of Miss Kellaway. He had dark hair, but his face bore a slight resemblance to Miss Kellaway’s, particularly through the eyes and mouth. I only had to puzzle over his identity for a brief moment before Miss Kellaway enlightened me.
“Of course.” She gestured at the woman first, “My dearest friend, Miss Charlotte Lyons,” then to the man, “My eldest brother, Mr. Edmund Kellaway.” She glanced behind her as her mother joined the row of introductions. “And my mother, Mrs. Kellaway.”
I greeted each of them with a bow. “A pleasure to meet you all.”
It seemed I had been mistaken about the two I had assumed were a couple. Miss Lyons was obviously not aMrs., and now that Mr. Kellaway was beside his sister once again, he stood as far from Miss Lyons as possible. I cleared my throat, somewhat alarmed by the directness of her gaze as she studied me.
“Miss Kellaway has kindly assisted me in selecting a gift for my sister,” I explained. “I find her opinion very valuable.” I held up the diary with a smile. Miss Kellaway’s face was a mixture of bashfulness and pride.
“My daughter has many talents.” Mrs. Kellaway looped her arm through Miss Kellaway’s. She looked like an exact copy of her daughter, but with twenty or so extra years. “Will you be attending the assembly at the Castle Inn on Monday, Mr. Croft?”
I hesitated to answer, suddenly feeling cornered. The back of my neck grew hot beneath my collar, and an anxious feeling enveloped my chest.
Matchmaking always began with the Mamas.
Surely Mrs. Kellaway hoped to find matches for both the eligible young women under her wing—her own daughter, as well as Miss Lyons. The matchmaking Mamas had stalked me before, showing up at events I attended, discovering my address, making connections with my closest ones, infiltrating my circle until I had nowhere to hide. I felt like a prey animal, even under the attack of women as genteel as Mrs. Kellaway seemed to be. I had been led into this trap before.
I could sense Mrs. Kellaway’s strategy from miles away. Did she know about my recent inheritance? Did she recognize my family name? The questions spiraled until my anxiety heightened yet another tier. My stolen interactions with Miss Kellaway had been enjoyable, but they could not continue without expectations and ideas being formed, hopes rising, and my honor being called into question. It would have been nice to simply enjoy a friendship with her without society calling it an attachment. I wasn’t prepared for such a thing.
The realization made my heart race.
“I’m not yet certain if I’ll attend,” I said in a swift voice. “But I hope it’s enjoyable.” I forced a smile in Miss Kellaway’s direction. “Thank you for your assistance today, Miss Kellaway.”
She nodded, but I was already backing away. I took the diary to the counter, picked up the fan that I no longer needed, and turned for the door.
I stopped in my tracks at the sight of Penelope and Joanna, along with their husbands, standing just inside the doorway.Devil take it.They had found me. They walked into the shop, heading straight for the display that was still surrounded by the Kellaways and Miss Lyons. “Jon! Are you making a purchase without our approval?” Joanna teased, earning a laugh from Penelope.
“It’s for Margaret.”
“What about something for us?” Penelope pried her eyes over the wrapped gifts, but I hid them from her view.
“Have Loftus and Richard not done the job well enough?” The two men stayed near the door with their protruding bags, which was wise considering the fragile nature of some of the display items.
“Well, I should like to know my brother is devoted to me as well,” Penelope said in a pouting voice. “A gift from our only brother would makeallof your sisters happy.”
I wouldn’t argue with Penelope in front of my new acquaintances. Now that she and Joanna were picking up items from the display, standing directly beside them, I would be rude not to make introductions.
“Are these your sisters?” Miss Kellaway asked in a delighted voice.
I met her gaze, those eyes of hers lighting up with an unfiltered joy that made me feel even more cautious. Someone couldn’t really bethatgenuinely pleased to see Penelope. It must have been an act meant to impress me or gain my favor somehow. Her mother had likely coached her all her life to perform in such a way. Her friend, Miss Lyons, might have contributed to her coaching as well. She had the face of a woman who could deceive quite easily.
“They are, along with their husbands.” I gestured at the door. I took a deep breath before introducing all my new acquaintances, as well as my family. I ended with my sisters. “Mrs. Penelope Dodge, and Mrs. Joanna Norman.”
Miss Kellaway smiled, but her friend Miss Lyons seemed to be thoroughly scrutinizing both my sisters.
“These coral earrings would match your gown perfectly,” Penelope said to Miss Kellaway, holding up the peach and red colored jewelry. “You positivelymustbuy them.”
Miss Kellaway laughed, examining the earrings. “They are beautiful.”
“I am impressed that you convinced my brother to buy anything,” Joanna piped in, holding up a shell-inlaid looking glass as she draped one of the Brighton lockets over her neck. “He was quite determined not to. I think he does it simply to pester us.”
Miss Kellaway lifted her gaze to me with a smirk. “He does seem the sort of brother to pester his sisters unceasingly.”
Penelope laughed, a shrill sound, before putting on a serious expression. She patted Miss Kellaway’s arm with a sigh. “If only you knew the extent of our suffering.”
I scoffed, shaking my head. The three of them laughed together at my expense, and I did not like it. Not at all. I could already predict my sisters’ next choice of subject to pester me about. I could already hear their whining, persuasive voices. ‘Why do you not court Miss Kellaway? She is so beautiful, and delightful, and her family is the same. She has lovely blue eyes and a kind smile, so what is there not to like?
