Eliza sat on the settee, a thoroughly disgruntled look on her face. “It’s not in the least exciting,” she moaned. Eliza was wearing a light-blue gown that Mama had somehow talked her into, and while her hair wasn’t nearly as elaborately decorated as Jessa’s, she’d at least allowed Madeline to put it up in a fetching chignon.
“I do hope the Duke of Thornbury comes tonight. He didn’t send his regrets, did he, Mama?” Jessa asked.
According to Jessica, the Duke of Thornbury was the most eligible bachelor (other than Justin himself) in the ton, which was precisely why his sister had set her sights on him. Furthermore, he was rumored to be looking for a wife this year, which made him the equivalent of a bleeding fox hunted by hounds as far as Justin was concerned. The problem was that Jessica had yet to meet Thornbury. He hadn’t appeared at any of the balls or parties so far. But the Season was young, and Jessa was ever hopeful.
“Thornbury didn’t send his regrets, darling, but neither did he send his acceptance,” Mama replied. “Ill-mannered of him, if you ask me.”
“Oh, Mama, don’t say that,” Jessica exclaimed. “He’s to be my future husband. You must begin well with him.”
“Seems to me that he should be worried about beginning well with Mama,” Eliza pointed out. “Besides, how can you possibly want to marry someone you’ve never even met?”
“I’ve never met him, true,” Jessa allowed, lifting her nose in the air. “But according to Lady Ashley Binghamton, he is every bit as handsome as the rumors would have it. Mama has already confirmed he has a large fortune, and his family line is impeccable.”
“Oh, is that all there is to marriage?” Eliza said, rolling her eyes.
Jessica sighed and twirled again. “Lady Ashley says he’s tall, and dark, and his shoulders are broad and—”
“That will be quite enough,” Mama interjected, sharing a worried glance with Justin.
“I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t come to our party,” Jessica continued, a pouty look on her face.
“You’ll be just fine and have a dozen other suitors at your beck and call,” Eliza said.
That pronouncement made Jessa smile again. “Who would you like me to introduce you to, Eliza?” Jessica asked in a singsong voice.
“Absolutely no one,” Eliza returned stoically, her nose buried in her latest book.
“Now, Elizabeth Hortense Rolleston Whitmoreland, you know I insist that you dance with at least three eligible gentlemen this evening,” Mama declared, fanning herself rapidly.
Eliza's face remained blank. “Three is too many.”
“No doubt you think one is too many,” Jessa replied, shaking her head.
“It is,” Eliza agreed.
This time, Jessica rolled her eyes. “She’s hopeless, Mama. I swear.”
Mama gave Eliza a condemning look that clearly indicated she would brook no more foolishness tonight before turning her attention back to Justin. “Can you think of anything we’ve forgotten?”
“No,” he replied, but he continued to pace. “Everything should be in order for a delightful evening. But there’s something I’d like to announce before the ball begins.”
All three of the ladies stopped what they were doing, their heads snapping to face him.
Justin cleared his throat. He’d thought about this long and hard. He’d come to his final decision within the past few days, and he was set on it.
“Yes?” Mama prompted, moving to the edge of the settee, a slightly worried look on her face.
Justin cleared his throat. If he announced it to his mother and sisters, it would be real. And if it were real, there would be no taking it back. And he’d spent too many nights tossing and turning over it to take it back. “I’ve decided to choose a wife this Season. It’s time.”
If Mama wasn’t the model of propriety, she might have squealed. Justin was certain he’d heard some sort of high-pitched joyful noise emit from behind her perfectly closed lips, but she merely smoothed her skirts and cleared her own throat. “Truly?” she asked in a calm, steadfast manner.
“Truly?” Jessa echoed, her eyes wide and her voice filled with a mix of excitement and skepticism.
“Truly?” Eliza intoned, crossing her arms over her chest. Her tone was pure skepticism, and she gave her brother a wary look that indicated she didn’t believe him for one moment.
“Yes. I’ve made my decision, and it is final.”
Three hours later, the Whitmoreland ballroom was filled with guests. Eliza had managed to dance with two gentlemen (even if one of them was Justin). Jessica had danced with no less than a dozen gentlemen and was holding court with most of them near the refreshment table. As Eliza had predicted, Jessa appeared to be thoroughly enjoying herself, even though the elusive Thornbury had yet to arrive.
