Page 18 of A Marriage of Necessity

“Hmm,” her mother intoned as she raised her cup.

Anne took a hearty drink of her coffee and didn’t respond to her mother.

“We have decided to stay for two more days,” her mother said.

Anne looked up. “Why?”

“It sounds as if you are disappointed we are staying,” Louisa said.

Anne shook her head. “Not at all. I was just surprised, is all.” She wasn’t certain if that was the truth, however. She felt oddly self-conscious with her mother and sister here.

“We received a personal invitation from Kennedy’s father to attend the ball tonight,” her mother said.

“That was very kind of him,” Anne replied, but she wondered if her husband would feel the same.

“I have only the one dress I brought with me,” Louisa said.

Anne heard the hope in her sister’s voice. At fourteen, Louisa wouldn’t typically attend parties. But this party was held in honor of her sister’s wedding. Of course, she would accompany them. Her presence would be a good excuse for Anne to leave early.

“There is no time to have anything sewn,” Anne said.

Louisa nodded, but the enthusiasm in her eyes dimmed, and guilt stabbed when Louisa said, “Of course. The dress I have will do quite well.”

Here she was newly married to a wealthy viscount and worried about spending money on dresses for her sister. Dared she spend his money?

Anne rose and went to the door and pulled the bell pull. She sat back down, and a moment later the maid entered.

“What is your name?” Anne asked.

The girl glanced nervously around the room. “Emma, my lady,” she said, and curtsied.

Anne smiled reassuringly. “Emma, can you please tell the housekeeper that I would like to see her?”

The girl’s eyes widened and she bobbed a curtsy, and said, “Aye, my lady.” She whirled and hurried from the room.

Anne’s mother gave her a curious look, but said nothing. Anne filled her plate with eggs and ham and began to eat.

A few minutes later, a short, thin woman of about fifty-five years entered. “You asked to see me, my lady?”

Anne smiled. “May I ask your name, ma’am?”

The woman looked startled, but said, “Mrs. Hampshire.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hampshire. This is my mother, Lady Kinsley, and my sister, Lady Louisa.”

Mrs. Hampshire curtsied, then looked at Anne expectantly.

“Mrs. Hampshire, do ye by chance know a dress shop where my sister can purchase a dress for the ball we are to attend tonight?”

“Why, yes, my lady, I know of several very nice dress shops downtown.”

Anne beamed. “When you have a moment, if you could please write down the addresses, I would appreciate that.”

Of course, my lady. Is there anything else?”

“Aye, now that you mention it. Can you tell me what would be the best time to go to one of the dress shops?”

“Not before one o’clock, my lady. You might begin at Mrs. Gerard’s shop. She is known for opening earlier than many of the other shops and I have heard ladies say that they like her work.”

“That is perfect, thank you very much, Mrs. Hampshire,” Anne said.“Who do I speak to about having the carriage ready at one o’clock?”

“That would be the butler, Mr. Bingham,” she said. “I can direct him to have the carriage ready for ye, ma’am.”

“Thank you very much, Mrs. Hampshire.”

The housekeeper curtsied, and Anne said, “Mrs. Hampshire, there is no need to be so formal. You will wear yourself out.”

Mrs. Hampshire smiled. “Thank you, my lady. If there is nothing else…”

“You have been most helpful, thank you. That will be all,” Anne said.

The housekeeper left, and Anne looked at Louisa. “Do you think you can be ready at one o’clock to go shopping?”

Louisa jumped up from her seat, raced around the table, and threw herself into Anne’s arms.

Tears pricked her eyes.

Thisis why I married a stranger.