Spinster Ever After (The Spinster Chronicles #7) - Rebecca Connolly Page 0,22

reputation was concerned.”

Georgie tsked. “Oh, Charlotte…”

“No, really,” she insisted. “It’s good she was swept off to Scotland and married to Radcliffe. Now she’s Lady Radcliffe, the fuss will eventually fade, but if you heard what I was hearing just after things…” She hissed, making a face. “Not everyone is as modern thinking as we lot, I can assure you.”

“You consider us modern? Goodness.” Grace quirked her brows, wisely choosing to say nothing further.

Charlotte wouldn’t let them in on what she’d overheard, and what she’d been told before the connection between her and Edith had been brought up to the speaker. Yes, they had spared Edith actual ruin, but she was still damaged in the eyes of so many, tainted by the whole affair. None of it would affect the Spinsters, not with the formidable ties they had among them, and with Lord Radcliffe being of a more reclusive nature, it likely would not affect him, either. But should the couple decide to spend much time in London socially in the near future, they would find quite a shock for themselves.

“Speaking of modern,” she said suddenly, pulling herself from bleak thoughts, “shall we get on with my suitor selection? I’d like a decent number of candidates before we truly embark. Who do you have next, Elinor?”

Chapter Six

There is no way around the awkwardness of a first ball, whether it is the first one ever or the first one of the Season. All are awkward and uncomfortable. One might as well get used to it.

-The Spinster Chronicles, 1 June 1818

“I don’t know why I let you talk me into this.”

“A pity, then, that I didn’t. You started this fracas; I merely provided the opportunity to begin. Stop crying about it and thank me. This is the simplest event you will have during this entire venture.”

Michael glanced at Hugh with a grimace. “Is it? Why’s that?”

Hugh raised a brow at him. “Because it is my brother’s house, the guest list is small, and no one here is desperate. Simple event, all things considered, yet it will be enough to get you at the top of the invitation list to a great many more things.”

“You see my enthusiasm on display,” Michael muttered, gesturing to his face.

Nodding, Hugh’s expression remained implacable. “I do see, and I do not care. This was your decision, and you chose me to help you. If you want to stop everything now, so be it, but remember…”

“No,” Michael interrupted with a sigh, closing his eyes in resignation. “No, we go forward. I just so hate social occasions.”

Hugh made no response to that, which was likely for the best, as there wasn’t anything to be done about it now. They were here, at this event, and everything was officially underway.

In a manner of speaking.

“The music has started, and the two of you stand here.”

Michael plastered on a smile as their host, Hugh’s brother, Lord Sterling, strode over to them, tall and almost grandly arrayed, though without appearing a peacock in any way. “A body has to stand somewhere, don’t they?”

Lord Sterling gave him a look. “You can explain that to my wife, Sandford, and see where that gets you. She’s the one who sent me over here.” He turned to his brother, his expression turning bemused. “And you, brother, have a wife. Why are you not attending to her?”

“She’s already dancing,” he replied simply, gesturing to the dance floor. “Would you deprive Tyrone of dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room that he cannot have?”

Lord Sterling snorted a laugh. “We’re not about to get into another argument about which of our wives is the fairest, Hugh, especially not in front of a guest. Deuced uncomfortable for him to agree with me, as host, when he is starting out a friendship with you.” He winced and looked at Michael with sympathy. “He’d probably drag you to the theater during one of the less popular shows, claiming it would be a beneficial excursion as revenge. I couldn’t bear to see you suffer so.”

Michael grinned in earnest while Hugh protested with some animation. “How very kind, my lord.” He inclined his head closer. “I take it Hugh has informed you of my plans.”

“He has,” Lord Sterling replied. “I’ll do what I can, to be sure, but I’ll draw the line at matchmaking and gossiping. If you’re looking for that, you’ll have to call on Janet’s services.”

Hugh coughed a laugh but said nothing.

Michael only scowled. “That’s not what I have in mind at