The Wedding Redux by Katy Madison

Author:Katy Madison [Madison, Katy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Katy Madison

Of course it was neither. They had been at the Lungren estate nigh on an hour. William’s stomach was rumbling, and he was freezing, having given his overcoat to a maid and then was stuck sitting on a stone bench in the dead garden while Randleton and Sheridan were at least getting the benefit of the exertion of walking.

In addition to their extended stay, there had been an over-long pause on the ride over for Sheridan to rent a trap to carry Molly to Mrs. Merriwether’s—a task he insisted on completing himself.

The plan the three men agreed upon was based on the best divide-and-conquer military strategy. Then they’d drawn straws—he and the major, anyhow. Somehow Randleton had gotten out of it by holding the hastily picked blades of dry winter grass—as to who would be paired with the eldest sister, Rosalyn. That would be him, the almost chronic loser in games of chance lately. Even when he won he lost.

Sheridan had suggested that he avoid giving over the deed to the estate, which sat well with William’s plan to use the deed to help secure a loan from a moneylender. After that, he’d be glad to be rid of the thing.

However, as the eldest Miss Lungren finally grew indifferent to his banal chatter, William felt guiltier and guiltier by the minute. Rosalyn looked more careworn than the last time he’d seen her, with furrows between her eyebrows that wouldn’t go away. She hadn’t glared at any of them, which made him wonder if she was off her game. Even as he shared some of his best on-dits, stolen unashamedly from known wits of the day, the frown lines never completely went away, and the corners of her lips only lifted in the narrowest of smiles.

“I say, I don’t think I am cheering you in the least, and I assure you that, worthless fellow that I am, entertaining conversation is one of my few virtues.”

With that she smiled just a bit more. “I appreciate your efforts, sir, but I am quite burdened with my situation.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

She shook her head and looked down.

“It is our intention as friends of your brother to ease your burdens in whatever way we can.”

“I know, Major Sheridan has already informed me that you three are willing to escort us about society. However, we can barely afford to eat, let alone dress appropriately.”

William checked his cuffs to see that they weren’t fraying. He quite understood how important clothing was to a successful season. “Unfortunately, I haven’t the means to help you there, but we three could put our heads together and see what solution we might find, if I have your permission to speak on it.”

Miss Lungren looked horrified.

“Truly, let us help you. While we couldn’t provide you with apparel—that wouldn’t be thought proper, perhaps we can find some acceptable avenue.”

She shook her head, looking almost as wild-eyed as her mother. “I should not have mentioned it.”

“What are friends for?” William patted her hand and swallowed his bitter misgivings.

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