In the Society of Women (Ladies Occult Society, #3) by Ball Krista D

Author:Ball, Krista D.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ghosts, regency, fantasy, feminist, women, magic
Publisher: Krista D. Ball
Published: 2024-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Elizabeth arrived home in time to enjoy a cup of tea and a small sample of delights with her aunt in peace before her friends returned to turn their minds to ethereal matters. Not that Elizabeth wasn’t looking forward to it —indeed, she was!—but she felt out of the habits of regular study. And, the revelations of the morning preoccupied her so much that even Aunt Cass asked what plagued her mind.

“I think I shall like Charles’ Miss Talbot,” Elizabeth said. This was not a lie. It was not the whole truth, but she had to accept her life was one of half-truths now if she were to protect herself.

They chatted about if Charles was finally ready to settle down, and the finances of his marriage. Aunt Cass made a face and said she would be expected to gift them a thousand pounds or two, of which Elizabeth laughed.

“No one would dare be so bold as to demand you give the couple your own money!”

“They may not demand it, but I am certain many will think it.” Aunt Cass tapped her finger on the table. “I will have to check my accounts, but I do believe I promised Augusta I’d settle five hundred on Charles if he ever managed to attract a woman.”

“Five hundred!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “This is the first I have heard of it!”

“I come from a generation when private agreements made between family members were kept private,” Aunt Cass said.

“Then, I shall keep your secret, too,” Elizabeth said.

“The last thing we need is him rushing into marriage.”

Elizabeth choked on her tea, and gave her aunt a good-natured chiding.

Aunt Cass ignored her and passed a letter from Miss Keats that had arrived while she was out with Charles. She could not visit until Tuesday—and she had a family obligation that evening as well—but that, if they would like a morning visitor, she would be very happy to spend Tuesday morning and part of the afternoon with them.

That put Aunt Cass into an excellent mood, who decided she was well enough to host a dinner party on Monday. Dispatches were sent to Cousin David and his lady, Sir William, Mary, Charles, and the girls along with the Baldwins (who, since they were hosting two Knight girls, deserved a dinner invitation as well).

Surprisingly, it only took an hour for the first replies to arrive. The Baldwins and Cousin David were both engaged at the same dinner party that evening; however, they suggested other dates. So, Aunt Cass happily went about making those arrangements for a second dinner just for them.

Letters arrived from Thea and Cassie, both detailing their excellent friend. Miss Phoebe Baldwin, and her family. Thea’s letter had more details about Mr. John Baldwin, thankfully, and she promised Elizabeth she was keeping her sister on the straight and narrow path. That made Elizabeth smile. Poor Thea. Being the chaperone could be a challenge, but maybe that was exactly what Thea needed.

Alice and Susan arrived just as Aunt Cass’s cough

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