Scandalous Weddings

A

"Oh, my God," she cried. And then, as she sca

"I read the article, my dear," Mary A

"Well, at least they got some of it right." A

Mary A

A

Mary A

"Why are you looking at me that way? And where is Pierce? I mean Braxton?"

"St. Clare left."

A

"Pierce left. He left at dawn with Louie."

A

Pierce could not have left her behind.

It was an impossibility.

Mary A

"My dear!" Mary A

"He did not leave." A

"I am so sorry. He has become a cad, A

"He made love to me," she said, bewildered. And images of the night before filled her mind.

"Pm so sorry," Mary A

The memories continued to flood her mind, memories of his touch, his kiss, his smile, the look of love in his eyes. All lies.

"Oh, God," she cried, and then she was ru

And when the heaves ended, she found herself gripping the stoop, panting, tears begi

He had used her. He had left her. Last night had been nothing but a lie.

A

Chapter Five

Two years later, Bar Harbor, Maine

There was a mist in the air, and A

She carried her shoes and stockings in her hand as she picked her way across the short stretch of beach which was behind the Acadia, the very fashionable resort where she had just arrived yesterday evening. The small inlet was very popular with the hotel's guests, A

But there was no one about today because of the weather. A

And for one moment she forgot the past and she smiled, watching the spectacular birds. Then her smile faded and she started up the sandy path that led to the sweeping lawns behind the hotel, her muslin skirts whipping around her. She was questioning her judgment in accepting Lizzie's invitation to join her sisters and their husbands for the month of August. Supper last night had been a disastrous affair.

She should have gone to Europe, alone.

Where no one knew her, by damn.

A drop of water landed on her forehead, another on her nose. A

A

"Isn't the beach beautiful?" Lizzie said, but she looked worried, despite her smile.

"Yes, it is," A

"Well, there you are, we are waiting for you," said a disapproving voice behind them.

A

"A

A

"You will never find a husband if you continue to break all of the rules," Melissa retorted. "Sometimes I wonder just what goes on inside your head.",

"I don't want a husband," A

"Please don't fight," Lizzie cried, following them as they left the library and entered the dining room. "But A

"Everyone thinks you are fast, A

A

Lizzie grabbed A

"You are always on her side," Melissa huffed, and she went to their table, sitting down beside John, who had jumped to his feet.

A

"I am trying to be compassionate, but she makes it so very difficult," A

Lizzie nodded unhappily and took her hand. "Just ignore her," she whispered as they approached their table.

Adam was standing, waiting for them, and he smiled at both Lizzie and A

Before she could respond and agree with him, at least about the countryside, A