Scandalous Weddings

"It is absolutely true. Marion knows someone who was a guest at her wedding. She ran away with a burglar two years ago. That is her. Can you imagine? Leaving the poor groom at the altar like that? Talbot, has, of course, long since married. He would have none of her when she returned. How can she show herself in polite society?"

"What nerve," her friend agreed.

A

As soup was served all around, Lizzie placed a hand on hers. "Don't let one rat get your spirits down. This is a wonderful hotel. Most of the guests are so very nice."

To you, perhaps, A

She did, after all, have her freedom. Which was all that she had ever wanted anyway. It was women like the two behind her who deserved pity, not herself.

Melissa leaned forward. "If you led an exemplary life, perhaps everyone would forget the past, A

A

Curiosity killed the cat.

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"Our soups are getting cold," Adam said firmly, also taking up his spoon.

For a moment they sipped in silence. A

He had not disapproved of her. In spite of what she had done.

Braxton was haunting her again.

A

Which was romantic nonsense. The man was a thief and a charlatan, and while A

But he had not disapproved of her then, and he would not disapprove of her now. A

She reminded herself that as he was a professional thief, he was hardly a suitable judge of anyone's character.

An unladylike elbow jammed in her side. "A

A

James paused at their table, bowing. His cheeks were flushed. Helios were passed round. A

Her heart sank. She should have expected this, fool that she was.

"Miss Boothe." His smile was brief, strained. "I am afraid the weather will prevent us from our match today." He avoided her eyes.

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A silence fell.

"There is always tomorrow," Adam said. A

"Actually," James said, growing more flushed still, "I have twisted my ankle this morning. Perhaps at the end of the week." He bowed and quickly turned, leaving their table.

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An intense silence had fallen.

"He has probably heard that you are an outstanding te

A

"Everyone knows that you are unbeatable at te

"Well," Melissa began. "If A

A

"You are a fool, A

"You are very right," John said, nodding.

A

"Yes, let's do change this boring subject," Lizzie said quickly, her tone high. "Have you all heard that the Countess Rossini is arriving today? She is one of the wealthiest women in Europe!"

"I should hope so," Melissa replied, reaching for the bread. "She was seventeen when she married the count- and he was sixty-five. Everyone knows she married him for his money. Her family was quite impoverished. But no one expected him to live another fifteen years!"

"She is a widow, newly so," Lizzie said to Adam and A

A