of them glanced at her admiringly to see it was so. Honor squandered that attention. So many young women would appreciate the options of suitors, but Honor never seemed to move beyond only a cursory courtship.
And what did Monica have? Two older brothers, that was what, with not a single thought of society or fashion between them. Her family lived in a respectable house just outside Mayfair, and her father was an esteemed scholar of law. Not an earl. Not even a baron. A scholar.
Monica considered herself fortunate to have been accepted into such august society as the one that surrounded her this evening. She herself had never wanted for admirers, but she wasn’t the type to flirt and invite the attentions of several gentlemen at once. In truth, Monica felt intimidated by many men and considered herself fortunate to have caught the eye of Augustine, Viscount Sommerfield.
Augustine didn’t intimidate her; he was genuinely adoring of her. Her parents were over the moon at her engagement, and the sooner Monica married Augustine, the happier they would be. Who would have thought that their daughter would marry a titled man and become a countess?
Monica knew that Honor believed her understanding with Augustine was all by design, but in truth, it had happened quite honestly. At first, Monica had been amused by Augustine’s attentions. He was a bit too round for her tastes, and he could be a bit of a bumbler at times. But as days turned into weeks, she’d grown rather fond of him. He was very attentive and sincere in his devotion to her. It certainly didn’t hurt that he would one day be an earl, or that Monica would preside over the Beckington estates as Lady Beckington. Monica had grown accustomed to the idea, and she truly believed that she and Augustine would have a family, and she would live quite contentedly.
She hadn’t really given any thought to his stepsisters until her mother suggested that six in a marriage of two might be a bit crowded. “I hope you won’t need to vie for Sommerfield’s attentions with all those girls,” she’d said laughingly. Or, “Ah, isn’t Honor’s gown lovely? I hope there will be enough money for you to be clothed in that manner when you are countess.”
Now Monica did not see a gaggle of stepsisters in her rosy view of the future.
Speaking of which... Monica glanced over her shoulder now. A pair of gentlemen had intercepted Honor, and they were laughing as if she’d said something terribly witty. Even from here, Monica could see the twinkle in Honor’s eye.
Monica turned away from that scene and was startled by Lady Chatham, who had appeared from seemingly nowhere to stand directly beside her.
“Lady Chatham,” Monica said, dipping a curtsy.
“Good evening, Miss Hargrove,” she said cheerfully. “Have you come alone? Where is your handsome fiancé?”
“He won’t be attending this evening. He had a prior commitment.”
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