Settle in for a wicked romp in this captivating installment of The Lady Travelers Society series by New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander
The family of the bride is expected to revel in the joy of the upcoming wedding. Instead, Miss Celia Bromley faces the most heartbreaking dilemma of her life: sheâs fallen in love with the man engaged to marry her scheming half sister. Worse, he might love Celia in return. But handsome, bookish Henry Saunders is a man of honor. He would never break his promise to his bride-to-be, no matter how horrid she may be.
Celiaâs despair hasnât escaped the notice of keen-eyed Aunt Guinevere, who, along with her crafty friends, is determined to see true love triumph. Unraveling a wedding takes a delicate, subtle touch, and in the mad dash to break one engagement and encourage another, the ladies may well hear the whispers of scandal instead of the peal of wedding bells...
Miss Celia Bromley refused to ruin her half sister Katherineâs wedding.
Even if Celia did not especially like Katherine.
Even if Katherine detested Celia.
Even if Celia had fallen madly, irrevocably, hopelessly in love with Katherineâs groom.
CHAPTER ONE
Danby Manor, May 1855
âARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?â Guinevere Blodgett beamed at her dearest friends in the world. Friends who had set aside everything in their own lives to come to Danby Manor at her request. But then wasnât that what friends were for?
Mrs. Ophelia Higginbotham and Mrs. Persephone Fitzhew-WellmoreâEffie and Poppy to those who knew them bestâtraded glances.
âClarification more than questions,â Effie began. âApparently, you have sent for us so that we may help you in the preparations for the wedding that is to occur in one weekâs time. A wedding that really has nothing to do with you as itâs the wedding of your nieceâs half sister to an earlâs brother.â
âAnd you have been, oh, lured into assisting,â Poppy continued.
âExactly.â Gwen blew a long breath. âIt wasnât by choice, believe me.â She had arrived at Danby Manor two days ago and realized at once someone needed to take things in hand. And as the brideâs fatherâand then the groomâs brother upon her arrivalâhad asked her to do so, she couldnât bring herself to refuse. There was entirely too much at stake. âYou are both well aware that since my sister died, I have not been as close to Celia as I would have liked.â
âBecause of that beast of a father of hers.â Effie sniffed. âAnd that woman.â
âAs much as I would like to blame them fully, much of the fault lies with me.â Gwen twisted her hands together and paced absently. âI should have taken steps to ensure I saw Celia more frequently but they have always lived in the country and my life is in London. And Celia was usually away at school. But we do correspond regularly...â Gwen cringed, well aware of how feeble her excuse sounded. As indeed it was.
Gwenâs sister, Viviane, had married Alfred, Viscount Bromley, a widower with two young daughtersâKatherine and Louise. Viviane had promptly given him Celia but had unfortunately succumbed to influenza some twelve years later, leaving the household in the hands of Miss Frances Quince, Alfredâs first wifeâs sisterâalso known as that woman. She had immediately taken up residence, assumed the position of mistress of the house and had sent all three girls away to school, no doubt in the hope that should the legal prohibition to marrying the sister of oneâs deceased wife someday be abolished she would be in an excellent position. From what Gwen had ascertained through the years, Miss Quince was inordinately ambitious and wanted nothing more than to be the next viscountess. The older girls blamed their banishment on their half sister. Katherine and Louise had never considered Celia their true sister. A belief no doubt encouraged by Miss Quince.
âYouâre not being at all fair to yourself,â Poppy said firmly. âWe have watched you time and again try to see Celia only to be rebuffed by her father and that woman. And you did manage to visit with her when the family was in London a few months ago.â