Lizzy nodded. “I confess it. I’m sorry, Selina. If you like, I can send another rider to fetch all the invitations back, though there is not much I can do about the gossip.”
Closing her eyes and feeling that comforting breeze on her face, Selina drew in a few deep breaths to cool her temper. Why could Lizzy not think before she acted?
Your grandmother has indulged you; that is why.
She took another moment to gather herself.
“No, no, that would only make it worse,” she said at last. “A house party will be a welcome distraction.”
Lizzy skipped forward and weaved her arm through Selina’s. “You are not cross with me?”
“Oh, I am furious, but that will not change anything,” Selina replied wryly.
“I really am sorry.”
“I know you are.”
The very fact that Lizzy had used the word ‘sorry’ was a testament to that. She did not apologize often, preferring to rationalize her way out of wrongdoing rather than admit to it.
“WhatIwould like to know is who sent that letter?” Melody said, taking Selina’s other arm.
The three women wandered along the lapping lakeshore to a broader cluster of natural seats.
Selina shrugged. “I have not given it much thought. There have been too many other things to contend with.”
“Who would dare to matchmake you with Lizzy’s brother?” Melody pressed, with a glance at Lizzy. “No offense intended.”
“None taken,” Lizzy replied. “I wouldn’t wish him on anyone. No offense, Selina.”
“Some taken,” Selina said with a grimace.
The three women had been introduced to the mysterious matchmaking book club at the ‘sisterhood’ tea party a year ago. Rather, that was where they had first heard of it in hushed whispers.
“Apparently, they decide who would be your best match, and they conspire to make it a reality,”one young lady had said, passing the message on.“They never do it the same way twice, or so I am told.”
“My sister was matched with Lord Winstead, and she married him, so there must be some merit to it,”another young lady had whispered.
Of course, that had led the gaggle of pre-debutantes to wonder who they might be matched with if they were chosen by the ‘matchmaking book club.’
Selina, however, had prayed even then that she would not be matched with anyone. When she had finally debuted, she had dreaded the very idea of someone choosing for her, hoping to escape the clandestine group’s notice.
Alas, that had not come to pass.
“Someone must know who they are,” Melody reasoned.
“Why is it a book club?” Selina countered. “Where do the books come into it?”
Lizzy rolled her eyes. “Were neither of you listening at that tea party? That is where they get their ideas for the matchmaking. Romance novels.”
“Well, there is nothing romantic about sending a letter that was supposedly written by the Duke to my house and throwing me soundly into this mess,” Selina scoffed. “Do they think they are authors of romance novels, whoever these matchmakers are?”
“Was it well written?” Melody asked.
“What?”
“The letter. Was it well written?” Intellectual curiosity animated Melody’s voice.
Selina pulled a face. “I… suppose so. I did not believe it was actually from the Duke, but… it rather resembled something from the novels we read.”
