AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. But then I missed George so dreadfully.” Amanda’s smile was wry. “We were…areso fond of one another. It is very unfashionable.”
“I remember when you met him. One day you were perfectly normal, then you went to an assembly in York and came back transformed. We could hardly force a sentence from you. It took days to discover what was the matter.”
Amanda laughed. “We were both bowled over. We married six weeks later.”
“And the rest of us nearly died of jealousy.”
They laughed. But Amanda’s expression soon sobered again. “And now we are all scattered—Sophie in Kent, Jane in Dorset, and Caroline flitting from London to Brighton to house parties. It all seems so long ago.” She paused. “Of course, they all have children, too. It makes them seem older.”
Diana sensed constraint. “When you and George are settled…” she began.
Amanda shook her head as if goaded. “I have lost three. I…I don’t hope…that is…” She bit her lower lip and struggled for composure. “But what am I about, discussing such things with you? An unmarried girl! Mama would be scandalized.” She paused again, taking a deep breath. “You know what we must do, Diana? We must find you a husband. You are…what? Five-and-twenty now? Nearly on the shelf. How careless of you!” Abruptly her eyes widened. “I did not mean… Oh, I haven’t offended you, have I? My tongue runs away with me sometimes.”
“Of course you have not.” But Diana did feel uneasy. “I have never had the opportunity to marry. I don’t suppose I shall.” Even if she did have the chance, it was impossible. No man would wish to marry her once he learned of her past. Diana knew she could never keep such a secret from a husband.
“Nonsense.” Amanda examined her friend with a more critical eye than she had used so far. Diana had been very pretty at seventeen. Now, her color was not so good, admittedly, but her deep golden hair had lost none of its vibrancy, and the unfashionable way she dressed it was somehow very attractive. Her face was thinner, but her brown eyes with those striking gold flecks remained entrancing. Her form was slender and pleasing, even in the poorly cut black gown. Amanda’s own dark eyes began to sparkle. It was unthinkable that Diana should not marry, and this was just the sort of problem that appealed to her. A keen interest that Amanda had not felt for some time rose in her, temporarily banishing worry. How could her plan be best accomplished? Slowly an idea started to form, which, she reasoned, might work for George as well.
