"Miss Weston! Lady Alice! I declare! Has it really been six months since you were last in London? Has your darling brother not been in Town much?"
"No, Lady Aversham. This is, after all, only his third season."
Lady Aversham gave an exasperated sigh. "And how are your dear parents? I daresay it must be hard for them to have to send their beloved daughter to the clutches of London society all on the quiet. Had I been in their position, I would have staked out a public venue to announce the news."
"They are quite busy. As are we, Lady Aversham. Mr. and Missle Weston only have one other young sister, and she is the youngest. It is quite hard enough keeping her in check."
"Oh, Miss Weston, I am so sorry. Are you certain I should not say anything to Mr. Weston, or perhaps to your parents?"
"I would prefer that you not speak to either of them, Lady Aversham."
Lady Aversham smoothed back her dark, wavy curls. "I understand completely, my dear. I do love a good laugh, though. Are you in love with this person, Miss Weston?"
"I am not, Lady Aversham. But this does not mean that I must obey my family by marrying the first person I encounter. There were plenty of eligible young mans on display this afternoon."
"At Mrs. Clancey's house? I would say it was rare to see a handful of decent men at one of her parties!"
"The men were not the reason I was attending, Lady Aversham."
"Of course not, my dear. Oh!" Lady Aversham clapped her hands together. "You were there to give Lady Mags a send off. You are such a good friend to that poor woman. I do apologize for my ignorance, Miss Weston."
"Please do not apologize, Lady Aversham. I was merely trying to be a good neighbor to my Aunt Mags. Mr. Weston, I have found, is not partial to musical entertainments."
"I have noticed that your parents are quite friendly with Mrs. Clancey," Lady Aversham said as they turned onto the walkway leading to the Weston's townhouse. "Why do they not hire her to sing at their parties?"
"They have done so, Lady Aversham."
"Ah, my dear, I do not think that is what I have heard about Mr. Snodgrass's parties. He is quite liberal, after all. The man I heard speak so highly of Mrs. Clancey is Mr. Weston, and he is quite the opposite of Mr. Snodgrass."
"When Mr. and Missle Weston have friends over, they do what Mr. Weston finds appropriate for a gathering. I understand that my father is quite a stickler for tradition, so it stands to reason that he must abide by what Mr. Weston considers appropriate for his friends."
"I see, Miss Weston. Forgive me for my impertinence. I am so excited to see you. It is so nice to see a familiar face at these events. Last week, I was mortified when I heard Mrs. Clancey sing. She was frightfully sick and in her cups! I am quite certain no wine was served by the oldest gents in attendance." Lady Aversham smiled, showing off a set of blue-tinged teeth. "I fear Mrs. Clancey had to linger in the drawing room and drink herself into a stupor."
"I understand she has been feeling much better. I have heard she has been attempting to keep a normal schedule. Mrs. Clancey is rather busy with many social engagements from now through the end of October. She will not be in London during the season, so I have asked her to sing at the holiday party, especially for my family. The last time she was in town, she invited me to a live concert. I much prefer listening to an orchestra to listening to Mrs. Clancey by my fire."
"As I said, I am in a foul humor today. You are still so much like your mother at only twenty-five. I would not want to be caught dead in a costume. It is much more pleasant sitting by the fire, reading a good book." Lady Aversham patted Miss Weston's arm. "You may do whatever you wish in this life, my child. I have a feeling you will be a very happy woman. But I shall remember your choice for years to come."
Miss Weston nodded. "Thank you for your kindness. I much prefer the books to the parties, anyway. I hope you will come to our holiday party. It will be the first one my mother has planned with me alone, and Mr. Weston dislikes crowds." Miss Weston opened the door and waited until Lady Aversham was inside the door before she closed it behind her.
"What about that Mr. Weston who was speaking so highly of Mrs. Clancey? I could not even count him among the numbers."
Mr. Weston avoided all of the revelers. He was seated in an old fashion chair in the corner of the drawing room. He said that he found the parties to be overdone, and he was not pleased hearing the way some of the guests talked about my parents and the neighborhood. I understood his feelings, but I felt it was pretty rude of him to remain in the corner, watching the party.
"I do not care for the parties," Lady Aversham said. "They are too much of a formality, and I believe it is too much of a waste of my time."
Sir Clancey came into the drawing room. "I will go find some more wine. Are you certain you will not join me, Lady Aversham?"
"No, Your Grace. Miss Weston and I have plans. I am off to see my neighbor, Mrs. Clancey. I believe I have missed her concert."
With that, Lady Aversham swept out the entrance, but not before blowing Sir Clancey a kiss.
Sir Clancey shook his head. "Why have you not told me you have befriended that dreadful Mrs. Clancey? I would have warned Mr. Weston to stay away from her."
"I do not fear her, Sir Clancey."
"And that is what scares me, Miss Weston."
