Page 2 of Married to the Lord

Augusta wanted to argue with that declaration. Joanna was indeed beautiful with her fair hair, elegant profile, and curvaceous figure. Augusta could not see the same in herself. Her hair was a rather uninspiring black. It seemed to absorb all the sunlight around her, eating up any kind of glow her skin might have. She was tall—too tall for a woman—and had few curves at all. It took the tightest of stays to ensure she had any cleavage to fill out her gowns. She liked her eyes and her lips but when combined with the dullness of her figure and hair, she did not think she inspired much interest.

Something, she suspected Chloe never cared much about. Her wildly curly hair was a vibrant red. It looked as though someone had suffered a battle to try to tame it most days. Nevertheless, Chloe was extremely pretty and far more interesting to look at than herself.

Augusta blew out a breath. All this pitying herself would get nowhere. How many months had passed by as she sat and wondered when Henry would return for her? She watched the many young women be guided across the dance floor, smiles plastered upon their faces. How many were genuine, she did not know, but she imagined many were. All of them shared the same dream—a dream that had been pushed upon them since they were young girls.

They all just knew they would make their debut and find the perfect man. Many of those girls might even fulfill that dream tonight.

She herself had fulfilled that dream. And yet it had not come to fruition. Much longer and she would be considered a spinster and upon the shelf. No amount of communication from his family or herself would encourage him to set a date. She balled her hands into fists.

Why, if she thought about it too much, she would get so…so...so bloody angry. How unfair it was that she should sit here and watch everyone enjoy themselves while she waited for Henry to finish whatever it was he was doing. Why should he have all the fun?

Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her chin. Perhaps if she made herself look more available, she could find herself a dance partner. It really was time she began to enjoy herself again. If she was to have to wait another couple of years for blasted Henry, she could at least have a little fun.

Though Augusta tried to catch the eye of several men, none came her way. In fact, the three of them were given a wide berth. She let her shoulders sag. “This is why I prefer horses,” she muttered to herself.

“And this is why I prefer books,” drawled Chloe.

“I like people,” sighed Joanna. “Just not at present.”

A young woman caught Augusta’s eye as she waved frantically from across the room. It took Augusta a moment to recognize her in her rather mature gown and fashionable hairstyle. Miss Worthington hastened over. “Oh, I am so glad you are here. I did not see you tucked away in this corner.” Miss Worthington took Augusta’s hands, forcing her to her feet.

“I thought it best to…well…” How did one explain that one had resigned oneself to being a wallflower?

“Did you hear the news? Mr. Rochdale proposed! We are to be wed before the end of summer.”

Well, at least Augusta did not need to enlighten her friend as to why she was tucked away in the corner of the ballroom. She suspected she could have said almost anything and her friend would not have noticed. She remembered that feeling when Henry had proposed—that giddy, whirly, blurred sensation that meant everything else was dulled. Unfortunately, that feeling had long since passed.

Forcing a bright smile, Augusta squeezed her friend’s hands. “Yes, I heard. I am so thrilled for you. He seems a good man.”

Miss Worthington nodded vigorously. “He is such a good man,” she enthused. “Mama and Papa approve of him greatly. After the wedding we shall be honeymooning in Europe and then travelling to his estate in Kent.”

“Kent?” Augusta echoed.

“Yes, but of course we shall return to Town for the Season. And Mr. Rochdale has work in Hampshire.” Miss Worthington squeezed Augusta’s hands. “We shall still see each other, I promise.”

Augusta’s smile wobbled. How many times had she heard such a promise from her friends? Married life took up much of one’s time. Her original circle of friends had changed so drastically and Augusta was left on the outskirts. She understood well enough that becoming a married woman changed one’s life—and she was pleased for her friends, really she was—but she just wished she could join them finally.

“And I wager by next Season, you shall be wed to. What fun it will be! Two married women. Perhaps we shall even have babies.”

Augusta could hardly visualize herself married let alone having babies. After Henry proposed, she had spent many a night picturing such things but those imaginings had faded over the past years. Sometimes, she forgot what Henry looked like. She had to look at the little painting she had of him to remind her. If she forgot what he looked like, he had no doubt forgotten her entirely. Did he even recall they were engaged?

But what was a girl to do? Once one was engaged, they were at the mercy of the man to whom they were engaged. She could not break it off—her parents would be heartbroken and no doubt gossip would circulate to why. It might be better for her to break things off than Henry—or else she would be entirely ruined—but it still left her with few options. She was an only daughter with no plans other than to marry.

“Do not be sad.” Miss Worthington released Augusta’s hands and cupped her face. “He shall come for you, I am certain of it.”

Augusta forced her smile back in place. “I’m sure he will.”

Miss Worthington snapped her head around at the sound of her name being called. “Oh, forgive me, everyone wants to congratulate me. I have never had so many people wish to speak to me in one night.”

“Go, go,” urged Augusta, shooing her friend away with her hands.

She paused to watch Miss Worthington disappear into the crowds, biting back what had to be the millionth sigh of the night. She really was over all this moping and waiting. It was high time she did something else with her time. But what?

She rejoined her friends. “It seems Miss Worthington has some good news. She is engaged to Mr. Rochdale.”

Joanna nodded. “I had heard. They seem a good match.”

“I had heard nothing. But I never seem to hear the gossip.” Chloe peered at her nails and began to chew the corner of one. “I cannot even remember who Mr. Rochdale is,” she murmured around the end of her finger.

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