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She glanced to Father for an explanation, but he looked as astounded as Livvy felt.

“Show ’em in, then,” he said.

Sarah nodded, curtsied, then returned to the front door.

Heavens above. What could such a group of women want with Livvy? Were they there because the Moon sisters had heard from Miss Pengelly about August speaking with Livvy alone? Had the three of them joined forces to threaten Livvy to keep away from August? She wouldn’t put it past the sisters to do such a thing, but then, Miss Pengelly was so kind.

As footsteps clicked down the small corridor, she scrambled to remove the handkerchiefs, thread, and needle from her lap, standing just as the women entered the room.

With five individuals in their small sitting room, the space seemed to close in on itself—especially as the visitors blocked the doorway, Livvy’s only chance at escape.

But then, would she need an escape? To her surprise, Miss Pengelly seemed more than happy as she smiled pleasantly in greeting. How could the woman appear so at ease after yesterday? August and Livvy had done nothing wrong, but she couldn’t understand it. If she’d caught her intended with another single woman, she would have been furious—especially if that other woman was in love with August, too.

Ophelia and Portia cast their eyes about the room without moving their heads, as if shifting an inch would cause the cobwebs in the corners to fall upon them.

Livvy would have to make a note to tell Sarah to ensure the cobwebs were removed before anyone else could make a surprise appearance.

“Evenin’, ladies,” Father said, having stood from his chair, as well. “Lovely to see ye all.”

“Evenin’,” Miss Pengelly returned. “I be sorry if we be intrudin’.”

Livvy looked for Father to answer again, but he stubbornly clamped his lips shut and subtly motioned for her to respond. She knew speaking was custom for one’s own guests, but honestly, Father knew how she didn’t like to speak in large groups.

And five was a very large group, even if that included herself and Father.

“No, ye ain’t intrudin’,” she finally mustered forth.

Miss Pengelly smiled. “We were simply wishin’ to see if ye’d like to come with us to Marazion tomorrow to do a bit o’ shoppin’ for ribbons and such.”

Livvy froze, just as she always did when people invited her to participate in activities she had no desire to involve herself in. She recognized how kind it was, and honestly, if it was just Miss Pengelly, Livvy might have actually considered it—if only to show the woman she wasn’t despicable enough to continue to fawn over August, now he was attached to another.

But with the Miss Moons looking as disinterested as possible, Livvy knew there was no chance she would accept the offer. She could only wonder what Miss Pengelly must have said to the girls to get them to agree to invite Livvy in the first place.

Then again, why was Miss Pengelly inviting Livvy? The woman was seven years Livvy’s senior and had not invited her to anything in years, apart from the obligated invitation on Marazion. Was Miss Pengelly marking her territory with August? Or…

August appeared in Livvy’s mind, and she stiffened. Had he asked Miss Pengelly to befriend her because Livvy had let it slip that she didn’t have any friends?

Before she could stop it, pride welled within her heart. August was being nice, she knew that. And so was Miss Pengelly. But why did people always think she needed charity? That she needed them to beg their own friends to be friends with her? Was it so very wrong of her to wish for people to be friends with her simply because they wished to be?

With these crushing thoughts, Livvy gave an apologetic smile to Miss Pengelly. She didn’t even bother looking at Ophelia and Portia again, to whom she didn’t want to give the time of day. “Thank ye for the offer,” she began, “but—”

Father stepped forward with his hand outstretched, cutting off her words. “Ye’d love to go, wouldn’t ye, Liv?”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“You must learn not only to judge but to act for yourself.”

Evelina, Frances Burney

Livvy frowned. She knew Father wanted her to get out into Society, but did he have to embarrass her in such a way, treating her like a child?

“I would, yes,” she said, her smile fading. “But I’ve a few matters to attend to tomorrow that can’t be put off. So I be afeared I can’t.”

Miss Pengelly nodded understandingly. Ophelia and Portia exchanged looks with each other, as if to say, “We knew she would decline.”

Father frowned but finally fell silent.

“Perhaps next time, then,” Miss Pengelly said.