Page 72 of A Mayfair Maid

“I am telling you,” Eliza laughed.

“I meant earlier.”

“I would have, but there seemed to be so much to do to get ready for the ball. I intended to wait until tonight. Until we went home this evening, I mean.” Eliza looked around them significantly and giggled. “This hardly seemed the place.”

Although Anne was happy for her sister, it did not seem fair to have her younger sister fairly-well spoken for when she herself had made no inroads whatsoever in the matter of marriage over the course of the Season. She stamped down the ugly head of jealousy, and gave her sister a brilliant smile. Of course, there was still time with many more balls and entertainments to come. Nonetheless, Anne smothered a sigh, hoping her sister didn’t notice the soft sound of disappointment as she leaned in to hug her a second time. “I am truly happy for you,” she whispered in Eliza’s ear.

“Oh Anne, I wish you could be this happy,” Eliza said sitting back in her chair and reaching out to hold her sister’s hand again. “Have you tried writing to him?”

“Writing to whom?” Anne asked, lost for a moment by the shift in conversation.

“Edmund.”

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