First Season / Bride to Be by Jane Ashford Page B

mother and the children, she knew, but not just yet. She wanted to explore her own feelings first. She should be happy, she thought, but she wasn’t. She was breathless and confused, and wished she had someone to talk with about the events of the day. Her mother would be unsympathetic, and there was no other woman in London to whom she could turn. She thought suddenly of Christopher. How comforting it would be to ask his advice and receive his usual sane, sensible counsel. The thought of Christopher was like a rock in the swirling chaos of her emotions. He would know what was right. But as soon as she thought it, she shook her head. She couldn’t go to him about this. Even had they been on their former easy footing, it wouldn’t be proper. And now that Christopher was so changed, it was out of the question.
    Abruptly Anabel felt terribly dispirited. Her life had been so simple once; now it seemed unmanageably complex. And for the first time she had no one to turn to for help. This, naturally, led her thoughts to Sir Charles. He was the logical source of aid after this morning. But somehow she could not imagine going to him with her problems. He was not that sort of person. And he was too much a part of her uncertainty to understand or judge it.
    Sighing, Anabel rose and started upstairs. She had to speak to her mother. The announcement would come out tomorrow, and she must be told well before then.
    Lady Goring was sitting with Georgina in the drawing room, looking over some new dress patterns. But she looked up when Anabel came in, her expression concerned. “I have good news, Mama,” said Anabel.
    Her mother’s face went rigid. “Yes, dear?”
    â€œSir Charles Norbury and I are going to be married.”
    Lady Goring nodded, as if taking an expected blow, and said, “I see. And are you very sure, Anabel, that this is what you want?”
    Her own doubts receded before opposition. “Of course, Mama. I should not have accepted otherwise.”
    â€œYes. Well, I wish you happy, dear.” Lady Goring rose and embraced her daughter, smiling with an effort.
    â€œSir Charles Norbury?” put in Georgina, who had been sitting very still, eyes wide, since Anabel made her announcement. “How can you?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” asked Anabel, annoyed.
    The girl blushed furiously. “I beg your pardon. I didn’t realize I had spoken aloud.”
    â€œSir Charles is a very charming man.”
    â€œOh, yes. Of course. I mean, I hardly know him, and I am sure he is much kinder with you . I don’t…that is, I never…” She paused, struggling to amend her slip. “He frightens me, that’s all.”
    â€œFrightens you?” In her defensive anger, Anabel was contemptuous. “That’s ridiculous!”
    Georgina nodded humbly. “I daresay it is only because I am so unfamiliar with society. He just seems so grand and… above everyone. If I should have to speak to him, I should be terrified of receiving a dreadful setdown.”
    Lady Goring looked as if she agreed, but she said nothing.
    â€œNonsense,” replied Anabel, with an uncomfortable feeling that there was something in what Georgina said. Charles did not particularly enjoy talking to her. “And you will speak to him. Often. He will be here a great deal now.”
    â€œOh.” Georgina looked apprehensive, then brightened. “But he will wish to be with you, of course.”
    Anabel’s frown led her mother to intervene. “We must have him to dinner soon, to meet the whole family. Will you discover a good day, Anabel?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI suppose we must have your great-aunts. It is too bad your papa is so far off, Georgina.”
    The girl seemed doubtful about this, but she said nothing.
    â€œI will be going to Kent to visit the Norburys next week,” added Anabel.
    â€œAh. Old Lady Norbury is quite formidable, I understand.”