Page 20 (1/2)

Chapter 1

Fanny Rivers fixed a diamond necklace about her throat and then dropped her hands to consider the effect in the own she wore but perhaps not so for the co “A little too much for a luncheon, I think”

“Any would be er sister

“No” Fanny reold chain with a teardrop pearl hanging from it She fastened the chain about her neck and settled the pearl between her breasts She smiled Perfection

“Co out of her ears by now,” Jessica warned with growing impatience from the doorway of Fanny’s old chambers at Stapleton Manor, her father’s home

Fanny was visiting her father’s country estate for the second tier sister Her first visit had been for Jessica’s wedding to neighbor Gideon Whitfield in June The second wedding would be for Rebecca’s e to Lord Rafferty a week from now—and that announcement had come as quite a shock

“We’re not late, and besides, it doesn’t hurt toa little anxious for her whereabouts,” Fanny promised

Jessica uttered a wicked chuckle “He’s anxious for the wedding night”

“And all the ones after, too,” Fanny pro with her sister Rebecca and Ada couarded moment Fanny should never have witnessed, she understood Her sister had finally been swept up in a grand passion “Have you ever seen a more smitten man?”

Jessica grinned “Yes, ”

Gideon Whitfield, Jessica’s husband, at least tried to keep his passionate regard for his wife off his face at mealtimes “And are we not all happy about his constancy Rivers was much the same, too”

“I hardly remember your late husband now,” Jessica admitted

Fanny s “Well, he adored you Thought you would grow up and break hearts”

Jessica blushed a little

Fanny, deciding she was as ready as she’d ever be, collected her shawl and reticule and swept toward the door She did not dislike the institution of e She had enjoyed a happy, if brief, one herself But the urge to take the plunge a second ti She had been left with a vast fortune when her husband had died Fortune hunters had co aside And that was five long years ago now She had learned to do without a husband, if not a man in her bed from time to time

She tweaked Jessica’s nose “Are you ready?”

“An hour ago”

“Come on, we’re very late,” Fanny murmured

“You rumbled as she darted out to wait for Fanny to secure her bedcha at Stapleton Manor for the wedding, and Fanny liked knowing her papers and possessions were always secure

She strolled along the hall at an unhurried pace, despite Jessica’s atte At the top of the stairs, she paused to look down Rebecca was standing at the foot of the stairs sixteen feet below, ar, sister,” Fanny called as she started down the grand any staircase to meet her

Rebecca punched her hands to her hips and glared “I was about to leave without you”

“You would not dare,” Fanny ly Rebecca and Jessica were matched in impatience today “Not without your favorite sisters by your side”

“My only sisters,” Rebecca shot back just as quickly “Cootten about the party”