Conversed With Mr. Richmond?

* * *

Her parents and her sister returned days later from Lucy's wedding and Gwen could not stop herself from telling of all the excitements and delights they had had; how the groom had been shy, how Aunt Marrily had kept everyone on their toes, commanding here and there, and how Lucy had dropped her ring due to nerve. It was wonderful, she swore. Beth was sorry to have missed it. But she was grateful to Gwen for helping her evade the entire occasion and convincing her parents to leave her behind.

Oh, how glad was she that she did not attend.

The Duke of Carlisle was at her cousin's wedding!

Why had he made himself present? Her Aunt's family was not close to his, so why had he attended? If any invitation had been sent out, it must simply be out of courtesy. Especially since he called her friend before her Aunt's family.

She couldn't have been more joyful to have been absent. How would she have faced him, talk to him? She would have been able to evade him anywhere else, but not at her