“No.”
“I didn’t think so.”
In front of them, the men turned and motioned for the ladies to join them. Maddie gave Ashley one last look. “You know, as much as I love Jack, I do miss our Spinster’s Club.”
“We were its last members.”
“Perhaps we can form a new club.”
Ashley laughed. “Why am I not surprised? Very well, then.” She linked her arm with Maddie and they started toward Nick and Lord Blackthorne. “What shall we call it?”
Maddie smiled. When they reached their husbands, Nick pulled her into his arms and kissed her, heedless of the people in the park. She batted him playfully away.
Behind them Maddie muttered, “Marriage of convenience. Ha!”
Nick gave her a look. “Is that what you told her?”
Ashley shrugged and whispered, “She would never believe me if I said I was madly in love with you and had been for a year. Besides, I like having our little secret for the moment.”
Up ahead, two figures emerged on the path and waved. Ashley recognized Josie and Catie. They looked lovely as always, Catie with her dark hair and regal gait and Josie with her cropped hair and that impish grin she wore. The four embraced, and Ashley saw Nick and Lord Blackthorne walk ahead to give them privacy.
“We’re together again!” Catie said. “I’ve missed you three.”
“You saw us not two hours ago,” Josie remarked.
Catie shook her head. “I meant, I missed the four of us together. Our Spinster’s Club.”
“But we’re not spinsters any longer,” Ashley said. “Not that we ever were.”
“Then it’s true,” Josie said. “You are married to Lord Nicholas.”
“I am, and I am trying to make the best of it.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “Do not believe a word she says. She’s in love with the scamp.”
“Really?” Catie’s brown eyes widened. “How did that come about?”
“Maybe some other time,” Ashley said with a wave. “Right now, I want to hear all about your adventures.”
“You mean our misadventures,” Maddie said.
“That’s right. We’ve formed a new club.” Ashley linked arms with Maddie and Josie, who took Catie’s arm. The four walked together, like they had as children.
“We’re calling it Misadventures in Matrimony.”
Read the first book in the Misadventures in Matrimony series. Enjoy an excerpt from No Man’s Bride below.
London, 1801
“Papa, please. Please.” Catie pounded her small, aching fist against the walls of her prison under the stairs. She barely rattled the door. She’d been locked in the tiny closet for hours, and all the crying had rendered her weak and pitiful.
She was pitiful.
Just like her papa said she was.
“Please,” she cried again, but no one came. No one ever came when she cried. No one cared. She pulled her knees to her chest, trying to make herself small, trying to give the mice and rats as much room as possible. She was ten. She shouldn’t be scared. Her mama was always telling her to act like a big girl. But as her tears wet and chilled her knees, she shivered.
Please, God. Please.
