The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

had indeed loved her husband
     and they had had a fine marriage. But if pressed, Camille would also confess that
     he was not the true love of her life. Which made her wedding at long last to Grayson
     Elliott even more special.
    “That does make all the difference.” A thoughtful smile curved Camille’s lips. “You
     know, I never thought this would happen to me, to us rather. I really never thought
     I’d see him again after he left England. Never imagined we’d have a second chance
     at a life together.”
    “One does tend to give up hope after more than a decade passes.” Delilah refilled
     her teacup.
    “Grayson was gone for eleven years, wasn’t he?” Teddy asked.
    “Building a fortune in America,” Delilah said. “Time well spent I would say.”
    “He shouldn’t have been gone at all but I suppose, in many ways, that’s as much my
     fault as it was his. Still, I would much rather he be rich than poor. I have my own
     fortune, of course, but I do think society tends to look askance when it’s the woman
     who has the fortune as if it’s somehow demeaning for the man in question. No one ever
     seems to mind when it’s the man who has all the money.”
    “Although, no one queues up to marry a poor girl,” Teddy pointed out.
    “It doesn’t seem fair, does it?” Camille shook her head. “A woman who marries for
     position and fortune, especially if she has no position or fortune herself, is often
     looked upon as a fortune hunter although it’s the only way, even in this day and age,
     that a woman has to better herself. A man who marries for money is simply considered
     clever. And it does seem to me that a man dependent on his wife’s money is more likely
     to stray.” Camille shrugged. “Still, it is delightful that money is not a concern.
     We can put the past in the past where it belongs. I much prefer to look toward the
     future.”
    “I have no doubt you’ll be blissful together.” Teddy smiled then turned to her friend.
     “And what of you, Dee? Have you considered your future?”
    Camille chuckled. “With her two older daughters now settled and happy with their second
     husbands, I daresay Mother has certainly considered the question of Delilah’s future.
     I know a good portion of those invited to the wedding at Mother’s urging are unattached
     gentlemen in need of a wife. I suspect she thinks it will be fertile hunting ground
     for you.”
    “I allowed Mother to direct my life the first time I married. I do not intend to allow
     her to do so the next time. However, I don’t mind her assistance as I do intend to
     marry again. She is very good at this sort of thing. And as she, and you of course,
     have been so thoughtful as to gather potential husbands here for your wedding and
     my perusal, I further intend to begin my search in earnest among them.” She turned
     toward her friend. “A bigger question than that of my intentions, Teddy, is what do
     you want?”
    “I have always loved the way you manage to turn attention away from yourself when
     there is a question you don’t wish to answer.” A wry smile curved the corners of Teddy’s
     lips.
    “Not at all.” Even to her own ears her objection did not ring true. “I simply can’t
     imagine you wish to plan other people’s social events for the rest of your life. I
     have no idea what your plans are. You’ve been so busy this past year organizing weddings
     and parties that I’ve scarcely seen you at all.”
    “Then you should have more parties.” Teddy grinned.
    “I shall certainly keep that in mind,” Delilah said in a prim manner then returned
     her friend’s smile.
    She and Teddy had been as close as sisters since they had first met at Miss Bicklesham’s
     Academy for Accomplished Young Ladies and had vowed to be good, true friends for the
     rest of their lives. While officially the purpose of the relatively new but already
     established academy was to prepare young women of the noble classes for the