The Wedding Cake (The Wedding Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to understand, given that your father seems to regard him as a social equal. However, I must look out for what is best. You can’t imagine what a strain it is on my nerves having five daughters.
    “I worry all the time that we will be unable to provide suitable matches for all of you. Eugenia is no problem, of course. She couldn’t have found a more delightful husband. And you, Cinnamon.” Her mother stepped forward in a flutter of silk, taking Cinnamon’s hands in her own. “A duke! Well, I simply couldn’t be more pleased.”
    “I’m glad, Mama.”
    “Of course you are, dear.” Another sigh. “But there are your sisters to worry about. Cornelia is not as... well, as attractive as she might be. Oh, I don’t for one minute mean she’s not perfectly lovely. But... Well, finding her a husband as suitable as yours and Eugenia’s may prove a challenge.”
    “Mother, I’m certain Cornelia... She has the most beguiling smile.”
    “Yes, yes, of course.” Her mother turned away. “Then there’s Lucretia.”
    “What about Lucretia? No one can deny her beauty.”
    “That is exactly the problem.” Her mother looked back at Cinnamon over her shoulder. “Because she is so beautiful, she is vulnerable to the wrong sort of man.”
    “You mean Captain McGregger.”
    Relief seemed to wash over her mother as she sank onto the window seat. “Exactly. I knew you would understand why we cannot have men like him accepted into our social circle.”
    “Mama.” Cinnamon took a step forward. “It appeared to me that it was Lucretia who... Well, Lucretia seemed quite taken with the captain.” A turn of events that Cinnamon didn’t mind in the least. At least she’d been telling herself that for two days. “I didn’t note any untoward behavior from Captain McGregger.”
    “But then being only twenty, you are not entirely wise in the ways of worldly men, are you?” A touch of steel had crept into her mother’s tone. “Lucretia did nothing but respond in a pleasant way to that man’s advances.”
    “If you say so, Mama,” she agreed for the sake of family harmony. But she had eyes in her head and she’d seen the way Lucretia had nearly tossed herself at the captain. She’d also noticed a measure of restraint on his part. But all that made no difference in the long run, for her mother demanded that she not invite the captain again, and she could do nothing but comply.
    ~ ~ ~
    “Your fiancé’s simply the most delightful man, is that not true, Cinnamon?”
    She rested her fork across her dinner plate before answering, partly because she couldn’t think of another way to respond other than she already had—numerous times. The entire evening was a series of her mother’s flowery descriptions about a man she’d never even met.
    Her mother had discussed Lord Alfred Westfield’s wealth in great detail, and his family history to such a degree that if Cinnamon didn’t know better she’d think him next in line for the throne. Mama had complimented his appearance, making him seem nearly as handsome as, well, as Captain McGregger. And now she strove to make him out to be the most charming of men.
    As much an exaggeration as all the rest, Cinnamon admitted to herself, though to the company she agreed with her mother.
    “Well, I must say you seem less than enthusiastic about the man you will wed in less than two months, Cinnamon. I was under the impression when you returned from England that you were madly in love,” her mother finished petulantly.
    Cinnamon felt the captain’s gaze and couldn’t help her own eyes being drawn to his. He stared at her with an emotion she couldn’t fathom.
    “Mrs. Murphy, I dare say, our Cinnamon grows tired of discussing Lord Westfield. Perhaps we should—”
    “Nonsense, Mr. Murphy. How could she not wish to speak of her beloved?” Her mother puffed herself up, her ample breast expanding above the décolletage of her mauve gown. “Isn’t that correct, Cinnamon?