Free The Marriage Market by Cathy Spencer

piece, the young lady applauded enthusiastically, her eyes glistening with tears.  Of course, Mrs. Edwards saved her most brilliant performance for the finale.  As her voice rose to a soaring crescendo, Miss Pursing inhaled sharply and clutched James’ arm.  When the last notes had faded away, she sighed and turned to smile at the gentlemen.  Suddenly realizing the liberty she had taken, Miss Pursing quickly released his arm and flushed in embarrassment.
    “Oh, I do beg your pardon!” she exclaimed.  “I was quite overtaken by the music.”
    “Not at all, Miss Pursing,” James responded with a smile.  They looked into each other’s eyes while the audience applauded and the soprano prepared for an encore.  “Would you like to meet Mrs. Edwards when the concert is over?”
    “Oh, Mr. Wovington, are you in earnest?  However will you manage it?” Miss Pursing asked, clasping her hands together in ecstasy.
    “It will be no trouble, Miss Pursing.  Mrs. Edwards’ agent is an acquaintance of mine.  I am sure that Mrs. Edwards would be pleased to meet such an ardent admirer.”
    Miss Pursing was aflutter at the prospect of meeting the renowned soloist, and the Ladbrooks were delighted to be included in James’ plan.  They remained in their seats when the performance was over, waiting until James spotted the agent at the concert hall entrance.  He approached the gentleman and chatted for a moment before returning with him and making the introductions.  At last the great lady appeared, attired in a midnight blue silk gown with a matching feathered turban. 
    When Miss Pursing was presented to Mrs. Edwards, the red-faced, tongue-tied young lady could barely stammer, “P-pleased to meet you.”  It was not until after the soloist and her agent had departed that Miss Pursing’s tongue loosened.
    “Oh Mr. Wovington, I will never forget this moment.  I am so excited that I may burst!  Thank you over and over again for arranging the introduction.  I cannot wait to tell my music teacher, Mr. Davis.  He will be astonished that I actually met Mrs. Edwards.  I will never forget this evening.  Thank you again, Mr. Wovington.  And you, Mr. and Mrs. Ladbrook, for inviting me!”
    “You are most welcome, Miss Pursing,” Victoria responded, smiling at the young woman.  “I hope that your excitement has not taken away your appetite.”
    “Oh no, I am famished,” the girl said with a pretty flush to her cheeks.
    Miss Pursing did not have much to say during the dinner at the Crown, but her eyes were busy stealing glances at Mr. Wovington across the table.  James noticed the looks and smiled at her.  She smiled back with naked admiration in her starry eyes.  Every man fortunate enough to have experienced such admiration knows how powerful the effect can be, and James was not immune.  Victoria observed the exchange, and judged the evening a success.
     
    Chapter Eight ‒ Competition
     
    A portion of a letter from Mrs. Joseph Greene to Mrs. David Ladbrook:
     
    March 26, ______
     
    “Dearest Victoria,
     
    It sounds as if your matchmaking is progressing well.  How impressed Miss Pursing must have been when Mr. Wovington arranged her introduction to Mrs. Edwards.  I can just imagine the scene:  the trembling young girl standing before the musical goddess, waiting to be introduced, while the gentleman smiles in the background.  Certainly Mr. Wovington is quite personable and charming, and I would wager that Miss Pursing is smitten with him.  Can you guess how the gentleman feels about the young lady, however?  My acquaintance with Mr. Wovington has been somewhat limited, but I have the impression that he is a gentleman of some worldliness and experience.  Do you imagine that a sheltered young woman like Miss Pursing can captivate a man like Wovington for long?
     
    Meanwhile, what improvements do you mean to make to the garden this spring?”
     
    __________
     
    “David, look what we received in the