Free The Hopeless Hoyden by Margaret Bennett Page B

no one ventured to contradict him, he continued.  “'Course, there has to be marriage.  Can't have little bastards running all over the place.  Do beg pardon, ladies," he added contritely, especially to Jane whose countenance, though turned away from him, showed a becoming pink.
                  Emily was not so missish, however.  "Think nothing of it.  Fact is, I consider that another example of how silly society treats girls.  There are lots of people who were born on the wrong side of the blank, and, blast it, society insists we pretend not to know how they got there."
                  Gabriel leaned over to whisper in her ear.  "Watch your language, Em.  There is a lady present."  The look she cast his way set him to laughing.
                  “Can't see why bast--er, them sort are so funny to you," Freddy said, frowning at Gabriel.
                  Chesterfield, who waited until the Viscount apologized for his ill-timed levity, added, “Freddy's got the right of it.  But I must say, Emily, you're quite a clever girl."
                  Obviously much struck by this, Freddy turned to ask Jane in an overly loud whisper, "Ain't a bluestocking, is she?" 
                  “Oh no, my lord," Jane assured him.  “I am sure we must all share these thoughts at one time or another."
                  With his brow pinched between his eyes, the baron fell into deep thought and uttered not another word for the rest of the walk home.
    ###
                  Not an early riser himself, Cecil Caldwell took his cousin's abandonment in stride.  He preferred to lie abed for several more hours than traipse across wet meadows to some lonely fishing hole. He was upset, however, when he discovered the foppish Ellison had also been left behind as it fell upon him to entertain the dandy over a late breakfast.  Still, things could have been worse.  At least that idiot, Fordyce, had gone off with Gabriel. 
                  Cecil's mood was still foul after telling the dandy his cravat had fallen, thus sending him back to the ministrations of his valet.  Hoping for solitude, Cecil entered the morning parlor.  There he found his sister sitting with a crumpled scrap of paper in her hands.  “Bad news?" he asked.
                  “The worst, Cecil.  This came in the morning post.  My modiste has tracked me here and sent a dunning notice."
                  “Let us hope she's the greedy sort and doesn't share her good fortune with your other creditors."
                  “It is no laughing matter, Cecil.  I cannot purchase another gown from any reputable modiste," Deborah whined.  "None will extend me any more credit."
                  “May I suggest you apply to our dear cuz for the funds.  With his sense of family responsibility, your piteous plea may not be ignored.  As for me, dear sister, I, too, have my own troubles."
                  “How can you be so cruel?"
                  “Because those same merchants are barking at my heels as well, so have done, Sis.  You've been told what to do.  I suggest you quit moaning about your lack of funds and use your time more productively.  Snag the beau with the most blunt."
                  “But I cannot like--"
                  “I really don't give a damn what you like.  Just do as you're told," Cecil growled, then, turning his back on his sister, quit the room.
    ###
                  To recoup from their early morning outing, the gentlemen lazed about for the remainder of the day, playing billiards.  The ladies, needless to say, were hardly pleased yet acquiesced, whiling away the afternoon in the drawing room.
                  Emily, having endured Sylvia's hateful gaze throughout lunch along with Lady Raines's interrogation about how she and Jane had