The Marriage Campaign
Susannah Carleton

Excerpt

Moonlight Reverie

Robert had almost given up on his Miss Lindquist when he heard the quiet closing of a door and rapid footfalls. His heart lightened at the sound of her approach.

“Good evening, Miss Lindquist. I hoped this sky would draw you outside.”

“Good evening, Lord Elston.” As she turned her face heavenward, the hood of her cloak slipped back a bit. He managed to glimpse her delicate features, a petite frame, and a swath of pale hair before she turned toward him. She stared up at him for a moment, as if to study his features, then retreated to the same shadowy corner she had occupied the night before.

Silence reigned for several minutes, but Karla, or Miss Lindquist, did not find it uncomfortable. Theirs was like the silence between old friends. Then they spoke simultaneously.

“Lord Elston—“

“Miss Lindquist—“ The marquess deferred to her.

“Society has rules for everything, doesn’t it?”

“So it seems.” A wry smile accompanied his words.

Oh, how she regretted deceiving him! Karla want to speak to him, but she still feared his scorn, should she confess her lie. She watched as he leaned back against the stone baluster of the terrace and crossed one booted ankle over the other...