Candace came back in with two valises, mine and Isabelle’s smart red valise. Hers was at least two sizes bigger than mine.

“Hush, girls. Lady Huxtable is coming this way and she is in a frightful mood.”

We both stopped laughing and Isabelle stood up and nervously straightened nonexistent wrinkles in her skirt.

“I was just with her and she seemed all right,” Isabelle said but before Candace could respond, my guardian swept into the room, her eyebrows perched high upon her forehead.

“Candace, I believe you’re needed in the foyer. Millie appears to have lost her broom and you know how that silly girl gets when she’s upset.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Candace curtsied and left the room. Louisa closed the door behind her. A bad sign. I exchanged a worried glance with Isabelle.

“Have a seat, girls.”

Isabelle and I sat on the bed. Louisa remained standing.

“We’ve received a proposal this afternoon. Our first, and the season is not even halfway through.”

My thoughts flew immediately to Lord Windham. I held my breath.