Regency Bride
Hattie Wilkinson Meets Her Match
An Ideal Husband?
Michelle Styles
Born and raised near San Francisco, California, MICHELLE STYLES currently lives near Hadrian’s Wall with her husband, a menagerie of pets and occasionally one of her three universityaged children. An avid reader, she became hooked on historical romance after discovering Georgette Heyer, Anya Seton and Victoria Holt.
Her website is www.michellestyles.co.uk and she’s on Twitter and Facebook.
Table of Contents
Hattie Wilkinson Meets Her Match
Hattie Wilkinson Meets Her Match
Michelle Styles
For Victoria Parker whose support and enthusiasm for this story helped so much
End of June 1816—the Tyne Valley,
Northumberland
A stifled noise, halfway between a giggle and an excited gasp, caused the Honourable Harriet Wilkinson to halt in her march back to the ballroom. Her entire being tensed. She knew what that sound signalled—in Summerfield’s small card room, someone flirted with ruin.
‘None of your business, Hattie Wilkinson,’ she muttered. When had she become a censorious busybody poking her nose into other people’s lives, rather than someone who understood a ball held the possibility of romance? Today was no time to start, and particularly not at a ball to celebrate the first anniversary of Waterloo.
Another trill of laughter sounded. ‘That is highly amusing. Why should I ever feel in danger with you?’
Hattie sighed. Turning her back on an unknown couple was one thing. Turning her back on her high-spirited niece during her first foray into polite society was quite another. Far too much was at stake. Livvy with her clear blonde looks, graceful manner and more than adequate dowry had the potential to be a huge success in the London marriage market