The Accidental Spinster

The carriage wheels ground to a halt outside your brother Sebastian’s grand London estate. You sighed, the carefully constructed bun beneath your bonnet itching.

One season had been enough four years ago, ending in a humiliating dress mishap that sent you fleeing back to the quiet familiarity of the Yorkshire farm. But your mother, Catherine, was determined to see you married before you were deemed too old, even attaching a two-thousand-pound dowry to sweeten the deal.

Reluctantly, you agreed to one last Season in London, a strategic retreat before returning to spinsterhood in peace. As the footman opened the door, a loud scream cut through your thoughts.

“Aunt Jane!”

Your nieces and nephews, Kitty, James, Little J, and the baby Henry, bounded towards you, their excitement a welcome distraction from the impending social ordeal. You scooped up a giggling Kitty, marveling at how much she’d grown since Christmas.