It does not matter that he is a merchant man, Mortimer reminded himself, again. It matters only that Cassandra wants to marry him - and that she will not be an old maid. Mostly that she will not be an old maid. Maybe this is not a good idea. Of course it is not a good idea. A father should choose his daughter's husband. But how could I possibly say no when she asked me with her Bella eyes? Bella.
I cannot escape a wedding without thinking of Bella. As if I could pass a single day without thinking of her. I told Cassandra not to invite her. She won't come. Stolen by fairies she was! Cassandra disagrees. She thinks her mother is lost and confused. She would be an old woman by now. I see her when I look at Cassandra, but the girl is more like me, keeping to herself, falling in love with the first person to show a flicker of interest. She will be crushed when her mother does not show. So will I.
