Rolling her eyes Angel did not deign to answer the first of the three questions – it was evident to her, at least, that even if they were both condemned to miserable spinsterhood, that of course it would be worse for Estelle. Angeline would almost certainly be designated as a poor, pathetic mite whose luck never came in but at least people would not say she had sabotaged herself by being an utter bitch to everyone.

Although on second thought that might be preferable.

“We have to be each other’s biggest supporter,” she said, already hating how the words sounded in her mouth. It was so chummy and she could practically feel Tig disowning her. “Pick gentlemen who are after the right sort of wife, rather than wasting time, and talk each other up. If you think you can manage it?”

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