It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. Ada Cackle was one of them. A suitable prospect for any woman, she was also difficult regarding her suitors. Unfortunately, she was betrothed to three of them at this present time and was only allowed to choose between them if she wished to keep her considerable fortune. As was tradition for upper class families, her parents had provisionally promised her hand in marriage to three candidates from good families at a young age; the third daughter from the house of Hellibore, the fourth daughter from the house of Hallow and the second daughter from the house of Hardbroom. Originally betrothed to the first daughter, that one had married since and another one had been drafted in to be her replacement.
'Oh dear. Beatrice Hellibore has announced her engagement. Her parents have sent word.'
'Ah well. One less prospect to worry about' said Ada cavalierly, staring out of the window. It was raining.
Alma Cackle huffed in exasperation.
'Really. Anyone would think you didn't want to get married. Beatrice does have a brother.'
'No thanks.'
'Well you have even less to choose from now. You'd better be quick if you decide on Ursula Hallow. I hear she's had a lot of casual suitors. All men.'
Ada did not miss the warning note in her aunt's voice. She sighed.
'Ada, if you are serious about maintaining Wychwood Manor, I suggest you make up your mind very soon. If you don't marry before I die, Agatha will have to have a stake in the manor.'
Ada rolled her eyes at her boisterous cousin taking over. She'd probably do a good job but then Ada would have to go and find somewhere else to live and something else to do and she didn't know if she could muster the energy. Part of her wanted to give it up to Agatha and go and live a hermit's life somewhere but the thought of being the family disappointment within Cackle history was even more exhausting. She'd never live it down. Even the thought of it made Ada feel tired.
She knew she'd have to choose a suitor soon. She just couldn't handle the thought of going through an awkward meeting and then a faff of a ceremony only to sit across them at the dining table each day and wonder if she could stand to be with them for the rest of her life. Her mother would have told her to buck up. She'd done her duty with vigour and hadn't understand the hopelessness her daughter felt. Not that she was here to tell her anymore. Her sister, Alma, was determined that her niece would settle and as far as she was concerned, it was long overdue.
'You're like the girl with the curl' said Alma several years ago. 'When you're good, you're very good. When you're bad, you're horrid.'
She was right. When Ada was in the mood, she was fantastic company. She was renowned for holding some of the best parties in the county and most people took her hostess skills at face value. She had come a long way from the shy ingenue that she used to be. Agatha had helped her out a lot back then and she was grateful for everything but she was getting to a point where she felt like saying no a lot more and that was unfair. She was going to be in charge of Wychwood Manor and she had to keep it going. She had her trusty assistant in Jenny, who did a fantastic job holding the historic tours of the manor and the grounds. She was the only one who understood Ada's fits and starts in mood and had in time, become a close friend. It was a pity she couldn't marry Jenny. It would be so much simpler that way.
'I expect your letter to be ready tomorrow morning.'
Ada turned to her aunt.
'Sorry, what?'
Alma sighed.
'To post. To the Hardbroom estate. They have a spare daughter. You can't play the eligible bachelor forever. If Ursula is being wooed by others then you need to look at your last candidate.'
'It's hardly a job interview, auntie.'
'It's bloody well is' said Alma testily. 'This is a job and you need someone with you to help share with workload. Jenny is the most wonderful personal assistant but you can't marry her, more's the pity. Not the right family. Besides, I think she's got a man in mind. She'll marry before you no doubt.'
Ada didn't doubt.
'I will check what her name is and you will invite her here for the afternoon. If she agrees to a marriage, she will gain the status and wealth that her family lost and what woman doesn't want that?'
What woman indeed?