A Match Made in London

A Match Made in London The School for SpinstersBook One By Michelle Willingham © Copyright 2023 by Michelle Willingham Text by Michelle Willingham Cover by Dar Albert Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. is an imprint of Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc. P.O. Box 23 Moreno Valley, CA 92556 [email protected] Produced in the United States of America First Edition April 2023 Kindle Edition Reproduction of any kind except where it pertains to short quotes in relation to advertising or promotion is strictly prohibited. All Rights Reserved. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. License Notes: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook, once purchased, may not be re-sold. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. 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Without your support, there is no ‘us’, so we sincerely hope you adore these stories and find some new favorite authors along the way. Happy Reading! CEO, Dragonblade Publishing Additional Dragonblade books by Author Michelle Willingham The School for Spinsters Series A Match Made in London (Book 1) Match Me, I’m Falling (Book 2) Match Me If You Can (Book 3) Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Publisher’s Note Additional Dragonblade books by Author Michelle Willingham Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Excerpt from Match Me, I’m Falling About the Author Prologue London, 1816 “I’m here to see Mrs. Harding,” Violet Edwards told the footman. “I-I have an appointment.” She twisted her hands together as he led her inside, the fear rising in the pit of her stomach. The man led her to a small sitting area and said, “Wait here, if you please, Miss…?” “Edwards,” Violet finished. She didn’t know if the headmistress—if one could call her that—would be able to help her. But after three Seasons without a single suitor, she saw no alternative but to enroll herself in Mrs. Harding’s School for Young Ladies. The not-so-polite name was the School for Spinsters. Rumor had it that Mrs. Harding took only a few students each year. Violet had witnessed one transformation when her friend Felicity had disappeared for a few weeks, only to return, find the perfect husband, become blissfully happy, and now, she had a child on the way. Violet’s cheeks burned, for she wanted that, so very much. True, her looks were only average, and certainly she would never be a great beauty. Her dowry was pitiful. But that wasn’t the real reason why men didn’t want to marry her—it was her stutter. An invisible weight sank down on her shoulders with the unspoken question of whether she could ever overcome the problem. Another gentleman entered the sitting room. He looked to be in his thirties, and he had light brown hair with kindly blue eyes. “Miss Edwards, I am Mrs. Harding’s secretary. Cedric Gregor is my name. If you’ll just follow me into the study, we will discuss your situation with the headmistress of our school.” Violet walked alongside the gentleman, keeping her eyes lowered. With every step, her fears only multiplied. Even now, she felt her eyelid beginning to twitch while a ringing noise resounded in her ears. She took deep breaths to stop herself from growing faint. That was the last thing she needed right now. When Mr. Gregor led her inside, she was surprised at Mrs. Harding’s appearance. The woman looked to be only a few years older than Violet herself. Yet, when she glanced into the headmistress’s eyes, she saw the mirror of someone who had endured suffering. Mrs. Harding glanced up from her correspondence and regarded Violet. “I received your letter, Miss Edwards. I am Rachel Harding, and you’ve already met my secretary, Mr. Gregor. I presume you have come about enrolling in my school.” “Y-y-yes.” Violet wanted to curse herself, but her stammer only worsened. She cleared her throat and tried again. “I-I-I’ve brought money f-for the tuition,” she said, placing her reticule on the desk. “I’ve saved my p-pin money for over a year.” She bit her lip, wishing to God she could rid herself of the stutter. Although Mrs. Harding waited patiently while she spoke, Violet could see the sympathy in her eyes. She lowered her head again, her shoulders slumping while she waited for the woman to answer. “Tell me more about why you have come to seek my help,” the woman said gently. “What is it you want to learn from my school?” Violet tried again, but whenever she got nervous, her stutter seemed to grow even more impossible to control. “M-my mother doesn’t believe I will e-ever marry,” she managed. “I was hoping to f-find a husband of my own. I’ve heard you c-can help women who have…very f-few choices.” Mr.