A Taste of Honey by Lindsay Kiernan Read Free Book Online

She wondered how many of them had married lords, dukes and viscounts like her mother wanted her to.  They would sit around and stare at her, trying to sum up her worth and they would tell her whether or not they felt that her goals were out of reach.  Besides, she did not need more women pressing her on which husband she should choose.
    Winnie must have noticed Katherine's scowl.  “They really aren't that bad,” she said as she tore at one of the scones.  “It's not like they pick you apart or anything.”
    “Are most of them very rich?  Do any of them have titles?”  Robin asked trying to size up which of the women would be the most beneficial to their purposes.
    Winnie was able to list off a few titled ladies and one or two that had married remarkably wealthy however she assured them that most had simply married whoever made them happy.  Her mother even emphasized not reaching too high and letting who they liked dictate who they were to marry.
    Before the three girls had finished their breakfast Mrs. Brentley entered their room with the coachman to collect their luggage and hurry them outside.  “We should have left an hour ago,” she chided, as she rushed them all into the carriage for the last few hours before they would enter London.  It was clear that punctuality was one of the subjects that she was stern about.
    Luckily the ride to London was more enjoyable than their earlier one.  Winnie kept the conversation light as she sought to discover each of the twins’ hidden differences.  “I think that she has a slightly higher nose than yours,” she told Robin, who chatted alongside her while Katherine and Mrs. Brentley read quietly, trying to pass the time while avoiding any further arguments with Robin.
    When they reached London, both Wellings sisters discovered that it was as strange and exciting as they had been warned.  Peering out of the coach windows they watched the different people that they passed by, each with a special secret task that they hurried along to complete.  So many people crammed into one city seemed unnatural and filth littered many of the poorer areas that they passed.  Mrs. Brentley made sure that the coach rode through some of the more beautiful buildings in the area to show the city's balance between beauty and the chaos of street vendors and peddlers who stood along the roads shouting prices and haggling with customers. 
    One of the theater houses they passed seemed to rise up to the heavens with giant statues on the top roofs of the building, pointing high up into the sky.  It seemed impossible that anyone in the city had any acquaintances as each person they passed along their way was ignored.  Everyone in town appeared to be complete strangers and they were perfectly content at remaining that way.
    Some of the women had beautiful dresses and were attended by the smartly dressed men, out for a morning walk where a local flower seller would persuade the gentleman that his lady's looks would be improved by a half-pence of flowers.  Down narrow alleyways and between tall buildings, Katherine could see the shadowy forms of children that picked through the garbage looking for edible goods. 
    Since it was Sunday one of the bakeries they drove past had lines of London's poorer classes who could not afford stoves at home.  They lined up to have the bakers cook their meats on the one day that they were not baking rolls, breads and pastries.  The rich scents filtered into her nose of duck and wild game being slowly roasted over the fires.  The carriage also passed large churches where the bells rang out, calling all sinners into their doors for forgiveness.
    Seeing so many strange areas and people gave Katherine relief on one front.  Even if the man she had met last night was staying in London, how would he find her in such a maze of people and events?  She set her mind at ease and started to enjoy the idea of meeting new bachelors at tonight's ball and not fearing that