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the carriage. “I do not believe the location is as important as the connection to family. I would appreciate it if you didn’t upset Mrs. Overton with such silly notions.”
    Mrs. Custiss seemed completely unmoved. “My dear, you are only a child. I am a grown woman—a widow with a child. You cannot possibly understand the importance of such things.” She looked to Garrett and smiled. “I’m sure it quite escapes her, do you not agree?”
    Mia looked at Garrett and bit her lip. It was clear that she had taken just about all she could take. “Mrs. Custiss,” Garrett said, offering his arm, “I believe it would be best for us to join the others and get you out of the night air. I wouldn’t want you to catch a chill.”
    Mia followed after them, and while she didn’t say a word, Garrett could feel her glare burning into the back of his head. It was going to be a very long evening.

    Mia kept her distance from the very rude Mrs. Custiss throughout the evening. She could scarcely believe the things the woman had said. Mia had never known anyone so rude.
    Moving in and out of the crowd, Mia shared conversation with her friends, avoiding any comments about Mrs. Custiss. It was most difficult not to share every detail of their earlier conversation, but Mia knew it would only perpetuate her anger.
    “I saw you dancing with several handsome young men,” Mia’s father said as he joined her. “I was hoping you might allow me the same opportunity.”
    Mia offered him a smile. “But of course. I would much rather spend time with you, Father.” She allowed him to draw her into the dance.
    “But that will really do you little good in finding a husband.”
    “You have to be looking for a husband to find one,” Mia teased. “Besides, I have no need of a husband. I have a most wonderful father who sees to my every need. And he indulges and spoils me.”
    “I have a feeling your husband would be happy to indulge and spoil you, my dear. You merely have to give a man a chance.”
    Mia sobered. “You sound serious.”
    “But of course I’m serious. You are four and twenty. Your mother worries about it incessantly. With both of your younger sisters already married, she fears you will be considered less desirable. I hardly believe that is a risk, but you know how your mother worries.”
    “Mother would worry whether I was married or spinstered for all of my life.”
    “Do you not desire marriage?”
    Mia allowed her father to whirl her several times through the partnered dancers before replying. “I would enjoy being married. I would like to have a husband and one day to give him children. But in all honesty, I would prefer to marry for love rather than mere compatibility or convenience.”
    “But compatibility will take you far. Such a strong basis will surely lead to love in its own right.”
    “Perhaps, but I’ve not even found anyone with whom I feel compatible. Most men do not understand my desire to help better our society. They would never tolerate my work with Godey’s. ”
    Her father frowned and grew thoughtful as the music drew to a close. “Mia, walk with me for a moment.”
    She could see he was troubled. “Are you all right, Father?”
    “For myself, I am fine. But, Mia, I do worry about you. Working at a position, even one such as Godey’s, is hardly what I desire for my daughter. It has been hard to allow you this indulgence. Quite often, I consider whether I would be wiser to alter the situation.”
    “But, Father, you know how much it means to me.” Mia knew she couldn’t make a scene, but she desperately needed her father to understand. She drew him into a quiet corner. “Please don’t take this away from me. I feel certain I can make a difference.”
    “I would rather you make a marriage . . . and grandchildren,” he said, laughing.
    “Ann has that matter already under control,” Mia countered with a smile. “Surely Sally will soon follow suit, as she has never been one to allow Ann