She Calls It Off

Chapter One

Was it really too much to wish for love?

Jackie was sweating horribly. Oh for goodness sake, she thought miserably, it's not even your wedding day yet. Miss Jacqueline Royles, daughter of Viscount Royles, was 'almost engaged' to marry the earl of Quarrick. It would have been a most perfect match-if she had loved him-Lord Lawrence Payne, Earl of Quarrick.

She could do it. She could marry him...not.

Jackie had only met Lord Quarrick less than five times. It was a big surprise when he called upon her father to ask permission to court her. Jackie should have been less amazed. After all, with such a substantial dowry her father offered, even a marquess would have been impressed.

Lord Quarrick wasn't her only suitor but he had the best title by far (there were three misters, two barons and two viscounts. And she did not feel even an inkling of love for any of them.

Lord and Lady Royles were seperated. Jackie didn't want to end up like them. She wanted to feel what the heroines in her novels felt. She wanted to fall in love.

Jackie could pretty much guarantee that she wouldn't fall in love with Lord Quarrick. She had sworn that she wouldn't fall in love until the person she cared for would fall in love with her in return. Lord Quarrick did not seem attracted to her at all. He had barely spoken two sentences to her in all their meetings. And that was only when he had learned the dowry amount.

The sharp sound of a bell brought Jackie back to her present life. That was probably her mother. She tried ignoring it. Perhaps Jackie was overreacting after all. Perhaps Lord Quarrick wouldn't offer marriage-at least not yet.

The bell rang again. Jackie closed her eyes. A soft knock sounded on the door.

"Miss Royles?" Darlene, her maid, "Lady Royles bade me to tell you that it is time for tea."

"It's not time for tea yet," Jackie replied, looking surprised.

"My lady mentioned something about your Lord Quarrick," Darlene said quietly, "There seems to be an imrpovement about his courtship."

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"What is it, Mother?"

"My lady!" Lady Royles snapped, "Call me 'my lady' when servants are listening!"

Jackie looked at their miserable butler who, at present, was pouring a cup of tea for her mother. She felt a touch of compassion for him. "You are dismissed," she said. The butler nodder and slipped out discreetly.

"What was I summoned for, Mother?" Jackie leaned against an elegantly papered wall.

"I have just received an invitation from Lord Quarrick," the viscountess said proudly, waving the said card above her head, "He is inviting you, on behalf of Lady Dentonshire, to attend her ball on Wednesday. Lady Dentonshire!" She set down the ivory paper on the table and picked up her cup of tea.

"Mother, Lady Dentonshire invites everyone in town," Jackie said tiredly. "She is a marchioness, after all."

Lady Royles sniffed. "You would do well to respect her as you are a mere 'miss'.

"But as you so kindly point out, I will be a countess before the end of this Season."

Jackie's mother nodded, "I have full confidence that you will entirely win over Lord Quarrick soon."

"Haven't I already?" Jackie murmured.

Just then, the butler reentered the room, "The Lady Melissa Baxter,"