That Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 2

May has spent four months away, and the summer light that bathes Jessamine Cottage seems both familiar and strange. Her grandmother greets her with a tender kiss, insisting she is now a woman, while the house itself feels cramped and the air hints at lingering poverty. As May settles back into the fragrant rooms, she confronts the uneasy reality that her beloved granny may not be as robust as before, prompting her to promise to stay and support the family.

The village buzzes with talk of a mysterious gentleman of princely fortune who might become May’s match, though she rebuffs any romantic speculation with sharp humor. Family members and old friends speculate, each offering their own theories about the elusive suitor and May’s feelings. Caught between duty to her aging grandmother and the pressure of society’s expectations, May navigates a delicate balance of affection, independence, and the uncertain future that lies ahead.