"I'm not sure," she said truthfully. "It was much easier in my time."
She thought about the bargaining that went on behind closed doors, the alliances that could arise from Society parties. It was true that they were sold to the highest bidder, for the most part, but their families had their best interests at heart. And nobody would want to be partnered or associated with a family of dubious reputation.
"For the most part it wasn't unpleasant. I was able to wear beautiful dresses and dance at balls for six months before finding out who I was to marry," she said with a smile. "Now... The idea of having to find somebody on my own..."
She shrugged, mindful of the fact that Andromeda was in the room. She didn't know how much the other woman knew about the Notts' encouragement for her to marry Stephen. "It's strange. A little exciting but mostly bewildering."