Katherine stepped out of her carriage in front of the Chauceford-Miles' home, and her knees were shaking. She had no inclination to want to be there at all, least of all without Miles there to help her if need be, but just as she had known the bride-to-be's cousins since they were children, so had she known Lisa. And Lisa was getting engaged, forcing Katherine's attendance out of kindness.
She entered the home, greeted at the door by attendants clamoring to take her coat, to show her to the dancing, the wine, the guests of honour. Katherine rejected their help and went to find Lisa so she might make her congratulations known early and be able to relax, then slip out unnoticed whenever it suited her. But as she walked in Lisa's direction, Katherine passed close by the display of drink, and its current patron was none other than Eward.
Quickly turning, Katherine figured she might go a roundabout way towards Lisa, but there was a throng of people just there, blocking her escape.