Page 75 of The Pirate Takes A Bride

“She’s a fool,” Ashley said. “But I’m not.”

“Me, neither,” Catie said, then sat up straighter. “I propose that we make a pledge, a promise never to marry. I’m the oldest, so I go first. I, Catherine Anne Fullbright, swear never, ever, ever to marry so long as I live. Now your turn Maddie.”

“I, Madeleine Richael Fullbright, swear never, ever to marry so long as I live. Now your turn, Josie,” Maddie said.

“I, Josephine Linet Hale, swear never, ever, to marry so long as I live. I promise to be a pirate!”

“Now you, Ashley,” Catie directed.

“I, Ashley Gweneira Brittany, swear not to marry for as long as I live. But you know what this means, don’t you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “We’re going to be spinsters.”

For a moment the four cousins were quiet, and then Catie said, “I’d rather be a spinster than beaten and locked in a closet.”

“I’d rather be a spinster than a silly girl who thinks she’ll marry a prince,” Ashley said.

“It won’t be bad to be unmarried if we’re all unmarried,” Josie said.

“So we’ll make it fun. We’ll be the Spinsters’ Club!” Catie said, impressed that she had thought of it.

“That’s right,” Josephine agreed. “We’ll stick together. No men or mean girls allowed.”

Catie was the first to sit up, stick out her hand, and the other girls followed. Soon all four sat in a circle on Maddie’s bed, hands joined in a silent yet binding pact.

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