“It just ‘happened’? Honestly, can you believe what our dear sister is saying?” Philippa sounded disgusted but managed to refrain from shaking her head. “We are talking about an engagement. To a Duke! Not an unfortunate spill on your ball gown.”
“We tell you everything. Without hesitation. Why, you were the first person I told about… well, you know!” Charlotte knew perfectly well that Evelyn was referring to her courtship with Lord Belton but dared not draw attention to it with the maids in the room.
“I thoughtIwasthe first person you told?” Philippa folded her arms across her chest, sounding hurt.
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “I did not need to tell you, given that you informed yourself.”
“What do you mean?” Phillipa asked, confused.
“Did you or did you not read a letter meant for my eyes only that gave the game away?” Evelyn asked sweetly.
Charlotte bit back a laugh, not wanting to draw either of her sister’s attention.At least if they are bickering, they will leave me alone about the dratted Duke. God, how am I supposed to keep this up?
“I cannot recall,” Philippa said in a way that indicated that she clearly did recall exactly what her twin was referring to.
“Then allow me to refresh your memory:” Evelyn’s voice was still dangerously sweet, and Charlotte knew her sister well enough to sense the anger hidden beneath it. “I returned from a rather pleasant walk to find you, reading a letter from… Well, you know who it was from, and before I had a chance to be aghast, you pressed me for every bit of information about the entire… um… arrangement.”
“Well, it can hardly be helped if the footman thought I was you; it’s only natural that one reads a letter one is handed and told that it is for you.” Philippa batted her eyelids, affecting a wholly overacted expression of innocence.
Charlotte snorted which was thankfully ignored by her sisters.
Evelyn glowered at Philippa. “It hadmyname on it.”
“I do not think it did.” Philippa fanned herself absently.
“It definitely did.”
“I think your memory is failing you.”
“I think you are a lying —”
“I think that is quite enough, sisters. Things are getting rather heated,” Charlotte interjected, sensing that the twins were about to get into a shouting match and deciding that the last thing they needed was their stepmother arriving.
Charlotte glanced at the door, listening for the familiar sound of her stepmother’s ridiculous house shoes, but she could hear nothing. She breathed a sigh of relief and turned to find both of her sisters watching her intently.Drat.
“You know, Charlotte, I think you are quite right. Ah, thank you Anna.” Evelyn was momentarily distracted by her lady’s maid who had finished her hair. “No, you need not stay, I have everything in hand. And thank you so much, my hair looks truly fantastic.”
“A pleasure, My Lady.” Anna curtsied and left.
“You may also leave Julia.” Philippa added. “You have done a wonderful job; I do not know how you manage it.”
Charlotte watched the maids leave the room and felt a swell of envy and trepidation swell within her chest.Hold it together. It’s just your younger sisters, you can manage them.
“So, now that we are alone, why not tell us about our soon to be brother-in-law?” Evelyn said, sitting beside Charlotte as she did so.
“Yes, we want to hear all about the Duke.” Philippa sat on the other side of Charlotte, who was increasingly beginning to feel like a cornered mouse.
“What do you mean tell you about the Duke? What more is there to know? You already know that we are engaged. That he is a duke. You have met him —” Charlotte extracted herself from her sisters and moved to the opposite side of the room, forcing herself not to wrap her arms around herself.
I must keep up the charade. I cannot let them know the truth.Charlotte waved a hand dismissively, trying to keep her voice cool and nonchalant as she said, “I’m not avoiding anything. It is not my fault if your questions are vague. What on Earth does ‘tell me about the Duke’ even mean?”
“Well, what is he like? Is he kind? Funny?” Evelyn stood up and moved towards Charlotte.
She backed away without thinking. “I — maybe? Perhaps?”
“How did you two meet? How long have you been courting?” Philippa had also stood and was bearing down upon Charlotte.
Charlotte tried to recall the lie she had told her mother two nights before, but before she could say anything, Evelyn had interjected.
