“Vomit!” shrieked Tiffany, finally. “Casting up your accountsmeans to vomit!”
Bonnie burst into laughter, andheavens, but it felt good.
Shrugging, Ember leaned back in her chair. “Why not just say you had to vomit? It is a normal part of pregnancy, is it not?”
“Itis,but speaking of vomit in polite company is considered rude,” Tiffany sniffed.
Ember grinned. “I am not polite company.”
“You certainly are not.”
Still chuckling, Bonnie shook her head. “I have missed you two.”
Tiffany lifted her teacup in salute. “And I have missed your smile.” She leaned toward Ember and lowered her voice, saying, “She really has been moping, you know.”
“Since Lysander returned her, you say?” Ember murmured back.
“I am sitting right here, you two!”
Ember ignored her. “Where did you say she spent the blizzard?”
Tiffany hummed thoughtfully. “I did not say, because it isdelightfully scandalous. Our sister spent the time at Oliphant Castle?—”
“With Lyon?” Ember gasped, her excitement evident as she scooted to the edge of her seat. “Or Keith? Our husbands’ brothers are both good men, although it might be difficult to?—”
“I am sitting right here!” Bonnie huffed in irritation and crossed her arms in front of her. “And I spent the blizzard in Oliphant Castle becausethere was a blizzard. Nothing scandalous happened!”
Except ithad, and if either of her sisters studied her too closely, they would be sure to know her secret. Bonnie pretended great interest in her papers.
“You know, Lysander has mentioned the magnificent library at Oliphant Castle as something Bonnie would enjoy, were she allowed to spend time there.” Tiffany arched a brow over her tea cup. “Everyone knows that it is important for two people to have something in common before they begin courting…”
“This is true,” Ember agreed, shifted her attention back to Bonnie. “It was certainly the case with you and Lysander, Tiffany.”
“Yes, we are both very attractive and charming.”
“And Max and I are both innovators. I like working with my hands while he manages the business, but Oliphant Engraving has never been as successful as we have made it in the last season since we have opened orders for my custom-engraved shoes.”
It was hard to argue with those facts. Bonnie slumpedfurther in her chair. “I am not being courted,” she announced with a pout.
Ember hummed and tapped her bottom lip. “But there must besomeoneat Oliphant Castle whom she felt a connection to.”
She glanced thoughtfully at Tiffany, who asked, “Who there loves to read and learn new things, and Bonnie might be in love with?”
Oh Lord in Heaven, she couldn’t allow this to continue. They were already too close, with their teasing. “Who said I am in love with anyone?”
“The moping,” Ember pointed out cheerfully. “Ye are moping around just like a woman in love.” She gestured to Tiffany, then back to herself. “Trust us, we ought to know.”
Before Bonnie could deny it, Tiffany heaved her feet to the ground and sat up, amid much groaning. “Just answer us this, Bonnie dear. Thereisa man, is there not? And the thought of him makes your heart beat faster, and makes you feel short of breath, and you cannot sleep for thinking of his kisses?”
How did she know?
Perhaps Bonnie spent a moment too long staring at her sister, because Tiffany nodded firmly and cut a glance at Ember. “Definitely in love.”
“So why the moping?” Ember cocked a brow at Bonnie. “Because it is unrequited?”
If she just kept her mouth shut, her sisters would write this whole damn depressing gothic novel for her!
But she wouldn’t be Bonnie if she knew how to keep her mouth shut, would she?
