Page 78 of The Wedding-Crashing Duchess

“I was thinking,” she said after a moment. “Sorry, I’ve been a little distracted all evening.”

“That much is obvious,” Temperance replied. “The question is what you were thinking about.”

“Nothing important.”

Charity’s brows rose. Of all people, she could read her sister the best. And there was no lying to her, or anyone else now, for that matter.

Augusta immediately regretted answering. They knew her far too well.

Alethea, kinder than either of the others, said, “She may simply be tired. We have been here for nearly an hour, and Temperance has forced her to consider enough gowns to clothe a small court. Maybe we need to give her a little break?”

“Yes, a break is lovely,” Augusta tried to interject.

“Oh, please,” Temperance ignored the insult entirely. “She was distracted in the carriage as well.”

“I was not. Now you are making things up at my expense.”

“You were. Charity asked whether Sarah had enjoyed the books she sent, and you answered that the weather had been pleasant.”

Augusta frowned. “Did I?”

It was truly a surprise to her as well, just how far off she had wandered in her own mind.

“And it’s doubly concerning that you seem to not even have a recollection of it.”

Charity’s amusement had begun to give way to curiosity. “I assumed you had not heard me, but now I am beginning to think something happened last night.”

Nothing in Charity’s tone was accusatory, but Augusta immediately felt herself becoming warm.

Temperance saw it. Her eyes widened slightly, and then a slow smile appeared. “Oh.”

Augusta looked at her suspiciously. “What does that mean?”

“It means I have just become considerably more interested in your distraction.”

“There is nothing to be interested in,” Augusta tried to shrug it off.

“There absolutely is. I have known you for years, Augusta, and I have never seen you blush because Charity asked what happened yesterday evening. Did you quarrel with Ravenhill?”

“No.”

“Did he say something? I am sure that it concerns him in some way. I know how young girls act, and you are abiding by the book.”

“No, I think you’re imagining things.”

“Right, tell that to someone who might just believe you.” Temperance’s smile deepened. “Did he do something?”

Augusta stared at her. How had she figured it out so easily?

Her silence was apparently answer enough.

Charity set the green silk aside. “Temperance.”

“What? I am asking her a question,” she replied. “It’s only natural for me to be curious, especially when she is acting this strange. Don’t you think?”

“You are circling her like a hawk. I would say that the girl deserves some breathing space.”

“I am merely being efficient,” Temperance replied. “Besides, I am sure that the rest of you are just as curious as I am, even though you are not saying it outright.”