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If he truly did want to know her—therealher, then he could make the effort.
Brigid might not be much of a looker, and plenty of women had heftier dowries to add to their attractions. But she knew she was worth it.
She quite liked herself, spectacles, roundness, daydreaming quirks and all. She hoped he would like her too as he got to know her better. Just as she hoped that she would like him in return.
He was off to a very good start based on his performance tonight. She could barely keep the ridiculously self-satisfied smile off her face.
Gloating is not attractive, Brigid, she chided herself.
Don’t gloat.
Thankfully, the sisters turned to her new friends next, undeterred by Brigid’s reticence.
“Do you know the man, Lord Larkin? Annie? You both disappeared with him right after the waltz,” Elizabeth observed.
“How could you not bring him over for an introduction?” Lucille pouted. “We were only a few feet away!”
Lord Larkin gave a slow nod, and Brigid could see him gearing up to weave a whopper.
“Yes, we are acquainted,” he said. “Prince…”
He glanced at Brigid as if seeking her help.
She raised her brows aloft at him in response.
He widened his eyes back at her, as if to say—come on, be a sport. I’m going to lie but I don’t want to lie more than I have to.
“Saiyan,” Brigid supplied, relenting at last.
She didn’t want him to lie more than he needed to either. Hearing them was like hearing nails scratching on a chalkboard. Brigid detested lying with a vengeance.
“Indeed,” he concurred immediately.
“Prince Saiyan and I have crossed paths before. We are kindred spirits, you might say. Our goals are often intertwined.”
Truths. All of it.
Brigid was impressed. She wondered just how Lord Larkin and her prince knew each other. And in what ways they were two of a kind.
For, indeed, now that he alluded to it, she could see how the two men radiated similar auras. By looks and stature alone, they were a species unto themselves. Quite a few rungs above mortal men.
“Prince Saiyan…” Lucille sighed.
“What a gorgeous name. So exotic. So…seductive. Don’t you think so, sister?”
Elizabeth agreed wholeheartedly, it seemed.
“It is perfect for such masculine perfection.”
As if she just realized another example of masculine perfection was present, she rushed to add, “But you are just as handsome, Lord Larkin. Rest assured.”
“Much obliged,” the gentleman said with a touch of wryness. “I feared to lose sleep tonight, knowing that I’ve been solidly cast into shadow.”
Brigid didn’t think he cared for such superficial attributes at all. She doubted he even knew what he looked like. Not once had she seen him pause by a glass or mirror, or did anything more than rake his fingers through that tousled mane of sun-streaked gold.
“I think the prince is quite more impressive,” Lucille argued, apparently comfortable enough with Lord Larkin to speak her mind, not bothering to spare his feelings.
“Well, it’s true,” she insisted when Elizabeth gave her a meaningful look.
