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Chapter 11
Sam watched her reflection in the vanity as she pulled on her gloves. Physically, she was ready for the ball. Mentally… Well, her thoughts were in chaos and her stomach was twisted in knots. She was worried for Evie and nervous about the whole ordeal they’d have to go through, but something else nagged at the back of her mind.Evie is getting married to John.
She couldn’t quite understand why that fact bothered her so, but it did.
“Are you ready to go?” Isabel yelled as she walked past Sam’s room.
“Yes, just a moment.” Sam’s voice came out hoarse, so she had to clear her throat.
Isabel slowed her pace before she retraced her steps and entered Sam’s room. “Is everything all right?” She tilted her head to look Sam over.
Sam turned and smiled at her sister. “Yes, all is well. I am just a little nervous. I don’t know why.”
Isabel bit her lip and walked farther into the room. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No, there’s nothing to even talk about.” Sam gave a short laugh. “I am just being a ninny, it’s nothing.”
“Are you certain?” Isabel sat on the corner of the bed and patted a place beside her.
Sam heaved a sigh but sat next to her sister.
“Good.” Isabel smiled. “Now, how about you tell me how it feels to have a gentleman you’re attracted to marry your best friend.”
Sam’s head shot up at that. “I am not attracted to him,” she said instantly.
Isabel gave her a pitying look.
“I’m not!” Sam said more emphatically.
Isabel licked her lips and took a deep breath before speaking again. “You do know that James tells me everything you do on your outings, do you not?”
Sam’s mouth opened in shock.That little weasel. All right, a large traitorous weasel!She felt her face heat like a rock under the sun. She was embarrassed that she’d gotten caught like that, but it wasn’t as if anything improper had happened on their outings. At least nothing that would prompt Isabel’s assumption that she cared for him.
“Don’t be angry with him. You know he only has your best interests at heart,” Isabel said softly. “So, is there something you want to tell me?”
“Yes,” Sam grumbled. “I am never taking James anywhere with me again.”
Isabel raised her brow. “And?”
“And nothing! I am not attracted to him. I’ve met him several times to discuss the situation with Evie, nothing more.”
Isabel chewed on her lip. Sam didn’t like the way she was looking at her. “Sammy,” Isabel finally said. Sam hated when her sister called her that. She only did that when she was trying not to offend her while saying something extremely condescending. She failed every time.
“I am not blind. I saw you with him at our ball. You care for him. And he cares for you too.”
Sam stiffened at the words, her cheeks heating even more. “Even if that were true, the point is moot. He is marrying Evie.”
“Does Evie know?”
Sam expelled a long breath. “No.”
“I didn’t think so. She is too good a friend to let you suffer through your feelings and marry the only man you’ve ever shown an interest in. She’d notice too, I am certain, but she is too preoccupied with her own drama.”
“Yes, and her drama is more serious than mine.”
Isabel looked at her intently. “Perhaps you should let Evie decide that.”
“I wouldn’t want to disturb her—”
