“I was considering the contrary nature of human beings. Saying one thing but meaning and doing the complete opposite.” Like insisting you didn’t want to kiss or touch someone when you so obviouslydid.
A tiny snort came from her sister’s parted lips.
Tamsin was obviously no longer listening. Not that she would be any help at all, only horrified that Aurora had made such a proposal to Worth. Her sister had never really liked him, no matter that he was Drew’s business partner. If she found out Worth had given Aurora a courtesan’s memoir, or Aurora asked to be tutored in pleasure—
“She’s fallen asleep again,” Odessa said softly. Standing, she eyed Tamsin’s stomach. “Do you think there’s more than one tucked inside? Twins run in the Sinclair family. I was rather disappointed I had only the one child but—”
“You areobsessed, Odessa.” Alyss rolled her eyes. “I promise you that if Malcolm is receiving,” she waved a hand around her temple, “messages from Andrew with his mind or they spoke in a special language, I would tell you instantly. There is nothingovertlyinteresting about twins.”
“It is only that she is—as large as a ship in Her Majesty’s navy. And I disagree on your opinion of twins. They are endlessly fascinating.”
“Spend the day with Malcolm while he cleans his pistols, and you may feel differently.”
Odessa pursed her lips. “I’ll send you one of my pamphlets that details—”
“Please do not.” Alyss set down her cup. “I beg you.”
“Holly,” Odessa kept her voice low. “Send for the duke to collect his duchess.”
The remainder of the conversation centered around Odessa’s efforts to hold a ghost hunting expedition at the home of Alyss and Malcolm, if only so she could ascertain whether their house was indeed haunted.
Alyss always refused.
Finally, giving up, Odessa turned to Aurora.
“Where has my aunt gotten off to this afternoon? I had thought she’d join us for tea. Out walking again? She never liked the park so much until recently.”
Aurora gave a careless shrug. “I’m not sure. She told me her dresses were becoming too tight and instituted an exercise regimen. Too many scones.”
“Hmm.” Odessa had the most arresting eyes. Shrewd and the color of wet slate. Piercing. As if she were plotting your demise or busy staring into your soul. Jordan, and nearly everyone else, found it difficult to keep anything a secret with Odessa. Aurora was amazed Aunt Lottie had.
“My aunt has never expressed a desire to curb her like of scones. Does this have to do with Kenebruke?”
“I—”
A curse sounded from the entrance of the drawing room and Aurora was thankfully spared from further interrogation by the arrival of the Duke of Ware. He made not a sound as he entered the room to take in his sleeping wife, which was impressive, given his size.
Another snore came from Tamsin.
“Stubborn thing,” Ware said, adoration stamped on his features. “She needs to stay home until the child comes.”
“Or children,” Odessa interjected.
Ware gave her an exasperated look. Odessa and the duke were cousins in a roundabout way and shared a love of oddities. Fascination with twins being one. “Stop being so hopeful, Odessa. The physician claims there is only one.”
“He could be wrong.”
“Your Grace.” Alyss stood. “I’ll follow you out. Malcolm will be wondering where I’ve gotten off to. And Emilia will be up from her nap.”
“Kiss my niece for me,” Aurora said. Emelia was an adorable little thing. She had Alyss’s nearly white, blonde hair and Malcolm’s green eyes. She resembled a tiny, woodland elf.
Odessa came to her feet as well. “I need to go over the dinner menu with Mrs. Cherry and check on Douglas. He’s probably waiting for a story.” Odessa read penny dreadfuls to Douglas, claiming there was no harm since he couldn’t possibly understand what she was saying at his age.
“Do you want to come with me?” Odessa stared at her, as if able to discern Aunt Lottie’s secrets from reading Aurora’s thoughts.
“I believe I’ll take a nap,” she answered with a yawn. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Aurora had barely been sleeping at all. It was impossible after reading portions ofThe Bloom of the Roseto have a restful sleep. Not when your mind was full of questions and your body aroused. Every nerve in her body felt tight, like the strings of a violin just waiting to be plucked.
