Della screamed at the sight of a shadowy figure on her bed. A prowler, come to kill her! No, it was only the housekeeper, come to ask her where she’d been all evening and demand a shilling to keep quiet about it. Scarcely better, as Della hated being extorted.
But a closer inspection in the lamplight proved that it was neither of these things. The intruder was only Annabelle.
“You terrified me! I nearly dropped the lamp and set us both ablaze.”
Such a reaction didn’t bode well for Lord Ashton’s future rendezvous with her bedroom window. She would try to keep from screaming if he appeared so suddenly.
Unless she was screaming for another reason, of course.
“You’ve been outside for nearly an hour,” her sister said flatly.
“So? You didn’t need to wait up. Go back to your own room and go to bed, please.”
“Someoneshould keep an eye on you!” Annabelle whispered, furious. “What if Lord Ashton took advantage, and no one heard you cry for help?”
“I promise you, I took advantage of him and not the other way round.”
“He’smarried, Della.”
“His wife left him years ago, and they haven’t spoken since. Surelyyou don’t think she can object if he seeks out companionship now? I doubt she’s been living as a nun.”
“What’s between them is between them,” Annabelle conceded, “but you don’t need to get mixed up in it. There’s no future with such a man.”
“Who says I want a future?” Della asked belligerently. “I’m enjoying the present, that’s all.” And what enjoyment! It was even better than she’d dared to hope, having the stern Viscount Ashton moaning and at her mercy. He was more attentive than she’d expected. Most men only thought about their own climax, but he’dwantedto please her. And he’d done a very good job of it. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so content.
“I should tell Mama and Papa about this and save you from yourself.” Annabelle narrowed her eyes to feline slits. The similarity didn’t end there, for her air of superiority and ever-watchful manner had always reminded Della of a cat.
“Do we really want to start down this road, dear?” Della pulled off the too-tight gown, eager to shed her disguise. She’d grown uncomfortable hours ago. “I don’t think I need to remind you of all the occasions I’ve saved your neck.”
There was the time Peter had gone fishing, to find Annabelle and her latest paramour swimming naked in the lake at their country house. Della had to persuade him this was a perfectly innocent adventure for two young ladies, which he should never mention to either set of parents. Then there was the time Annabelle stole a bottle from the wine cellar to hole up in her room with her lady’s maid, and nearly got the footman sacked for theft. Della had discreetly purchased a replacement and “found” the missing bottle behind a cabinet to save the poor fellow.
There was a distinct theme to Annabelle’s misadventures.
Honestly, I’m a saint.
“You haven’t done anything for me recently,” Annabelle observed. “WhereasI’mforced to sit through your flirtation with Lord Ashton every week just to make sure you don’t get yourself into more trouble than usual.”
“I let you come to the casino with me tonight,” Della snapped back, indignant. “That should count for something.”
“That bought you my silence. You were going anyway, so it was your caper, not mine.”
Ah, now we come to it.
“And what do you have planned that you need my help for?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Annabelle plucked a loose thread from her wrap. For some reason, she maintained the absurd fiction that she was the better behaved one even when they were alone. It probably came from being the youngest child. All she’d had to do was feign innocence for their governess when she wanted to get Della or Peter into trouble. “But…” She sighed as though she were struggling to think of some possible solution. “I suppose if you want to repay me for my kindness, youcouldlet me into your club tomorrow night.”
“Never.” Della didn’t even need to consider. “We’ve been over this. Family aren’t allowed to play the tables. People will think we’re cheating them when you win, and you’ll expect us to forgive the debts when you lose. It’s bad business either way.”
“I don’t even want to play much,” Annabelle whined. “I just want to attend. Why must you be so mean?”
“You said my club was a foolish venture bound to fail,” Della reminded her. The taunt had been issued nearly three years ago, but she could hold a grudge when it counted. “Why should you want to attend now?”
“Fine. I’m sorry I said that. Are you satisfied?” When Della didn’t budge, her sister groaned and buried her hands in her face. “All right, all right, it’s to impress a girl.”
Della perked up instantly. “A matter of the heart! Why didn’t you say so? Ofcourseyou can come.”
This changed everything. While Della might enjoy antagonizing her sister on occasion (strictly to even the score), she would never sabotage anyone’s chance at happiness. Besides, Annabelle was much more fun to tease when she was in love.
