“Nicely put.” Julian cocked his head, already toying with an inkling of what had brought his brother to his door. “All right, come on. Out with it. What cannot wait till morning?”
Josiah glanced about the room. “Is this new wallpaper? Looks good.”
“No, it isn’t.” Julian sighed. “Get to the point.”
“Right-oh.” He waggled a brow. “Miss Viola Aitken.”
Julian groaned and flopped back on his pillow. “God, I knew it. What about her?”
Josiah shrugged. “I’m just curious, that’s all.”
“I’m sure you are. Go on, then. Let’s have it.”
“Is she ‘the one’?”
Julian hesitated. “She might be.”
Josiah wagged a finger at him. “Ah! See, that ‘might’ bit bothers me.”
Julian grimaced and rubbed his forehead. “I only met her yesterday, Joe. In fact, the girl has not even been officially debuted because Whickham has been in India for the past eighteen months. They’ve only been back in England for three weeks.”
Josiah waved a nonchalant hand. “Yes, I’m fully aware of that. So, you’re currently first in the marriage queue.”
Julian chuckled. “I think that’s the idea.”
“She is quite the prize, I must admit.”
“Yes, she is. Jealous?”
“You know I’m not.” Josiah tipped his chin up. “Describe her to me.”
Julian huffed. “What for? You already know what she looks like.”
“Yes, but pretend I don’t. Humor me. Describe her.”
“Do you actually have a point to make?”
“I do,” he replied, with a nod. “A very important point, I promise.”
“Very well, let’s get this foolishness over with.” Scratching his jaw, Julian gazed up at the bed canopy. “Viola is pretty. No, she’slovely. Charming and intelligent. Well-mannered. Quite tall, I suppose. Fair hair. A nice body. Averynice body, actually. And she has a delightful smile.”
Several moments of silence followed, interrupted by a snort from Josiah. “Is that it? You’re all done?”
Julian linked his hands behind his head. “What more do you want?”
“Lord, help us,” Josiah muttered, “Detail, Julian, I want detail. We did this once before, remember? Paint me a picture.”
A memory stirred to life, as did the tightness in Julian’s throat that always came with it. “What is this about, Joe? What’s going on?”
“I’m waiting for you to describe Miss Aitken.”
“Which I believe I have already done.”
“In an inanimate fashion, I suppose. Is that the best you can do?”
“Yes, it bloody well is. You said there was a point, so get to it, will you?
“I’m about to, once you’ve told me the color of the lovely Miss Viola’s eyes.”
